8 Things You MUST know Before You Remodel Your Bathroom

Everybody loves the look of a fine, well-kept bathroom. Those beautiful bathrooms that you see on Pinterest and Instagram that look like a place you could actually sleep in. Gosh, they make you feel insecure about your own bathroom, which frankly looks like a dump. You’ve finally had enough and are ready to remodel. Go you! You have a problem though; you do not know how to go about it, you do not even know how much it’ll cost or how long it’ll take. Fret not, we’ve got just what you need that will give your bathroom the revamp it desperately needs.

Before you start your bathroom renovation project, you should create a plan to get started. First, you will have to determine how much money you want to spend on your renovations, decide how much of your time you want to spend on the remodeling and set a goal for your finish date. You should also take some time to plan out how you might want to rearrange your bathroom furniture or decor. This might seem like a lot to plan for, but there are easy ways to break it down and make the planning process more fun! Here are a few of our proven ways to

1) Determine Your Budget

A good way to start planning a bathroom remodel is to set a budget. According to AngiesList.com, the average cost involved with redoing a bathroom completely is between $9,000 and $11,000, but it can be as low as $2,500 with lower-end materials. [1] By determining your budget, you can save or get a loan ahead of time.

2) Come up With a Realistic Timeline

Now or Never? If you want to remodel your bathroom, keep in mind that it typically takes up to a month to finish your renovations. [2] Of course, this depends on what needs to be done and how many people you can afford to hire. How long this takes might not be a concern if you have a spare bathroom. If not, you should plan carefully to avoid any unnecessary inconvenience to you or your family.

3) Consider Layout Changes

Changing the position of your fixtures can transform your bathroom for the better. Unfortunately, this can also prolong the remodel and increase costs significantly. If time and budget constraints don’t allow for this, you can always replace your current fixtures with more appealing ones.

4) Don’t Forget How Much Room You Have

Most bathrooms are fairly small which limits what you can do with your remodel. If you’re doing major work and adding more elements or larger ones to your bathroom, make sure you measure everything first. While a spacious shower is appealing to most of us, you also need to have enough space to move around the bathroom once you finish showering.

5) A Little Goes A Long Way:

Avoid too many accessories. Flooring, fixtures, and labor costs should account for most of your bathroom remodel budget. The rest can be spent on small accessories like towel racks or toilet paper holders. Remember not to go overboard and overspend because just a few simple touches in the right spots can really tie the room together. Too many accessories might make your bathroom feeling crowded and tacky.

6) Go Green!

A bathroom remodel is a good opportunity to save money on bills and do your part for the environment. This can include things like installing low-flow showers and toilets, energy-efficient fixtures, LED lights, and furniture made from reclaimed wood. And not only will you be saving money in the long run – many eco-friendly products are incredibly low cost. One low-flow shower head, for example, can cost as little as $5, and save you up to 45 gallons of water per day. [3]

7) Expect Unexpected Issues

Doing significant work on any part of your house can reveal otherwise hidden problems such as water damage. That’s why it’s always a good idea to budget a little bit more for unexpected costs.

8) Adding Special Touches and Extras

Finally, when planning a bathroom remodel, consider adding special features like child-friendly faucets, under-floor heating, or accessibility for people with limited mobility.

Finishing a bathroom remodel is not easy, but once completed, it can transform this incredibly important space for the better. If you’re not experienced enough to do the job yourself, hiring a qualified bathroom contractor is the best thing you can do. Finding one is as easy as doing a quick online search. Just look for a contractor in your area, and remember to compare at least a few offers before making your decision.

[1] “How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost?” Angie’s List. https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-much-does-bathroom-remodel-cost.htm

[2] Lee Wallender. “How Long Does It Take to Remodel a Bathroom?” The Spruce, 4 January 2020. https://www.thespruce.com/how-long-to-remodel-small-bathroom-1821360

[3] “How to Go Green: Bathroom Renovation.” Treehugger. https://www.treehugger.com/htgg/how-to-go-green-bathroom-renovation.html