Remodeling a bathroom is a fun project. But before you rush off to pick out a new tile pattern or bathtub style, there are a few less exciting things to consider ensuring that your project ends just as you had hoped. We’ve made a basic checklist to help you keep your bathroom makeover on track and under budget because we know how stressful, time-consuming, and expensive it can be to remodel your home on a budget.
Financial plan
You should determine how much money you will put into the bathroom remodel if you haven’t done so before. Creating a spending plan will be useful as you decide which features to incorporate into the renovation. After you’ve determined your budget and deducted the amount set aside for labour, you’ll have a better idea of how much money is left over for tiling, fixtures, and other optional extras.
Time
Many individuals wrongly believe you can complete a smaller bathroom makeover in a matter of days, or at least considerably more quickly than a bigger one. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Your contractor will need to go through the same procedures as with a larger bathroom regardless of the number of items being updated. However, preparation includes determining how long the renovations will take and taking measures such as placing orders for tiles, fittings, a custom vanity, and cabinets well in advance of when your contractor will need them. Those with a single bathroom in the house will need to make other plans for showering and toileting while the bathroom is being renovated, so giving themselves plenty of lead time is essential.
Work symphony
You can avoid extra work and hassle by following a precise order of operations while remodeling a bathroom. Starting at the ceiling is the best practice whether you’re knocking down walls or just painting over the old. To protect your new investments, you should start by remodeling the ceiling, then move on to the walls, and finally, the floors.
There are personal issues
Thinking of renovating your bathroom? A “full gut” may be the way to go. A bathroom renovated by a skilled professional will look great and perform without a hitch for many years to come, not significantly increasing your home’s resale value. Look for structural defects in the floor framing, not properly vented plumbing, old corroded plumbing, non-waterproof tile shower/tub surrounds, etc., as water damage can be a major concealed concern depending on age of your property and the quality of its construction.
Form and function in the design
Think about the overall feel you want to achieve in the bathroom before you do anything else. There’s a lot to think about, including painting, tiling, vanities, showers, tubs, faucets, etc. Research should be your first step because things might rapidly become overwhelming. Either start with a central design piece that you want to highlight in the bathroom and build the rest of the design around it or start by piecing together components that you like into what will become the final design of the bathroom.
Quantification
The overall size of the bathroom (often the smallest room in the house), the positioning of existing plumbing lines and electrical wiring, and the customary standard measurements of bathroom fixtures are the three key limits that make size matter in bathroom restoration. Therefore, before heading out to the store, ensure you have all the appropriate dimensions and requirements written down.
Working as a Contractor
Using a third party for something you could do yourself? Given the nature of the work and the difficulty of the tasks, that is a wise decision (electrical, tiling, plumbing, etc.). To avoid a lot of hassle and wasted time, hire a contractor.
The various plumbing components
The shower, tub, toilet, bidet, sink, faucets, and shower heads are some fixtures and amenities that should be updated or repaired throughout a renovation. You also need to replace or fix any broken mirrors or shower doors. You can change the door knobs, drawer pulls, and shower door hardware is also a quick and simple way to update the design of your bathroom.
Shelving, racks, and cabinets
Organizing storage spaces, including cabinetry, shelves, and drawers, can be difficult. That is particularly true in spaces with unusual dimensions like bathrooms. They should fit your space, make the most of that area, and look good.
The Ceiling and Floor
If it is naturally waterproof or has an impermeable finish, you can use almost any material to surface walls and floors in a bathroom. Tiles made of ceramic, marble, or granite can be beautiful and long-lasting additions to bathroom floors and walls, depending on your design preferences and budget. Cement (painted or stained), sheet vinyl, and vinyl tiles are alternative flooring solutions that are both affordable and aesthetically pleasing. Consider the durability and slip-resistance of the flooring material you choose for the bathroom.
Lights
Having a bathroom that lacks proper lighting can be unsafe or inconvenient, so it’s important to incorporate lights into the design that serve a practical purpose while also setting the mood. Have at least four watts of incandescent lighting per square foot of floor space. However, you should maximize natural light first.
Adornments
No renovation is complete without brand new accessories, despite their apparent insignificance in the grand scheme. Even insignificant items like fresh washcloths, soap dishes, mirrors, towel racks, and bath mats can significantly increase the ultimate cost. New hand towels are preferable to none if money is tight.
Air Flow
Bathrooms and other damp rooms must have adequate ventilation. Selecting the appropriate fan, determining the optimal location for its installation, and handling the associated electrical wiring are all challenging tasks that necessitate careful preparation. Inadequate ventilation can lead to mould growth and other health problems in the bathroom. However, a bathroom with good ventilation is beneficial in more ways than one. You can avoid the degradation of any timber trim or fixtures and the saturation of building insulation with controlled ventilation.