Learning Out Loud: What Designers Wish Clients Knew Before Renovating a Bathroom

Girl, I am leading another project! YES. I’m excited. The goal? A few more projects under my belt as the lead. I need this experience, this is what'll gonna push me upwards as a designer to…well, become a whole vibe.

So, here’s the tea. I was about to take on a bathroom renovation. Yes, you read that right. But what had happened was… there was a pivot. It started as a full renovation and ended up being just a style service. Girl. Still counts as design, okaaay?

Now, let me tell you, your projects don’t always start the way you imagine them. I was thinking floor plans, mosaic tiles, fiberglass shower doors, all that good stuff. My mind was running a mile a minute while I was emailing and talking to the client. But then…boom. Then I was hit with, “This will be a styling project.” Disappointment? Oh honey, it was real. But here’s the thing, you always have to put the client’s best interests first. That doesn’t mean you don’t tell them your expert knowledge. Why else would they hire you?

If you’re really thinking about your next bathroom project, here’s some stuff you need to know before diving in.

Scope, scope, scope.

Sometimes builders don’t set up spaces the way you think they will. Like, a bathroom could be technically possible in a room, but they didn’t install plumbing or anything else that would make it easy. For this project? Nada. Carpet pulled up, and basically… raw. Nothing to help us. Always check what’s already in place, because it could either blow your budget or save your life. Sometimes a plumber costs more than a general contractor. And if there’s rerouting or serious plumbing work? Girl, that adds time and money fast.

Permits and inspections.

Every county’s different, so check theirs first. There’s usually a process, a wait, inspections, and sometimes multiple inspections per project. I can’t even tell you how many times you have to wait for approval before you can actually start working. And if the work isn’t up to code? They’ll eat that cost.

Time + Money = everything.

When a client says, “I want something for $20K,” it could easily hit $10K–$40K depending on the scope. Sometimes you have to gently bring them back to reality. This isn’t to discourage they just need to know the truth.

Things aren’t always movable.

So, we went to the house and saw the ceiling situation. Girl, it wasn’t flat. And that ventilation? The general contractor said, “Nope, can’t move it.” That meant no clearance for the shower. And the clients were tall. I’m 5’3”, so any shower is fine for me, but not for them. That’s why you always gotta check heights, angles, clearance—especially if you’re thinking about adding a shower.

Behind-the-wall stuff.

Check plumbing, electrical, HVAC, rerouting options, waterproofing, ventilation…basically, all the sneaky stuff no one thinks about. It’s why research is your best friend.

Before you even talk to a client, do your homework. Check what the county requires for permits. How many inspections? How long does it take? Get all that info ready. That way, you can sound like the expert you are without looking like you’re guessing.

Seriously, interior design is my passion. It’s not work...it’s a necessity. I want to be the expert. I want to walk into a room knowing exactly what’s happening, using the right words, and understanding the full scope. Because walking in unprepared? Worst. Feeling. Ever.

So, do your research, practice what you wanna say, take notes if you have to, and always, always put your client first. Your expertise is what sets you apart, girl.

Next time on Learning Out Loud, we’ll keep it just as raw, just as real, just as radiant.