Some people say that the bathroom is just a room where you get clean, but for others, it’s a retreat from the world. A place to be alone and relax in peace. And while most people think of their bathrooms as a functional space, there are plenty of ways to make them more than just utilitarian. In this article, we will take a look at some common mistakes made during bathroom renovations and how you can avoid them in your own home…
Before starting your bathroom remodel, you want to think about how much time and money you have available for the project and set a realistic budget accordingly. If it’s not in your budget to hire a licensed plumber or electrician to do any necessary work, then note that on the bid from your contractor. Also, make sure to note if you want a bigger or smaller bathroom.
If you have an older home and the wiring in your walls is outdated, take a look at all of the fixtures that you plan on using and see if they will work with the current wiring system. If not, have a licensed electrician or plumber come in and assess what needs to be done, lest you run the risk of an electrical fire or major plumbing issue during your remodel.
If you are not familiar with tools then read some articles about different features that you can get on the market if you want more than just a basic unit. Also, consider where you want to place the new vanity, the plumbing line will run behind it, so you need to know where you want it placed.
Remodeling your bathroom can be a huge undertaking and you will need to do some research before getting started so that you know how much work is involved, what the best products are on the market, and how much they cost so that you can set your budget accordingly. Before signing any contracts with an interior designer, contractor, or tradesman, you should also find out if they have experience with bathroom renovations and what kind of warranty they offer.
Make sure to hire a bathroom contractor who is dedicated to completing a quality job, not just seeing it as an opportunity for profit. If the cost seems too good to be true then it probably is so make sure that you take time to consider what you are getting with the contract.
Hiring a bathroom renovations company is an important step towards building your dream bathroom, but it’s not enough to just find someone who knows what they are doing. You also need to find someone who will be available when you have questions throughout the renovation process, instead of just disappearing once the job is done.
Only once you have a clear idea of what you want to do, should you decide on a contractor to help guide your project. If your budget is low then upgrade the bathroom only if the savings allow for it and don’t overdo it with items that aren’t very useful or essential to get a full value return on investment.
It’s easy to get carried away when redoing a bathroom, but don’t go overboard or you will wind up with thousands of dollars in fixtures that you never use. Before finalizing your plans for a new bath, think about how much time is spent in the room and what activities take place there. If most of the time it’s just a place to clean up and sleep, then you don’t need to spend a fortune on lavish fixtures that will rarely be used.
Make sure that the contractor knows what they are doing and that they have experience with bathroom renovations in addition to their other skills before contracting them. If they can show off some pictures of their previous work then that will be a good sign that they know what they are doing and you can continue with them.
Before getting started on your renovation, make sure to take the time to do some research. Find a well-experienced bathroom contractor who can show you pictures of bathroom projects done in the past. Finding a trustworthy bathroom remodeler is an important part of the renovation process, going cheap on materials and labor may end up costing you more money in the long run or immediately when you hire a contractor who doesn’t know what they’re doing.
Below are 10 of the most common mistakes made during a bathroom renovation:
1. Installing the wrong size toilet
Some people underestimate the space needed for a new toilet installation. Since most new toilets are taller, if your bathroom is small you should purchase an elongated toilet.
If your bathroom is larger, then the around toilet might work better. One other factor that you need to consider is the distance between the center of the bolt holes on the floor and where your new flange will seat. A common mistake made by plumbers installing toilets is not allowing for this distance.
2. Forgetting the existing layout of the room
If you are renovating an older bathroom, chances are it’s small and outdated and may not have enough space for a new addition like a walk-in shower or bathtub. Before buying any fixtures measure your current space to determine what can fit in the space available.
3. Hiring cheap labor for the job
Unless you’re a skilled tradesman yourself, hire professionals to complete your bathroom remodeling project. Doing it yourself may save you some cash upfront, but hiring experienced workers is safer and will likely cost less in the long run.
Some so-called handymen who are operating under the radar may also offer to renovate your bathroom for cheap, but if they can’t prove their skill by showing you actual jobs done in the past, it may end up costing you more.
4. Not taking into account plumbing and electrical lines
When you start pulling up your floor and wall, take the time to visualize where pipes and electrical outlets are placed in adjacent rooms. This way you can ensure that there is enough access for wires and pipes once the new bathroom is complete. Also, remember that minimum distances between walls and ceilings must be maintained in order to avoid issues with insulation and moisture.
5. Refinishing the tub without support
You may be tempted to save money by refinishing your old, chipped tub instead of replacing it, but be sure that the tub is supported correctly underneath. Many people are surprised to find out that they have water damage under their old, refinished bathtub after some time has gone by.
6. Going with a cheap paint job
If your bathroom is more than 20 years old, chances are it has seen better days and is due for an update. Painting over existing paint on walls or painting over tile work will only give you a few more years before you’ll need to paint again.
Sometimes it’s going to cost you lesser in the long run by replacing or refinishing your old walls and updating tiles with modern designs as this also increases your home’s value.
It also goes without saying that the paint used in your washroom should be durable. Low-quality paint will not hold up against moisture in the bathroom and eventually will start to peel away, costing you more money to fix it in the end.
7. Skimping on materials
The cheapest option in most cases is not always the best in terms of quality or durability. If you want your bathroom renovation project to last, it’s imperative to use high-quality materials.
Toilet flanges may not be the most glamorous of items, but they do a lot of work and need to be installed properly. If you skimp on quality and hire a cheap plumber, you’re likely to run into problems in the future.
8. Not considering the effect of humidity
Moisture can damage your bathroom in more ways than one. It can cause mold or mildew growth, blackening grout and tile, peeling paint/sealant, cracking paint finishes…the list goes on. If you have a high-moisture area in your bathroom, such as a shower enclosure or soaking tub, you’ll need to use specialty products that can stand up against it.
9. Not taking the time to plan ahead
Including bathrooms in your renovation plans from the beginning will help prevent costly mistakes later on down the road when you’re trying to fit in a bathroom into your home that wasn’t designed for it.
10. Not factoring in future updates
Some people are willing to spend more money on luxurious fixtures and finishes but don’t give any thought to what they will need in 5, 10, or 15 years. Avoid this mistake by purchasing fixtures that can be easily replaced as they wear out.
Even if you have extensive experience with home renovations, it always pays to get an expert opinion before designing or buying anything. A planner can help work out any kinks in the design, Reworking your bathroom can make a huge improvement in the resale value of your house. Buyers love nice bathrooms and they will always pay more for a home with an updated one.
11. Not researching your options and getting an expert opinion
Even if you have extensive experience with home renovations, it always pays to get an expert opinion before designing or buying anything. A planner can help work out any kinks in the design, reworking your bathroom can make a huge improvement in the resale value of your house. Buyers love nice bathrooms and they will always pay more for a home with an updated one.
