If you’re looking to upgrade your home, a bathroom renovation is an excellent place to start. Not only will a bathroom remodel add value to your home, but it also can make the space more enjoyable to use.
Before starting the work, take down all the old fixtures and make sure you have access to electrical and plumbing connections. If not, call in a professional to help you with these tasks.
Save Money
The bathroom is a popular area of the house for homeowners to remodel. The biggest cost of any remodel is the labor, so it’s a good idea to DIY as much of the work as possible.
It’s also important to hire a good quality tradie for your project. Look for reviews online and ensure the tradies you choose have experience in your area.
Instead of changing your existing plumbing, try keeping the toilet, sink and tub in their original locations if possible. That will slash thousands off the overall renovation costs.
Another way to save money on your bathroom remodel is to avoid moving walls. This can be a very costly move and can add up quickly.
Alternatively, installing recessed shelves between wall studs can make more space for storage that doesn’t eat up square footage and reduce the need for cabinets or shelving in other areas of the bathroom. You can also install a recessed medicine cabinet to gain extra vertical storage.
Save Time
Depending on the project, you can save hundreds of dollars by going it alone. Whether it’s laying tile, painting walls or cabinets, buying your own fixtures, or replacing the tub, you can keep costs down while enhancing the look and feel of your bathroom.
However, there are some projects where you might want to hire a professional. For example, if you’re tackling a big remodeling project that involves enlarging the room or changing its layout, you’ll likely need to have a permit and need a contractor’s expertise to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Plumbing is another area where you might want to have a licensed contractor handle the work. Installing a new shower stall or a bathtub can be an expensive undertaking that requires a lot of time and effort to complete.
Save Stress
Bathroom renovations can be a stressful process. They often require specialized skills that may be difficult to master.
A homeowner may want to go the DIY route in order to save money. However, they must be realistic about their capabilities and know what can be accomplished within a reasonable budget.
Generally, if the plumbing and electrical are in good condition, then a DIYer can make changes without needing to hire professionals.
If you do need to remodel, then hiring a licensed plumber and electrician can make the project go more smoothly and ensure it meets building codes.
This can be especially important for larger remodeling projects that require enlarging a bathroom or changing the layout. These changes typically need a permit and may involve more complicated plumbing or electrical work that can be handled by licensed contractors.
Avoid Unexpected Costs
While renovation projects are notorious for going over budget, if you take steps to avoid unexpected costs, you can keep your project within your budget. The key is to anticipate and plan for these unexpected costs, which could include structural changes, permits and inspections.
Remodeling your bathroom requires a wide range of skills, including plumbing, framing and electrical. If you’re not familiar with any of these, it might be better to hire a professional to handle the job.
Costs of materials are another important factor in remodeling your bathroom. The materials you use will affect your overall remodel’s cost, and a professional can help you choose the best options for durability and aesthetics.
When choosing materials, look for quality brands that are well-known and reliable. This will increase your confidence in the products and minimize the chance of getting a sub-par product that will have to be replaced or fixed down the road.