When considering a room remodel, the bathroom is a popular choice that can add value to your home. Bathroom remodeling is tricky because both plumbing and wiring are typically involved, and these are hardly things you want to mix together. That means your new bathroom renovation may require an electrician or plumber. Whether you’re starting a small or large bathroom renovation, it’s crucial that you prepare for the endeavor in order to save both your sanity and time. Continue reading this article to learn how you can prepare for a bathroom renovation so that the process goes smoothly. Just remember that when it comes to fast and accurate advice, nobody is better than a qualified remodeling contractor.
Bathroom Remodeling Preparation
Before you jump into all of the exciting things that come with a remodel, you must first think about the less exciting things so your project doesn’t become too overwhelming, costly and time-consuming. Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth and successful bathroom renovation in your home.
Step 1. Set Design Details – Most homeowners remodel their bathroom because they want to create more space and add elegance. When preparing for a bathroom renovation, consider what changes might make the space more functional and enjoyable. Determine the bathroom design details you’d like to include – whether it be new paint or wallpaper, tiles, flooring, shiplap, sinks, or shower – to achieve the vibe you want. If this phase of the process feels overwhelming then you can always hire an interior designer or contractor who’s familiar with each of these considerations. Professionals can provide a detailed rendering to help ensure that your vision and the final results align with each other.
Step 2. Establish A Budget – Once you’ve determined all of the design details, it’s time to acknowledge the factors that will affect your bathroom renovation cost. Although it’s possible to refresh and slightly remodel a bathroom for a few hundred dollars, larger renovation projects can cost between $6,000 and $20,000 on average. The higher end of that range can be expected if you’re wanting to do a complete remodel and replace the toilet, sink, shower/bathtub, tiling, vanity, and lighting. Your budget needs to be enough to cover materials, labor, layout changes, and emergency funds. One great way to save some extra money is by applying cost-saving tactics like swapping a toilet seat rather than the entire commode.
Step 3. Select Materials – Nowadays, an abundance of budget-conscious materials are available to homeowners. Best of all, almost any design concept can be achieved through an affordable alternative. This is something you should keep in mind when choosing the types of materials you want to use in your bathroom remodel. For example, marble is a beautiful option for tile, but the price per square foot is often steep. One cost-effective alternative to marble would be porcelain and ceramic tile. It could be seamlessly swapped into the renovation plan with only minor adjustments and virtually no change in layout.
Step 4. Consider Upgrades – Once your material options and costs have been reviewed, revisit your design plan and consider swapping in lower-cost materials to incorporate more upgrades, such as outlets in vanity drawers, rainwater or dual shower heads, updated plumbing, or even heated floors. Be sure to finalize the layout and material selection before you actually begin any layout changes. Changes to the design concept and demolition can be costly to change and a hassle in swapping materials.
Step 5. Prepare the Space – At this point your design layout and selection of materials should be done. That means it’s time to get into the messy stuff. Confirm with your contractor if all the necessary permits and licenses are obtained. If renovations are being done in a multi-unit home, submit any necessary certificates of insurance from companies performing work on your home and confirm the permissible hours of construction for the building. Keep in mind, the bathroom and any surrounding areas will exist in a prolonged state of chaos. Dust, debris and large tools will be permanent fixtures in rooms and hallways for at least several weeks. Additionally, there will be a somewhat constant stream of contractors coming in and out of your home, resulting in limited privacy and maximized noise. Although the actual renovation work itself can be unpleasant at times, just remember that it’s a small and temporary price to pay for a dreamy new bathroom space.
Step 6. Anticipate Surprises – With different vendors and contractors working on your renovation project, some aspects could be delayed. If there is no delay, budget bombs often spring up once demolition of the floors, walls and plumbing begin. It’s helpful (for both your sanity and finances) to anticipate these types of surprises and allow space in the timeline and budget for any potential setbacks.
Conclusion
Renovating your bathroom can be challenging, especially if you have a busy household and only one or two bathrooms available. Generally, homeowners prepare for a bathroom renovation by making sure that there is another bathroom available for the family. But, a second bathroom isn’t always enough. When preparing for a bathroom remodel, you must properly plan, organize, readjust, and schedule ahead of time to make sure the process is easy for everyone. If you follow each of the steps listed above then you should be able to successfully complete your new bathroom renovation project on-time!