Where Does Your Money Go for a Bathroom Remodel?
Per square foot, no room in the house takes more work or costs more money to remodel than the bathroom. The combination of plumbing, moisture content, electrical wiring, and decorating schemes packed into the smallest residential spaces create unique demands on remodeling a bathroom. Yet, these same demands also place unmatched value on bathroom spaces, whether in terms of day-to-day living or home property values.
Finished Products vs. Labor and Expenses
Like a kitchen remodel, there will be substantial costs in finished products from flooring, bathtubs, shower surrounds, cabinets, countertops, and numerous bathroom fixtures. These products, however, don’t typically have the same price tags as major kitchen appliances and full cabinet and countertop installations. Plus, bathroom remodeling is a more labor-intensive process between tearing out old bathroom amenities and tedious tile and plumbing installation. 60-70 percent of bathroom remodel costs are labor and expenses and about 30-40 percent is finished product. Of course, this cost breakdown indicates only an estimated average, as the cost breakdown of specific projects can vary quite a bit.
Difference Makers: Plumbing, Bathroom Designs, and Bathroom Tile
Undoubtedly, the biggest difference maker is plumbing and bathroom design. Already one of the costliest and involved subcontractors for bathroom remodeling, if a homeowner wishes to relocate a toilet, sink, or bathtub within the bathroom, extensive plumbing installation will be required, causing a substantial spike in the cost of labor and expenses. In fact, if you’re set on relocating your bathroom plumbing, not only will you need a substantially larger budget, but you’ll need more contingency room in your budget, as any number of obstacles can arise once the walls are torn out.
Another reason bathroom remodeling costs tend to skew toward labor and expenses is the prevalence of bathroom flooring and shower tile. Even the size of the tile will play a role in the cost breakdown of your new bathroom floor. Smaller tiles may cost less from the manufacturer but will require more labor to install. Dot inserts for your tile can also get expensive quickly, as tile accents can cost $12-$40 to cut per insert.
The Huge Cost Differences of Bathroom Remodeling
No remodeling project shows the cost difference between economical and luxury projects, and no remodeling project holds the potential for greater swings in the breakdown of finished products vs. labor and expenses. You might be able to find a low-end shower door, for example, for as little as $300, while luxury shower doors can run more than $3,000. A bathtub can range from $400 to more than $8,000 to buy and install. Shower surrounds can be just as varied. For a master bath with a separate shower and tub, installation costs can range from $3,500-$12,000. These huge differences in cost are also supported by the Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value Report. Other remodeling projects show twice the cost when upgrading from a mid-range to an upscale project. Meanwhile, an equivalent upgrade for bathroom remodels causes the average cost to triple.
Questions to Consider Before Your DIY Bathroom Remodel
So you’ve caught the DIY bug and are feeling inspired by the new year to tackle your own bathroom remodel—congratulations! You’ve got this under control and can be confident that you’re making the right decision in remodeling your bathroom to add extra value to your home. Plus, if you’re doing this on a budget you’re adding even more value to your pocket by cutting down on the expenses of renovation by doing most of the work yourself. You clever homeowner, you.
But before you get started, there are some questions you’ll want to consider that can make everyone’s life much easier. And when you’re done and enjoying the peace and quiet of your brand-new (well, kind of) bathroom, you’ll be glad you did.
What’s your mold protection plan?
There are many different options for mold-proofing your bathroom, but you’ll want to have the materials prepared and ready to go to streamline the process. Once you’ve stripped your bathroom down to bare bones, it’s time to re-build from the ground up, and if your bathroom is prone to mold, it may be worthwhile to investigate your mold protection options. For example, blue board is a form of drywall that’s mold resistant and only costs a few dollars more.
Don’t forget the fan.
It may not sound like a big deal, but think about all the moisture your bathroom creates on a daily basis, trapped in such a small space. A fan is a necessity in keeping your bathroom as healthy and mold-free as possible. But what kind should you buy? If you opt for a separate fan and light, your overall cost will be cheaper, but they’ll be trickier to replace. If you decide to go with a combination fan, you’ll be spending more money, but will be choosing the more convenient option.
What kind of budget do you need for professional services?
There’s a lot you can do on your own for a bathroom remodel, but if you’re touching plumbing or electricity, you will need to hire a professional. A remodel is a great opportunity to assess if your current bathroom is working for you and move outlets to a more convenient location or update plumbing to more efficient versions.
Remodeling Advice for Your Upcoming Project
Bathroom Remodeling Tips
When renovating your bathroom, it can be confusing to know which design options to pick and choose. Sometimes the results you seek can be achieved most effectively and more affordably with a near-total transformation. Comfort Shower and Bath provides help with your remodeling decisions through the guidance of our talented consultants during a private, in-home appointment that we offer as a complimentary service. Even better, by working with Comfort Shower and Bath, you are assured an exceptional outcome because we supply and install only high-quality bath fixtures, enclosures and hardware options, a brand widely recognized as the epitome of luxury and craftsmanship.
Bathroom Remodeling Tips & Ideas
Your bathroom is meant to be a sanctuary where you can literally and figuratively let down your hair. Keep this all-important point top of mind when making changes to this space. You’ll want it to be relaxing as well as functional, convenient as well as stylish
To ensure that things don’t get too cluttered or the décor too busy, here are a few things to consider:
A neo-angle shower takes up a minimal amount of space in a small bathroom.
Small bathrooms also benefit from open shelving rather than enclosed cabinets and vanities.
Solid colors are ideal for small spaces that can be overwhelmed by patterns.
An eye-catching hardwood or tiled floor does much for the overall impact of any size space.
An intense, deep color on the walls makes a more dramatic impression.
Pay extra attention to lighting, including dimmer switches, under cabinet lighting, and overhead lights, to assure ample coverage at all times of day or night.
When you have a tight budget, a basic bath liner can solve many issues while improving the bathroom décor.
The minimalist look is popular right now, and can give your bathroom décor longevity.
Choosing a Bathroom Remodeler…
When you are ready to move forward with your bathroom remodel, look for a company that is experienced and provides all the services you need. When choosing a bathroom remodeler, you should also look carefully into the quality and variety of the products that they install. At Comfort Shower and Bath, we’re happy to provide a FREE initial consultation and price estimate for any of our bathroom remodeling services.
Things to Look for in Bathroom Remodeling Services
Interested in remodeling a bathroom in your home? You may benefit from looking for the top bathroom remodeling services in your area.
While the “Do It Yourself” approach is commendable, it’s not always the best course of action. Weekend projects and small improvements may not need professional handiwork. A major undertaking, however, can quickly turn into a renovation nightmare. You may inadvertently increase your bathroom remodel cost after it’s too late.
Do You Need the Expertise of Bathroom Remodeling Services?
If you’re replacing an existing bathroom component, like a toilet seat or a towel bar, you can call in a handyman or fix it on your own. The same goes for adding and installing relatively simple pieces, such as shower doors or a new light fixture.
Does your renovation idea go beyond your skills and willingness to pay an hourly rate? Do you think it could be a job for more than one person or more than one weekend? It’s at this point that you should consider bathroom remodeling contractors.
Remodeling Contractor?
There’s no secret or special knowledge involved in choosing the best among all the bathroom remodeling services available to you. The tips below are basic starting points and can be used as a good base when you’re excited and planning a dream renovation.
Things You Should Think About Before Renovating Your Bathroom
It’s no secret that remodeling your bathroom is a great financial investment for your home. Remodeling your bathroom is one of the best home remodeling projects you can do to increase the resale value of your home.
The Layout of your Bathroom
Before you start remodeling your bathroom, think about your layout and make a plan! Think about the layout and style of your current bathroom and think about what you want to improve.
Is there cracked tile or is your shower leaking? Do you need to install new cabinets? Are you constantly bumping into things? Is your sink too low or high? Think about all of these things before you start your remodeling project.
Plumbing
Many people think that it’s easy to move your shower, sink, or toilet to a different place in your bathroom. But actually, it’s very costly to move the plumbing around in your bathroom
Ventilation System
If it takes a long time for your windows to air out after taking a warm shower, it may be time to upgrade your ventilation system. Having a system to reduce mold and mildew is extremely important not just for overall health reasons, but for adding resale value to your home. Adding a fan and also adding a window to your bathroom will certainly help keep mold and mildew out.