As a business entity, the chances are your bathrooms will get used regularly. 

Throughout the day, you will have a constant stream of staff, customers and other third parties using your bathroom facilities. Which will ultimately put them under plenty of strain. 

To make sure they are up for the task, your commercial bathroom construction must be carried out by a reliable and experienced company that provides excellent service and takes pride in their work. 

In this article, we will take a look at what exactly is a commercial bathroom construction. We will also outline some of the factors you need to consider when planning one. As well as the process involved in completing such a project.

What is a commercial bathroom construction

Essentially a commercial bathroom construction takes place at a business. 

This could include everything from full ensuites in hotels to either small or large-scale bathrooms in an office or shopping center. 

These types of work often incorporate the floor, walls and fittings such as toilets, urinals or sinks. 

As no two renovations are the same, the design, layout, materials and fixtures will vary depending on the needs of the business entity.

What types of commercial bathroom constructions are there?

Commercial bathroom constructions or renovations can take several forms. They include the likes of facilities at airports, schools or universities, hotels and motels and bars, cafes and restaurants. 

They also include clinics, hospitals and care facilities, as well as retail spaces, offices, factories and warehouses. 

Each of these commercial venues has various legal and practical requirements when it comes to bathrooms. Which means they all need to be configured differently.

What you need to consider

When planning for a commercial bathroom project, you will need to take into account several factors.

One of the main ones is how many people are likely to be using the bathroom at the same time. You will also need to establish how many bathrooms you want to be remodeled and put together an overall budget. 

Given that you are a commercial entity, you will also want to devise a timeline for the work that will cause the minimum disruption to your customers and staff.

Design-wise you will also need to ascertain what décor, fixtures and finishes you would like to incorporate within the bathrooms. Consider whether you need to increase the current floor size too.

Commercial bathroom essentials

The features of your commercial bathroom will vary depending on where it is located. 

For instance, you will have to work out how many toilet cubicles and urinals you would need in each room. 

Likewise, there will need to be ample sinks and hand sanitizers for people to wash their hands. You should also consider how many paper towel dispensers and sanitary bins you require and whether you need baby changing tables or shower facilities too. 

Ventilation, lighting and cooling/heating systems will also have to be well thought about too.

An Example: Commercial bathrooms guidelines as determined by Safe Work Australia

Focusing on an Australian example, Safe Work Australia has produced a guideline for commercial bathrooms, which you will need to adhere to. So it is worth familiarizing yourself with them. 

For instance, you are required to have at least one toilet for every 15 females and 20 males. In addition, you also need one urinal for every 25 males. 

Likewise, you must install one shower for every 10 workers – if they are needed – as well as one sink for every 30 workers. The latter is a minimum which does depend on your industry. 

Toilets must provide good lighting and privacy, as well as sanitary disposal, ventilation and emergency access too.

Which services are required in the project

For most commercial bathroom constructions, you will need to call upon the services of a range of tradespeople. 

Depending on your plans, you should require someone to do a strip-out or demolition work. You will also need an electrician, plumber, tiler and waterproofer, as well as an interior designer. 

It takes a lot of skilled experts to complete a bathroom renovation.

Typical cost of a commercial bathroom construction

In Australia, the typical cost of a commercial bathroom construction can vary from $5k and $100+k depending on the style, size, location and furnishings of the fit-out required. 

In Sydney, for example, a single bathroom in the CBD with one toilet and sink could set you back around $15k. 

Additional sinks and toilet stalls should cost around $2000 and $3000, respectively. While you can expect to pay around $250 for each extra hand dryer, $350 for handrails and $50 per mirror. 

Before getting any commercial bathroom renovated, make sure you get a fully itemized quote. This way you will know exactly what is being created for you.

Process involved in organizing a commercial bathroom construction

If you require a commercial bathroom construction, it is worth sourcing between three and five initial quotes from companies who can perform the work. 

Which one you use doesn’t have to be the cheapest. Rather the one you feel most comfortable with and who you ultimately think will do the best job.

However, once you have selected them, you should arrange for the company to conduct an on-site consultation of the bathroom that needs working on. After they have done this, be sure to ask them for a final, fully itemized quote and be prepared to negotiate if you think the price is too expensive. 

Once you have settled on the price, you can then have a contract drawn up. Only after this has been done, should the renovation work begin.

Timeline of a typical commercial bathroom construction

The length of time it takes to complete a commercial bathroom construction depends on several factors, including the size and intricacy of the project. 

Generally, the process will start with a strip-out or complete demolition of the current bathroom. 

Once this has been completed the plumbing and electrical rough-ins will take place. This will be followed by plastering and waterproofing of the space. After which, the cabinets will be installed, and tiling put in place. 

The plumbing and electrical fit-offs are the next stages, which take place before the joints are sealed. Lastly, the toilets, urinals and sinks are thoroughly tested, and any last-minute finishing touches are added in terms of design. Many of which, like timber, you will find on the Agora Marketplace.

How to choose your commercial bathroom company

When sourcing a company to carry out the commercial bathroom construction work, there are several areas of due diligence you should conduct. 

For a start, you should check the company’s details and ACN on the ASIC Connect (or equivalent). Also make sure they have the appropriate licenses and relevant insurance required to carry out the work you need to. 

Once you have selected the company you want to work with, ask them for a detailed and itemized quote. You should take the time to check out Google and Facebook reviews if they have them, as well as read testimonials or talk to previous customers. 

The company should also be able to provide you with examples of previous constructions or renovations they have done for their other clients.