Bathroom Renovation in Hong Kong Island

Run every fixture: check drainage speed, look under the vanity for weeps, confirm the shower floor falls to the drain (pour a bucket and watch), check grout lines are even and silicone is continuous, and test the extractor fan. Photograph everything and get the waterproofing product and warranty terms in writing before releasing final payment.

A straight swap-in-place refit takes about 1-2 weeks; a full renovation with new waterproofing, retiling, and any layout change takes 2-4 weeks. Add waiting time before the start for fixture delivery and trades scheduling — and note that waterproofing membranes need curing days you cannot compress.

If the renovation strips the shower area back to the substrate, waterproofing must be redone — a failed membrane is the most expensive bathroom defect there is, because the fix means demolishing finished tiling. Several countries regulate wet-area waterproofing explicitly. Never let a contractor tile directly over an old or damaged membrane.

Keep the existing layout, choose mid-range fittings from stocked lines rather than special orders, use large-format tiles only on feature areas, and paint rather than tile ceilings and upper walls. Do not economize on waterproofing, drainage falls, or the tiler's labour — those are the items whose failure costs multiples later.

A standard full bathroom renovation typically runs HK$60,000-HK$130,000, with basic refreshes from about HK$30,000-HK$50,000 and high-spec projects HK$150,000-HK$350,000. Small bathroom footprints don't make it cheap — demolition, waterproofing, and licensed trades dominate the cost.

You are, as the flat owner — water seepage cases between flats are among Hong Kong's most common building disputes, handled via the Joint Office (FEHD/BD) and civil claims. Insist on a named waterproofing system, proper curing time, and a written warranty from your contractor; it's your main protection.