Before you start any type of home remodeling project, you want to make sure you have a plan in place, as this plan will guide you through the process. Having a plan will help eliminate going over budget and keep you focused on the big picture.
We know how difficult it can be to know where to start or what to even think about as you get ready for a bathroom remodeling project, so we put together a guide with some remodeling tips to assist you in planning and making sure you stay on track.
Let’s check it out.
Planning Out Your Bathroom Remodel
We just mentioned that having a plan is the very first step and truly the most important step too. Bathroom remodels can vary in their level of complexity along with the time needed to carry out the remodel and also pricing. Here are some helpful tips to get you started on planning out your bathroom remodel.
1. Get Some Ideas Going
There are so many different things you can do with your bathroom from completely re-routing the piping to replacing the bathtub and even adding a second vanity. Since there are so many different options and remodeling designs, you want to sit down and grab some ideas. You can do this online or from a magazine. Think about some of the things you like most about your dream bathroom and then search for pictures online to give you some inspiration. Of course, you do not have to copy everything you see, but it will give you a good starting point.
Online bathroom remodel design sites allow you to input your design ideas into virtual software that can bring your ideas to life right before your eyes. Therefore, if you think you like a specific style of vanity, add it to the designer and see what it actually looks like. You can do this with paint colors and décor too. It really allows you to visualize the space.
Of course, you do not want to purchase all of your fixtures and such without seeing them in person, so while the internet is a good start, you should also head to your local home improvement store to see some of the items in person. This will allow you to get some hands on the items too so that you can see how they feel, open, close, etc.
Keep your ideas somewhere safe whether it be in a saved folder on your computer or printed and in a folder. You will want to be able to recall these ideas later on.
2. Think About What Needs to Happen
Now that you have some ideas in mind, you will need to start to think about the overall scope of your project. You will want to decide if you are changing a couple of things or if you plan to completely gut the bathroom and start fresh. Believe it or not, this decision matters a lot. The amount of work that needs to be done will affect the timeline and budget of the project.
When thinking about what you may want to change out or replace in your bathroom, think about these fixtures and items:
- Walls
- Mirrors
- Shower
- Shower doors
- Tub
- Shelving
- Soap holders
- Vanities
- Countertops
- Medicine cabinet
- Toilet
- Faucets, valves, and drains
- Sink
- Lighting
- Holders and dispensers
- Exhaust fan location
- Window
- HVAC vent
- Flooring
- Paint, wallpaper, or tile
- Towel bars and toilet paper holders
This is not an exhaustive list, but something to get you thinking and the creative juices flowing. As you can see though, there is a lot to think about when it comes to your bathroom remodel.
Finally, you will want to determine if you plan to move anything major such as your shower or tub, as this will require more extensive work to be done as the plumbing will need to be moved.
3. DIY or Hire a Professional
Completing a full bathroom renovation as a DIY project is usually not recommended unless you truly have the skills to do so and of course, the time. A DIY project can save you money, but if you work full time, it can take a significantly long time for you to complete. In addition, if you are not skilled in every aspect of the renovation, you will find yourself making costly mistakes or needing to hire a professional anyways.
Hiring a professional is generally recommended to ensure that the project is done right, is up to code, and is not dangerous. In a bathroom remodel, some of the work that may need to be done includes electrical and plumbing. It is best left to hire these specific contractors to carry out any changes you want to make.
Now, if you are not doing a full renovation and are only changing some small or minute things, you can do the project yourself. For instance, painting, changing out the mirror, adding a medicine cabinet, or even changing the lighting can all be done as a DIY weekend project.
Choosing a Professional for the Job
Once you have decided you want to hire a professional, you will want to make sure that you research them well. Most states do require that a contractor is licensed and insured to perform work in that state. This is something you will want to check on as well.
Should you find a contractor that you are considering using, take some time to look over customer reviews, feedback, and recommendations made by others. This will help give you a good idea of how they work and how well they do. It is okay to see some negative reviews because let’s face it, it happens. What you want to pay attention to when it comes to negative reviews is how the company handled it, if the customer was ultimately satisfied at the end, and the actual details.
A few other things to consider include how long the company has been in business, if they have before and after jobs, you can look at, and their responsiveness to your inquiries.
4. Create Your Budget
Creating a budget for your project is undeniably one of the most important aspects of your bathroom renovation. You need to know exactly how much your project will cost you and how much you have to spend. The biggest mistake any homeowner can make is not setting a budget and then overspending. If this happens, you run the risk of not being able to complete the project due to low funds.
If you have decided that you will work with a contractor, get some pricing from several of the most reputable companies. This will allow you to see a range of what you can expect the project to cost. You may find that you need to cut back on some things depending on the actual price of the work to be done.
When creating your budget, make sure to include these important factors:
- Inspection fees
- Permitting
- Cost of materials and supplies
- Labor
Contractors can create a detailed estimate for you, so you can see exactly what everything costs. In general, contractors will include labor in the quote.
If you find that the project is out of your price range, talk to the contractor and see what they suggest. They may be able to provide you with some tips to help you save money on the project.
5. Start to Order the Materials
Once you know what your budget is, have a contractor lined up, and have selected the things you need, you can start to order the materials you need. Sometimes, the contractors will handle ordering the materials for you, so do check with them first so you do not double buy things.
How Long Will a Bathroom Remodel Take to Complete?
It depends. The amount of time it takes will depend on the size of the project. If you are choosing to have custom fixtures made, it could take several weeks just to get those ordered and delivered. A large project that includes gutting the bathroom can take several months to complete. Whereas, changing just a couple of fixtures in the bathroom can take just the weekend to do.
Your contractor can provide you with a good projected timeline of how long the project will actually take. Of course, this is all dependent on the fact that everything goes as planned too. You should expect some hiccups along the way and do not rely on an estimated completion time too much.
In general, you can expect a full bathroom remodel to take anywhere from 2 to 4 months to complete depending on different factors.
How Much Will It Cost Me?
There is no one price that a bathroom remodel will cost you. In fact, the costs vary depending on several different factors. The average cost of a bathroom remodel for homeowners is roughly around $10,000. Homeowners typically spend somewhere between $6,000 and $15,000 on the project in total. With that in mind, some homeowners will spend less and others more.
The smaller the bathroom, the lower the cost, and vice versa. Also, depending on whether you hire a professional or choose to do the remodel yourself will influence the price as well.
Some of the factors that will influence the cost of your bathroom remodel include:
- Changing the size or layout of your bathroom
- Size of the bathroom
- Number of fixtures in the bathroom
- Labor
- Quality of the materials
- Availability of the materials and supplies
- Types of fixtures that are needed
Does My Bathroom Need to Be Remodeled?
For most homeowners, they know that they want to remodel their bathroom simply because it is outdated, or it no longer meets their needs. Outside of that, there are some signs that it is time to remodel your bathroom. If any of these things are present, you may want to consider a remodel:
- Plumbing problems
- Mold and mildew
- Water damage
- Unpleasant smell
Start Out Right and Have a Successful Bathroom Renovation
Before you start out on your bathroom remodel, you want to make sure you get off on the right foot to prevent any issues or problems. Having a plan in place will allow you to remain organized and keep you focused on the big picture.
Once you feel confident in your plan, you can start your remodel. Remember, some of the most important factors include having a plan in place, setting a realistic budget, and hiring the right contractors for the job.
Doing the things above can help ensure that you have a successful bathroom remodel.