A bathroom renovation is an exciting facelift for a home that can add a great deal of value to any home. But more goes into any renovation – big or small – than simply deciding that it’s time for a change. For today’s blog post we wanted to give you a list of important considerations to take into account before you get started with your bathroom makeover.
Budget – We’ve stressed this a lot on our blog, but that’s because your budget is the backbone of any remodeling project. Setting a realistic budget will help guide you as you make decisions about what to include in the remodel. Once you’ve figured out what you can spend and subtracted the amount allocated to labor, you’ll have a clearer sense of what you can spend on tile, fixtures, and other extras.
Time – With any remodeling project, time needs to be taken into account – not just for the estimated time to complete the work, but time for any unforeseen things that may come up along the way (more on that later). Many people assume that if they are remodeling a small bathroom it will only take less time than a larger one, but that is not necessarily the case. Depending on nature of the work, your contractor may have to operate in a more confined space than in a larger bathroom. In addition, time for ordering and purchasing such things as tiles, fixtures, custom-built vanity or cabinets needs to be worked into the timeframe.
Works Sequence – In addition to setting a budget and timetable for the renovations, it’s important to establish a set work sequence that will be followed once the work begins. Whether you are demolishing sheetrock or simply repainting, you always want to start at the top of the room. Remodel your ceiling first, walls second, and floors third so you can prevent damage to your new components. This work sequence will help to set expectations for you and your contractors.
Hidden Problems – We have already mentioned that you should budget for extra time and potential costs for unforeseen problems that arise during a remodeling project, but planning for these problems is worth exploring a bit further. Any project has the potential to present something unexpected, regardless of whether the work is done by an experienced professional or not. Depending on the age of your home, and how well it was built, the biggest hidden problem you may encounter is water damage. Signs to look out for in advance include: structural deficiencies in the floor framing; improperly vented plumbing; old corroded plumbing; non-waterproof tile shower/tub surrounds, etc.
Design Form and Function – There are many factors to consider when you begin to think about the redesign of a new space. Things like paint color, tile choices, vanities, showers, tubs, faucets, etc. will help your bathroom to take shape in your mind, but can also get overwhelming very quickly. So, start with some research! You can start to piece together elements that you like into what will become the final design of the bathroom or you may choose a design item you want to feature in the bathroom and then work the rest of the bathroom design around it. Design should work hand-in-hand with functionality so consider who will use the bathroom and how. Consider resale of your house and also take a moment to think how the bathroom design will fit in with the rest of the house.
Taking these considerations into account before you jump into your remodeling project may seem less exciting, but the forethought and planning that you do will help to ensure a smooth project with a minimum of headaches. Contact us today to get started with your bathroom renovation. Our team is here to help you create the bathroom of your dreams.