Malvern East has a mix of post-war houses, newer townhouses and units. That affects how we approach a bathroom renovation, from checking existing floors and walls to choosing fixtures that suit the space.
01Older homes and newer builds need different checks
Post-war houses in Malvern East often have compact bathrooms with original plumbing and timber or concrete subfloors. Before we quote, we check what is behind the walls and under the floor, because waterproofing failures are more common when older materials have moved. In newer townhouses and units, the bathroom may be larger but the drainage points and slab can limit layout changes, so we look at what can stay and what should move.
A full renovation normally includes strip-out, waterproofing, tiling, plumbing coordination and fit-off by our in-house team. If the room is in reasonable shape, you might only replace the vanity, tapware, toilet and shower screen. We can supply products for your own installer from the Mount Waverley showroom, or you can choose them as part of our full service.
02Full renovation or a refresh: choose before you start
A full renovation makes sense when the existing waterproofing is old, the layout is awkward, or the tiling and fittings are near the end of their life. Strip-out and re-waterproofing is more involved, but it lets us fix falls, replace timber or sheet flooring, and set new fixtures where they work best.
A refresh is quicker and less disruptive. You keep the room where it is, replace the toilet, basin, mixer, shower head and mirror, and re-grout if the existing tile is sound. Whichever direction you take, we recommend seeing the products in person first. The showroom at 21/105-111 Ricketts Road, Mount Waverley is about 7.0 km from Malvern East. It displays toilets, Washlet seats, basins, vanities, tapware, showers and baths, so you can test drawers, compare finishes and decide before we measure and write a quote.
03What to expect during the renovation
On a typical bathroom renovation day, our trades arrive early and work to a set sequence. You will hear tiling tools, occasional hammering and the shower pump for waterproofing tests. We cover hallways and doorways with plastic and drop sheets, and we keep dust contained as much as possible. A skip bin or trailer may be parked near your property, so we agree on a spot that does not block neighbour driveways.
Access to the bathroom needs to be clear during the day. We usually set up a temporary work area outside or in a nearby room, and we lock up at the end of each day. If you are living at home, it helps to decide early whether you will use a second bathroom or set up a temporary shower elsewhere, especially when the main bathroom is being re-waterproofed and cannot be used overnight.
04TOTO toilets and second bathrooms
As an authorised TOTO dealer, we supply and install wall-hung and floor-mounted toilets, rimless bowls, Tornado Flush and CeFiONtect glaze. Washlet bidet seats are popular in Malvern East ensuites because they take the place of a standard seat and give you a warm-water wash without a separate bidet. Wall-hung toilets also free up floor space in compact older bathrooms.
For homes with an ensuite and a main bathroom, it can help to choose one consistent range for tapware and toilets, then vary tiles or vanities to suit each room. We can renovate one room at a time so the household still has a working bathroom, and coordinate plumbing rough-ins so future changes are easier. The same service covers nearby suburbs including Chadstone, Carnegie and Hughesdale.
Malvern East questions
Still unsure? Call 0426 520 859 and talk to someone who actually installs this stuff.
Do you renovate bathrooms in older Malvern East houses without moving plumbing?
Yes. Many older homes have compact rooms that suit a careful refresh rather than relocating drains. We check the subfloor and wall structure first, then suggest layouts that keep drainage points where they are. A wall-hung TOTO toilet or a smaller vanity can free up floor space without structural changes.
Can I buy a TOTO Washlet from your showroom and use my own plumber?
Yes. The Mount Waverley showroom sells toilets, Washlet seats, basins, vanities and tapware to customers who have their own installer. You can see the products in person and take a written quote for supply only. If you later want our team to install, we can arrange that as well.
How do you manage access and parking during a Malvern East renovation?
We plan access with you before work starts. On most residential streets, parking is on-street and shared, so we agree where materials and a skip can sit without affecting neighbours. We keep the path to the bathroom clear and protect floors from dust and foot traffic. If your property has a narrow driveway or shared access, we note that at the measure.
Should I renovate the ensuite and main bathroom at the same time?
Not necessarily. Many Malvern East households renovate one room first and keep the other in use. We can stage the works so there is always at least one functioning bathroom, and we set rough-ins so the second room is simpler to do later. This is common for families in houses with one main bathroom and a smaller ensuite.
Come and touch it first.
Tapware, basins, toilets and finishes look different in real light. Bring your plans or a few photos of the room, and we will walk you through the options.
Plan your visit