Bathroom renovations can be an expensive business, as any homeowner who’s done more than just renovate the kitchen will tell you. The scale of the job and the quality of fixtures you decide to have a big impact, of course, but bathroom renovations don’t always have to follow the same track. There are lots of ways to reduce costs and still deliver a bathroom that fits your needs. We’ve taken the guesswork out of it and brought it to you, so here’s how to transform your bathroom in a way that’ll save you money while at the same time adding value. And if you want to do the job yourself without spending as much, we’ve got the details too:
First, we need to talk about plumbing. A great bathroom renovation is almost guaranteed to involve a new toilet and/or a new shower, and if your current set-up isn’t up to scratch, you’ll want to consider replacing everything. This will mean you’ll need to take an inventory of your pipes, both inside and out, and work out where you want things to go. This might require digging down into your basement or bathroom and buying new plumbing supplies, or it might mean simply changing the brand of your water supply. If you’re replacing your plumbing then, you’ll also need to buy a new toilet and/or a shower, so get these items ready when you move your furniture!
The best route to take in terms of budget and time invested is to contact a professional plumber and get some estimates for your bathroom remodeling. They’ll be able to advise you on the best approach to take for both your plumbing and your time if you’re having both done by a professional. Often the cheapest way to renovate your bathroom is to get the basics right and to start off with the basics. Tiles are often cheaper than the materials used to make them, and if you’re replacing tiles then they can be reused, so this option may be the cheapest and easiest way to remodel your bathroom.
The second thing to keep in mind when planning your bathroom renovation is that there’s no need to make any structural changes to your room. Mirrors are excellent for making a small space look larger, and bathroom mirrors can even be incorporated into your floor plan. If you’re intending to include a new tub in your bathroom renovation, then you’ll need to ensure that your plumbing will allow you to fit a deep enough bathtub. However, there are options to get around this issue if you have the money – you could have a shower instead of a bath, or install a walk-in bath. Whichever you choose, making sure you get the right plumbing is essential.
In terms of tile and other bathroom renovations, another thing to consider is that the grout and paint used on your walls will also have an impact on your overall bathroom renovation cost. Try and get hold of a couple of estimates for the work needed to renovate your walls. It might sound like common sense, but you’d be surprised at how often people overestimate their bathroom renovation costs and underestimate their tile and grout costs. It’s a good idea to do a bit of research into the market to find out what the average prices of tiles in your local area are. This way you can stay well below this figure and, once it’s set, you can go about having your bathroom renovation done at an acceptable pace.
A final thing to take into account when planning small bathroom renovations is the type of plumbing you need to have installed – both inside and out. There’s no point in going for the cheapest type of pipe you can find if your water supply is going to be compromised, and likewise if you’re going for the cheapest type of wall-mounted sanitaryware. In general, wall-mounted units are better at coping with high levels of water pressure than the cheaper, flexible tapered pipe units, and this can make a big difference in the eventual cost of your bathroom project. If you want more info on bathroom renovation click here.