Bathroom remodeling projects can be expensive, so it's important to start planning with an ideal goal in mind and make adjustments as necessary. When considering a remodel of your outdated or inefficient bathroom, planning is especially critical as the budget can balloon quickly if costs aren't managed properly. Don't hesitate to consult with renovation professionals as they are well-versed in working within various budgets and constraints to create maximum value for their clients.
Careful planning is the key to a successful bathroom renovation. A great way to stay on budget and keep your project moving forward is to create an itemized spreadsheet of all the components you'll need for your renovation along with their associated costs. To maximize ROI, consider these helpful tips:
Be Cautious Before You Change the Footprint
A bathroom remodel can enhance the look and feel of your space without changing the layout. This is called changing the "footprint," which includes existing walls, plumbing, and fixtures like the shower and bath. Moving large pieces like a tub or shower requires significant modification to both plumbing and electrical wiring, resulting in higher costs for remodeling projects.
Keeping your current house layout will save you money in the long run, as you may be able to do some of the work yourself. Avoiding disruption of your plumbing is a key factor in keeping costs low. It's best if possible to not move any existing water or fixture lines.
Give Yourself Time and Be Patient
Failing to plan ahead can have costly consequences. If you wait too long to purchase a product, and it isn't in stock when it's time to buy, you may end up spending more than necessary in order to get it quickly. To avoid this situation, making informed decisions beforehand can be beneficial and help save money in the long run.
Careful, strategic planning is key when it comes to staying on budget for a project. You should account for ordering and delivery times when setting your budget and timeline; this helps avoid unnecessary spending due to delays or last minute changes.
Refinish Instead of Replacing
Cost-saving opportunities are available when you refinish certain components of your bathroom. For instance, a bathtub can be revitalized by simply giving it a fresh coat of paint instead of being replaced. Additionally, the vanity may be repainted and given new hardware for a significant savings towards a full replacement.
Shower walls can experience the same degree of revitalization as other bathroom surfaces. For tiled showers, a simple refreshment could involve grout color changes. If you feel content with your vanity but its countertop no longer meets your standards, there are several kits on the market enabling you to paint it with styling that simulates marble or granite finishes – specifically tailored for sinks located in bathrooms.
Be Realistic With the Work You Can Do
If you possess the required handy skills, there's a good chance you can take on many aspects of a bathroom remodeling project yourself. But be honest and realistic as to what requires external help versus DIY efforts. To ensure your best chances of success, assess exactly how much work should be done by professionals before you begin.
It's financially prudent to hire a professional to take care of any major bathroom renovations or repairs. Attempting a job that you're not qualified for may lead to extra costs down the line due to mistakes or incorrect installations. Having an experienced handyman work on your bathroom is the best way to ensure the end result will be cost-efficient, safe, and secure.
Remodeling your bathroom doesn't require an expensive overhaul. Simply replacing your light fixtures and mirrors can lead to bigger changes than you'd expect. Consider revamping these first before investing in anything else. Small changes can often have a greater impact than we imagine.