Bathroom Remodeling Cost – Top Tips to Save Money!

Learn the Cost to Remodel a Bathroom & How to Budget Accordingly

Whether you just bought a new house and need to update a bathroom to make it more functional, or want to remodel a bathroom in your current home, it is important to set a realistic budget and stick to it.

When it comes to deciding how much to spend on a bathroom remodel there is an easy rule to apply; the National Kitchen & Bath Association recommends a budget between 5 and 10 percent of your home’s value on a bathroom remodel. That means if your home is valued at $275,000 you might want to budget between $13,750 and $27,500 on your bathroom remodel.

However, this will vary for everybody! Remodeling projects can be as big or small as your budget allows.

Cost Saving Tips for a Bathroom Remodel Project

To help you stretch that bathroom remodel budget there are a few steps you can take to ensure the final result is exactly what you want while keeping the whole project affordable.

#1 – Our first cost-saving tip usually involves completing the demolition yourself. This is a great way to save on labor costs. However, disconnecting and removing toilets, bathtubs and other fixtures is not always easy. Fittings may corrode over time and those fixtures can often times be much heavier than they look. The last thing you want to do is damage the plumbing and add to the cost. Unless you have the know-how or have the help of someone with the know-how you might want to leave the big stuff to the professionals.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t take care of a few things yourself. Removal of medicine cabinets, towel bars and hooks, shelves, wall paper, flooring and tile are jobs most homeowners can handle on their own … especially if the bathroom remodel you are planning is a total makeover.

#2 – Do any painting yourself. Painting is easy and a relatively inexpensive way to freshen the appearance of any bathroom. Tip: When you buy your paint be sure to purchase a mildew-preventing additive to mix in before applying the paint to walls and ceilings.

#3 – Avoid relocating fixtures that require major plumbing changes. Of course, if it is absolutely necessary be to budget accordingly, but simply replacing old or outdated fixtures with new models will offer a cost savings.

#4 – When purchasing tile, be sure to buy only what you need. Some people buy too much or not enough tile because they don’t understand how to properly figure the actual amount needed. Follow these easy steps.

• Figure area of the room to be tiled (length X width).
• Subtract those areas not to be tiled (cabinets, etc).
• Add 10% for cutting.
• Always keep a few tiles for future needs.

You can apply this same formula when buying tile for the shower walls. Just figure the area of each wall to be tiled, total it up and buy only what you need.

#5 – There is savings to be found in shopping for and purchasing new bathroom fixtures on your own. Contractors sometimes mark up the price of fixtures to accommodate their cost of taking delivery, storage and hauling to the job site. You can avoid the extra costs by having fixtures delivered directly to your home so they are on-hand and ready for professional installation. However, be sure to check with your contractor before purchasing your own fixtures. They will be able to tell you whether the fixtures are high quality and will work in your space.

#6 – Paint isn’t just for walls. Existing cabinets and vanities can take on a brand new look when you apply a fresh coat of paint. Check with your contractor whether your existing cabinets are in good shape to sand and paint.

# 7 – Consider eco-friendly updates that will help you save money down the line. The difference in cost between standard and “low-flow” toilets, shower heads and faucets is negligible, if any at all. However, by installing these eco-friendly appliances you will save money each month on your household water bill.

Let’s Recap

1. Budget accordingly – 5 to 10 percent of your home’s value.
2. Complete only that demolition with which you are comfortable.
3. Paint walls yourself & consider fresh paint on cabinets and the vanity for a fresh look.
4. Avoid major plumbing changes.
5. Buy only the amount of tile you need.
6. Buy fixtures yourself to avoid mark ups.
7. Consider eco-friendly appliances for savings down the road.

Updating your bathroom on a budget is easy if you apply some of the simple tips provided. The final result will be an attractive and functional space that will add value to your home.

Looking for bathroom remodeling ideas? Check out the home remodeling showroom at Reliable Home Improvement today!

 
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