Find a bathroom designer

Contemplating renovating your bathroom? Choosing a good bathroom designer is an important first step, but how do you know if they will do a good job? Here are some tips to help you decide.

With so many options and professionals to choose from, how do you begin to choose a bathroom renovation expert? According to John Anton of Bathroom Solutions in Brighton, Victoria, the decision shouldn't be taken lightly. "The relationship between a client and a bathroom designer is one the client needs to have a fair amount of trust in," he says.

Do your research

Any work being done to your home should be researched thoroughly. Even when you plan to use a bathroom designer, having an idea of what you want your bathroom to look like can be an excellent start. "Having a fair idea of what you want is great, so you can convey that to whoever designs your bathroom," says John.

Look around

"There are a few different options for finding a designer," says John. "Friends or family members may recommend a designer they have used, or you could check listings in local papers, telephone directories or search the internet." These options will give you a starting point and an idea of the bathroom designers who work in your local area.

Check qualifications

Major renovations are a huge financial investment, so it's important that your designer is experienced and qualified. "Bathroom designers should be affiliated with the HIA or Master Builders Australia," says John. "I'd recommend they are a registered builder as well."

And while plumbers are qualified to complete a lot of the renovation work, John advises against leaving any design decisions up to them. "They aren't the ideal person to design a bathroom," he says.

Check prior work

If a bathroom designer has confidence in their expertise and quality of work, they should be happy for you to see it. "A new client should be able to ask if they can chat to past clients or go out on site to see work being done or already completed," says John. "If that puts a client at ease, then it's a perfectly reasonable thing to ask."

Ask questions

In addition to questions about price, needs and preferences for your bathroom design, John advises asking who will carry out the work, as some designers use contractors to complete the job. "The most important thing when choosing a bathroom designer is to ask questions," he says. "The more information you have, the better equipped you are to make the right decision."

With the right choices made, your bathroom could be an inviting space, suited perfectly to your needs, tastes and budget: