Whether you plan to stay in your house for long, or you’re preparing to sell, remodeling your master bathroom is one of the most efficient ways of increasing the value of your property, while in the meantime you have full satisfaction that goes with the improved quality of life. The estimates go that the return of investment for a mid-range bathroom remodel goes up to 70 percent. Once you are through with your inspiration, planning, and budgeting, a remodeling specialist can tell you if your idea is feasible for your home and budget limit.
Assess your current layout
A major bathroom remodel is a perfect opportunity to correct and improve all the features and shortcomings of the existing bathroom that kept annoying you for years. Instead of just having new floor tiles and more expensive fixtures, think about how an entirely new layout would benefit your space. For example, if your sink is too small or the toilet seat is too close to the shower, now is the time to fix it. Even if you don’t have room for a serious layout change, perhaps you can rearrange the fixtures and replace some of them with more functional ones that might save your space.
Determine your budget
Starting a remodeling project for any room without a detailed budget is a bad idea, and when it comes to bathrooms where costs can spiral out of control, a bad idea can easily become a big mistake. An elaborate budget can tell you how much you’re allowed to spend on each area of your remodel without burning through your bank account. This also includes choosing the best personal loan option. If your credit rating is strong, this is probably your best option for financing the remodel. The loan is approved on the basis of your creditworthiness, so there’s no need for collateral.
If you’re planning to hire a contractor, start your budget with their bid, which is made of labor and materials and add 10 percent for surprise costs. If you’re working yourself, make a detailed list of materials with costs and quantities, including equipment rentals and permit fees, and then add a 20 to 30 percent as a safety buffer.
What’s your time window?
If you happen to have a strict deadline for your master bathroom remodel, you should talk to your contractor to figure out what’s feasible to do within your time limit. Of course, the deadline shouldn’t be such a big issue if you have another bathroom in your home to use. Having a timeline is equally important whether you decide to DIY your remodel or hand it over to professionals, and can even help you decide whether someone more skilled and equipped could do a certain part of the remodel. In many cases, saving time boils down to knowing when to delegate.
Make a list of to-dos
As you’re browsing Pinterest for inspiration, make sure they find a way to your remodeling to-do list. Whether it’s a capital piece like a free-standing tub or something as mundane as doorknobs and another type of LED bulbs, it’s important you put everything on paper so you can get a rough estimate of how long each renovation tasks will take, as well as which jobs can you group in a same day. Writing everything down not only improves your organization but also helps you stay on your budget as you cross out an entry upon entry.
Stick to attractive but practical choices
If you can, make sure to always choose your materials and accessories in person, but also consider the functionality and practicality of your choices. In a catalog, a white faux-fur floor mat may look adorable on aged wood finish floorboards, but here on Earth how often would you have to wash it? While hardwood bathroom floors have been a huge trend for a few years now, do you have the discipline to mop it every time you finish taking a shower to prevent the moisture from warping the wood?
Purchase ahead
To make sure you have all the materials and fixtures ready when their time comes, you need to plan ahead, and more importantly, shop ahead everything you need. Imagine a horror of planning a perfect custom-fitted vanity only to discover the store is out of those matte brass handles that match so nicely with your copper rain showerhead. Don’t forget that most items for your new bathroom will take time to order and install, so you have plenty of time to collect all the tools and materials before tiles start coming down.
Taking on a bathroom remodel might look intimidating in the beginning, as it can seem that the work never ends. However, a strong but flexible plan accompanied by a solid budget will ensure that it’s always you who’s calling shots.
About the author: Mike Johnston is an avid freelance blogger and content writer with a focus in home improvement, interior design, family life, and sustainable living.