Bathroom Renovation Mastered By A Viewer | From DIY to Pro

See all of Richard’s bathroom project images:
https://skill-builder.uk/richard-pugh-bathroom

Roger is chatting with Richard Pugh, an electrician from South Wales, about the fantastic bathroom renovation he did himself in his Barrett-built home. The house was built in 2011 using a steel-frame structure, which has caused some creaks and issues over the years, but Richard found clever solutions for these problems during the renovation.

The Bathroom Renovation

Richard isn’t a plumber—he’s an electrician—but that didn’t stop him from tackling this project! He noticed a lot of issues with how things were initially set up, like the electric shower wiring and poly pipes for the plumbing. Instead of leaving them as they were, he went the extra mile to replace most of them with copper piping for better durability.

Fixing Structural Problems

Richard had to deal with a shaky, squeaky floor poorly constructed with chipboard and foam. To fix it, he collaborated with a local fabricator to make custom steel supports to stabilize the floor and create a solid base for his wet room.

Building the Wet Room

He spent much time researching installing a wet room in his timber-framed house, even watching many YouTube tutorials (including some from Skill Builder). He ensured the room was super watertight by layering various waterproofing materials and carefully sealing everything.

Tiling Adventures

The tiling for this bathroom renovation, was a real challenge because he worked with huge 1200x600mm porcelain tiles weighing 18kg each! To make perfect cuts, Richard used a fancy Rubi Slim system with manual cutters and rails. Even though it was tricky, he only messed up one tile the whole time—pretty impressive for someone who’s not a pro.

Rubi Slim System

Installing Underfloor Heating

He also installed electric underfloor heating beneath the shower tray to keep the bathroom dry and mould-free. He carefully levelled the floor to ensure it sloped just right so water would drain properly.

Final Touches

Richard wanted a sleek, modern look, so he installed hidden plumbing and toilet fixings. This made the bathroom look more prominent and was much easier to clean. He even used a laser to align everything perfectly.

Reflecting on the Project

This whole bathroom renovation project took Richard about 23 days of hard work. While he saved on labour, the total cost still hit over £10,000, primarily due to materials. Richard’s advice to anyone thinking about DIYing a bathroom?

Be ready for a big commitment—it’s not something you can knock out over a weekend!

________________________________
CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
01:37 Plumbing
03:55 Shower tray
05:41 Underfloor heating
06:37 Tile cutting
11:32 Waterproofing
11:55 Tile fitting
17:13 Fittings
18:11 Furniture
19:02 Summary

About Dylan Garton

Dylan Garton is a co-founder, video producer and editor for the Skill Builder social media platforms.

Check Also

Plaster Patching

Quick DIY Plaster Patching to Fix Damaged Walls!

Plaster patching repairs are common in UK homes, particularly in older properties where wear and tear or previous repairs have failed. Whether a small dent in the wall or a larger area of damaged plaster, using suitable materials ensures a lasting and professional finish. In this guide, we’re using Dryzone Hi-Lime Renovation Plaster from Safeguard Europe, a versatile and breathable plaster ideal for patchwork in traditional and modern homes.