\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUpdated:<\/p>
2.10.2025<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Share on:<\/h4><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>F<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nor Christchurch homeowner Kirsty, the family bathroom had long been the \u201cunloved\u201d space in her home. With a shower leak, outdated fittings, and an ensuite that became everyone\u2019s go-to, the family bathroom makeover was long overdue.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\u201cEveryone preferred our ensuite because it was newer and nicer looking. The family bathroom had a leak in the shower, so it just didn\u2019t get used much,\u201d Kirsty says.<\/span><\/p>\nBut with two kids aged 11 and 13, both rapidly reaching the \u201cmakeup and mirror\u201d stage, the space was fast becoming essential. Kirsty also longed for her own sanctuary: \u201cI wanted the whole room to feel modern, clean, and calm.\u201d<\/p>\n
What started as a small upgrade turned into a full bathroom overhaul \u2013 complete with tiled walls, a frameless shower, and sleek finishes. We cover everything from:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>- <\/i><\/span>\n
The family bathroom vision<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
The biggest hurdle: timing<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
Enter Builderscrack<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
The project breakdown<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
Timeline & cost<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
Behind the family bathroom<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
Advice from Jason from Jmac Contractors<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
Advice from the Electrician<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
Kirsty’s advice<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
To, the final verdict<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Family-bathroom-1200x8004-1.jpg\")
![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Family-bathroom-1200x8003-2.jpg\")
<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Family-bathroom-1200x8009-1.jpg\")
![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Family-bathroom-1200x8005-2.jpg\")
<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Before & after: Swipe to see the results.| Photos: Kirsty<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>From London to Christchurch<\/strong><\/h3><\/h3><\/div>Kirsty and her family have lived in their Christchurch home for eight years. Originally from London, she has called New Zealand home for over a decade, raising her two children here with husband,Mike.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t necessarily our forever home, but it works for us right now,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bathroom was one of those things we knew would need upgrading when we bought it.\u201d<\/p>\n
So come 2024, the lengthy planning stage began.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Family-bathroom-1200x8003-1.jpg\" "\\"Family-bathroom-1200×8003\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Family-bathroom-1200x8001-1.jpg\" "\\"Family-bathroom-1200×8001\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Outdated vanity, vinyl flooring and “yellowish” wall paint. | Photos: Kirsty<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>The Family Bathroom Vision<\/b><\/h3><\/h3><\/div>Kirsty\u2019s vision for the bathroom was clear from the start:<\/p>\n<\/div>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
Modern look and feel:<\/b> Clean lines, fresh tiles, and fixtures that would last.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>- <\/i><\/span>\n
Practicality: <\/b>Plenty of mirror space, easy-to-clean surfaces, and good lighting.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>- <\/i><\/span>\n
Sanctuary factor:<\/b> A bath space that felt calm and restful.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul>The family debated swapping their built-in bath for a freestanding model.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey look amazing, but I knew they\u2019d be harder to clean around,\u201d Kirsty says. \u201cOur bath was fine, so we decided to re-tile around it instead. It was one of those practical decisions that would save money and just made sense.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Family-bathroom-1200x8006-1.jpg\" "\\"Family-bathroom-1200×8006\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>The bathtub was the most functional feature of the original bathroom.<\/i>| Photo: Kirsty<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>The Biggest Hurdle: Timing<\/strong><\/h3><\/h3><\/div>Like many renovation stories, the process was not as seamless as the glossy \u201cafter\u201d photos might suggest.<\/p>\n
The biggest hurdle? Timing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe old bathroom was ripped out just before Christmas, and then life got busy,\u201d Kirsty recalls. \u201cFor about six months, all we had was a bath with no shower,\u201d which meant four people sharing our ensuite,\u201d Kirsty says.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt got a bit ridiculous,\u201d she laughs. \u201cThere were queues in the morning, no privacy, and constant battles for mirror time.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a reminder of just how valuable a functional family bathroom can be.<\/p>\n<\/div>
\u201cGetting the family bathroom back would give us autonomy and our own bathroom again,\u201d Kirsty says.
\n<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
F<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n or Christchurch homeowner Kirsty, the family bathroom had long been the \u201cunloved\u201d space in her home. With a shower leak, outdated fittings, and an ensuite that became everyone\u2019s go-to, the family bathroom makeover was long overdue.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div> \u201cEveryone preferred our ensuite because it was newer and nicer looking. The family bathroom had a leak in the shower, so it just didn\u2019t get used much,\u201d Kirsty says.<\/span><\/p>\n But with two kids aged 11 and 13, both rapidly reaching the \u201cmakeup and mirror\u201d stage, the space was fast becoming essential. Kirsty also longed for her own sanctuary: \u201cI wanted the whole room to feel modern, clean, and calm.\u201d<\/p>\n What started as a small upgrade turned into a full bathroom overhaul \u2013 complete with tiled walls, a frameless shower, and sleek finishes. We cover everything from:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> The family bathroom vision<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> The biggest hurdle: timing<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Enter Builderscrack<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> The project breakdown<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Timeline & cost<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Behind the family bathroom<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Advice from Jason from Jmac Contractors<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Advice from the Electrician<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Kirsty’s advice<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> To, the final verdict<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div> Before & after: Swipe to see the results.| Photos: Kirsty<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div> Kirsty and her family have lived in their Christchurch home for eight years. Originally from London, she has called New Zealand home for over a decade, raising her two children here with husband,Mike.<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t necessarily our forever home, but it works for us right now,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cThe bathroom was one of those things we knew would need upgrading when we bought it.\u201d<\/p>\n So come 2024, the lengthy planning stage began.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Outdated vanity, vinyl flooring and “yellowish” wall paint. | Photos: Kirsty<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div> Kirsty\u2019s vision for the bathroom was clear from the start:<\/p>\n<\/div> Modern look and feel:<\/b> Clean lines, fresh tiles, and fixtures that would last.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Practicality: <\/b>Plenty of mirror space, easy-to-clean surfaces, and good lighting.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Sanctuary factor:<\/b> A bath space that felt calm and restful.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul> The family debated swapping their built-in bath for a freestanding model.<\/p>\n \u201cThey look amazing, but I knew they\u2019d be harder to clean around,\u201d Kirsty says. \u201cOur bath was fine, so we decided to re-tile around it instead. It was one of those practical decisions that would save money and just made sense.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> The bathtub was the most functional feature of the original bathroom.<\/i>| Photo: Kirsty<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Like many renovation stories, the process was not as seamless as the glossy \u201cafter\u201d photos might suggest.<\/p>\n The biggest hurdle? Timing.<\/p>\n \u201cThe old bathroom was ripped out just before Christmas, and then life got busy,\u201d Kirsty recalls. \u201cFor about six months, all we had was a bath with no shower,\u201d which meant four people sharing our ensuite,\u201d Kirsty says.<\/p>\n \u201cIt got a bit ridiculous,\u201d she laughs. \u201cThere were queues in the morning, no privacy, and constant battles for mirror time.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a reminder of just how valuable a functional family bathroom can be.<\/p>\n<\/div>From London to Christchurch<\/strong><\/h3><\/h3><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>The Family Bathroom Vision<\/b><\/h3><\/h3><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>The Biggest Hurdle: Timing<\/strong><\/h3><\/h3><\/div>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Family-bathroom-1200x8007-1.jpg\" "\\"Family-bathroom-1200×8007\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Family-bathroom-1200x8005-1.jpg\" "\\"Family-bathroom-1200×8005\\"")
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