10 Things to Consider Before You Remodel Your Bathroom

Spring is here with warmer temperatures and fresh ideas for home renovations. The bathroom remodel is one of the most popular rooms to update since it is one of the smaller rooms in your home and typically a high traffic area. The best part : a bathroom remodel has one of the highest returns on investment of any home renovation. There are a lot of reasons for bathroom makeovers: you need more storage space, you want to install a spa-like shower or update an old bathroom with new amenities…or maybe all these reasons. Before you start this big project, here are 10 things to consider before beginning your bathroom remodel.

The size of your renovation will dictate the budget so you need to decide if you want a partial or complete bathroom renovation.

According to Houzz, bathroom remodel cost can range from 2,500 for partial remodel to 50+ for upscale bathroom renovations – averaging $10,000 per household. That’s not all: the majority of homeowners upgrade their bathrooms every 16 years.

Answer these questions about your bathroom remodel ideas: What do you want it to look like? How do you want it to function? How often will you use it? How many people will use it? What materials do you want to use? How do you want it laid out?

Do your Research on:

• Bathroom fixtures, products and accessories cost.
• Any bathroom renovation companies bids and labor cost.
• Keep in mind you can always add the extras or luxury items down the road.
• After you calculate your cost, add a cushion-10% for possible unforeseen issues that can arise or last minute changes.

Make sure to track your spending throughout the process so you can stay on budget.

Maybe you’ve been pinching pennies to save for it or you just received a hefty tax return. Many remodelers turn to a home equity loan to cover the bathroom remodel cost because, in many cases, it can be tax deductible. Be sure to shop around for the best interest rate, loan rates and repayment terms.

What is the square footage of the room? Put together a floor plan that includes your room’s dimensions. This will help you decide if you have a wall or closet that can possibly be knocked down so you can expand your space. Do have the room to replace your current cabinets, bathtub, shower, vanity or toilet with a larger model? Keep your floor plan in a notebook so you can refer to it when ordering replacement products and fixtures.

If you are planning to sell your home within five years, your bathroom remodel costs are considered improvements on investment. If you are planning on staying in your home for more than five years, incorporate your new bathroom remodel ideas to include amenities that are comfortable and convenient for the whole family. Don’t forget to add valuable features like all-in-one sinks that are easy to clean and plenty of space for storage.

Is this going to be a DIY project or do you have the budget to hire a bathroom renovation company to handle the job from beginning to the end? Even if you decide to do painting, tile and flooring yourself, it makes sense to hire a professional to handle the plumbing and electrical concerns. You don’t want to end up with a toilet that isn’t level, a shower that leaks or improper wiring. Think about all the bathroom remodel cost you are investing…the last thing you want is a bathroom that looks unprofessional or end up wasting more time and money than you originally planned. If you only have one bathroom in your home, doing the work yourself can put a lot of unwelcome stress on you and your family. A professional plumber or bathroom contractors can balance the work load so the bathroom can remain functional during the entire process.

A plumber can inspect your plumbing lines to check for optimum water pressure, current condition and any corrosion. In the past, plumbers used standard 1-1/2” pipes for drains. These days, more homeowners are opting for 2” pipes to prevent clogs and increase space for better drainage. The cost to upgrade to 2” pipes can save you money in the long run.

Plumbers can also:

• Help you plan the best bathroom renovation
  
• Replace or reroute any plumbing lines
  
• Install and repair any faucets, fixtures and pipes that carry sewage or natural gas throughout the home
  
• Work with water mains and septic tanks
  
• Silence a running toilet
  
• Fix a leaky showerhead, bathtub faucet or sink
  
• Repair “behind the wall” problems which can include water damage
  
• Install fixtures, toilets, bathtubs, showers, bidets, tile and bath surfaces
  
• Deal with water heaters and sump pumps
  

Plumbers have years of experience working with codes and obtaining necessary building permits. Obtaining these requirements can be confusing, frustrating and time-consuming if you don’t have the experience or know-how. Val Gross Blue Mills Plumbing has more than 30 years of experience in bathroom renovations . Call us for a free estimate at 816-254-9416 .

A licensed electrician can inspect your current wiring and advise you of the condition and any available upgrades. If rewiring is part of your improvement, don’t forget to use this opportunity to add extra electrical outlets, recess lighting, track lighting or sconces. If sheet rock is being replaced, it is the ideal time to add a window or a skylight to bring natural light into your space?

The best bathroom renovations include a lighting scheme that makes your room appear larger and more inviting. There are many lighting options to choose from such as: chandeliers, task and recess lighting and dimmer switches. By adding track lighting around countertops and vanities, you can create a more functional work area. Sufficient lighting around sinks and showers can reveal areas that might be slippery when wet. Ambient lighting can cast a dramatic and stunning effect to your overall design. Don’t forget to select your new light fixtures with LED lights to reap the energy saving benefits.

Many homeowners are increasing the size of their showers to improve functionality and accessibility; especially for seniors or young children.

• Take a look at these trending shower remodels:
  
• Walk-in showers with frameless doors that let you breathe easily
  
• Hydrotherapy jets provides relief from tight muscles
  
• Massaging shower heads perfect for unburdening the weight of a difficult day
  
• Built in seating convenient for shaving or shampooing
  
• Handrails that offer balance and support
  
• Grab bars to help protect you from slips and falls
  
• Non-slide flooring that help prevent accidents
  

While some remodelers are completely doing away with their bathtubs to make way for roomy walk-in glass showers, other remodelers are replacing their old bathtubs with beautiful modern multi-functional tubs. Some of the cool new bathtub trends consist of:

• Free-standing tubs that is just too marvelous to stick in the corner
  
• Mini-sized hot tubs ideal for sore muscles or to relive stress
  
• Harmonious Japanese soaking tubs surrounded by tall walls and brilliant tiled floors
  
• Effervescent infinity tubs designed with extra-deep reservoirs that provide continuous water
  
• flow for a peaceful, relaxing soak
  
• Tubs created from gorgeous stone slabs like marble or limestone; destined to become a
  
• dynamic focal point of your bathroom remodel
  

Or why not have a shower and a bathtub? Even if you rarely take baths, bathtubs are great for children, a great way to soak strains and sprains with a little Epson salt and a tranquil escape from the day-to-day grind.

Creating additional storage space is the number one reason people want to invest in small bathroom renovations. With all the styling tools, cosmetics, accessories along with body and hair products we use, no wonder why we need more storage. To avoid all this clutter, consider adding drawer that pulls out of your cabinets to organize your accessories and keep them out of sight. Place interesting baskets above the toilet or on the countertops that house towels and wash cloths. Add glass or bamboo shelves and over-the-toilet cabinets to store beauty products. Under-mount sinks with drawers are great for cleaning supplies.

The trend to add smart innovations is now being added to bathroom remodel cost. Smart technology allows us to control security, lights, temperature from anywhere with a touch of your smartphone. This technology is expanding with:

• Toilets with bidets, heated seats and automatic dryers
  
• Self-cleaning toilers
  
• Motion sensors that lower and raise toilet lid
  
• Waterproof TVs
  
• Touchless sinks and faucets
  
• Refrigerated bathroom cabinets

Don’t have a big budget for these gadgets? Add a virtual assistant speaker to your bathroom to turn on music, deliver news, control your smarthome and shop online.

So now it’s time get your creative juices flowing and start your preplanning so you will be on you way towards a bathroom makeover that is manageable and enjoyable. Most of all… have fun with it!

If you need help with your bathroom remodel, plumbing fixtures, repairs or alterations, call Val Gross Blue Mills Plumbing. Our bathroom contractors make sure we go the extra mile to help you with all your plumbing needs. With more than 30 years of experience, we can troubleshoot any problem with your plumbing system and fix it right the first time. Call us for a free estimate at 816-254-9416 .