Tired of watching the paint on your bathroom walls fade? Sick of your old, dingy tiles? Maybe it’s time for a change!
The average bathroom renovation cost is about $10,742. Your budget could range between $6,122 and $15,370, depending on the changes you make.
By planning ahead, you can reduce your bathroom renovation costs before you even get started! Instead of breaking the bank, you can stick to your budget. Meanwhile, you can still achieve the bathroom remodel of your dreams!
Failing to plan ahead, however, could cost you. You might not realize how much you’ve spent until it’s too late.
Don’t let your dream bathroom drain your bank account. Keep reading for the five tips you need to succeed! With these tips, you can say goodbye to the typical cost to renovate a bathroom!
Bring down your costs with these easy tips today.
1. Plan Ahead
Before grabbing a hammer or bucket of paint, sit down and start planning. Developing a plan ahead of time will help you stick to it. Otherwise, surprises along the way could impact your bathroom renovation costs.
How much do you want to change in your current bathroom? The more you change, the more expensive your costs can become. You might exceed the average bathroom renovation cost as a result.
Instead, make a list of the items you’re considering as part of the renovation. For example, you might consider:
- Adding new shelves
- Painting the walls
- Replacing tap handles
- Adding a new mirror
- Adding towel rails
Most of these changes you can complete yourself. If you plan on retiling the floors, however, you’ll need to plan ahead. For example, do you want to put overlays over the existing tiles?
Do you want to remove the existing tiles instead?
Are you planning on hiring someone, or doing it yourself?
Want about electrical or plumbing changes? You might need to hire an electrician or plumber. Otherwise, you could make costly mistakes.
Establish a goal, such as improving your bathroom’s functionality or resale value. How do you plan on accomplishing that goal?
A few small changes can enhance your bathroom without causing you to exceed your budget. For example, you can resurface the cabinets or add a fresh coat of paint. If it needs a full remodel, however, the costs will go up.
Set a Budget
Take the time to set a budget for yourself. What average bathroom renovation cost can you absolutely not exceed?
Make sure your renovation project doesn’t cost over 5 to 10% of your home’s value.
You can better determine your budget by breaking down the costs. What changes do you want to make? Organize your updates between “wants” and “must-haves.”
If a “want” exceeds your budget, scratch it off your list.
2. Prioritize Updates and Research
Take a look at the list of changes you want to make. Which changes are priorities? Focus on those updates first.
If you still have room in your budget, you can add some of your “wants” to your to-do list as well.
Take the time to research each item on your list. Which items can you complete on your own? Which materials do you need?
If you need to hire someone, make sure to read reviews about their services online. Ask for customer referrals, too. You don’t want to waste time and money hiring someone who fails to meet your standards.
Ask each contractor if they’ve completed similar projects before. Did they finish those tasks on-time and on-budget?
If they exceed the budget, keep looking.
Make sure each contractor has workers’ compensation, property damage insurance, and personal liability insurance.
3. Keep What You Can
You can cut bathroom renovation costs by keeping as much of your original bathroom as possible.
Avoid changing your bathroom’s current layout or removing the tub, shower, and toilet. Keeping these items where they are can benefit your budget.
Otherwise, your basic bathroom renovation cost will rise.
Leave as much of the plumbing alone. Plumbing changes will take time, which will increase contractor costs. Instead, consider replacing the counters, sink, and shower fixtures without moving things around.
Focus on updating your current bathroom instead of replacing everything to save time and money.
4. Look for Shortcuts
Little shortcuts can have a big impact on your bathroom.
For example, consider buying materials yourself. Then, have a contractor install them. Buying the materials yourself can help you save money.
Instead of buying your materials at full price, consider visiting a resale store. Take the time to shop around for lightly used materials. You’ll pay a fraction of the original price!
You can visit Habitat for Humanity ReStores or DiggersList to start shopping. There, you can find tiles, laminate flooring, tubs, faucets, and more for your bathroom.
When choosing your materials, don’t neglect to consider the quality. You don’t want to buy cheap materials you’ll have to replace later.
5. Get Messy
You can also save money and reduce the average bathroom renovation cost by doing a little DIY. For example, try assembling shelves and painting on your own.
You can even remove old fixtures before the contractor arrives to save money.
Avoid making any changes you don’t feel comfortable with, though. You don’t want to accidentally cause damages, which could impact your budget.
There are some changes you shouldn’t make on your own. For example, you’ll need a licensed professional for electrical or plumbing changes. Otherwise, DIY could prove dangerous.
Making some changes without a license is illegal, too. If you lack the proper experience, you might fail to reach the proper standards.
Stay educated to avoid costly mistakes. You can learn more here: What Trades do You Need to Renovate a Bathroom?
Taking the DIY approach can help you cut down on labor costs. However, it’s always important to prioritize your safety first.
No Money Down the Drain: 5 Tips for Reducing Bathroom Renovation Costs
You don’t have to watch your money run down the drain! Instead, use these tips to reduce your bathroom renovation costs. With these tips, you can save money and still have the bathroom of your dreams.
Wash up with these tips and you can enjoy your new bathroom in no time.
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