10 Questions to Think About When Budgeting Your Bathroom Renovation
For a flawless bathroom renovation project, you need to plan well, find the right people to work for you and have clear goals. The best way to start the planning process would be to start researching and ask yourself several questions. When you're considering who to hire for the renovation, having these questions answered will help the negotiation process go smoothly.
Below, we'll cover the 10 most common questions you'll need to think about before starting the project and how you can address each one. The topics will include budgeting, picking materials, choosing qualified contractors and subcontractors, time management, and much more. So, if you're interested in learning more about these topics, read on.
1.What Is My Budget?
The first question is sort of a no-brainer. Without setting a budget, you won't be able to make decisions regarding what you can afford and what features you'd like to include. Keep in mind that making structural changes, such as changing the plumbing, wiring, etc., might cost more than changing tiles or purchasing new appliances, for instance.
The budget should also be looked at along with the reason for the remodel. By this, we mean that if you're remodeling because you want to sell, you may want to invest in features that will enhance the sale in the end but not require you to lose a lot of money for the initial investment.
For example, this can be as simple as repainting the interior and exterior of the house, putting in crown molding, updating fixtures, and installing ceiling fans. It can also go as far as revealing and restoring hardwood floors, repainting kitchen cabinets, cleaning the bricks from the fireplace (if you have one), and so on.
Additionally, you'll also need to set aside some funds in case of any unplanned issues that might occur during the construction stage. This amount should be about 10 percent of the initial budget, and the emergency fund should only be used for this purpose.
2.Why Am I Remodeling the Bathroom?
We know that bathroom renovations and remodels are one of the priciest in a home, together with the kitchen, and if you don't need them, you're better off not doing them.
Simply put, there's no need to do a full bathroom remodel if you just want to replace your bathtub with a shower. However, if you want to make extensive changes, it would be wise to consider what your final goal is.
Some homeowners remodel the bathroom because they want to increase the value of their home before they sell it. Others feel like their bathroom is outdated, and the fixtures and tiles need some sprucing up. All of these factors are valid, especially when considering them alongside the budget you've allocated for this project.
3.Who Will Be the End User?
Considering who will use the bathroom often is a crucial question that you should answer at the beginning of the project. This is because different users have different needs, and knowing this will determine what type of lights, countertops, and fixtures you'll need.
Let's say that you're building your dream master bathroom. If this is the case, you'll probably have a bigger budget, and you'll want to include features that you wouldn't need for a guest bathroom.
If you're remodeling a bathroom for young children, it would be a great idea to include a bathtub, low-rounded counters, and a lot of space around the bathtub. Or let's say that you're remodeling a bathroom for an elderly couple. In that case, it’d be wise to include a shower instead of a bathtub, along with a bench they can sit on while showering. Perhaps, you’d also like to include grab rails and a wall-hung toilet.
These are just some of the ideas that will affect how you go about the renovation. Whatever decisions you make, you'll benefit from having the end user in mind throughout the process, and we guarantee you won't make any mistakes.
4.What Can I Do Myself?
Hiring different contractors and subcontractors to work on your bathroom will definitely be costly, and as we've mentioned above, budgeting is really important. At first, you'll probably think that you should leave everything to the professionals, but once you start making a list of all the expenses, you'll realize that it would be best to reduce them.
So, if you want to lower the expenses, you may want to consider doing some things yourself. However, to figure out what you can do yourself, you'll need to be realistic about your abilities. Think about what you're good at and how handy you are with using different tools. While we don't recommend that you do structural changes, install wiring, or do the plumbing yourself, there are a lot of things that don't require a lot of skill.
For example, you can paint the bathroom yourself or install the final light fixtures. You can even start the whole process by removing all the fixtures prior to the demolition stage if you’re indeed making structural changes. Everything you do by yourself will knock some money off of your expenses list.
5.Which Materials Will I Need?
The next factor you’ll need to consider when budgeting is the different materials you’d like to use. Depending on your headroom, you can consider different materials at various price points. To make it easier for you, we’ve divided them into four categories.
Flooring
When we think about materials for a bathroom remodel, we need to consider that they need to be subjected to splashes, steam, and possible overflows. It’s also important for the floors to provide us with a slip-free surface.
Therefore, you need to take all these things into consideration when choosing the materials. A great choice in terms of materials would be ceramic or porcelain tiles, especially if you want to install a heating system below them.
However, you can also choose materials such as concrete, vinyl, cork, wood, and so on. Just keep in mind that the chosen materials need to be a balance of functionality and aesthetics.
Walls
The materials you choose for the walls should also be able to handle excess moisture. If you decide to use tiles for the walls, look for ceramic tiles and make sure to apply hydro isolation behind them.
If you want to use paint, opt for paint that’s specifically designed for bathrooms. Lastly, if you want to use wallpaper, use vinyl that handles moisture. Remember that in order to keep the moisture in the bathroom to a minimum, it’s a good idea to install a ventilation system.
Lighting
Lighting in a bathroom is extremely important, especially since you need different types of light. When getting ready, you might need spotlights if you do your makeup in the bathroom. If you have a bathtub or a jacuzzi, you would benefit from ambient lighting and maybe a dimmer switch to set the mood.
It’s worth mentioning that when you plan the lighting, you should also keep the end user in mind. Lighting in children’s bathrooms will be different than lighting in an en-suite bathroom.
Cabinets and Storage
Built-in storage will do wonders for your bathroom, as you’ll be able to store all your skincare items, makeup, first aid medications, and even your children’s bath toys.
When planning the cabinets, make a list of all the different items you use so you can plan the storage accordingly. Opt for cabinet materials that are resistant to humidity if you want them to last longer.
6.Can New Hardware Make a Difference?
As we’ve mentioned above, you don’t always need to completely renovate your bathroom. You can make minor improvements that’ll change a lot, such as refurbishing cabinets, and replacing knobs, handles, faucets, towel hangers, toilet paper holders, and other fixtures. Sometimes, making these small changes will go a long way toward improving the look of your bathroom overall.
7.How Much Space Do You Have?
Bathroom remodels can sometimes be tricky if you want to change the whole layout or if your bathroom is on the smaller side. Great design is a combination of form and function, and you’ll want to keep that in mind when you plan the new layout.
Make sure that there is enough room to move around, use the full height of the room, and opt for storage options that maximize the space in a practical sense. For instance, smaller bathrooms will seem larger if you install a wall-mounted toilet; including floating cabinets and storage options that save space will also be a lifesaver. You could even replace the standard door with a sliding door. Making space-saving changes is undoubtedly the most impactful thing you can do during a renovation.
8.How to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck?
Speaking of impact, we’ve mentioned that you should first define your budget even before you start talking with prospective contractors. If you want to stretch your budget and don’t have enough money for every improvement, you need to consider which improvements would be the most substantial ones.
Let’s say you want to renovate your bathroom and have marble tiles, but if you go for marble, you won’t have enough money for the walk-in shower that you like. So, you’ll need to choose one or the other. Always prioritize the changes that make the most sense in terms of practicality and day-to-day use.
9.How Much Time Will My Bathroom Remodel Take?
Another thing you’ll need to keep in mind when planning the bathroom remodel is how long it will take. This is especially important if you only have one bathroom in your home, and the remodeling renders it unusable until it’s finished. In turn, that means you’ll need to move during the remodel.
Discuss with your contractor in order to have a general timeline so you can look into rental properties even before you start planning the remodel. Just remember to leave some leeway in between the different phases in case there are some delays during the project.
10.What to Do Next?
Now that you’ve answered the most important questions regarding the remodel, only one remains, and that is figuring out what to do next. This is especially important if you’re planning to do the whole remodel yourself.
If you’re hiring a contractor, make sure that you discuss the whole project in-depth and make sure that you agree on the planned timeline. While the contractor controls the site, it will be a good idea for you to stop by now and then and check the progress.
If you’re doing the remodel yourself, make sure that you also have a detailed calendar for the specific tasks you need to do. If you’re working on more than one bathroom, do them one at a time so you can use the other one while doing the renovations on the first one.
The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Bathroom Renovator or Company
Before we wrap up this article, we just need to talk about what you can expect to gain if you opt to hire a contractor to remodel your bathroom.
Firstly, a contractor or a company that does renovations will have all the necessary licenses and expertise when it comes to remodeling. This means that you’ll save a lot of time compared to the time you’ll need if you do it yourself.
Next, you won’t have to worry about all the minor problems that can happen during a project such as this. You’ll just watch from the sidelines without having to deal with different subcontractors or suppliers.
Finally, you won’t have to worry in case of accidents or damages to your home, as you’ll be protected through insurance. Ultimately, if you choose a reliable company or contractor, you’ll be informed about how the project is going every step of the way.
Final Thoughts
Having a newly renovated bathroom feels like you almost have a new home because all the little things that got on your nerves are now sorted out. However, the process won’t go as smoothly if you don’t know what to expect from it, which is why having the answers to the questions we mentioned above will be essential.
Planning is half of the execution in any project, which is why you need to take your time if you want to do it right. Even though renovating or remodeling your bathroom can be a stressful project, working with professionals and knowing what to expect during the project will help you enjoy the process rather than stress. So enjoy more and stress less!