Bathroom Restoration – A Basic Guide
Bathroom restoration is one of the most popular home remodeling projects. The bathroom inevitably becomes outdated over time, and there are new trends in styles and components such as tubs, vanities, fixtures and tiles that can transform your bathroom. While bathroom remodeling can be an expensive project, any improvements you make can add to the market value of your home if and when you choose to put it on the market, and the investment return can be as high as 80 to 90 percent.
You can do bathroom renovation on a budget by doing it in stages as demonstrated in this video:
Getting Started
A bathroom restoration can be major or minor and can involve anything from painting to bathtub and countertop replacement to completely starting over with a new design and components. Before you purchase anything, you need to take the time to develop a remodeling plan. Start by doing some research online and look at bathroom remodeling photos and pictures to get ideas. Look at your current bathroom and list everything you would like to restore: sink, vanity, shower, bathtub, toilet, tiling, lighting, etc. See what items can just be refurbished (e.g. new paint or wallpaper, bathtub re-glazing, updated vanity cabinet hardware) and what items need to be replaced. Think about what type of materials you want for your flooring, sinks and countertops.
You also need to prepare and stick to a budget. Simply put, a total redesign of your bathroom with a brand new bathtub, shower and vanity and luxury add-ons such as a heated floor will be much more expensive. Get estimates of the materials and items from a local home improvement or hardware store or a bathroom design firm and factor in labor as well. This will give you a reality check on what is feasible for your project.
Affordable Options
While you can’t avoid the cost of renovated plumbing or a new toilet, there are other ways to save money. Check out factories that sell refurbished materials and visit thrift stores and estate sales to find reasonably priced vanities, mirrors, drawer pulls, backets and rugs. Your vanity may just need refinishing and upgraded hardware rather than replacement. If you need more storage, add a corner shelving unit or an over-the-toilet storage organizer.
DIY or Professional?
Even if you are planning a DIY bathroom restoration project, you will still need specialized labor for plumbing or electrical work. If you are planning a major redesign and decide to take down one or more walls for a bathroom expansion, you will need the services of a qualified and licensed builder. If you are outsourcing one or more aspects of your bathroom restoration to a contractor, remember to apply for all required permits before you begin any remodeling so your project can move along smoothly to completion without any unanticipated interruptions.
If the remodeling process sounds overwhelming and you’re not sure you have accounted for everything you might need for your project, it’s best to work with a bathroom restoration or design firm. Ask for estimates from several companies and choose the one that offers the best terms and conditions. Your choice should be based not only on the price but also on labor and product warranties and the company’s dependability and reputation for quality work.
You can visit Lowe’s to get more bathroom restoration ideas.
