How to Keep Costs Down on a Bathroom Renovation

The bathroom is a high-traffic area that requires regular maintenance and upgrades. These updates can make your home more comfortable for you to live in and increase its value when it comes time to sell.

Before starting a bath renovation, consider your priorities. A successful renovation balances aesthetics with functionality.

Budget

A complete bathroom renovation can be a costly project. Luckily, there are ways to keep costs down and still end up with a beautiful, functional space.

It’s important to distinguish between “needs” and “wants” when planning a budget for your remodel. Begin with a list of necessary items and then work your way down to the luxuries.

Adding new windows is another cost-effective upgrade that can increase the amount of natural light in your bathroom. You’ll also be able to lower your energy bills by replacing older, drafty windows with more efficient models.

A do-it-yourselfer can expect to spend between $75 and $100 per square foot on materials, Johnson says. However, this number doesn’t account for labor, a licensed plumber, and the extra costs of hiring a general contractor to coordinate a schedule and ensure that subcontractors are paid on time.

Layout

A bathroom remodel involves re-arranging or relocating fixtures and adding new ones to change the room’s layout. This project usually requires rerouting plumbing lines and changing electrical systems.

A full remodel adds functional value to a home and can increase its resale value. It includes upgrading fixtures and materials with water-saving or energy-efficient alternatives.

Consider your family’s lifestyle and future plans when choosing a renovation style. For example, if you are considering moving in a few years, you may want to limit the changes to cosmetic updates.

Create a stylish and inviting bath by incorporating decorative features like arches. They can highlight a vanity, replace standard doorways or accentuate a walk-in shower. You can also add visual interest to a bathroom by painting wainscoting in a contrasting color.

Materials

Choosing the right materials for your bath remodel is crucial to its beauty and longevity. The design theme you select, along with the quality and durability of fixtures and materials, determines how well your new bathroom functions and withstands daily use.

Standard tools like pliers, hammers, tape measures and screwdrivers are essential for a remodel, but look for those specifically rated for bathroom use. These are typically moisture-resistant to prevent mold and mildew growth.

Similarly, bathroom wall cladding like Silestone and Dekton are engineered to handle the demanding conditions of bathrooms. These materials are shock-resistant and reduce water absorption to resist humidity and chemical damage, while also offering a variety of design and style options.

Plumbing

Renovating a bathroom can involve complex plumbing changes. For example, changing from a tub to a shower requires rerouting drain and supply lines. That’s why it’s important to hire a general contractor that can navigate permits and other building requirements on your behalf. Sweeten matches homeowners with trusted contractors during a site visit and provides expert guidance, so you can build a beautiful new bathroom without worry.

During demolition, service professionals will change your existing plumbing and electrical arrangements to accommodate your new layout. They may also shut off water and electricity for your safety. This stage is crucial because a poorly executed remodel could cause serious damage to your home. Unless you have experience with DIY projects, it’s best to let service professionals handle the demo.

Electrical

The lighting fixtures, switches and outlets you choose will add a finishing touch to your bathroom. They also play an important role in electrical safety and compliance with regulations and codes.

Lighting fixtures must be rated for moisture and installed with proper ventilation. Outlets should be GFCI protected for use near water sources, and wiring should be either copper or non-metallic sheathed (NM cables) with insulated wires that are not touching each other.

Licensed electricians will ensure that your electrical panel has the capacity to handle new circuits and that all wiring is properly grounded, labeled, and in compliance with local standards. They’ll also inspect and test all the new components to prevent future problems. They may recommend putting in blocking for grab bars between wall studs to make the space aging-in-place friendly later.



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