Hi Gibby, what are you planning to do? "Essentially" the same layout hints towards some changes so what exactly is on your list of things to do?

Gibby, I've read your posts on the Kitchens forum when I was remodeling mine 2 years ago. You are definitely ready and experienced with the unexpected stuff that pops up with a remodel! Same thing for me....5 x 7 space, gutted, same layout. My watch words are "wait for everything to come in before you start". Just like on the kitchens forum, I found custom cabinetry for the vanity was an affordable and higher quality option. But just because it's 24 inches wide and 18 inches deep doesn't mean it will take less than 8 weeks. Shower sliding glass door also took a long time.
This thread below really helped me. Give yourself a lot of time to read it and see if you too end up with a stereo speaker in the ceiling, a Japansese toilet and something from Ginger Splashables. These are all three things I never would have known about if I hadn't read, printed and saved this 129 response thread!

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread: What Was Your Best Remodeling Decision?

lukkiirish - here's a synopsis:

tub/shower combo, toilet and sink/vanity will stay in the same place they are now

door will become a pocket door with opaque glass that lets light through

new tub might be a little wider and deeper if I can move tub spout to side of tub rather than end of tub (for seating at either end of tub)

door may have to move over a little to accommodate wider tub

door moving over may mean vanity needs to be a little shallower

relatively new toilet will be replaced with one that flushes human waste without the aid of a plunger

vanity will be replaced with one designed for the space such that doors aren't obstructed from opening by the toilet - and so that laundry chute under the vanity that is current sealed up with contact paper becomes usable with something like a bin type opening - and so that it generally has well designed storage for bathroom use

medicine cabinet that's to the side of the vanity will be gone and replaced with some other medicine cabinet type storage

other stuff that's just wearing out like faucets, tile/grout, exhaust fan, etc. will be replaced

other than that I'm really going to try not to get caught up in too many extravagant, expensive ideas (unlike my kitchen)

sue b - I saw your link earlier and I thought that might be a thread I'd saved on my computer at home. I checked when I got home and sure enough it is the same one. I've read, read and re-read that. I think it is part of what made me think long and hard about just how far I want to go with this bathroom - and I've decided not nearly as far as some people do. I just want a very functional space that meets our needs and one where things are not falling apart. It's such a small, windowless space - it's just not a place where I'm ever going to want to spend a lot of time. We do our business and get out - occasionally a nice long soak in our extra long tub - the long tub is about the only thing I like about the current bathroom.

Well that's still going to be a lot of work, you're obviously seasoned at this and know the dreads of moving things around. Our bathroom was only 7 feet wide and we bumped it out a foot into the master so we could have a deeper shower. Then entry door which is on the same wall as the shower was very narrow so we decreased the width of the shower in order to widen the door. Like you, I wanted to do a pocket door, but we had too much wiring and our contractor said it wasn't feasible.

You probably already know this but I'll throw it out there just in case it hasn't crossed your mind yet. With the changes we made, the measurements of our standard items like the shower doors for example changed to non standard and we were forced to come up with an inexpensive fixes so we didn't have to pay a small fortune for custom. I would make sure all the pieces like your wider tub or smaller vanity are still sizes that are not custom and therefore still affordable. I hope that conveys properly and you know what I mean.

lukkiirish - yup, I know exactly what you're saying. I did get some advance assessment and advice on that kind of stuff from my kitchen and bath designer friends. I've already experienced the non-standard thing with the longer tub - which I discovered precludes the use of any typical moderately priced doors. Fortunately I have the blueprints for my house so I can also see what's where in terms of the infrastructure. Some of that is what led me to leave things where they are - duct work, etc.

So we'll see how the contractor is. This isn't who did my kitchen - they've done more exterior work for us and larger remodeling projects for other people we know. They are into remodeling/additions vs. new homes so they have that going for them on this deal.

My kitchen project went really well and I would like this to be the same kind of experience....

Gibby, If you were as prepared for your kitchen job as you seem to be with your bathroom, it should be a walk in the park! LOL. Ours went pretty well too considering I didn't know what the heck I was doing. While our job was in process I had a hard time trusting our contractor but looking back I have a sincere appreciation for him.
Good luck!!