One of the first things people notice about their new home or if they are interested in purchasing a home is the bathrooms. Everyone pictures themselves basking in the glow of their oasis. But when you start taking a look at what it would cost to remodel, many people get scared away by the potential cost.
The good news is that there are some simple design choices and project expenses that can be made or cut that can help you create your new bathroom no matter what your budget. Some simple cost-saving measures, when implemented properly, go a very long way.
A consultation with a design expert at Columbus Bath Design could set you on the right path. We’ll work with you to come up when a plan, then give you a free estimate to get you on your way!
There are a wide variety of ways you can save money on your bathroom remodeling project. We’ll discuss of few of them below.
It can be tempting to expand your bathroom’s existing footprint to create a bigger space, but resist the urge! Rearranging or enlarging a bathroom will often involve moving plumbing pipes and electrical wiring. Such changes can increase a remodeling budget significantly.
The most expensive fixture to move is the toilet since it involves moving both the waste pipe as well as the water service line. To move these elements will require tearing out the floor and some of the walls. Likewise, performing new electrical work may be more hassle than it’s worth. If you live in an older home, making a change to electrical may require bringing the whole room up to code!
Only consider altering the bathroom’s footprint if it is necessary to accommodate its intended use. Moving fixtures such as sinks, tubs, and toilets to different parts of the bathroom are often the largest expense in a bathroom remodeling budget.
Along these same lines, make sure that you don’t move any load-bearing walls. Sometimes a non-load-bearing wall can be pushed out easily, but if it’s a wall that provides structural support, stay far away.
Designers will often recommend exploring the possibility of expanding through a wall that doesn’t bear any weight. This could be a good way to expand your space with the minimal extra expense.
If your plan does require moving a load-bearing wall, you’ll need to engage a general contractor to assess the structural needs of your home.
It’s important to remember that the more walls you open up, the more walls you’ll have to close up in the end! Always address problem areas like walls that have mold or mildew, but if you can get away with keeping the existing drywall in place, do so.
A good way to save money is to replace only the bad sections. You’ll likely want to replace the drywall near the tub or sink but stay away from gutting the whole room if possible.
At the beginning of your project ask yourself if you need to replace all of the fixtures, or if you can refinish them to start life anew. If you are looking to save money on your remodel a good place to start is by assessing if you want to replace elements because of their function or their aesthetic.
If something doesn’t need to be replaced, save money and get it refinished instead. For instance, you can refinish your bathtub with a protective, attractive coating instead of taking it out and putting in a new one. If your bathroom cabinet is still in good shape, consider painting it to match your new color scheme instead of replacing it entirely.
Plus, by reusing your existing features you not only save money but also save the environment by not sending your old stuff out to the landfill!
If you have an old, prefabricated bathtub or shower and want to replace it with custom tiled walls and base, you are looking at a pretty expensive remodeling job. Instead, consider replacing your current fixtures with a new prefabricated unit.
Significantly less expensive, prefabricated units have come a long way in recent years and are now available in a wide range of colors and styles. Plus, they are far easier to install, often taking as little as one day.
That’s the easy part, just give us a call! We’ll walk you through all of the choices and decisions you’ll need to make to ensure that your bathroom remodeling is done right and fits your budget.
We look forward to helping you create the perfect bathroom oasis!
Tax season is upon us and what better investment to spend your tax refund on than a one-day bathroom remodel? Other than the kitchen and living rooms, your bathroom is where you spent the majority of the time in your home. It is where you bathe, where you get ready for bed, and often where people try to relax for a few moments in the tub or shower.
Homeowners often find run into the issue of budgeting or saving for a home improvement project. This is why tax season is the perfect time to remodel your bathroom. 
Although you aren’t really adding square footage to your home, an extensive bathroom remodel can add a lot of perceived value to your home. Upgrading flooring, countertops, bathroom fixtures, and aesthetics is a phenomenal way to create a whole new environment in your home.
If you are planning on selling your home in the near future, it’s a great idea to remodel your bathroom. Upgraded fixtures will definitely attract buyer interest. The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the home for people especially if you have some nice upgrades. It can really help sell the home.
If your bathroom has not seen an update in a while, it’s the perfect time to use your tax money to make your bathroom fixtures more energy efficient. Energy star rated toilets, faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures can help you save money on your water consumption.
This is especially true for folks that have large families. If you are using hundreds of gallons of water on a daily basis, those savings can really add up when you have modern day fixtures. You can also take the opportunity to upgrade light fixtures, switches, outlets, and other electrical components in your bathroom.
Perhaps the best reason to spend that refund on a bathroom remodel is to get something fresh and new in your life. Often we forget about how drab our current bathroom has become that we don’t even think about how outdated or in need of attention it is.
Doing a complete remodel can help give you a fresh start and make it so you actually want to spend time in your bathroom. Spice things up with a new shower door or make things brighter with new colors or modern cabinetry. A remodel is a chance to remake something exactly as you would like it to be.
One-day bathroom remodeling projects are a fantastic way to go because you can get everything you want in a new bathroom without having to endure weeks of living in a construction zone. Just because it is done in one day does not mean the work is sub-par or that you are getting an inferior service. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a free in-home estimate.
The start of a new year is the perfect time to plan for updates and remodeling projects around your home. Your budget may be holding you back, but with proper planning, you can save what you need to give your bathroom a fresh look. Here are some tips for saving money so you can afford a beautiful new bathroom in 2018:
One of the first things you need to do is look at the areas where you can cut back and spend less. Take an honest look at your weekly and monthly expenses, and see where you can make cuts. By reducing your expenses, you will have more leftover to put into your savings.
In order to ensure your savings won’t be spent on other things, you should create a dedicated savings fund. You may want to open a new account with your bank that is connected to your checking account. This will allow you to easily transfer money to save for the project. You’ll be able to watch the savings build up over time, and keep better track of your progress.
If a home renovation project is a priority for you, then you will need to reduce your spending on other things. Make a list of your top priorities and allocate money toward them. A bathroom remodel is an excellent priority because it will add value to your home and give you an updated space to use and enjoy every day.
If you don’t already have a budget, now would be a great time to make one. A budget allows you to see your monthly expenses and to track where your money is being spent. You can also determine how much money you would like to spend on a new bathroom, and inhibits you to save more since you can easily identify the categories where costs can be reduced.
Proper planning is one of the keys to keeping the costs of a remodel in check. As you start saving for a new bathroom, you can begin to plan it out. Think about what you would like to have in the space and what elements may need to be replaced. We offer free in-home estimates, so one of our bathroom remodeling experts will be able to tell you exactly how much you need to save. By planning ahead, you can have realistic expectations about the total cost and the completion of the remodel.
Contact us to start planning and saving for a beautiful new bathroom. The new year brings the opportunity to make improvements in both your home and your budget.
Contact Columbus Bath Design today to start designing your dream bathroom. We look forward to exceeding your expectations.
