Doing a bathroom remodel can go smoothly or it can be a total disaster. Most remodels people do for themselves lie somewhere in between the two. It is easy to have problems with a bathroom remodel when it is not something you do on a regular basis. Your mind is just not geared to thinking about all the factors that go into reworking a bathroom.
Measuring
There are several cases where poor measuring can be disastrous in doing a bathroom remodel. Your fixtures need to fit. You know this, but you may not remember to take every necessary measurement. Some people get as far as starting to install their toilet before they realize that the measurement from drain to wall is off. The toilet will not fit without moving the drain, so that must be done before the bathroom remodel can be finished.
Some oversized fixtures will not fit in the space you have for them if you have not measured correctly. You may have designed the entire bathroom remodel around the concept of a certain fixture, only to find out that it does not fit. Some fixtures may not even fit through the bathroom door. The whole operation will come to a halt while you decide how to change your plan.
Certain materials must be bought in a piece and must be bought in the right size of piece. If you bought a piece of linoleum for your bathroom it would need to fit perfectly. A disaster would be if you measured incorrectly and bought a piece that was too small. The piece would be worthless in covering the floor for the bathroom remodel, and you would need to buy something else.
An expert in bathroom remodels will make sure that all the fixtures fit and that all the measurements for the bathroom are correct. If something does not fit together the way you wish it to, the professional remodeler will know that fact ahead of time and help you alter your plans.
Plumbing
If you do not work on plumbing often, you might have trouble installing the plumbing. No matter what kind of plumbing you use, you might have trouble with leaks if you are not skilled in installation of pipes. This is a major problem if you are using copper pipes and do not have experience doing them. If the pipes are installed incorrectly, you might get air in them which will lead to rattling pipes.
Another problem is that you might have problems with your drains if they are not plumbed correctly. A stinky bathroom sink drain would be something of a disaster. Someone who does plumbing as a part of their everyday job would know to use a P-trap to keep the smell from rising up through the drain and into the room.
Mold
There is nothing worse in doing a bathroom remodel than thinking you have done a good job, and then having mold show up in your new bathrooms. If you hire a home remodeling company, they will make sure that green-board is used rather than plain wallboard. They will make sure that walls behind shower tiles are watertight. They will seal all areas where mold could possibly accumulate otherwise.
Any one of these disasters may be possible to divert when you do your own bathroom remodel. The problem lies in doing the entire job without slipping up on one aspect of the work. You do not do remodeling work every day, so you should not be expected to complete it without a hitch. However, a remodeling company can finish your bathroom remodel quickly and easily.
Taking on home remodel projects is a fun and creative way to express your DIY self and bring in your personal style. If you are working on a small bathroom, give it a nice open feel and create an appearance of a larger space by using specific items and a some special techniques. Use light colors, the right mirror, and the perfect size of bathroom vanity and your small bathroom will look better than ever.
Open up the Space: When working with a small bathroom, you want to make the most of the space wherever possible. A great way to do this right off the bat is to choose a new vanity that has a good amount of under sink and counter storage space. By using a vanity that has good storage space, it will eliminate the need for things like over-toilet shelving units and multitudes of towel racks and hooks. Another way to create additional space is by using a built-in shelving unit. If you already have one, great; if you don't, then consider installing one, they are great for storage space and because they are flush against the wall, it gives a clean appearance. Pedestal style vanities pair well with this type of shelving, because they are also great for creating the look of a cleaner and more open space.
Create Illusions: Add the feeling and look of additional space by playing with angles and reflection. Another option is to utilize mirrors for the purpose of creating the illusion of space within the small bathroom. And if you are lucky enough to have a window in your bathroom, then you can use mirrors to add the illusion of more light too, which also helps with the look of more space. Adding a large mirror to your bathroom will create the illusion that the space is a little larger that it looked before. If you're going to repaint the walls, make sure to use a light color palette. Cool, lighter tones tend to make the space seem more open and less closed in than darker colors, thus making the room feel more spacious. Light colors will also make your bathroom brighter, especially if you have natural light coming in.
Toss the Clutter: No matter what you do, if there's a lot of stuff in your bathroom will still feel small and claustrophobic. Cut back on decorative objects and go for a minimalist look. Toss anything you don't really need; if you can't remember the last time you used it, it goes in the trash. Limit decorative elements to the walls and try to add interest through the frame on your mirror and the light fixtures.
Start your small bathroom remodel creatively by getting some paper and pencil to illustrate a diagram of what you want for the bathroom. Make notations of the room's dimensions and the estimated dimensions for necessary items you plan to shop for, like a 24" bathroom vanity and shop for 30" square mirrors, for example. This way, you'll have some idea of the existing floor plan as well as the floor plan you desire for the completed project.
Not all bathrooms can be lavish spaces with whirlpool tubs and two separate vanities. For some bathrooms, space is at a premium and knocking out walls is not an option, but remodeling must be done. Small bathroom remodeling presents its own complications, but with the right information, a small bathroom-remodeling project can shine.
Before beginning your small bathroom remodeling, design a floor plan that maximizes the room's useable space. Don't be afraid to design up by incorporating free-floating cabinets. Use mirrors to stretch a small bathroom's space, and keep the color scheme simple. Keep a small bathroom bright, fresh, and inviting with coordinated colors and accessories.
Pare down the scale in your bathroom. Big items take up more space in the bathroom and look bulky. Corner sinks are simple and small. These sinks free up visual space below, but don't provide the counter space and cabinet space that a traditional sink provides. Another option is a pedestal sink. These sinks have a more classic design and are free standing. Wall-mounted sinks save space but do not have counter space. Both types of sinks do not provide storage space underneath. Most home-improvement stores stock smaller sinks, or you can custom order one from a cabinet shop for a price.
A simple way to conserve space is to do away with a tub and just use a shower. Smaller tubs, however, are available, although most cannot handle whirlpool faucets. Any tub less than five feet long will probably spill the water sprayed by the whirlpool faucets.
Pick a toilet that can sit close to the wall to conserve space, and the size of the seat and tank design determine just how much space the toilet will use. Also pay attention to the size of the home's original toilet. Older homes have toilets with 10 to 14 inches between the wall and the toilet drain, but newer homes typically have 12 inches. The wrong toilet won't fit. Buying a toilet with a low tank takes up less visual space and compact toilets leave more room, but as with any small bathroom remodeling project, use these suggestions to find a toilet that is both stylish and fits in the room.
Finally, limit what you bring into the bathroom. To save space in a cramped bathroom, for example, it may be best to have a dressing area in a bedroom. Limit the number of accessories -- clutter can easily make a small bathroom look smaller.
Planning a small remodeling may take extra planning, but the resulting clean, beautiful, an uncluttered bathroom will be an inviting space.
Why bath remodels are such a big investment? There can be many reasons, but the first and most important one is that a bathroom is one of the most important places in any home.
The best home remodeling investment you can make today is to remodel your bathrooms. Obviously there is no point spending money on bath remodels unless there is an actual need for them. Best time to remodel your bathroom is when there is something really wrong with it like it's in desperate need of repair or is outdated.
Bath remodels are an excellent investment especially for those of you who are willing to sell your home. A remodeling project just before you put your on the market can help you get a much better price for your property in the market. It can even expedite the sale of your house as prospective buyers will definitely be attracted to a newly decorated bathroom or bathrooms. A nice looking bathroom is a pleasurable experience and view.
Just pick up any remodeling magazine or a trade journal and you'll find plenty of bath remodeling ideas, accessories and information. However, those good looking bathroom that you see in the magazines are all very expensive and such a bath remodeling project could set you back by $20,000 to $25,000. Worse, even if you spend $20, 000 odd on bath remodels, it is possible that you get less value than that investment. However, if you do manage to get more value, it would be great!
A bath remodel project can be at a grand scale or at a lower scale. Let's assume you aren't planning to sell your home, but your bathroom still requires repairs and new accessories? Why not just make the necessary changes and save on money and effort and time. If your bathroom requires a new vanity or a new toilet, then just invest in those things and your entire bath remodeling bill could be under $1000 or less.
Whatever the reason for bath remodels, the very prospect of that can be exciting and interesting. From the Internet to the magazines and from hoardings to the television, you just need to look around to come up with the best bathroom remodeling ideas and get updated with the latest trends. However, when deciding on the scheme of things and products, make sure you are able to mix the old with the new in a chic manner that helps blends them together rather than make them stick out like a sore thumb.
Once you are ready to make the difficult decision to bring the new products and accessories home to start your bath remodels projects, you will have to arrange for a plumber and a contractor. From curtains to rugs, and from vanity cabinets to sinks, you can choose everything now. You will also need to figure out a color scheme as well so that everything blends together. From antique and dark tones to bright to pastel shades, choose colors based on your requirements.
The bathroom is one of the most-visited rooms in your house, and an effective remodeling of your bathroom can increase your home's value, impress your visitors, and provide you with more comfort.
To ensure that the costs of your bathroom remodel don't get out of hand, it is crucial to develop a budget before starting any work. Decide upon how much money you can comfortably allocate to the project, but allow for about 20% in addition in case of unexpected developments. The same goes for developing a timetable for the remodel; allow for 20% more time, in case of unexpected delays or complications. When creating your budget for the bathroom remodel, make sure to include for the cost of any required labor performed by professionals for electrical work, plumbing, tile-laying, heating/cooling, carpenter work, and drywall installation as well as the cost of materials. Your materials checklist may include:
- Flooring materials;
- Paint or wallpaper;
- Countertops and cabinets;
- Sinks;
- Shower and/or bathtub;
- Faucets;
- Toilet;
- Accessories (such as extra storage containers).
To save money of your remodel, look for ways you can economize. Can the existing cabinets be touched up by refinishing, instead of replacing the entire cabinetry? Can the current tile be regrouted to freshen it up, rather then replacing it with brand new tile and grout? Would new faucets perk up the existing sinks, shower, and/or bathtub and avoid having to entirely replace them? For walls and ceiling, a new shade of paint can work wonders visually and may allow you to achieve the look of a remodel without the expense of undertaking a more extensive remodel. A lighter color on the walls can make a small bathroom seem much larger, and a mirror can enhance the feeling of spaciousness.
Another way to cut bathroom remodeling costs is to do some of the work yourself. Obviously, unless you are skilled in electrical work or plumbing, these jobs are best left to the professionals. But jobs such as painting, installing wallpaper, or replacing curtains are things you can likely handle, and by taking these on, you will save the money on labor for these areas.
Take the time to plan for your remodel before you begin, and you will be surprised at how the process of thinking about all the details will transform into ways you can save money and still have a beautiful new look for your bathroom.
Under the best circumstances, any bathroom remodeling endeavor can add up to be quite expensive! This fact is compounded by the reality of the sluggish housing market, leaving many homeowners questioning their potential return on their remodeling investment dollars. However, it is a catch-22 situation: while homeowners are worried about recouping their remodeling budget when their house sells, buyers are seeking out properties that are in top-notch condition. Of course the top two rooms on the buyer's list of high expectations are bathrooms and kitchens. It goes without saying, that a modern, dressed-up bathroom will put you ahead of your competition!
If you are trying to sell your home, you most likely would like to sell it quickly and for the maximum selling price point that is possible given the market conditions in your town. In many urban areas, sellers' competition is fierce because so many properties are for sale. Savvy homeowners know that the bathroom is an important selling feature of their house and that if their bathroom is superior to the other houses within their relative price range, their final selling price will be maximized. This fact alone may make bathroom remodeling a viable option for the homeowner who wants their house to shine above all the other for-sale homes.
Because of heavy competition in certain markets as well as lenders being more wary of inflated pricing, home appraisers are being more rigid in their comparisons. Sellers with dingy vinyl bathroom floors and peeling wallpaper will not be able to compete with their neighbor who invested a bit in a bathroom remodeling project and added natural stone floors and creamy up-to-date paint colors. Lesson learned: a clean, modern, turnkey bathroom is a crown jewel in your home.
How much of your remodeling dollars can you expect to recoup during your home sale? It varies based upon your choice of materials, buyers' perceptions, and the overall amount you spend. Overall, a well-planned bathroom remodel can expect a return on investment of 75 to 85 percent. The key is to use classic, natural foundation materials with unique finishing touches such as handmade rungs. Check to see what other bathrooms in your neighborhood look like - you absolutely do not want to have the most outrageously expensive bathroom on the block. Overspending will certainly not help you get the best return of your money!
Even if you are not planning to sell your home immediately, bathroom remodeling still makes sense if you haven't done any updating for five years or more. The lasting value and enjoyment you will get from living in a home with a nice bathroom is priceless over time!
