Bathroom Remodels | Everything You Need to Know
Remodeling a bathroom can help breathe new life into a space we use every day. Whether the space is dated or parts of it are no longer working, it may be worth while to consider renovating. Below are key questions and answers you need to consider before remodeling your bathroom.
Should I do a bathroom remodel?
The answer depends on multiple things. First, is there something to your bathroom that is not working properly or not working at all? Is the shower pressure poor, or the vanity cabinets holding scratched, dented, or broken? Is the tile outdated, discolored, or falling off the walls or coming loose from the floor? If yes to any of these potential questions, it may be worth considering a bathroom remodel. We often see our customers requesting remodels for homes with common issues like: vinyl flooring, a one piece tub shower combo that should go in the trash, cabinets that don’t work, or wet spaces that don’t drain properly. If you can relate to any of these issues, it may be worth considering a bathroom remodel.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost?
Typically an average bathroom remodel can cost anywhere between $8,000.00 - $20,000.00 depending on labor, the size of the room, and material selections.
The cost of a bathroom remodel can vary greatly depending on these three main factors: FIRST is your location. Labor costs vary from city to city. And the price will be difficult to compare between different subcontractors if you are not a contractor or work in the construction space. SECOND is the square footage of the bathroom. Larger rooms = more work. Simple as that. THIRD and most crucially is materials. Higher-end tile and fixtures, custom cabinets, or running tile all the way up walls can drive up the costs of the remodel quickly and significantly. But if you’re staying to a budget, there are many options available to make a bathroom look class A affordably.
Home Depot, Lowes, Floor and Décor, and Ferguson can be great retailers to find your bathroom materials.
Where to find bathroom remodel ideas for design and inspiration
The internet is a powerful place. Design inspo is around every corner. Our first place we look for design ideas always starts with Pintrest. Pintrest can have great high quality pictures from a wide array of design styles and eras. What’s great about Pintest too is that many products are linked in the pictures themselves so you can find the materials that stand out to you easily online.
Instagram is a second and strong contender for inspo pics for many of the same reasons as Pinterest. We lastly recommend Home Depot. Believe it or not, they have great articles and galleries on design ideas and inspiration. And to make it even easier, they sell all of the products you see either in store or on their website. Makes shopping for what you love even easier.
What material do I need for a bathroom remodel?
There is quite a but of material you need to successfully finish a remodel of a bathroom. We have provided a checklist of both design and functional materials you will need below:
Design:
· Floor Tile
· Wall Tile
· Shower / Wet room Tile (if Applicable)
· Cabinetry / Vanity
· Countertop for Vanity
· Faucet(s)
· Toilet
· Shower / Tub Faucets and Fixtures (Including Temperature Valve)
· Towel Racks / Toilet Paper Holder
· Mirror
· Vanity Lights
· Tub / Shower Combo Insert (if Applicable)
· Vanity Hardware
· Paint / Primer
Function
· Grout – A powder mixed with water to help bind the tile pieces together
· Subfloor OSB (for patching if there’s water damage)
· Trim / Quarter-round for Baseboards
· Trim around Window Ceils – Small pieces of finished wood used around windows
· Green Board / Hardie Board – Used in Wet-Areas to Prevent Moisture Penetration
· Schluter Bullnose for Tile Edging Trim – Cleans up the edges of the tile
· 2x4 or 2x6 Pieces for Framing and Installing Shower Lips
· Thinset Mortar – Used to bind the tile to the floor
· Cement Board Screws to Mount Hardie to the Walls
· Drywall – Mounted in non-wet areas of the bathroom
· Cleaning Materials – CLR tile cleaner, Windex, and a good sponge will go a long way!
· Plastic Protection / RAM Board – Both Used to Prevent Damage to Other Rooms
· Plumbing Fittings and Connections – Varies from home to home
How long does it take to remodel a bathroom?
Bathroom remodels can vary on length of time for completion if you hire a general contractor. But if materials arrive on time and labor is available, a typical bathroom remodel will only take a 2-3 weeks. It primarily depends on how long it will take for the materials to arrive on the job site. If there is a special order for a custom vanity or tile, it can delay the 2-3 week timeframe until that material is delivered.
Can you remodel a bathroom yourself?
DYI bathroom remodels are something that are possible, but we would place it on a 4 out of 5 difficulty to complete on your own. You will need plumbing, drywall, tile, painting, and trim experience to do it right. We recommend for a majority of home owners they hire a general contractor or hire subcontractors directly to handle the work.
Can you remodel a bathroom with financing?
Yes! Lending instructions can approval loans or home equity lines of credit to remodel your bathroom. You will need to speak with your bank or lending institution in detail and be able to provide an accurate budget for the cost of the renovation work. Keep in mind, some lenders may require inspections of work after completion to investigate that the funds were used for the requested purpose.
Bathroom remodel contractors
General contractors can be a valuable asset when it comes to bathroom remodels. They have the resources, people, knowledge, and experience to make your vision come to life. Contractors will charge a fee for their time and efforts, but it can well be worth it to save you the headache and time. If you are in need of a general contractor in the middle Tennessee area to help make your vision of a bathroom remodel or renovation come to life, we are happy to help.
info@lakelandbp.com
www.lakelandbp.com
