Planning a Bathroom Renovation?

Avoid costly mistakes with these 5 tips

 

By Faith Hart

Regardless of the size and scope of your bathroom renovation, proper planning will help alleviate costly mistakes. To ensure that your project runs as smoothly as possible, use these handy tips!

Tip #1: Ask questions! Lots of questions!

Asking questions is vital in assessing your needs. What are you trying to accomplish through this bathroom renovation?

• Giving a dated bathroom a more modern look and feel?
• Selling your home and trying to increase the property value?
• Providing your growing family with a child-friendly bathroom?
• Adjusting for the health needs of a family member?

There are many different reasons for renovating a bathroom, but the most important reason is determined by you! A clear understanding of your needs will help to make all other decisions easier. Check out this handy questionnaire from HGTV to help guide you through “A day in the Life of Your Bathroom”.

Tip #2: Set a Budget

After you determine the purpose of your renovation, the next step is to establish a budget. According to Home Advisor, the average cost of a bathroom renovation is $9638. The cost of labor will account for 60-70% of your renovation price, so it is important to determine your budget before making decisions about fixtures, cabinets, flooring and finishes.

Tip #3: Find Inspiration

Thanks to Pinterest, online magazines, catalogs and brochures, finding inspiration is often a click away. Gather and categorize your ideas in one location, being sure to note what you like about each of the bathrooms. Armed with this information, you can begin making a rough sketch to envision how the pieces might fit together. At this point, you should also research companies that sell the hardware and finishes that you like. It is vital to gather facts regarding product costs as well as delivery time frames, as these will affect both your budget and your completion date.

Tip #4: Consult a Contractor

Now that you have established a budget, and you know how your bathroom should look, it is time to find a licensed and reputable contractor! Consult family, friends, co-workers and neighbors to find out about their experiences with local contractors. Show contractors your drawings, sketches and any applicable pictures. It is important to discuss whether the plans you have in mind are feasible, especially if you are making a dramatic change, such as relocating a toilet or shower, or perhaps removing a wall. Getting an honest assessment from a contractor allows you to make adjustments to the scope of work as necessary, to ensure that you stick to your budget. All contractors should provide you with a detailed estimate. Once you decide on a contractor, expect a signed contract as well as a timeline for completion.

Tip #5: Order Fixtures and other Finishes

Whether you are ordering from a local hardware store or a specialty company, it can often take weeks or months for cabinets, flooring, tile or other fixtures to be delivered. Ordering should be done well ahead of time so that materials are available when needed. Comb through the details again with your contractor to ensure that you are ordering cabinets and fixtures in the correct sizes. Finding out that you have the wrong size cabinets halfway through your project can be costly financially as well as frustrating emotionally.

Happy renovating!