Today, a total bath remodel can cost $10,000 or more. That kind of investment is not in everyone’s budget, but a well-done budget-minded remodel can look and feel just as good as a major gut-job. It takes more work, and a lot more planning, but the end result can be spectacular. Here is a step-by-step plan for your bathroom remodel.
- Before you buy the first item for your new bathroom, make a budget. Any project without a strict budget can easily skyrocket. Also, know that the more structural changes you make, the more expensive the project will become. The more you can work off of the current floorplan, the better.
- Next, prioritize. Look at what you have, and what you need to do something about. There may be things that you don’t need to replace, maybe you can repurpose them. Or maybe you can repair instead of replace.
- Be honest about your time and your skills. You might have some brilliant ideas for your new space, but not have the ability to pull them off. Know when to hire a pro, and when to DIY. If you have friends with mad skills that they are willing to share or trade, ask!
- Create a plan. If you are good at design, do it yourself. If you have absolutely no idea where to start, and no friend with design knowledge, look at how much it will cost to find a designer. Houzz offers online design services, as does Kohler. Look into their costs and what the requirements are to use the services.
- Review items 2, 3, and 4, then go back to your budget. Now is the time to itemize the budget. Where are you going to spend your money, and how much?
- What materials do you want in your bathroom?
- If you love tile, but can’t afford to tile the entire bathroom, where do you want to put your money? Perhaps you can use a few high-end artistic tiles as an accent and have a base of less expensive tiles. Or in place of real marble, use faux marble porcelain tiles. Or paint most of the bathroom and just tile the walk-in shower, around the tub, or the floor.
- Instead of tile floors, use vinyl faux stone squares or vinyl wood-look planks. Vinyl has come a long way in the last few years with all the technological changes. It is great in moist places, like a bathroom.
- Do you need a new tub, shower, or toilet? If so, maybe you can find one at Habitat for Humanity Restore, and you can put it in yourself. Or maybe you can repaint. There are many new products on the market for refinishing tubs and showers without bringing in an expert.
- Painted walls are an easy solution. There are so many wonderful colors out there. Designers suggest that bathrooms be calm and relaxing by using shades of white, grey, blue, or green. Make sure to use a satin or semi-gloss paint because of all of the moisture.
- Cover or replace old damaged walls with beadboard and wainscot, then paint them. Take out damaged drywall and replace with cement board in wet areas.
- Paint old cabinets. Or replace an old vanity with a repurposed vintage dresser. New vintage-look vanities can cost thousands of dollars, while real ones can be found in a second-hand store for less than a hundred dollars!
- Look for reclaimed fixtures at places like Habitat ReStore, or unique repurposed items that can be used as towel racks at Greenhouse Ministries or Goodwill.
- See if you can buy a piece of flawed granite for your countertop, once the sink goes into it, the flaw may not even show.
- Reclaim old material to make into draperies or a shower curtain. Mid-Century sheets are cool and often 100% cotton.
- Frame old postcards or inexpensive prints for artwork. Yard sales are a great place to find inexpensive frames.
- Re-caulking and re-grouting can go a long way to giving a bathroom a new feel.
- Quality of workmanship can make a big difference. A few things well done can do a lot for an older bathroom.
- Stick to your budget by working with suppliers and workmen whom you trust. Keep them on track. Even if you hire a contractor, check and recheck that they are doing a good job, and that they are doing what you asked them to do, as you asked them to do it.
The most important things you can do to complete your renovated bathroom is to stay true to your original design, watch your costs, and look for creative ways to use lower-cost materials or repurposed materials that have a look of quality. Also, remember that often repurposed and lower-cost materials are also more earth-friendly.
Most of all, enjoy the end result! And if you need a hand with your bathroom remodel one of our City Tile design experts would be more than happy to help you through the process. Get in touch with us today to get your project going.
