Our bathrooms are a central part of life. Remodeling not only revitalizes them but doing so can offer an excellent return on investment. Whether you do it yourself or bring in some professionals, here’s how you can begin enhancing your bathroom.
Know What You Want
Coming up with a budget takes planning, so you need to know what you want. What are you looking to add or remove from your bathroom? Do you intend to buy something new or take advantage of cheaper alternatives? Remodeling a bathroom can be a prudent investment regardless of the path you choose. While costs typically range between $9,600 and $11,000, it alone can yield returns on investment of 80 percent. Even minor remodeling can produce solid ROI. Think along the lines of less glamorous tasks, such as renewing caulk and grout through your bathroom. Freshen up fixtures like your faucets and showerheads. Even if you are not thinking of selling soon, make sure your additions have an enduring quality that emphasizes universal appeal. A more individualistic approach may prove a deterrent if you try to sell.
Budgeting
Once you have a scope on your plans, you can get to work on setting a feasible budget. With a defined vision, you can better gauge estimates for contractors and your overall remodeling. Reach out to banks, as well, to see what impact a loan would have on your monthly outgoings. A well-structured budget should take into account these immediate costs, but it should also consider potential future expenses. You may find maintenance issues as you go through the remodeling that need addressing before you can continue with your projects. Set aside a portion of your budget for this so that you have contingencies in place. Build up your list of projects and organize them by priority. If you find that your estimates no longer correspond to the available resources, then make adjustments. That might entail substituting materials for cheaper options, waiting for sales, or simply dropping something altogether.
DIY Projects
Cutting back on expenses can be achieved through a little bit of DIY. When it comes to bathrooms, there’s a surprising amount you can do yourself, such as dealing with general wear and tear. For example, you might simply re-grout, but consider replacing the tile itself. Wallpaper is something else that shows damage. Removing it in favor of paint (preferably a neutral color) can really brighten things up. DIY projects can also add greater functionality to your bathroom. You could increase its storage capacity, which can be very appealing when selling, by adding wall hooks and shelving. If you are particularly experienced with DIY, you could even upgrade faucets or install new lighting fixtures to add extra ambiance.
Bringing in Professionals
Certain aspects of a remodeling may be too dangerous without professional supervision. Bathrooms have plenty of components that are subject to a variety of regulations. However, it’s best to err on the side of caution if your plans could expose you to anything relating to plumbing or wiring. Even if you have experience, you may find it more efficient to bring in professionals for bigger projects, such as installing a new bath or toilet.
However, finding the right contractor may take time, but caution can protect you from nasty surprises. Look at online reviews, and check out both the good and the bad. Be wary of opting for the cheapest options; while saving money is tempting, it may be too good to be true if their prices are different to competitors. Before parting with any money, fire off some questions, like what licensing they have or whether they are insured, and make sure that a contract is signed. Everything should be in writing, including costs, deposits, and what work is agreed upon.
There is a lot that goes into a remodeling — questions of budgeting, ROI, and even what enhancements to choose will all have to be considered. Yet, with patience and planning, you can realize the bathroom of your dreams.
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