Bathroom Renovation in Copenhagen: What to Plan Before Work Starts

English / Bathroom renovation in Copenhagen

A bathroom renovation in Copenhagen often involves more than replacing tiles and fittings. In an existing apartment or house, the condition of the floor, walls, pipes, drainage and previous work can affect both the method and the final price. A clear plan before work starts makes it easier to compare quotations and avoid misunderstandings.

Begin with the existing bathroom

The first step is to assess what is already there. Copenhagen homes vary considerably in age and construction. Floors may be uneven, walls may contain several earlier finishes, and pipework or drainage may have been altered over time.

Before asking for a final quotation, collect the address, approximate room measurements, photographs and any available drawings. If you live in an apartment, also check whether the owners’ association has rules about working hours, water shut-offs, waste, access or alterations to shared installations.

Photographs are useful for an initial assessment, but they cannot show hidden moisture, weak substrates or the condition below old tiles. A site visit may therefore be needed before the scope can be confirmed.

Decide what is changing

List the parts of the bathroom you want to keep and those you want to replace. Moving a toilet, shower, basin or drain is generally more involved than renewing finishes in their existing positions. Changes to the layout can affect plumbing, floor construction, falls and the sequence of work.

Your initial description should cover:

• Whether the layout will remain the same
• Which fittings will be replaced or moved
• The preferred tile format and surfaces to be tiled
• Whether there is underfloor heating
• Storage, lighting and electrical requirements
• Who supplies tiles, fittings and furniture
• Your preferred timing and access arrangements

Wet-room work is part of the construction

A bathroom is a wet room. The visible tiles are only the finished surface. The underlying construction must be suitable, stable and prepared for waterproofing, drainage and the required falls towards the drain.

The correct solution depends on the room and the existing structure. The quotation should explain whether demolition, preparation, levelling, waterproofing, drain work and tiling are included. It should also identify work that must be carried out by authorised plumbing or electrical contractors.

Read more about Mur&Co’s bathroom renovation work in Copenhagen and our approach to wall and floor tiling.

Choose tiles before the quotation is finalised

Tile size, pattern and material affect both the appearance and the work involved. Large-format tiles require a suitable, even substrate. Small tiles or mosaics can be useful where the floor must form falls around a drain. Patterns such as herringbone usually involve more cutting and setting out.

Confirm the tile dimensions, thickness, quantity and delivery time early. Allow for cuts, breakage and future repairs. The grout colour, joint width, trims and transitions to adjacent rooms should also be agreed before installation.

Clarify which trades are involved

A complete bathroom renovation may involve masonry, tiling, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry and painting. Ask who coordinates the sequence and which work is included in each quotation.

It should be clear who disconnects and reconnects fittings, who deals with the drain and pipework, and who completes electrical installations. Work that legally requires an authorised contractor must be handled by the appropriate authorised trade.

Compare quotations by scope, not only price

A low total may exclude demolition, waste removal, preparation, waterproofing, fittings or work by other trades. Compare quotations line by line and check that they describe the same result.

A useful bathroom quotation should address:

• Protection of access routes and nearby rooms
• Demolition and disposal of waste
• Preparation of floors and walls
• Waterproofing and falls towards the drain
• Tiling, grouting, silicone joints and trims
• Plumbing and electrical work, if included
• Supply of materials and fittings
• Conditions that may lead to additional work
• How changes are described and approved

For more general advice, see our guide to finding a reliable bricklayer in Copenhagen.

Allow for hidden conditions

Renovation work can reveal conditions that were not visible during the first inspection. Moisture, damaged boards, unsuitable previous waterproofing or old pipework may require the scope to be adjusted.

A professional quotation should explain which assumptions the price is based on and how unexpected work will be handled. Additional work should be described and agreed before it is carried out whenever possible.

Plan the practical side of the renovation

A bathroom may be unavailable for part of the project. Ask about the expected sequence, access to water and whether another toilet or washing facility will be available. In apartment buildings, neighbours may also need notice before noisy work or temporary water shut-offs.

Delivery and storage matter too. Copenhagen stairwells can be narrow, parking may be limited, and heavy materials need a safe route into the property. These details can affect both timing and cost.

Frequently asked questions

Can Mur&Co assess a bathroom from photographs?

Photographs, measurements and a postcode are useful for an initial assessment. A site visit is often required before a final quotation, particularly when the floor construction, drainage or hidden conditions may affect the solution.

Can I communicate in English?

Yes. You can describe the project, send photographs and discuss the quotation with Mur&Co in English.

Do I need to choose all fittings before contacting a contractor?

No, but the quotation becomes more accurate when the layout, tile format and main fittings are known. Moving installations or choosing specialist materials can change the work involved.

Which areas does Mur&Co cover?

Mur&Co works in Copenhagen and Greater Copenhagen. Send the postcode with your enquiry so we can assess whether the project is within our working area.