Updating an old bathroom can completely transform your home, and it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. In fact, bathroom renovations can be fun and exciting if you carefully plan and budget for it.
There is a lot to consider when renovating a bathroom. That’s why we developed this checklist to help guide you through the budgeting, planning, and execution parts of the process.
So, without further ado, here is everything you need to know before starting a bathroom remodel.
A. Crafting Your Budget
The first thing we need to talk about is money. You don’t want to pay more than you should for a bathroom remodel. As a result, creating a budget requires careful planning and research. According to Home Advisor, the average homeowner spends $6,500 to $16,000 on bathroom renovations. That’s a big range – what is your specific budget?
Keep in mind that some bathroom remodels cost more than others. For instance, if you are remodeling a master bathroom, plan to pay a couple thousand dollars more than you would for a smaller guest bathroom. Additionally, certain materials and features can cost more than others.
Once you have a general idea of your budget, consider creating a list of everything you want included in your renovation. Then, research the average cost of each project and separate your list into wants and needs. This makes it easier to decide which items you are willing to splurge or compromise on. Additionally, you’ll have fewer surprise costs down the road.
B. Bathroom Remodel Checklist
1. Plumbing
Your plumbing can play a major role in your bathroom renovation budget and is therefore one of the first things you should evaluate on this list. It can be costly to move fixtures such as toilets, showers, and bathroom sinks around.
Changing bathroom layouts is not always necessary to make a bathroom look and feel brand new – so if you can avoid messing with plumbing, that might be advisable. To save money, you can remodel or replace plumbing fixtures in their original location. For example, you can add new hardware to shower doors, change out the tile flooring in your tub, or replace your bathroom sink and vanity without moving plumbing.
2. Electrical
Consider where existing electrical wiring and outlets are located when remodeling your bathroom. It’s a good idea to install vanities near outlets so you can easily plug in hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, and other devices.
3. HVAC
As another major kind of home element, HVAC systems should be part of your bathroom renovations checklist. A bathroom ventilation system helps remove moisture in the air after a shower or bath, which reduces the chances of mold growth.
A major bathroom renovation may also present the opportunity to add air conditioning or heating for the first time. If that would make the space more comfortable for you and your guest, that could be something to consider.
4. Floorings
Any material you plan to use on your bathroom floor should be both waterproof and durable. Here are a few bathroom floor materials to consider:
- Stained Concrete
- Ceramic Tile
- Porcelain Tile
- Natural Stone
5. Wall Coverings
Bathrooms are exposed to a great deal of moisture on a regular basis, so your walls must be able to resist mold and mildew growth. All bathroom wall coverings should be water-resistant to keep your family and home safe from potentially dangerous fungi. Common materials for bathroom wall coverings include:
- Ceramic tile
- Glass tile
- Beadboard
- Semi-gloss paint
- Regular interior paint
6. Doors and Windows
Consider doors and windows when planning the layout of your bathroom remodel. You don’t want to place any furniture or fixtures in the way of swing doors or windows. Misplacing an opening could easily disrupt the flow of your bathroom or give users an undesirable lack of privacy.
7. Cabinets, Storage, and Shelving
Your bathroom cabinets, drawers, and shelving should be stylish and functional. For instance, a master bathroom should offer plenty of storage for hairbrushes, products, and other essential toiletries. A guest path should have everything visitors need to feel comfortable, like toilet paper and maybe extra tooth brushes or soaps.
If you cannot find vanities or cabinets that meet your design needs, you might want to consider ordering one custom-made. That will allow you to get exactly what you want and optimize storage space within your specific bathroom setup.
8. Carpentry
Carpentry elements such as windowsills, door casings, baseboards, and bathroom vanities must be well-sealed and water resistant to avoid leaks and mold growth. To help you select bathroom carpentry items, consider making a list of materials needed to remodel your bathroom. What will you use, and how will you ensure your renovation results in a safe, well-sealed bathroom?
9. Finishes
Every little detail matters when planning to renovate your bathroom, including the finishes of your bathroom vanity and cabinets. Be sure to select a finish that is both appealing and water-resistant to protect the lifespan of your bathroom fixtures.
10. Measurements
Obtain accurate measurements of your bathroom space before pursuing any bathroom renovations. When measuring an area for a project, consider the size of your bathroom, plumbing pipes, and electrical wiring.
11. Design Style & Functionality
There is a lot to consider when it comes to the overall design of your bathroom remodel. If you don’t know where to start, try focusing on one bathroom feature and centering the rest of your projects around it. It’s always good to have a defined starting place.
Functionality is also important to the design process. For instance, if you live with tall adults, you might want to consider designing a taller shower head or vanity countertop. In contrast, if you’re designing a bathroom for your small children, you may want to give them lower countertops or more accessible cabinets to make life easier.
12. Work Sequence
You will also need to plan out the work sequence of your bathroom renovation process. We recommend working on ceiling and wall projects before any on the bathroom floor. This minimizes the chances of debris or paint interfering with completed floor.
13. Time
When planning your bathroom remodel, you should consider how long it will take to complete. Renovation time might depend on how many items you are changing, your contractor’s schedule, and whether you are ordering custom cabinetry or vanities.
14. Accessories
One of the most overlooked aspects of bathroom revamps is accessories. We recommend budgeting for bathroom accessories such as towel racks and new bath mats as these can help make a remodel feel complete.
C. Process
1. Research Contactors
You shouldn’t trust just anyone to remodel your bathroom. It’s important that you take the time to research contractors in your area before hiring. We recommend looking at online reviews, getting referrals from friends and families, and consulting contractors beforehand.
It’s also important to note that sometimes the best price doesn’t equal the best service. If you find a great deal on a general contractor bathroom remodel, make sure they are not cutting any corners in their renovation process.
2. Budget Before Calling
It’s very important to plan out your budget to renovate your bathroom before calling a contractor. Do your research to determine the average cost to update a bathroom. This will help you determine a cost-effective estimate from a contractor.
3. Design
Most contractors are not equipped to help with the design process of your remodel. So, if you are looking for assistance in your design plan, consider hiring an interior designer or decorator. A professional eye can help bring your dream bathroom to life.
4. Proposal
The proposal is very important. It outlines the contractor’s scope of work for your bathroom renovation project. You must ensure that the proposal your contractor presents to you fits your budget and covers everything you planned.
The proposal should cover the following:
- Permits
- Terms and Conditions
- Lines of Communications
- List of Materials Needed to Remodel the Bathroom
- Scheduled Timeline of the Project
- Breakdown of the Bathroom Renovation Cost
5. Project Execution
You should fully understand a project proposal before you sign since it’s nearly impossible to change the project around after signing. Make sure you fully understand and agree to the projects that will be done, as well as the schedule and overall estimated cost.
6. Punch List
Towards the end of your bathroom revamp, you should develop a punch list with your contractor. Together, you will identify any areas of concerns that came to surface during the renovation process. The contractor will then address these issues before the project completion.
7. Close out
After the project is finished, you must ensure that you have fulfilled all the terms of your contract- such as payment and permit close-outs. After this is finalized, you are ready to enjoy your newly renovated bathroom.
In Conclusion
Hopefully, this checklist gave you a better understanding of how to renovate a bathroom in your home.
If you are interested in adding a custom vanity or cabinetry to your bathroom remodel, Holland’s Custom Cabinets in El Cajon, CA can help. Our team of expert designers have been helping clients design their dream bathroom cabinetry for over 40 years. We are ready to give your bathroom renovations a unique and personal feel.
If you would like more information, contact us online or call 619-443-6081 today!
