Planning and design
When to renovate the bathroom: season, delivery times, and tradespeople
You can renovate the bathroom at any time of the year – in an apartment with heating even in winter. It is important that the temperature in the bathroom during work is suitable for processing adhesives, waterproofing, and grouts (for most from +5 °C to +25 °C), and that you have selected goods and arranged craftsmen in advance. We recommend starting to plan 2 to 3 months before demolition.
Ilustračný obrázok: kúpeľňa počas rekonštrukcie s hotovou hydroizoláciou, pripravenými balíkmi obkladu a otvoreným oknom
There is no single correct answer to the question of "when". A bathroom in an apartment is indoors, so it won't be affected by rain or frost like a terrace. However, the timing affects how quickly the substrates dry, whether the window can be ventilated, where you will shower for several weeks, and when tradesmen are available. In the article, you will find a comparison of the seasons, data from technical sheets about temperature and drying, a plan for what to arrange when, and situations when renovation should not be delayed.
Spring, summer, autumn or winter?
In an apartment or house with heating, the bathroom can be renovated at any time of the year. Each season has its advantages and requires a slightly different approach:
| Season | Advantages | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| spring | mild temperatures, can be ventilated, bathroom is ready before summer | many households plan work for spring – book tradesmen in advance |
| summer | ventilation through windows, easier removal of debris, can shower at family or at a cottage | in the heat, materials set faster, most are processed best up to +25 °C; during holidays, tradesmen and suppliers may be unavailable |
| autumn | stable temperatures, bathroom is ready before the holidays | schedules before Christmas fill up quickly, plan for a buffer |
| winter | in an apartment with heating, work proceeds without problems, scheduling can sometimes be easier | air and substrate in the bathroom at least +5 °C, less ventilation – a fan helps; during holidays, the bathroom will be out of service |
The situation is different at a cottage, in an unheated house, or in an apartment where heating is not available during renovation. In those cases, adhesives and waterproofing cannot be processed in winter until the space is heated. Plan outdoor work – balcony or terrace – for frost-free periods; when laying floor tiles on a balcony, the same temperature limits apply as indoors, plus rain and direct sunlight.
Temperature and drying: what the technical data sheets say
Tiling is not just about the tiler's skill. Adhesive, waterproofing, screed, and grout all require the right temperature and time, as stated by the manufacturers in the technical data sheets. Here are a few examples:
| Material (product example) | Processing temperature | When can work continue |
|---|---|---|
| interior waterproofing (Ceresit CL 51) | +5 to +25 °C | second layer after approximately 1.5 hours, tiling 4 hours after the second layer |
| adhesive for wall tiles (Ceresit CM 11 PLUS) | +5 to +25 °C | grouting floor tiles at the earliest after approximately 24 hours, larger formats and narrow joints extend this time |
| cement grout (Ceresit CE 40 Aquastatic) | +5 to +25 °C | walkable after 6 hours, first contact with water after 24 hours |
| epoxy grout (Mapei Kerapoxy) | +12 to +30 °C | the mixture must be processed within 45 minutes |
| quick screed (Mapei Topcem) | +5 to +35 °C | walkable after 12 hours, ceramic floor tiles after 24 hours |
| standard cement screed (Kreisel Estrich/Beton 421) | substrate +5 to +30 °C | tiling approximately after 24 hours for each millimeter of thickness |
The table shows two things. Work must stop at low temperatures – in an unheated bathroom, neither adhesive nor waterproofing should be processed. And the longest wait is for the classic screed: a 4 cm thick cement screed would take approximately 40 days according to the provided technical sheet. Therefore, quick-drying screeds or thin levelling compounds are used in bathroom renovations. The manufacturer Baumit states that the times apply at +20 °C and humidity up to 70 % – lower temperatures and higher humidity will significantly prolong curing.
Underfloor heating in winter. Do not turn it on full immediately after laying the floor tiles. For example, the technical data sheet for the floor screed STline W 410 states to heat gradually and increase the temperature by no more than 5 °C per day. When and how to turn on the heating will be determined by the technical data sheet of the used screed and adhesive – ask the tiler about this.
How far in advance to plan
The actual renovation of a bathroom usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. Preparation before it is often longer – and it is precisely this that determines whether the work will not be interrupted. An indicative plan that has proven effective:
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2 to 3 months before demolition | clarify what the bathroom should include, focus on it, prepare a design and budget, contact craftsmen or a company |
| 6 to 8 weeks before | select wall tiles, floor tiles, sanitary ware, mixers and furniture, confirm the craftsmen's schedule in writing |
| 2 to 4 weeks before | order goods including special order items and allow time to check the delivery |
| 1 week before | inform the building manager and neighbours, arrange for water shut-off and debris removal |
| demolition day | everything that goes into the walls and floor is on site |
If you plan to change the layout – for example, combine the bathroom with the toilet or move a partition – add time for a structural assessment and notification to the building authority. According to Building Act No. 25/2025 Z. z., the authority will process the notification within 30 days. What needs to be arranged when can be found in the chapter Documents and Permits, the procedure in a block of flats in the article Bathroom in a prefab block of flats.
Delivery times for goods
Goods that are in stock with the supplier are usually available at TGB Kúpeľne studio by the next working day, and special order items within two weeks. We will confirm the exact date when ordering. For planning, it is important to know when each item needs to be on site:
- Before demolition and installations: installation frame for wall-hung toilet, concealed mixer bodies, shower tray or linear shower drain. The plumber prepares the outlets based on these.
- Before the tiler's arrival: all wall tiles and floor tiles from the same batch with a reserve, adhesive, waterproofing, grout and profiles.
- After the tiles: toilet, sink with furniture, external parts of mixers, shower screen, mirror and lights.
- Made to measure: the custom shower screen will be ordered for production only after the tiles are installed, when the space can be measured accurately – plan for it at the end of the renovation.
Everything should be selected right at the beginning, including items that are installed at the end. Water and electrical outlets are made according to the sink, mirror and lights. The chapter What to order and when details which items to select when and have on site.
Craftsmen's schedules
In the bathroom, a mason, plumber, electrician, tiler, and finally the installation of sanitary ware, furniture, and screens will take turns. Renovations often get delayed when one is waiting for another. When arranging schedules, it helps to:
- agree on the order and dates for all trades at once, not gradually during the work,
- set the start and completion dates in the contract for work,
- allow time for drying of substrates between trades according to technical sheets,
- provide each craftsman with written heights of outlets from the design,
- if you don't want to manage coordination, assign the bathroom as a turnkey project to one supplier.
When it comes to water and electrical installations, always remember: they are done by a professional. The electrician will issue a report after the work. How to choose a tiler or company and what their offer should include is described in the article How to choose a tiler and company for renovation.
When not to wait and when it's worth waiting
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| water is leaking to the neighbour, the tiles are hollow or falling off | don't wait – the damage increases every day; first find out the cause |
| the building is preparing to replace soil stacks | it's worth waiting and doing the bathroom only after that |
| you are planning a complete flat renovation | do the bathroom together with electrical installations and flooring, the installations are resolved at once |
| you are planning to sell the flat | often it is enough to refresh the bathroom without demolition – mixers, silicone, mirror, light |
| a senior or small child will be added to the household | plan the renovation earlier and prepare the bathroom to serve for years to come |
| holidays or a big visit are approaching | don't start just before them – allow for 4 weeks and a buffer |
What can be changed without demolition is described in the article Bathroom renovation without demolition, quick improvements before a visit in the article Guest bathroom before Christmas, and preparation for old age in the chapter Barrier-free bathroom.
How to survive weeks without a bathroom
During the renovation, the bathroom will not function for several weeks. Here are some things to think about in advance:
- separate toilet – if you have one and it will also be renovated, leave it until the end so you can use it for as long as possible,
- showering – arrange to shower at family or friends' places at least for the dustiest days of demolition and tiling,
- water in the kitchen – ask the plumber if the water supply to the kitchen can remain functional,
- washing machine – if it is in the bathroom, wash everything before demolition,
- dirt – cover the bathroom door with a zippered film, protect other rooms, dust from demolition spreads throughout the flat.
Use the time before renovation for planning
Most delays arise from last-minute decisions. While waiting for the date, prepare your design: in the 3D bathroom planner you can enter the bathroom dimensions and try out tiles for free, the checklist Before renovating the bathroom can be downloaded in PDF, and the estimated price can be calculated by the calculator. We will prepare a design with photorealistic visualisation for you at our studio in Senec – free with the purchase of goods. You can see wall tiles, sanitary ware, and mixers live and select them all at once.
Related: Bathroom renovation step by step · Before renovating the bathroom – checklist · How to choose a tiler and company · How much does a bathroom renovation cost · Bathroom in a prefab block of flats
Sources: technical sheets Ceresit CL 51, CM 11 PLUS and CE 40 Aquastatic (Henkel), Mapei Topcem and Kerapoxy, Kreisel Estrich/Beton 421, Baumit Poter, STline W 410 (Stavmat); Act No. 25/2025 Z. z. (Building Act), § 63. Delivery times: TGB Kúpeľne studio.
Terms in the dictionary: Waterproofing · Screed · Grout · Epoxy grout (RG) · Underfloor heating · Installation (concealed) frame
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to renovate the bathroom?
In an apartment with heating, any time of the year. Spring and autumn have mild temperatures and allow for ventilation, in summer materials cure faster, and in winter the bathroom must be kept at least +5 °C. More important than the season is to have the goods selected in advance and craftsmen arranged.
Can bathroom renovation be done in winter?
Yes, in an apartment or house with heating. Adhesives, waterproofing, and cement grouts are usually processed at air and substrate temperatures from +5 °C to +25 °C. In unheated spaces, such as a cottage, the area must first be heated.
How far in advance should I plan a bathroom renovation?
We recommend starting 2 to 3 months before demolition – design, selection, and agreement with craftsmen. Order goods at least 2 weeks before the start, so that everything going into the wall and floor is on site before demolition.
What is the delivery time for tiles and sanitary ware?
At TGB Kúpeľne studio, we usually have goods in stock with the supplier by the next working day, and goods on order within two weeks. We will confirm the exact date upon ordering.
What most prolongs bathroom renovation?
Missing goods, waiting between trades, drying of substrates, and surprises after demolition, such as old plumbing or moisture. Classic cement screed takes weeks to dry, which is why fast-drying screeds are used in bathrooms.
Will I finish the bathroom before Christmas?
Yes, if you start early enough. Allow for 4 weeks of work, a buffer, and goods on order within two weeks. If time is short, quick improvements without demolition can help, and plan the renovation for after the holidays.
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