How Do You Save On A Bathroom Remodel?

Placing a bathroom to your home is one of the best ways to boost its value and make it more functional. Having said that, it is possible for it to be an expensive endeavour. If you are thinking about remodelling your bathroom, here are some suggestions that will help you save money without sacrificing quality.

Maintain The Current Dimensions And Arrangement Of The Bathroom.

Changing the layout of a bathroom requires moving the plumbing pipes, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Moving the pipe that the toilet discharges into and the sewer pipe can be particularly expensive.

Only expand or change the dimensions of the bathroom if doing so is required to meet your requirements. The most expensive part of remodelling a bathroom is having to move fixtures and fittings that are difficult to relocate. During a remodel, you can, without a doubt, make adjustments to the dimensions or arrangement of your bathroom. However, you must take into consideration the costs and benefits associated with making that adjustment.

Continue to Keep the Load-Bearing Walls in the Bathroom Stable.

The second floor and roof of your home are supported by the load-bearing walls. Changes to the structure are required when a load-bearing wall is moved or removed. A building's exterior often has load-bearing walls. Non-load-bearing interior walls are those that run parallel to ceiling joists.

Look at expanding through non-load-bearing walls. Walls that aren't sturdy can be relocated with some work and price.

Use a professional if you need to move a load-bearing wall. Self-driven folks can accomplish it on their own. Despite the labor being intensive, laminate beams are inexpensive.

Preserving the Bathroom’s Drywall in the Event

Dry wall typically needs to be entirely replaced anytime bathroom renovations are made because of the high quantities of moisture in this environment. A very frequent project that needs to be planned for is the installation of new dry wall. Every piece of drywall that even slightly contains mold must be removed.

You will have to rebuild more walls in the end the more barriers you breach in the beginning. It takes more drywall, paint, and labor to shut off each new wall.

You ought to conserve any intact pieces of drywall that are still in your home. Replace only the damaged components after removing all others. Normally, it is necessary to replace drywall that is near or behind bathtubs and showers. The drywall, though, can still be in decent shape in the bathroom's other areas.

Refinishing the Bathroom Fixtures Can Be an Option Rather Than Replacement.

If the old tubs, shower bases, or surrounds must be removed and replaced before the replacement fixtures can be installed, the price of replacement plumbing fixtures will go up. Moreover, some demolition work, building alterations, and a new installation might be necessary.

If any of these items need to be replaced, determine which ones it is. Do you want to change them because of how they seem or how well they work? You might be able to dress them up or give them a new lease on life instead of having to replace them if they can still be used despite their ugliness.

As an alternative to entirely replacing your bathtub, you can refinish it with a coating that is both beautiful and protective. To prevent throwing the old cabinet in a landfill, you may either paint it or get a brand-new one. Not only is it sensible financially, but it's also sensible environmentally to refinish bathroom accessories and fixtures.

Putting in a Prefabricated Shower or Bathtub.

A prefabricated shower base and surrounding area are replaced with a custom tiled base and walls as one of the most expensive bathroom upgrades.

A tiled shower enclosure could be used in place of a pre-formed, single-piece shower stall. The price will be substantially lower overall because you won't have to pay for labor-intensive tile setters. The installation of a prefabricated shower just takes hours, compared to days for a tiled shower.

An already constructed shower base might also be tiled. It serves as a substitute. Even though most tiles are made of cheaper materials, the cost of labor drives up the cost above a one-piece stall.

Erect a Standard-Style Toilet

The decision to switch to a newer, water-saving type from an old, high-water-use toilet was a wise one. However, new toilets often include a lot of features, each of which might add a startling amount to the entire cost, and they might need expensive maintenance in the future.

Unless you have unique needs that call for a toilet with a variety of additional functions, choose a well-designed, uncomplicated toilet that has a good flushing performance while using a minimal quantity of water. Toilets do not necessarily need to be expensive in order to function properly.

The installation of a toilet is another frequent do-it-yourself project that, to many homeowners, could seem to be more challenging than it actually is. If you install your toilet yourself, you can save money on hiring a plumber to do it.

Maintain The Integrity Of The Electrical Circuits In The Bathroom.

Whenever a bathroom is remodelled, it is almost always necessary to instal new wiring because the old wiring does not comply with the most recent electrical code standards.

If the wiring in your bathroom is in working order, the permitting office where you live should be able to tell you whether or not your system can be grandfathered in. An example of this would be installing GFCI outlets in place of non-grounded outlets. GFCI stands for "ground-fault current-interrupter." If the electrical wiring is safe and meets your requirements, you should leave it where it is.

The Working Method

The planning process for a bathroom remodel is a process in and of itself; it takes time to determine which products, styles, colours, surfaces, and features you like the most and then choose between them. Keeping tabs on everything requires a certain level of organisation as well. Worksheets for budget planning are extremely helpful for this reason. You are able to keep track of a variety of options as you move through your process with the help of a planning worksheet.

You will then be able to view all of the products in a single worksheet after you have determined which ones you prefer the most, at which point you can begin to make decisions regarding the most effective ways to distribute your financial resources.

Savings-Oriented Mindset

Consumers who go into renovations with the mindset of trying to save money typically end up with a better financial outcome. Those on the other hand who are preoccupied with the question of "what I want my new bathroom to look like" will invariably end up spending more money.

Everyone, without exception, wants their remodelled space to look fantastic. Spending less money while still achieving the desired results is the challenge here. That calls for a particular frame of mind as you navigate the many options that are available to you.

Any intelligent remodeler should adopt a mode of operation in which they approach each decision by first determining its value, then contrasting the available options, and finally brainstorming ingenious ways to spend less money while achieving greater results.

Methods For Reducing Expenditures

Let's begin with the big picture: fundamental approaches to reducing financial outlays. Take into consideration the "Footprint" of your Bathroom. Keeping the same footprint for your bathroom after the remodel will provide you with the greatest possible savings. To phrase it another way, you shouldn't make any alterations to the infrastructure that is already in your bathroom.

Your bathroom's fundamental arrangement and framework are referred to as the "footprint" in our Bathroom Remodel Planning Guide. This guide also contains additional information. This includes the following:

• Laying Of The Groundwork
• Particularly Load-Bearing Walls, Ceilings, Walls, Floors, 
• Sinks
• Plumbing
• Shower, Toilets, And A Bathtub Are Examples Of Fixtures.
• Doors
• Wiring In Electrical Systems

It's possible that achieving the bathroom of your dreams will require making some adjustments to the layout, such as relocating the toilet or going from a bathtub to a shower. You should be aware that altering or modifying any of these components will result in an increase in cost, and you should only proceed with this step if you are certain that the additional expense will be well worth it.

If modernising the look and feel of the room is your primary objective, there are ways to alter the room's appearance without significantly altering its square footage. Consider putting in a skylight, painting the walls a lighter colour, replacing the shower curtain with a glass door, and painting the ceiling a lighter colour if you want more natural light in the room. These are some few examples of what you could do to make the bathroom feel larger. It is inevitable that some of these adjustments will result in additional costs; however, moving walls will be significantly more expensive.

Staged Remodel

Remodeling work is said to be "staged" when it is spread out over a period of time. It distributes your costs across a number of different timeframes, preventing all of your expenditures from coming at once in a cluster.

A staged renovation also provides the opportunity to gain knowledge from the experience at each stage of the process. Because anything you learn in the beginning stages can be applied to the later stages, it can be especially helpful for people who are remodelling their homes for the first time.

It's possible that a stage will feel like "second nature" to seasoned DIVers who are used to finishing projects within the constraints of their available time and money. However, we do not recommend attempting a major bathroom remodel unless you are familiar with the relevant current laws and local ordinances and have expertise in everything from load-bearing walls to plumbing and electrical systems. Only then should you attempt such a project.

If you want to do some of the work yourself but also want to save money, one great option for do-it-yourselfers who want to do some of the work themselves is to hire a handyperson, speciality builder, or contractor for the more advanced components of the job, and then do the remaining work yourself in separate stages.

If you think that a staged remodel might be the best option for you, make sure that any potential contractors are aware of this. There will be some contractors who are hesitant to take on jobs that take place over an extended period of time. They would rather get the work done as quickly as possible so that they can move on to the following endeavour. On the other hand, if you find a contractor who is willing to be flexible with their schedule, they might be able to work your project in amongst the rest of their obligations as time permits. It's possible that both parties will come out ahead in the end.

Decisions And Deliveries Made In A Timely Manner

The following are two of the most common factors that contribute to remodelling delays and cost overruns:

• homeowners making too many hasty decisions on a variety of topics, including product selection, material preferences, and colour schemes for paint;
• failing to properly plan for the delivery dates of the products and materials that the homeowner has purchased.

Think about what would happen if the product and style you want aren't available when you need them. What options do you have? Or have you put off your shopping until the very last minute, and now you can't find any light fixtures that you like? Or, what if the lead time you allowed wasn't long enough, and as a result, you have to pay more to ensure that you receive your materials by a certain date?

When forced to make significant decisions, homeowners also report feeling a greater sense of pressure. Avoid having this occur to you at all costs.

In a nutshell, you should do as much planning and shopping in advance as you possibly can, so that when the time comes, the items you desire are either already in your possession or are ready to be delivered at a moment's notice. Even though reputable contractors will assist you with this, it is still in your best interest to be actively involved in the process and to monitor the due dates.

Spend Your Money Wisely: Employ Qualified Individuals

Indeed, you have it right. It might not make sense at first, but it could end up saving you money if you hire professionals early on in the process of remodelling your home.

Your Requirements Will Determine Both Who You Hire And How You Hire Them.

In the case of larger projects, having a conversation about your plans with professionals in the fields of building and design (and possibly employing one of them) will help to ensure that your design, budget, and timeline are realistic, thereby assisting you in avoiding cost overruns. A lack of knowledge is the root cause of many of the issues that arise during remodelling projects. That is something that can be handled by experts.

In addition, when looking to make the most savings possible – and if the size of your job justifies hiring a contractor – some contractors offer discounts during slow seasons, particularly around the beginning of the new year. This is especially true if you are looking to maximise your savings. On the other hand, it is in your best interest to steer clear of peak times such as the middle of the summer and the pre-holiday rush that occurs between September and December. When demand is high, service providers have more customers, which results in higher prices and longer delivery times.

Consider hiring a bathroom designer for a few hours if your renovation project is on the smaller side but you still want some professional assistance. After that, rely on an experienced handyperson to carry out the construction of your new bathroom. In exchange for a relatively modest payment, bathroom designers can bring a job a wealth of knowledge as well as a source of inspiration.

Shop In A Productive Manner

The place you shop and the way you shop for the components of your bathroom can save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars!

Check online classifieds and auction sites like Craigslist, eBay, and Nextdoor to see if anyone is selling the same or a comparable item at a lower price. For instance, if you find a bathroom tile that you like, you could do this. Additionally, go to the local tile shops. You can frequently find two brands that offer very similar designs and colours at prices that are significantly different from one another.

When doing your shopping online, you need to ensure that you take into account the cost of shipping. There are some websites that will offer free shipping, but they will require you to spend a certain amount before they will apply the discount. It's possible that you can pick up your orders at the store, which will result in a cost savings for you.

When you make a purchase of multiple items at the same location, make sure to enquire about volume discounts and find out if the store honours price match guarantees.

Another helpful piece of advice is to go to auctions, flea markets, antique shops, and resellers. You can find incredible items that you can either use in their current state or refinish to save money and bring consistency to the look and feel of your home as a whole. You can even find salvage cast iron sinks, tubs, lighting fixtures, and vanities; these are one-of-a-kind pieces that may meet your requirements at a price that is more affordable.

You need a creativity to make your bathroom stand out from the crowd.

Components Of A Bathroom

Walls For The Shower

You can either replace the existing shower walls or refurbish/refinish the walls that are already there. If you want to save some cash, consider doing some refurbishing. Even if you are unable to refurbish the item, you still have the ability to select replacement options that are fiscally responsible and save you money.

Refurbish Existing Walls – Tile

If the walls are tiled, those tiles are in a reasonably good shape, and you like the colour, then you should concentrate on bringing the colour back into those tiles instead of replacing them. It goes without saying that a thorough cleaning, which includes the grout, is always helpful. You can find a wide variety of grout cleaners in stores or by doing some research on the internet.

As time goes on, the grout will likely become damaged, so you may also need to repair it. On the other hand, you can look for alternatives on the internet.

After the grout has been cleaned and brought back to its former glory, examine it to determine whether or not the colour of the grout complements the tile. Grouts with a darker colour cannot be altered very much, but grouts with a lighter colour can be darkened or coloured, and the results are often quite pleasing! For instance, if you have tiles that range from medium to dark in colour and pale grout, the lines between the tiles may appear to be too obvious. That problem can be solved quickly and easily with a product for colouring the grout that you can apply on your own, and there is a wide range of colours available.

Renovate The Walls And Other Surfaces That Are Already There

If your bathroom hasn't been renovated in a while and your shower walls aren't tiled, the surface is probably acrylic or fibreglass. There are treatments for patches that can be purchased online.

In the remote possibility that the walls of the shower are made of stucco or plaster, it is in your best interest to either replace the walls or cover them, as these materials are susceptible to mould and mildew growth.

Change The Walls That Are Already There

In the event that the currently installed shower walls are beyond repair, your options are no longer limited to tile or fibreglass enclosures. And even within those categories, there is now a wider variety of options. The fundamental options, ordered from least expensive to most expensive, are as follows...

Panels Made Of Fiberglass And Acrylic

Panels made of fibreglass and acrylic typically come in large sheets, and they always come with seals for the corners and sometimes even shower pans. The installation is not particularly difficult. Although it does not have the same level of durability as tiles, this material is significantly less expensive.

Tiles Made Of Ceramic And Porcelain

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are still an excellent option, just as they have been since the beginning of time. Tiles typically constructed from these materials can be discovered in homes from the mid-century era. On the other hand, modern ceramic and porcelain tiles are also available in larger sizes, which results in less need for grouting. In addition, ceramic and porcelain tiles last for a very long time, are not too difficult to clean, and are available in an almost infinite number of different styles, colours, and finishes.

Glass Tiles

Glass tiles are a relatively recent addition to the market when compared to the other possible materials for shower walls. They have a tendency to be a little "shimmery" due to the fact that they are made of glass, which contributes to the shower having a nice translucent appearance. These tiles are slightly easier to clean than the majority of other surfaces; however, because they are more delicate, installation of them requires a little more attention to detail. Additionally, the price of glass tiles is typically higher than the price of ceramic or porcelain tiles.

• It is important to keep in mind that wet glass can be extremely hazardous, which is why we do not recommend using glass tiles as flooring.

Stone Tiles

Stone tiles are available in as many different varieties and colours as nature has to offer; however, certain types of stone are more ideally suited to the environment of a shower than others. Marble, granite, onyx, travertine, and sandstone are some of the most popular options. Stone is a natural material; therefore, sealing stone tiles is necessary to ensure optimal performance. However, if they are not sealed, they are susceptible to rust and other stains over time.

Because stone tiling is typically the most expensive option, if you go with this material, you'll have to take money from a different category of your budget in order to achieve your desired savings.

Shower Floors And Walls

The options for shower walls can also be used for the shower floor, with one significant exception: Because safety is of the utmost importance, you will want to make sure that the floor is not slippery. That requires the utilisation of tiles made of ceramic, stone, acrylic, or fibreglass. Feel free to combine and contrast the materials used for the floor and the walls in any way you see fit!

Doors And Curtains For The Shower

Use a decorative shower curtain rather than an inclosure made of glass when saving money is the most important consideration. Shower curtains are not only significantly less expensive, but they also have the potential to contribute personality to the space, enhance the overall colour scheme of the room, and be easily replaced as the bathroom's design develops.

Conclusion

Remodelling a bathroom can be an expensive endeavour, so it is important to maintain the current dimensions and arrangement, keep the load-bearing walls stable, and preserve the drywall in the event of an event. Refinishing the Bathroom Fixtures can be an option rather than replacing, but it is important to determine which items need to be replaced. Choose a well-designed, uncomplicated toilet that has a good flushing performance while using a minimal quantity of water, and maintain the integrity of the electrical circuits in the bathroom. The most important idea is to consider the "footprint" of your bathroom's fundamental arrangement and framework when deciding how to reduce financial outlays, as this will provide the greatest possible savings. Staged renovations provide the opportunity to gain knowledge and save money, but must be done in a timely manner to avoid delays and cost overruns.

Hire qualified individuals early on in the process of remodelling to save money and avoid cost overruns. Do as much planning and shopping in advance as possible to ensure items are already in your possession or ready to be delivered at a moment's notice. Hire a bathroom designer for a few hours and rely on an experienced handyperson to carry out the construction of your new bathroom. Shop in a productive manner and take into account the cost of shipping to save money. Replacing existing shower walls or refurbishing/refinishing the walls that are already there can save money and be fiscally responsible.

Shower walls are now available in a variety of materials, from fiberglass and acrylic to ceramic and porcelain. Glass tiles are more delicate and require more attention to detail. Stone tiles are the most expensive option for shower floors and walls, but should be sealed to ensure optimal performance and reduce rust and stains over time.

Content Summary

1. Continue to Keep the Load-Bearing Walls in the Bathroom Stable.
2. The second floor and roof of your home are supported by the load-bearing walls.
3. Look at expanding through non-load-bearing walls.
4. Use a professional if you need to move a load-bearing wall.
5. A very frequent project that needs to be planned for is the installation of new dry wall.
6. You ought to conserve any intact pieces of drywall that are still in your home.
7. Replace only the damaged components after removing all others.
8. If the old tubs, shower bases, or surrounds must be removed and replaced before the replacement fixtures can be installed, the price of replacement plumbing fixtures will go up.
9. If you install your toilet yourself, you can save money on hiring a plumber to do it.
10. If the electrical wiring is safe and meets your requirements, you should leave it where it is.
11. You are able to keep track of a variety of options as you move through your process with the help of a planning worksheet.
12. Take into consideration the "Footprint" of your Bathroom.
13. Keeping the same footprint for your bathroom after the remodel will provide you with the greatest possible savings.
14. If modernising the look and feel of the room is your primary objective, there are ways to alter the room's appearance without significantly altering its square footage.
15. These are some few examples of what you could do to make the bathroom feel larger.
16. A staged renovation also provides the opportunity to gain knowledge from the experience at each stage of the process.
17. If you want to do some of the work yourself but also want to save money, one great option for do-it-yourselfers who want to do some of the work themselves is to hire a handyperson, speciality builder, or contractor for the more advanced components of the job, and then do the remaining work yourself in separate stages.
18. If you think that a staged remodel might be the best option for you, make sure that any potential contractors are aware of this.
19. On the other hand, if you find a contractor who is willing to be flexible with their schedule, they might be able to work your project in amongst the rest of their obligations as time permits.
20. Think about what would happen if the product and style you want aren't available when you need them.
21. Avoid having this occur to you at all costs.
22. It might not make sense at first, but it could end up saving you money if you hire professionals early on in the process of remodelling your home.
23. In addition, when looking to make the most savings possible – and if the size of your job justifies hiring a contractor – some contractors offer discounts during slow seasons, particularly around the beginning of the new year.
24. Consider hiring a bathroom designer for a few hours if your renovation project is on the smaller side but you still want some professional assistance.
25. Shop In A Productive MannerThe place you shop and the way you shop for the components of your bathroom can save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars!Check online classifieds and auction sites like Craigslist, eBay, and Nextdoor to see if anyone is selling the same or a comparable item at a lower price.
26. Additionally, go to the local tile shops.
27. When doing your shopping online, you need to ensure that you take into account the cost of shipping.
28. You need a creativity to make your bathroom stand out from the crowd.
29. You can either replace the existing shower walls or refurbish/refinish the walls that are already there.
30. After the grout has been cleaned and brought back to its former glory, examine it to determine whether or not the colour of the grout complements the tile.
31. In the event that the currently installed shower walls are beyond repair, your options are no longer limited to tile or fibreglass enclosures.
32. And even within those categories, there is now a wider variety of options.
33. The installation is not particularly difficult.
34. Glass TilesGlass tiles are a relatively recent addition to the market when compared to the other possible materials for shower walls.
35. Additionally, the price of glass tiles is typically higher than the price of ceramic or porcelain tiles.
36. Stone TilesStone tiles are available in as many different varieties and colours as nature has to offer; however, certain types of stone are more ideally suited to the environment of a shower than others.
37. Stone is a natural material; therefore, sealing stone tiles is necessary to ensure optimal performance.
38. Because stone tiling is typically the most expensive option, if you go with this material, you'll have to take money from a different category of your budget in order to achieve your desired savings.
39. Shower Floors And WallsThe options for shower walls can also be used for the shower floor, with one significant exception: Because safety is of the utmost importance, you will want to make sure that the floor is not slippery.
40. That requires the utilisation of tiles made of ceramic, stone, acrylic, or fibreglass.
41. Feel free to combine and contrast the materials used for the floor and the walls in any way you see fit!Doors And Curtains For The ShowerUse a decorative shower curtain rather than an inclosure made of glass when saving money is the most important consideration.