Planning your Bathroom Remodeling Project

Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home. It’s where you get ready for work in the morning and make yourself look good for a date or a fun evening out on the town. It can be an oasis of relaxation after a long day, soaking in a nice bubble bath with your favorite beverage. Unfortunately, it can also be a source of stress if certain components aren’t functioning optimally, or it looks like you’ve just stepped back in time to the 1980s.

If your bathroom is old, outdated or lacks the function you need with the aesthetic you want, it’s time to transform it into that beautiful modern oasis of relaxation that you’ve been dreaming of. We know that remodeling projects can be daunting, and you probably don’t know where to start, so here’s how to plan your bathroom remodeling project.

No two bathroom remodeling projects are the same. The first thing you want to decide is the extent to which you want to remodel your bathroom. Ask yourself these questions:

• Does it just need an aesthetic facelift with a new vanity, updated flooring, new shower/tub tiles, and some fresh paint, or does it need to be completely gutted and reimagined?
• Does the current layout function for you, or do you want to relocate the toilet, shower, tub, or sink to make the room feel larger or flow better?
• Are there any known electrical or plumbing issues that need to be addressed?

Once you determine the extent of your remodeling goals, you can start planning out the details and imagining what you’d like the finished space to look like.

Once you’ve determined what kind of remodeling project you want to take on, the next big decision is whether you’re going to attempt to DIY your remodeling project or hire a professional bathroom remodeling contractor. It can be tempting to go the DIY route in order to save money, but that can also backfire in a few different ways, including costing you even more money:

• You could accidentally damage your home and insurance may not cover the repairs, which can hit your budget hard. An experienced and licensed contractor such as Tennessee Designs: Kitchen & Bath Remodelers will have insurance to cover those things if they come up. Your bathroom remodeling contractor will also have the experience to make accidental damage to your home far less likely to occur.
• You may not be experienced enough to accurately budget for and correctly implement every aspect of your remodeling project, and surprises can pop up along the way that you’re unprepared for. A professional contractor has the experience to plan the right budget for your project and work through any surprises that come up along the way so that your remodeling project gets completed on time and within budget.
• Improperly installed plumbing fixtures can be dangerous for you and your family. Plumbing fixtures must be watertight; if they leak or there’s a gap around the pipe, it can cause water damage, mildew, and dangerous mold to damage your home and put your family’s health at risk. Your contractor will be sure to have an experienced plumber on their team to ensure that plumbing is installed correctly.

Deciding on and planning your remodeling budget is one of the most important aspects of your remodeling project. The budget determines everything, including the extent to which you can remodel, the finishes you can afford, and the amount of money you have in reserve in case unexpected damage is found that must be repaired in order to make sure your home is safe and up to code.

When deciding on a remodeling budget, consider these things:

• How large is the bathroom you want to remodel? Remodeling a large master bathroom will naturally cost more than a standard guest bathroom. On the low end, a bathroom remodel can be done for $10,000-$15,000 but may go up to $20,000-$25,000+, depending on size of your bathroom and your choice of materials and upgrades.
• How old is your home, and how likely is it that you’ll discover needed plumbing or electrical repairs? If you’re modernizing an older home, you’ll want to have a cushion in the budget to cover unexpected discoveries behind the walls.
• What kinds of materials and finishings are you envisioning, and how can you achieve the aesthetic you’re seeking at the best price? Your contractor will have a good idea of where to source materials at the best prices.

This is the fun part! If you regularly watch programming such as HGTV, you probably already have ideas in mind. Picture your bathroom as a blank slate and look up design inspirations on Pinterest, Houzz, and other sources. You should save examples of various design elements that you like, such as:

• Flooring materials
• Sinks and Vanities
• Shower/Bath Tiles
• Plumbing Fixtures
• Lighting Fixtures

A bathroom remodeling project typically takes between 4-6 weeks to complete. Because the bathroom is so important for the day-to-day activities of you and your family, you’ll need to plan a way to deal with the unavoidable household disruptions that a bathroom remodeling project will entail. Here are our suggestions to prepare for the disruptions to your routine:

• Move your essentials into a different bathroom and plan your morning routine around sharing spaces that aren’t normally shared. You may need to budget some extra time for everyone to get ready in the morning, but you should be able to live in your home during the remodeling process.
• Clear the area that will be remodeled, including a path to that area of the house, so that the workers can access the work site without damaging other areas of your home.
• Consider putting a cover down over your floors to protect them from damage throughout the remodeling process.

Now that you have a clearer picture of what the remodeling process will entail, it’s time to start planning your dream bathroom oasis! If you’re a homeowner in Chesterfield VA or a surrounding area, we would love to talk to you about your bathroom remodeling goals. Schedule your free, no-obligation bathroom remodeling contractor consultation today!