Two years ago, the kitchen had a total makeover. It was a present for the wife. You’ve wanted to remodel the master’s bathroom and another one down the hall, but funds aren’t available yet and no one can supervise the work.
You just landed a big contract as a financial consultant for one of the companies in Utah specializing in home improvements, including concrete repair and resurfacing works. You worked out a deal with the company for them to do the remodeling of your bathrooms.
You want to make sure that they are doing the right thing and that they are following the ideas you presented. What are the critical areas of bathroom remodeling that you should know about?
Background Check
You’ve been hired by the company to work on their books. You would have at least an idea about the trustworthiness of your contractor. Others would not have the same luxury.
You must review the background story of the contractor you’re hiring. This is one of the initial steps you need to take. Ask around and find out about their track records. Are the owners known in the community? What projects have they worked on?
Bathroom Remodeling
Here are some of the critical areas you should focus on when doing a bathroom remodeling:
- Budget. Expect to spend anywhere between $6,000 to $14,000. This is the median range across America. If you intend to add more fixtures, knock down walls, and reroute the plumbing system, it can be much higher. Be sure that you are aware of the budget and that you have allotted an amount for unforeseen expenses.
- Plan with everyone. The bathroom is a shared space, so you need to include family members in the discussion. You might prefer a particular fixture, but your son or daughter might not think it’s cool. Planning together will allow them to know about your budget. This will help manage everyone’s expectations.
- Upcycle and use pre-loved items. Save on cost. Save the environment. Look for a second-hand furniture shop where you can acquire an old, used item and convert it to a new fixture in your bathroom. It can be an old cabinet that you can repaint or a frame that you can convert to a bathroom mirror.
- Add elegant light fixtures. Work with your contractor so that they don’t install boring, industrial-grade lights. If you can work together to source out good ones that are on sale, do that. The critical thing here apart from the aesthetic is that your bathroom is lighted well.
- Airflow. Bathrooms without proper ventilation can result in issues like mold and mildew. Do not sacrifice the health of your family and make sure that the contractor finds a way to install proper ventilation.
- Keeping the plumbing system. The most efficient way to save on cost is to retain the existing plumbing system. If you start moving about the network of pipes and fittings, your price will dramatically increase.
These are but six basic ideas that you should bear in mind when remodeling your bathroom. You need to fix your shower head and add a bathtub. Make sure that you are also thinking of the future when you start remodeling.
