An upgraded bathroom will increase your personal enjoyment of the space and your home’s resale value. It’s a small room, but bathroom renovations can be trickier than you might think. There are lots of moving parts crammed into a small area and everything has to function properly and look good at the same time.
Hiring a professional general contractor will make sure you have a solid plan and budget before embarking on the project. They’ll help you make decisions on specific features and functions to ensure your finished bathroom renovation is one you’ll love. Here are some tips to get started:
Prepare for the unexpected.
If you own an older home and it’s been a long time since the bathroom was renovated, you should be prepared for unexpected and hidden water damage. It might have been from a leaky toilet or pipe in the wall, and often these issues are not discovered until walls and fixtures start coming out.
Bathroom renovation contractors will be able to do a little investigating before your bathroom renovation begins and try to find any potential issues so you can be more prepared. Still, general contractors can’t see through walls and it’s possible that lurking moisture damage could be still be hiding somewhere in your bathroom. Fixing the issue might add some cost to your budget, so it’s important to build a 10-15% cushion into your budget to prepare for that.
Choosing materials for bathroom surfaces.
Your bathroom’s surfaces, like the flooring, walls and counters contribute to how your bathroom will look, but they also play a huge role in how it will function and need to be maintained. Tile is always a good choice for the flooring and walls, whether you use ceramic or natural stone. Not only is this material durable, it’s also easy to clean and resistant to water and moisture.
Many homeowners like to choose the same style of countertop for their bathrooms that they have in the kitchen. Natural stone countertops like granite and quartz will give your bathroom a classy, upgraded look and will increase the value of your home. Laminate countertops are still a popular choice for their affordability and can be made to mimic the look of natural stone. Learn more about choosing bathroom and kitchen countertops.
Consider efficient faucets and fixtures.
Toilets, showerheads and faucets have come a long way as far as water efficiency is concerned. Low-flow fixtures still provide enough water to enjoy your shower and flush your toilet, but use a fraction of the water. Not only will this reduce your impact on the environment, it will also reduce the amount you spend on your utility bill each month. These high efficiency fixtures and faucets are becoming more popular on the market and are quite cost effective. Learn how to save water at home.
