While some find the idea of planning a bathroom remodel overwhelming, there’s no need to feel that way. When broken down into bitesize phases, the job of managing a project of this nature suddenly seems a lot easier.
So let’s get into the details of what’s required during each individual stage, before you break any ground on your bathroom remodel.
Create A Budget
This may seem blindingly obvious, but you will be surprised by how many people poorly judge costs and run into trouble within a few weeks of the project starting.
This will depend largely on the size of your bathroom, with the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NKBA) putting average prices at $125 per square foot.
Those prices may seem steep to you, but a well-executed remodel usually returns 60% or more in terms of the value added to your home. For instance, with a $10,000 spend on average you’ll expect to add approximately $16,000 to the overall value of your home.
With that in mind, it’s useful to think first about how far-reaching you want your changes to be.
If you are simply repainting, replacing a few fixtures and fittings then it’s likely your total cost will be under $5,000.
However, if you find yourself planning to rip everything out and start again, with new plumbing, new electrics, new baths, showers, sinks, and in some cases new windows, then expect to pay a minimum of $15,000.
Get Inspiration and Ideas
Once you’ve decided the size and the scale of your works, it’s time to think about your bathroom’s overall theme.
Are you going to go for light and bright with predominately white fixtures? Or are you going to opt for bold tile choices that give a striking accent color? You need to think about whether you are going to opt to paint, tile or wallpaper your walls.
When it comes to furniture, are you going to have a free standing bath? Or you going to opt for a wet-room style shower, or have it enclosed? Choices about styles for vanities and other kitchen cabinets will also have to be made at this point.
Remember to keep the budget in mind as you go through this process, as some options may prove too costly.
Decide Upon Layout Changes
For some homeowners, their current bathroom layout is satisfactory, and their focus is more on upgrading key features such as the shower or bath up to modern standards.
However, if you are using your space as a blank canvas you will need to commit a great deal of time to making sure your desired layout is possible. At this point, it’s time to get the measuring tape and see what you have to work with. For instance, will you have enough room for your preferred layout of his and her sinks?
Space can be saved by combining the shower and the bath, allowing more room for expansive vanity set ups. However, increasingly bathroom trends have moved towards open plan layouts, with minimal screens around the shower and free standing bathtubs.
Consider Whether You Are Going to Do the Work Yourself
Once you have your budget in place, and you have decided on the design and layout, it’s time to think about how you are actually going to carry out the works. Namely, are you or your spouse going to carry out the works yourself or will you instruct a specialist contractor?
If you are only making minor changes such as repainting and replacing old bathroom cabinets and mirrors, then it is very feasible to carry out the works yourself. However, any works that require new plumbing or electrical works are best left to the professionals.
Attempting complex works by yourself can lead to catastrophic results such as expensive-to-repair accidental damage to your property. Furthermore, you could end up with a non-compliant bathroom that devalues your property because the works weren’t carried out by a licensed professional with a permit.
If you are making serious changes to your bathroom, make sure hire a qualified and licensed contractor.
Invite Quotes for Your Bathroom Works
Once you’ve realized that the scope of works is beyond your set of skills, then it’s time to invite multiple contractors to your property to inspect the current space and the plans for your reimagined bathroom.
At this point, it’s always a good time to investigate average prices in your area to give your quotes some context, otherwise you will find it difficult to know whether you are receiving good value in your quoted prices or not.
In terms of sourcing professional bathroom remodelers, it’s often best to head to a contractors marketplace, because you’ll get access to pre-approved licensed specialists who will have to compete with each other on price to win your work.
Using a marketplace also takes the hassle out of trying to schedule meetings and carry out background checks since this is all handled on their end.
Wrap Up
Planning a bathroom remodel can seem overwhelming at first, but by breaking it down into component parts, it becomes easier for you to undertake the necessary steps before making a start on the alterations.
Start with your budget, before focusing on your design and layout. Finally, it is recommended to get enlist professional help unless you are only making the simplest of changes.
To that end, make use of competitive marketplaces to ensure you get the best possible price from a trustworthy contractor to complete the works.