A bathroom remodel is a pretty large project, especially if you’ve never done one before. We all want a bathroom that would be a reflection of our personal style and be able to deliver the comfort we need at the same time. You may have no idea where to even START, not to mention what to do when you actually begin! Well, today, I’m going to touch on the first steps you should take when starting a bathroom remodel.
The First Steps in a Bathroom Remodel
Budgeting
There are a few places you could start the process, but I find that budgeting is the most practical. It will dictate several other factors, so knowing it as soon as possible will help a lot.
Before you even call a remodeling company for your bathroom to remodel, you should first talk with everyone who will be using the space. Try to have a discussion about the fixtures and finishes you are supposed to use and how much of a budget you’re willing to shell out. As you plan for your budget, it’s important to have a little extra, because you never know if there will be some unexpected problems that will increase the cost later on.
If are thinking of putting your home up for sale five years from now, then it’s important to ensure that the value of your property would increase over time, consider having your home renovated for that purpose. On the other hand, if you’re planning to live in your home for a couple of years, it’s very important to ensure that the design of your bathroom is something you would really love and fit with your style and preferences.
The next step in budgeting is deciding how to pay. Cash is king, obviously. You’ll save money on interest. We also offer several financing options that are 0% interest for 6 months or more. You could do a credit card, but interest rates are very high. Another popular option is a home equity line of credit.
This planning would be very helpful and go a long way toward keeping with your bathroom renovation plan as you move along with the project. Once you start with the renovation, you have to know that the process could take around 30-90 days.
No matter how long it is going to take, try to resist the temptation of changing your plans unless financial constraints or problems arise. Change of plans will force you to spend more and for the completion date to extend further out.
Finding Your Style for your Bathroom Remodel
Finding your Style is next on my list. This is the fun part! You may have some idea of what you want, or none at all, but either way, you slice it, you can’t successfully create a beautiful bathroom if you’re not 100% sure of your style. This planning would be very helpful and go a long way toward keeping with your bathroom renovation plan as you move along with the project.
There are many different styles you can choose from Modern, Contemporary, Traditional, Transitional, Eclectic, Farmhouse, Rustic, Craftsman, Mediterranean, Coastal, and more.
Remodeling Contractors
In case you’re having a hard time setting a plan in place for your bathroom, speaking with a remodeling contractor and ask their advice. A professional can also offer a vision for your style, and handle the scheduling for both installers and vendors. I also suggest that you visit Pinterest.
Create a bathroom board and search for something general like “bathroom design”. Then, start saving any bathroom you love. Knowing your style will make it so much easier to work with a designer or to find the products yourself.
DIY or DIFM?
Do it yourself, or Do it for me? For a bathroom remodel, we HIGHLY suggest the DIFM approach, using a professional. A bathroom remodel includes a lot of plumbing, so it can go wrong, very wrong, pretty quickly. Doing a tiled shower also has a lot of waterproofing precautions that need to be taken to ensure it won’t cause mold, water damage and rot in the future. Analyze your skills HONESTLY and decide which route you want to take. You can always do some small tasks to save money and leave the larger tasks to the pros.
Once you start with the renovation, the process could take around 30-90 days. It is best to try to resist the temptation of changing your plans unless financial constraints or problems arise. Change of plans will force you to spend more and for the completion date to extend further out.
Taking Measurements
Taking measurements is an important part of a bathroom remodels. Your measurements will dictate which types of products will work for your space, not just the size. Some measurements may show that only custom order products will do, while others may be perfect for standard sizes. It’s important to know that from the beginning. It will also help you analyze your budget.
Try to use all the space of your bathroom as much as possible, if your bathroom is on the smaller side, then you have to unleash your creativity in order to design the space and make it look larger. Glass doors for tubs and showers are perfect if your purpose is to open up the room, and pedestal sinks are ideal since they occupy less space when compared to cabinets. All cabinets and tower cabinets above the toilets, as well as towel racks, are perfect for those who need storage, but who don’t have much space to work with.
Working with a Designer for your Bathroom Remodel
Many people assume that there is an additional cost in working with a bathroom designer for their bathroom remodel. There can be, but not when working with Complete Home Improvement. We highly recommend working with a bathroom designer for a few reasons.
- It’s free. So why not?
- They know ALL the products and materials – pros, cons and price points
- They are trained to spot problems before they occur
- They are experienced in managing the process – they know which steps need to come before others to save time and money.