Bathroom Renovation Checklist: What to Decide Before Demolition
Published 14 October 2026 | By Casey Constructions
A bathroom renovation should not start with a skip bin. Before demolition, make sure the room has been measured, the scope is written down, the important selections are understood and any approval or safety questions have been checked. Casey Constructions manages bathroom renovation projects in Cannon Hill and across Brisbane; this guide complements our advice on bathroom renovation timing, small ensuite planning, preparing for a showroom visit and durable bathroom renovation choices.
What should you check before a bathroom renovation starts?
Direct answer: Before demolition, confirm the design and scope, check fixtures and materials, agree on the contract and variation process, identify who is handling approvals and licensed trades, plan access and household disruption, and investigate any suspected hazardous materials. A useful bathroom renovation plan should connect the room’s layout decisions with realistic project timing, early finish selections, long-term material choices and the needs of a compact ensuite.
TL;DR
TL;DR: Get the measured layout and work scope in writing; compare quotes against the same inclusions; choose key fixtures before work starts; check approval, plumbing and asbestos questions with the right qualified people; document agreed changes; and decide how the home will function while the bathroom is unavailable. Casey’s Cannon Hill bathroom service covers planning through construction, with more on timing factors, selection preparation, bathroom layout changes and future-ready choices.
1. Start with the room and household
Start with the room and household, not a tile sample. Record who uses the bathroom, what currently causes frustration, what must stay and what needs to change. Note door swings, windows, plumbing points, storage, ventilation and access. These details help make layout decisions practical and give the team a better brief for planning a bathroom renovation. If it is an ensuite, compare the priorities with our small ensuite layout guide; for overall sequencing, see how long a bathroom renovation takes; then bring ideas to a showroom visit.
2. Get the scope and quote clear
Ask for a clear scope that explains what is included and excluded: demolition, disposal, preparation, waterproofing, plumbing, electrical work, tiling, fixtures, finishing and clean-up. The quote should make it easier to compare like with like, including who supplies each product and how allowances are handled. The QBCC advises owners to check scope, materials and payment terms when comparing quotations [ 1]. Use Casey’s bathroom renovation service as the starting point, then clarify selections before work, material priorities, layout requirements and the project sequence.
3. Make key selections before work starts
Choose the items that affect dimensions and rough-ins early: vanity size, shower screen type, bath decision, tapware position, toilet location, niches and storage. Confirm product model numbers, finishes, quantities and who is ordering and receiving them. A selection schedule prevents a late substitution from quietly changing the agreed outcome. For a smaller room, use the ensuite planning guide; for ideas on comparing finishes, prepare for a renovation showroom visit; consider durable bathroom materials; check your fixture layout and discuss the details with the Cannon Hill renovation team.
4. Check approvals and licensed trades
In Queensland, do not assume every bathroom job has the same approval pathway. The need for building approval depends on the work, and a building certifier can advise on whether approval is required [ 6]. Plumbing and drainage work has its own rules; Queensland guidance includes many kitchen and bathroom plumbing renovations as notifiable work, and recommends using licensed plumbers [ 10]. Ask who is checking the specific scope and who will arrange any required approval, then link that decision to the renovation scope, layout changes, timing plan, fixture selections and long-term specification.
5. Check safety before demolition
If demolition may disturb older linings, flooring or other building materials, raise the question before work begins. Do not cut, drill or remove material you suspect may contain asbestos; get advice from appropriately qualified people. WorkSafe Queensland explains that asbestos likely to be disturbed by demolition should be identified and, so far as reasonably practicable, removed before the work starts [ 11]. This is a safety check, not a DIY inspection. Keep it on the project planning list alongside timing considerations, layout decisions, product selections and waterproofing priorities.
6. Agree on the contract and changes
Agree in writing on the contract scope, plans, specifications, price basis, payment stages, responsibilities and a process for changes. The QBCC says domestic building contracts should be written and signed, with associated plans and specifications checked before signing [ 2]. If the design changes after signing, ask for the variation and any price or time impact in writing before agreeing [ 3]. Use the bathroom service page to discuss the project, confirm the layout brief, complete finish planning, review material priorities and understand timing dependencies.
7. Plan for the disruption
A bathroom being renovated affects mornings, evenings, laundry routines and access to the rest of the home. Before the start date, ask about site access, parking, dust separation, temporary water interruptions, deliveries, waste removal, work hours and how questions will be handled. If another bathroom is available, decide who will use it. Build these practical arrangements into the renovation plan, align them with the project timeline, confirm them during selection and planning, and check whether ensuite layout choices or room configuration change the disruption.
8. Keep the right records
Before work starts, keep a copy of the final scope, selections, plans, approvals if required, insurance details, contact list and agreed start sequence. Ask how concealed work will be checked and what records will be provided before it is covered. The National Construction Code sets waterproofing and water-resistance requirements for wet-area building elements [ 14], and QBCC guidance highlights preparation, following product instructions, curing time, inspection and record keeping [ 15]. Add these questions to the bathroom project discussion, confirm your design details, review durable selections, organise product choices and allow for construction stages.
The most useful pre-demolition checklist is the one your builder and household can both refer to: confirmed drawings, defined inclusions, recorded selections, a clear contract, checked approval and safety questions, an agreed contact process and a realistic plan for living through the work. Casey Constructions is based in Cannon Hill and provides bathroom renovations across Brisbane. Before committing to a design, review layout options, small ensuite ideas, showroom preparation and future-ready renovation considerations.
Frequently asked questions
What should I decide before renovating my bathroom?
There is no single checklist for every property. Start with the measured layout and scope, then confirm selections, responsibilities, contract documents, approvals and any safety checks relevant to the work. See Casey’s Cannon Hill bathroom renovation service, layout guide, timing article, showroom visit guide and future-ready renovation advice.
Do I need council approval for a bathroom renovation in Brisbane?
No. Approval requirements depend on the particular work. Queensland’s building approval guidance says approval is needed before most types of domestic building work, while a certifier can advise whether the proposed work needs approval [ 7]. Discuss the scope with the relevant professionals and connect it to your renovation brief, layout changes, time plan, product selections and specification choices.
What should I do if demolition may uncover asbestos?
If a material could contain asbestos, do not disturb it. Ask a qualified asbestos professional or licensed removalist for advice before demolition. WorkSafe Queensland provides guidance on asbestos and demolition [ 11] and demolition notifications [ 12]. Include the issue in your project planning conversation, alongside timing questions, layout planning, selection decisions and waterproofing requirements.
Recommended reading
Talk with Casey Constructions
Casey Constructions is based in Cannon Hill and manages bathroom and kitchen renovations across Brisbane and surrounding areas. Share your room, priorities and questions with the team to discuss the next step: contact Casey Constructions.
Bathroom renovation inspiration. This image is illustrative and is not a completed Casey Constructions project.
Sources
- QBCC, Seeking and comparing quotes. Guidance on comparing scope, materials, payment terms and contractor details.
- QBCC, Domestic building contracts. Contract requirements and plans/specifications for Queensland domestic building work.
- QBCC, Contract variations. Written variation documentation and effects on price or timing.
- QBCC, Find a licensed contractor. Checking contractor licensing before engagement.
- QBCC, Insurance responsibilities. Home warranty and insurance responsibilities.
- Business Queensland, Role of building certifiers. Certifier role and advice on whether approval is required.
- Business Queensland, Building approvals and inspections. General Queensland domestic building approval process.
- Business Queensland, Working with building certifiers. Owner access to inspection documentation.
- Brisbane City Council, Building certification. Brisbane certification process and documents.
- Queensland Government, Plumbing laws. Licensed plumbers and notifiable bathroom plumbing work.
- WorkSafe Queensland, Asbestos and demolition. Asbestos removal and demolition information.
- WorkSafe Queensland, Demolition notifications. Demolition notification requirements.
- WorkSafe Queensland, Demolition Work Code of Practice 2021. Hazards to assess before demolition or refurbishment.
- Australian Building Codes Board, NCC Specification 26: Waterproofing and water-resistance requirements in wet areas. National Construction Code provisions for wet areas.
- QBCC, Waterproofing done right. Preparation, product instructions, curing, inspection and records.
- QBCC, Home Owner Hub. Steps across planning, quotes, contracts, work and completion.
- QBCC, Unpacking quotes, contracts and variations. Why clear written agreements support project scope and changes.
- QBCC, Homeowner’s Guide to Building and Renovating. Homeowner guidance on approvals, contracts and inspections.
- QBCC, Consumer Building Guide, version 3. Queensland consumer guide and domestic building contract context.
- WorkSafe Queensland, Asbestos and demolition: notifications and training. Additional guidance on notification, licensing and training.
