Bathroom Prep Guide

Everything you need to know before starting your project.

Modern minimalist bathroom with a walk-in shower, round mirror with backlight, wooden vanity with a white sink, and a white toilet.

1. Demolition

  1. Remove sanitaryware, sockets, lights etc.

  2. Remove tiles, adhesives, and old coatings

  3. Strip back weak plaster or damaged boards

  4. Lift flooring down to structural base

Interior of an unfinished room with exposed wooden framing, walls, and ceiling, and a gravel floor.

Key checks:

  • Substrate must be solid and load-bearing

  • No loose material or contamination

2. Structural Prep (Noggings & Reinforcement)

  1. Install timber noggings between studs

  2. Reinforce areas for:

    Shower trays

    Basins

    Wall-mounted fixtures

Key checks:

  • Ensure all framing is rigid

Interior of a bathroom under construction with exposed wooden framing and a white shower base installed, floor showing wooden joists with gravel underneath.

3. First Fix Plumbing & Electrics

  1. Run pipework

  2. Fix shower tray level and secure ( It`s very important to support shower trays edges with additional noggings )

  3. Install waste pipes correctly

  4. Run cables for lighting, fans, sockets

Key checks:

  • No leaks

  • Correct falls on waste pipes

  • Tray is perfectly level

Empty room under construction with exposed wooden framing, plumbing, and electrical wiring, and a shower base installed in the corner.

  1. Install 12MM hardwood plywood over the entire floor

  2. Install NoMorePly TG4 Construction Board 1200 x 600 x 18mm

    • Fix using screws + adhesive for joints

    • Stagger joints with plywood

    • Ensure tight T&G connections

    • Floors should be same level with shower tray - 12mm plywood + 18mm cement board

4. Subfloor Installation

Key checks:

  • No flex or bounce

  • Boards fully supported

Unfinished laundry room with exposed wooden framing, plumbing, and electrical wiring, and a white shower pan on the floor.

5. Wall Boarding (Moisture Resistant)

  1. Use moisture-resistant plasterboard (green board)

  2. Fix via:

  3. Dot & dab (solid walls)

  4. Screws (stud walls)

  5. Ensure boards are plumb and level

  6. Its important for boards to lay on the floor with stud support underneath to eliminate movement

Key checks:

  • No gaps or movement

  • Boards aligned flush

Empty room with green drywall, concrete floor, and a small shower area with a drain in the corner.

6. Tape & Jointing / Plastering

  1. Apply skim tape on joints / screw holes

  2. Apply coat of compound or plaster

  3. Sand smooth (If tape & joining )

Key checks:

  • No visible joints

  • Surface feels completely smooth

  • “Ready for Paint finish”

Empty room with beige walls, gray tiled floor, and a shower base in the corner.

7. Let the surfaces dry

  1. Tape & joint can take few days to a week to dry in regular living conditions

  2. Plaster normally takes 1-2 weeks to fully dry in regular living conditions

  3. Temperature & Ventilation plays a key part in drying process

Key checks:

  • Keep warm room temperature 18-24 ℃

  • Run regular ventilator for air circulation

  • Regularly open windows to get rid of humidity

A room with pink walls, a drain on the floor, a large blue and white industrial fan, and a sign indicating a drying time of 7 days.

The quality of your microcement finish is entirely dependent on preparation.
A perfect substrate ensures durability, waterproofing, and a premium finish.

Final Takeaway

Modern minimalist bathroom with walk-in shower, floating wooden vanity with basin sink, round backlit mirror, toilet, and neutral decor accents.
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