Before starting any bathroom renovations in Northern Colorado, you need to have a good idea of what you’re getting into.
Even if you have another bathroom you can use, you’re still temporarily making one toilet and shower/bathtub unusable for a period of time. That can have a major impact on your family, especially if it means four or five people sharing one bathroom.
Will I Recoup My Investment
If you’re thinking about selling your home, a bathroom remodel may help do just that. However, you may not necessarily recoup every dollar you put into it.
In some areas, especially the western part of the U.S., you are likely to see a good return on your investment. In other parts of the U.S., you may only recoup around 80% of your investment.
However, the dollar amount isn’t the only factor to consider when thinking about bathroom renovations. Bathroom renovations can help potential buyers fall in love with your home.
A bathroom that looks like a spa and has obviously been remodeled recently may be the key point that makes a buyer put in an offer. So even if you don’t make every penny back in the selling price, your home may sell much more quickly than it otherwise would. That can save you a lot of money if you’re still paying a mortgage.
What Will It Cost?
Cost is a major factor in deciding if you’re going to go ahead with a remodel. The average bathroom renovation costs are around $32,000 for a master bath.
If you’re remodeling a smaller bathroom, you won’t need a budget that large. Of course, your budget also depends on a number of different factors.
If you’re renovating a small powder room, for example, you won’t need nearly as much money.
What factors will play a part in your cost? Other than the size of the space, there are a few other costs.
First, if you’re actually enlarging your bathroom, that may involve removing and adding walls, moving the doorway, and much more. This can add a good amount to your budget, especially if you’re moving your toilet, bathtub/shower, and sinks. That means running new plumbing.
Another factor that will play a major part in your budget is what fixtures and finishes you want. If you’re going with all high-end flooring, counters, shower backsplash, etc., you’ll need a much larger budget.
You may need to balance what you want the bathroom to look like and what finishes you can afford. Fortunately, with some research and comparison shopping, you’ll find that you make your bathroom renovation ideas come to life without blowing your budget.
There are also a few different tricks you can use to save money if you need to reduce your budget. If your vanity is still in good shape, you can paint it or refinish it instead of replacing it.
Because bathrooms are also typically small spaces, you may be able to find discontinued flooring available at a discount.
What Should You Change?
Another major thing you need to know about renovations before you begin yours is what you want to change. You don’t have to do a full bathroom gut and remodel. Small remodels may only change up a few different parts of the bathroom. For example, new flooring, new paint on the walls, and new décor can transform a bathroom if done right. If you’re not sure what you want to change, here are some of the things you should consider:
Layout
Changing the layout of your bathroom can, as mentioned earlier, be expensive. However, it can also help make your bathroom flow better.
You may be able to add usable space if you move your bathtub to another wall or change the location of your vanity. Don’t make changes that aren’t necessary, of course, but think about how your typical morning routine goes.
Would it be easier if you had a different bathroom layout? If so, consider adding this to your renovation list.
One thing you do need to keep in mind here is that to meet certain housing codes, you do have to have a specific amount of space around your toilet and other parts of the bathroom. These codes are typically there to make certain that your bathroom is safe.
If you’re working with a fairly small space, you’ll want to keep these requirements in mind.
Shower and Tub
Changing your shower and bathtub can have a large impact on your bathroom and on your budget. If you don’t use your tub that often, you may even consider removing it completely. You should only do this if you have another bathtub in the house, though, because taking out all of your tubs is not great for resale value.
However, changing out a tub for a large shower can be a great decision if you never take a bath.
On the other hand, making your shower a little smaller so you can add a freestanding tub may be the way to go if you love long, luxurious baths.
If you have a lot of space, you could even think about doing a shower room, which is basically a bathtub inside of a shower.
Keep accessibility in mind here, too.
If you have chronic pain that makes it difficult to step into a tub, you may want to think about installing a walk-in tub or shower. Doing this now while you’re already renovating the space will save money and won’t require you to tear up your bathroom for a second time.
Your bathroom remodel should meet your current and your future needs.
Fixtures
Putting in new fixtures is a simple renovation that can give your bathroom a new look. Older fixtures can very easily date the room, and replacing them doesn’t always have to cost you a lot of money.
New toilets are very reasonably priced. Modern toilets and showerheads also use less water, so you’re saving money on utility usage as well. If you purchase a chair-height toilet, you may also find it more comfortable to use.
Putting in a new bathtub can be pricy, of course, but it’s often a very worthwhile expense if it provides you the relaxation and feeling of luxury you desire.
Counters
While the countertop in your bathroom doesn’t draw quite as much attention as the counters in your kitchen, it’s still a major part of the space. Many bathroom renovations in Northern Colorado include changing out the counter.
High-end materials such as granite or marble can be costly, but you may be able to find small pieces that fit your needs without buying a whole slab.
If you’re renovating multiple bathrooms or your kitchen at the same time, you may be able to use one slab for several counter spaces.
Flooring
Replacing the flooring is another way of giving your bathroom a major makeover without spending a lot of money.
You can put in gorgeous tile that adds color to the room, or you can go with laminate wood — a water-resistant material that is similar in appearance to hardwood.
There are a lot of different options, so be sure to take your time and carefully consider which one you want to go with.
Also don’t discount heated floors. They’re not actually as expensive as they may seem if you’re already tearing up your current flooring. Think of how nice it would feel to step into the bathroom on a cold winter night and feel a soft heat instead of the chilly floor.
The Décor
Typically, the décor is done after your renovations are complete, but you should keep in mind the theme you’re going for when you pick out mirrors, light fixtures, paint colors, and floor colors.
If you want a modern bathroom, for example, you may want an all-glass shower surround. If you’re going for a black and white color theme, the flooring and shower pan could tie into that.
Unexpected Expenses
Like any renovation, there may be unexpected expenses that eat into your budget. This is why you always want to have some money set aside for emergencies. In the bathroom, these emergencies often involve unknown water damage.
You may find that parts of your flooring actually need to be replaced. You could remove your old vanity only to find black mold has grown between it and the wall, requiring you to pay for mold remediation. Your pipes may be old enough that they no longer meet current plumbing codes and have to be replaced.
While no one wants to spend money on these things, they have to be addressed. Having an emergency fund will ensure you can handle these costs without compromising your renovation plans.
Ready to get started on your bathroom renovation? Once you have an idea of what you want, it’s time to get an expert estimate on a bathroom renovation. This will help you determine if your budget will be able to give you the bathroom of your dreams. If it will, why wait?