Bathroom Renovations: Some Easy Tips For A Budget Makeover
They say bathroom and kitchen re-dos are the best way to increase the value of your home. Even if you are not moving but are just ready for a makeover, it need not be a major expense if you use a little imagination and a lot of elbow grease. Your first step to accomplish a successful bathroom renovation without losing your shirt on the project is to do your homework first. Browse the Internet and decorating magazines for ideas, and then find ways to imitate those ideas in a less costly manner. There are certain areas in which you do not want to cut costs, so you need to determine ahead of time what will need to be changed.
Contractor Services
If you are a handyman/woman, all the better. If not, you will need to factor in the cost of a contractor. This is where word-of-mouth is of value. For much of your bathroom work, a general handyman experienced in carpentry and plumbing will do fine and costs far less than a bathroom specialist. Just know what you are getting ahead of time. Also, get several bids before settling on a contractor. Ask them lots of questions to get a feel for their level of expertise and professionalism. In the end, you will have to follow your gut, but arm yourself with knowledge first and be sure to check their references as well.
Cutting Costs
Cost is only one consideration when renovating a bathroom. You don’t necessarily want the cheapest contractor, nor the most expensive. Also, you can save yourself some money by doing the demolition work yourself. Recruit some friends and family to whack away at your walls and cabinets. It’s a great way to work out their frustrations. You can reward them with pizza and a beer or two.
As to materials, your contractor may be familiar with sources that can get him better deals. He will also know how to manage the layout of the bathroom to utilize pre-existing plumbing and fixtures. This could save you a good deal of money in the long-run. Re-positioning plumbing and electrical, or moving windows or tubs, can add a lot to the overall cost of the remodel. Suppose you want to install some new lighting in the wall for that you might have to buy electrical power cable , plugs, switches and such other stuff as electrician has to setup some new points for that in the wall. If you have some budget for that, you should go with it as it will change the look of your bathroom altogether.
In some cases a new fixture may not even be necessary. Take the bathtub, for instance. Just having it resurfaced or installing a tub surround will do wonders to your bathroom’s appearance without breaking the budget. Also you can shop around for a cabinet or sink that is within your price range.
If you choose to tile your bathroom, you can cut costs by only tiling around your tub area. Also, a multitude of flaws can be hidden with a little wainscoting or a fresh coat of paint.
If you make sure to know what you are getting into ahead of time, you should be able to do a nice bathroom remodel without throwing your budget out the window. The key is being an informed consumer.
There is much more to consider for your bathroom renovation, including the budget.
