Handyman Articles - Tips for Remodeling Your Bathroom

When it's time to update your bathroom, where do you start? People often replace one item to solve a problem like a leaky faucet. They realize when the old faucet is removed is the perfect time to replace the sink, and maybe the vanity? When the project is done, the toilet might look dated. What to do? By taking time to plan the project first, you are more likely to feel good about the results and cost when it's complete. Here is a simple checklist to help you plan your bathroom remodel.

As you plan any project, you want to keep in mind your overall objectives. If you update your kitchen and baths instead of moving and plan to stay in the house for 10 or more years, you are investing in your lifestyle. If you will move in a few years, you might want to scale back your project to focus on what will help sell your home with the highest payback. Assess Your Current Bathroom Start by listing what you like and don't like about the existing bathroom. Think beyond today as every room should meet your lifestyle. For example, consider installing a second sink if you have several children sharing a bathroom or grab bars for frequent grandparent visits. For each item that you would like to change, assign a priority of high, medium or low. Jot down your ideas for how you would like to change the item, i.e. maybe you've always wanted a whirlpool tub or a tile floor.

Room Assessment	Yes	No	Priority	What do you want to change?
Is the room big enough?
Does the room have enough light?
Is there enough storage?
Is the water pressure okay?
Are there any water leaks or damage?
Are you happy with porcelain fixtures?
Do the vanity & countertop need updating?
Does bathtub/shower meet your needs?
Do tub/shower surround need updating?
Are you happy with the towel racks, etc?
Do you like current wall treatment(s)?
Are you happy with the current floor?
Is the room easy to keep clean?
Do you have unique needs, i.e. grab bars?
Other requirements
Other requirements?

Next you need to decide who will do the work. A remodeling company will work with you on the design, help you select the fixtures to be used, purchase everything and execute the entire project. You will pay extra for this end-to-end project management, which makes sense if you have the money and lack the time and/or patience to get involved. You should also use a remodeling contractor if you are adding any type of addition (new foundation and roof) to support changes to a bathroom.

A handyman company like My Handyman offers more flexibility. We will work with you so you can handle some aspects of the project, from demolition to purchasing the materials, to control costs. Alternatively you might choose to do the project in several smaller stages,  completing one before you start the next. My Handyman frequently gets to finish projects started by the home owner, simply because they find they don't have enough time. My Handyman's bathroom remodels typically run 2 to 3 days for a half bath and 4 to 6 days for a full bath and are considerably less expensive than the average New England bathroom remodel costing $16,302. The table below will help you match priorities to your budget. Start with the highest priority requirements and continue to add items until you reach your budget. To insure you complete the project on budget, you want to reserve 10 - 20% of the budget for costs you are unable to predict before starting (the higher number should be used if your are doing a lot of plumbing work and/or moving walls).  Add items in the following sequence:

• First priority is safety, i.e. non-slip floors for children and seniors
• Next priority is resolving any water issues as repairs cost more when deferred
• Now pick your bathroom's focal point, i.e. it might be a new vanity and matching mirror or a jacuzzi and tile floor
• Last, you can work through the other requirements from highest to low priority.
  
  

As you add up projected costs, consider the following ways to keep costs down:

Re-glaze bathtub/shower to save the cost of removing and installing a new unit Avoid moving plumbing, which adds cost. Be aware that many new vanities will require the plumbing to be moved several inches Find creative solutions to add space or storage without having to move walls, i.e. you can add shelving in the wall Buy less expensive parts when they don't have moving parts like your sink or vanity. You will save time/money with higher quality toilets and faucets that are manufacturer quality (not typically found in the box stores). Go to plumbing supply outlets that sell to the public or use the web for known brand names like Kohler and Sterling. www.build.com has a nice selection of discounted, brand name products plus good customer service and they package their products to withstand the rigors of shipping.

Fixture/Feature	Priority	Material Costs	Labor Costs	Comments
Remove/move wall to add room			1-3 days	May require a building permit
Add cosmetic wall			1+ days
Add/enlarge window(s)			1 day +/-
Add skylight			1-2 days	Must be 50 degree/warmer
Add new light fixtures			1-4 hrs/fixture	Requires an licensed electrician
Replace light fixtures			1-2 hrs/fixture
Add closet(s)			2+ days	Frame & finish both sides
Add built-in storage/shelving			Varies
Upgrade plumbing for water pressure	High		1+ days	Requires a licensed plumber
Find & correct water leaks	High		Varies
Repair water damage	High		Varies
Replace toilet			1-2 hrs
Replace sink(s) and/or faucets			2-4 hrs/sink
Replace vanity and/or countertop			4-6 hrs
Replace mirror/medicine cabinet			1-2 hrs	More if cabinet size different
Replace bathtub and/or shower			2+ days	Plumber may be needed
Replace bathtub/shower surround			4-8 hrs
Replace bathtub/shower surround - tile			2+ days	Depends on tile size, walls ...
Replace towel racks, toilet paper ...			1-2 hrs
Paint ceiling (2 coats recommended)			1-2 hrs	More if repairs needed
Paint walls (2 coats recommended)			4-8 hrs
Wallpaper walls			2+ days	Varies by complexity
Remove existing flooring			2-4 hrs
Repair/replace subfloor			1-4 hrs
Install new linoleum			4-8 hrs
Install new ceramic tile			1-2 days	Depends on # of cuts
Contingency (recommend 10-20%)
Projected costs
Actual costs