A bathroom remodel serves as the perfect opportunity to improve your home by creating a stylish retreat where you can perform your daily routine. However, excitement can quickly give way to stress when planning the remodel itself. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide, with some simple steps that you can follow in order to ensure your bathroom remodeling project goes as smoothly as possible and results in a room you’ll love for years to come.
Step One: Budgeting
Before you begin designing, searching for a contractor, or even browsing the internet for images to inspire your “dream bathroom,” you need to figure out your budget. Start by researching the upgrades typically included in a small, mid-range, and full-scale bathroom remodel. Then, determine the average cost of each type of remodeling project in your area. It might be worthwhile to err on the side of caution when determining the budget, as remodeling projects (especially in older homes) can reveal larger plumbing or electrical issues that will also need to be addressed.
Once you’ve finished your research, take a long look at your bathroom and determine the amount of work it will need. Can you get by with updating major fixtures, or does the entire room require some TLC? Are there any luxury features, like heated flooring, that are worth the extra investment? As you think through your options to determine the scope (and cost) of your project, consider the fact that a well-done remodel can increase the value of your home. In fact, Remodeling magazine estimates that West Coast homeowners recoup an average of 75% of remodeling costs when selling their house.
Step Two: Finding a Contractor
Once you’ve decided on your project’s budget, the next step is finding a trustworthy and capable contractor. For larger-scale bathroom remodels, finding a single firm that will serve as your partner throughout the entire process—from design to completion—will help things go smoothly and can keep stress levels low. Plenty of experience, either in the form of years in business or projects completed, ensures your contractor can finish the job well. Consumer protection entities and home service aggregate sites can provide you with customer reviews, giving you an idea of your contractor’s ability to stick to budgets and timelines. Finally, look out for any labor warranties—a bathroom remodeler who stands behind their work will often make sure to install things correctly the first time.
Step Three: Designing Your Space
Once you’ve determined the type of remodel you want, your budget, and which contractor you would like to partner with, it’s time to start designing. If you’re working with a design-build firm, this step is easy. Your designer will help you find upgrades that suit your style while providing you with the space you need to easily and comfortably perform your daily routines. Try to pick out as many of the materials and fixtures as possible during this process—the last thing you want is to learn half-way through a project that the soaking tub you ordered simply won’t fit into your space.
Once you finalize your bathroom design, stick to it. Changing things up half-way through a project will almost always set things back, causing frustration and costing money. The better you plan your bathroom remodel, the more you get to enjoy creating the stunning retreat that you’ve always wanted.
Of course, if you live in California and want to make your bathroom remodeling project go as smoothly as possible, there’s only one name you need to know—kitchen & bath CRATE. Our remodeling experts use an innovative turnkey process to guarantee your bath remodel goes well, from the creation of the initial designs to the on-time and on-budget completion of your project. Contact us today to learn more.
