There’s bound to come a point where you need a brand new bathroom. Unfortunately renovating a bathroom not the easiest thing to do. There’s so much to consider and, even when the work starts, things can come up that make renovating a bathroom more difficult than anticipated. But, to make your renovation as smooth as possible, here are 6 tips for a successful bathroom renovation.
Budget Properly
The biggest problem homeowner’s tend to have with any renovation is proper budgeting. Most people underestimate how much it will cost to renovate their bathroom. Do a little research online so you know what costs to expect. To make budgeting smoother you should add 10-20% extra on top of your planned budget. That way you’re covered in case something goes wrong or you need to spend a little more than expected. Proper budget planning goes a long way.
Make Preparations
The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in a house. Everyone in a household makes a few “visits” to it every day and bathroom renovations are not the fastest projects to undertake. When you get your bathroom renovated it’s important that you understand the bathroom isn’t going to be accessible for a few days and you need to prepare. Most homes have at least two bathrooms so the biggest inconvenience will be traffic—but if you have an older or smaller home or apartment you may have to consider asking a neighbor if you can borrow their bathroom for a few days. Preparing yourself and your family for less access to a bathroom will make the renovation go just a bit easier.
Bring in a Plumber
Almost any bathroom renovation is going to need a plumber. Even if you’re going to give it a go yourself you should consult a plumber. If you’re hiring bathroom renovation contractors you need to ensure at least one of them is a plumber. Luckily there are literally hundreds of great plumbers that are in LA, Chicago, New York and most major (and minor) cities and towns across the country. It’s the only way to avoid costly mistakes like a damaged water pipe or shoddy plumbing that leaves your toilet inaccessible for longer than you expect. It can eat away at your budget to bring in a plumber but it saves a lot of time, stress, and money in the long run.
Fully Consider Your Space
Your bathroom may look small but there’s a good chance that if you really thought about it there could be a lot more space than you currently have. Think about how much space there really is in your bathroom and how you can make the most of it. You can also consider investing in space-saving units that look small but hold a lot of room for things like towels and laundry. Is your tub or shower too big? Consider getting something a little smaller. Find out how big your bathroom really is and work with the space.
Focus on Function
That beautiful tile mosaic you’re looking at will be nice for a little while, but after a bit, you’re going to appreciate an efficient toilet or new sink rather than the tile mosaic. To get the best bang out of your money invest in better features and fixtures. Of course, you should get a design you like but you should be spending more money on the functional parts of your renovation: toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks than you do on tiles and decorating. If you have money to burn then go for function and fanciness. But, if you have to pick just one then function wins out every time.
Plan to Change the Plan
Do you know the phrase “expect the unexpected”? It’s something you definitely need to do when planning any renovation—and this is especially true with bathroom renovations. Make a plan but be flexible enough to make adjustments if the time comes to alter the plan. Maybe it’s going to take longer than you think and you need to find different bathroom alternatives, or it’s going to cost more than you expect. Maybe that ideal color scheme that you thought up doesn’t work after all. There are lots of things that can change and they can overwhelm you if you aren’t ready. So be ready for change and go with the flow.
Renovating a bathroom doesn’t need to drive you insane. If you aren’t fully prepared for all the work that comes with a renovation though, it most certainly will cause a lot of stress. Just do some research, put together a solid plan, and be prepared to land on your feet when the rug is swept out from under you.
These are some great tips, and I appreciate your advice to budget properly and add a buffer to your planned finances. My husband and I are going to be doing a bathroom renovation in a few months, and I want to make sure everything goes smoothly. We’ll definitely sit down and plan out a budget, and we’ll be sure to give a generous buffer for unexpected expenses. Thanks for the great post!
Thanks for this helpful post on bathroom renovations. I am planning on doing a home renovation soon, and that will include two bathroom remodels. I really like what you said about the budget. I don’t really have a set number that I want to spend yet, but I really should get that so that I don’t end up getting overly costly. Thanks for the help!
That’s a really smart idea to have a plumber handy when you’re remodeling. With a bathroom, there is a chance that you might end up completely reorganizing the room and that certainly would require the work of someone trained. I’ll have to talk to a contractor and see what their thoughts are as we plan exactly what remodeling I’ll be doing. Thanks for the info!
While having a beautiful bathroom is anyone’s dream, making sure it remains functional is an important part of the renovation as well. Considering what space you have to work with is important too. Thanks for sharing the tips!
My wife decided that she wants to remodel the master bathroom and has been thinking of a design. You mentioned that your bathroom may look small but there’s a good chance that if you really thought about it there could be a lot more space that you currently have. Do most contractors offer different designs to help you maximize the space that you do have? It appears that consulting with a professional might be very beneficial for this process.
Consulting with a professional will almost always ensure you get the most bang for the buck. They know how various elements can be added to a room, as well as what is the latest in trends so that you get the most long-term value from your project.
Thanks Tiffany for posting. This is a very good article. I like the last tip, planning to change the plan. We don’t really know if there will be changes of plan, but it comes naturally when you a making a project. So Expect the unexpected. Thanks a again Tiffany!
when renovating there is always unexpected thing will happen, that’s why you always need a reserved budget for it. I experience this before and i know this is one of the stressful part of renovating.
SO true! The unexpected something you tend to forget about…but you always end up over budget too!
My husband and I are starting a home remodeling project, so we’re working on the bathroom first. We like you suggestion to go for function over fanciness. I think having a functional bathroom is what we both want.
As best I can, I’m going to steal them. It was especially helpful that you included the renovation cost, which may have increased in the last three years but still gives me a reference. I feel less nervous about this project. Thank you again.
Those are some really informed tips! I would also add that an interior designer is a great addition too. They have a good background and understanding of renovations and how everything fits together. Great post, loved it!