4 Tips On Bathroom Renovations
The National Association of Home Builders told us that “bathroom remodeling, at a staggering 78 percent, is the most requested home renovation.” While those numbers might have changed a bit, we think you get the point. Here are four sound and easy ideas to get your arms around when tackling a bathroom renovation.
#1 Prepare For a Real “Lifestyle” Adjustment
In most cases, the family continues to live in the home as the renovations for remodeling your bathroom are underway. This time can be hectic, and depending on the size of your home and scope of your project, you and your bathroom renovation crew ma be on top of each other.
Because workers will be inside your world, you’ll want to make provisions to move basic bath needs from their normal areas to an alternate location. Make sure the alternatives make sense and will continue to make sense if the timeline of the project is extended. Many bathroom reno projects are extended beyond the original end date.
If your renovation is taking place in a child’s bathroom or master bath spaces be especially mindful—expect some loud and awkward situations. Nerves may get frayed, but keep in mind, the chaos is only temporary.
To maintain your sanity when remodeling your bathroom, consider practicing the following:
- Keep one room clean and organized – Having one super clean and organized room in your house during a major construction project will help you tackle your daily to-do list. This space could be your dining room or guest room, just somewhere you can set up a few shelves with everything you’ll need (your computer, paper towels, medicine, etc.) throughout the day without having to access the construction zone.
- Set up a temporary bathroom space – Setting up a temporary bathroom may involve renting a Porta Potty or moving a vanity into your bedroom with a sink and soap to freshen up. Remove all items from your bathroom fixtures as well (don’t leave towels behind on a towel rack, for example).
- Meal prep – Even if your renovation doesn’t involve your kitchen, whipping up three square meals a day in a home undergoing a construction project is no easy task. By planning your daily and weekly (depending on how long the bathroom project takes) meals in advance, you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches by not having to cook a five-course meal while workers hammer away in your master bath.
#2 Use Professionals
The selection of the team producing your renovation is obviously of the utmost importance. When it comes to choosing professionals in your area, don’t let the internet bog you down with too much information. A diy bathroom remodeling project might seem like a great option, but remodeling an entire bathroom by yourself is difficult. We recommend taking your dream bathroom ideas to a professional.
Two very reputable professional builder organizations are NARI and the NAHB and sites like Angie’s List can be very informative.
On the design side, it’s wise to select an architect and/or designer with great care since this relationship may become highly personal in many instances. In professional selections of this type, nothing really beats great referrals from happy clients.
When perusing a list of potential contractors, you may want to:
- Ask for references
- Look at their credentials including photos of past projects
- Make sure your contractor has proper insurance coverage
#3 Understand the Budget Process
How a renovation project is priced and delivered is not always easy for the layperson to understand.
Take the time to grasp the basics—a “schedule of values,” or SOV, will show you what each item of labor and materials is costing you.
For example, let’s say you now want an undermount sink but the original price you agreed to called for an overmount sink. If you know the price of the original sink and the labor to install it, you will then be better able to value the potential upcharge for the labor and material of your new sink choice.
Sounds simple, right?
Well, not always, so pay attention here and you will benefit from this understanding. When staring down your budget, ask yourself the following questions:
- What are your top priorities? Once you begin the renovation process, it’s easy to get lost in the details or sidetracked with projects that aren’t even on your to-do list. For example, if you know you want a large, clawfoot tub, don’t worry about securing top-of-the-line fixtures. Stick to your guns and make clear what aspects of the renovation are most important to you.
- How are you going to finance remodeling your bathroom? If you’re pulling funds from your savings account, you may feel that you have more wiggle room if the contractor tells you that the shower you really want is backordered and may cost more than anticipated. If your budget for your renovation is limited, though, be ready to compromise as the project progresses in order to save money.
- What materials are you planning to use? The cost of certain materials—which ultimately affects your budget process—depends largely on quality and availability. Know upfront which materials are your non-negotiables (for instance maybe granite or marble) and communicate this clearly to your contractor.
#4 Be Willing to Speak Up
This is your space, your life, and your money.
The “guys” running around your house may not work for you directly, but they certainly do indirectly. If you are uncomfortable with something that you see or hear, speak up! Did you want the heated floor to run across the whole bathroom but it’s only on side? Would you rather have a different light fixture above the sink? Let the professionals know. Meddling is one thing but being involved with your home renovations is perfectly acceptable. Be curious and courageous with the process so you will be sure to achieve the best results.