Things to Consider When Remodeling a Bathroom
Bathroom remodeling mistakes are no joke. If you’re laying down $10,000 to update the space, you want to get the maximum return possible. With an 86% return on investment – in the first year alone – at stake, a mistake in the project can cause a lot of financial damage.
You may not have extra money to fix the problem – if it’s even fixable. You may have updated the bathroom to put your house on the market. A questionable bathroom remodel won’t fly with prospects.
Before you start the bathroom remodeling project off with a bang, beware of these common mistakes:
-
-
-
- Improperly estimating costs. Without a realistic look at the costs of the project, you’re likely to underestimate what it will take to get the job done. As a result, you could get halfway through the project and run out of money to finish it. As you work up the estimate with a contractor or bathroom designer, be sure to take into account the extra time it takes to install specialty features, as well as the money it requires and the cost of hiring specialized contractors to do the work.
- Miscalculating plans. If you don’t take the existing structure into account, the positioning of windows and doors, plumbing and wiring can lead to a mistake in the project. You should also know what lies behind walls and floors, too, if you’re tackling a complete remodel. Creating a new floor plan, in particular, takes a bird’s eye view of the unseen to successfully navigate around existing features, materials used, and so forth. By doing so, it won’t cost you more time and money once the project is under way.
- Ignoring the users. If your main bathroom ends up being perfectly delightful to your 6’ tall husband but none of your children can easily use it, you’ve missed the mark. Safety, accessibility and comfort should be your guiding factors as you design the bathroom. Keep in mind any physical limitations, the size of each family member, as well as their age and height when you choose sink and tub/shower fixtures, toilets and vanities.
- Skimping on quality. The bathroom is one place where it pays to spend on quality features. The room takes a beating, day in and day out, so why cut corners? Opting for poor-quality materials and fixtures only leads to dissatisfied customers. The people who use the bathroom every day will be disappointed, and you will be too – in the investment you made in a poor outcome.
Why Design Matters in Bathroom Remodeling
Skipping over design. You may not think that the bathroom’s design matters much, but it does. Simple design tricks can open up the space and make it feel brighter – without necessarily having to spend a ton to do so. For example, using vertical lines on the walls draws the eye up, giving the illusion of height and making the room look instantly larger. Using a lighter color on the walls also extends the space. On the other hand, opting for busy patterns or dark colors in a small space will make it feel even smaller. Keep in mind maintenance features, too, when designing the room. You can now purchase paints especially formulated for use in the bathroom, because it’s prone to high moisture and heat and lots of use. The paint prevents mildew from growing and is really easy to clean.
-
-
