The average reported costs of a bathroom remodel across the US today, hover between $15,000 to $50,000. When investing that much money, it is important to ensure that costly mistakes are avoided, especially if you are planning an upscale remodel. You want to make sure that your money is put to good use. Selecting the best design and materials can be a challenge. Hiring an experienced, professional contractor can make the whole process easier and steer you away from the following remodeling mistakes.
Beginning a bathroom remodel without a clear plan is one of the worst mistakes a homeowner can make. If you rush the process and forgo taking the time to create a plan, your contractor may not understand your vision and the job will almost always cost more and, most likely, not finish on time. A good plan should include the following: a clear design space that functions with multiple users in mind, product choices that suit your tastes and needs, products that work with your design and keep you within your budget, a list of all the work to be done, and a time frame to get the work done. With this plan in place, you are sure to have a less stressful, quality result.
One of the most expensive items in a bathroom remodel is the cost of new plumbing. Moving the sink, toilet or shower from its original location can be a mistake because you will be adding thousands of dollars to your total cost. That’s why it’s so important to determine whether these moves are truly necessary. If you decide that you don’t need to move everything, then the money you save can be used to buy more expensive items for your bathroom. Perhaps that high-end tile or lighting on your wish list would make you forget all about moving anything.
Compromising your vision is certainly a long-lasting mistake. When the thought of compromise creeps in, think first about how long it took to save for your remodel, and how many work hours you put in to get those savings. Also, how much time did you devote to coming up with your vision and plan? Don’t throw that all away by allowing yourself to be influenced by others. You may be willing to settle for changes that may expedite your remodel. If you are investing so much time and money, do you want to be disappointed after all the dust settles? Also, don’t be tempted to use cheap-looking materials. It might feel good at first to save money, but when the work is done and you are stuck with boring tile, uninspiring bathroom fixtures or plain countertops instead of those higher-end products you budgeted for, how will you feel? You get what you pay for comes to mind.
Inadequate waterproofing can be one of the biggest mistakes for obvious reasons! With water, water everywhere, each step in a bathroom remodel should take water into account. Bad shower pans and improperly flashed windows cause extensive and expensive fixes. Doing a quality bathroom remodel should always include installing a rubber membrane underneath your tile in your shower. Quite often this step is done incorrectly or eliminated. Tile is a good bet to keep water from seeping through your floorboards. Choosing waterproof paint and installing a vent will help to keep moisture at bay.
Not setting the right budget, or one at all, for your bathroom renovation is a common mistake. The rule of thumb is to set a higher budget rather than lower. Why? What if during demolition, your contractor discovers old wiring that needs to be replaced to meet code? Budgeting for such unexpected or hidden expenses is always wise, as is starting with a clear budget. Having a budget helps your contractor to know what it is you are willing to spend. Not working with one is like not having a household budget. You won’t be able to keep track of where your money is being spent. That can be costly in the long run.
Today’s bathroom remodel calls for beautiful spaces that are efficient and functional. Tandem’s trademark customer service invites you to ask as many questions as you wish so as to avoid common mistakes. After all, you will be living with your bathroom choice for years to come. Tandem’s goal is a happy customer.
