What You Need To Know Before Remodeling Your Bathroom

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Home remodeling projects can be daunting. They’re costly and time-consuming, and tend to go over budget on both. And while you may be tempted to think that bathrooms are the exception due their often small size, you’d unfortunately be wrong.

The best way to ease your mind is to know what to expect before you jump into the project. So to help relieve some stress, lessen the chance of a costly mistake, and save a few dollars, here are four things you need to know before remodeling your bathroom.

Expect To Spend A Lot of Money

Before you begin any remodeling project, you must consider all of the possible costs. Otherwise you may get to the end of the project and be shocked by the bill. At first glance, you may think it’s possible to remodel a bathroom on a small budget, but unfortunately that’s rarely the case.

The average cost of a bathroom remodel is $10,000, but that includes minor and partial renos. Fully gutting and remodelling a large master bathroom can easily cost upwards of $20,000. Determine what you can and want to spend and then stick to the budget, scaling back or saving longer if you need to. Another good way to keep on top of the remodel budget is to make a list of  everything that needs to be done or replaced, and then look for cost savings. For example, you may want to spend more on a free-standing bathtub but are willing to compromise and get a simple, white run-of-the-mill toilet.

You should also put aside some money for the unexpected things that can arise, like severe water damage and mold removal. Things such as these need to be taken care of by professionals and depending on the severity and location, the cost can be quite high.

Choose Practical Over Trendy

If you have even remotely considered remodeling a part of your home, you’ve probably scoured the internet for inspiration. That isn’t a bad thing in itself; it’s good to have reference photos. But it can be easy to be enticed by the trendy farmhouse or spa-like bathrooms plastered all over Pinterest.

While bathrooms like those are undoubtedly beautiful, they won’t always be considered such. What was trendy five years ago isn’t necessarily so appealing anymore. But if you’re spending a ton of money, you should be happy with your bathroom for many years, especially if you’re planning on selling your house anytime soon. Choosing a timeless bathroom style will not only make you happy, but will save you money in the long run.

Details Make a Room

Having a luxurious feeling bathroom doesn’t just depend on the large components like the bathtub, shower, and toilet. A room’s look and feel is also heavily influenced by the small details. Modern cabinet pulls, a framed mirror, or DIY wainscoting can make a simplistic bathroom feel like a five-star hotel. It’s also important to remember that accessories can add a lot of character and are often inexpensive and interchangeable. For example, nice-smelling candles, a printed shower curtain and towels, art of photos on the walls, and plants can all elevate your bathroom without a high price tag.

Small details can also relate to functionality. How many outlets do you need and where? Depending on where your sink and shower are placed, where should your towel bar go? Aesthetics and functionality can coexist. Consider both before you begin the reno to ensure you’re satisfied long past the initial reveal.

There Are Ways To Cut Costs

Bathroom remodels will always be expensive, but knowing where you can get away with cutting costs can save you a lot of money. There are tasks that don’t need to be done by a professional such as demolition of cabinets and flooring and painting, so if you’ve got the capacity, doing that yourself can be a good start.

Some other ways to save some money include:

If you’re handy or up to watch a few videos on Youtube, you may be able to save money on your bathroom remodel. Researching the details of a bathroom remodel ahead of time can ultimately save you time, stress, and money.