Bath & Shower Replacement - Pro Tips on How to Save Time & Money
Replacing a bathroom can be a great investment in the sale value of your home or to make it possible for you to age in place or make room for an expanding family. However, there are some steps you should take to make sure that your renovation dollars are going toward the improvements that you need most.
Determine your "Why"
Why are you renovating? Do you need a tub for small children, or do you need a roll-in shower for an aging spouse or parent? Are you just tired of the current color scheme and want to brighten it for yourself, or are you planning to sell and want to raise the asking price? These questions need to be decided before you start shopping, hire a contractor or consider choosing a designer.
Start with the Footprint
Do you plan to move any walls, or will the new bath fit inside the old footprint? If you're moving walls, consider creating a cardboard cutout of the space to understand just how much room you'll have. Then you can start arranging the features you want in the bath. From spa tubs to customs shower enclosures, you can get a feel for the size of your new bath and start the layout of the new features you need.
Plan for the Future
Since you're going to the trouble to deal with a renovation, why not plan ahead? One feature that could add value to your home both for your family and future sales is a dressing area attached to the bath. You could convert a small bedroom near the bath in to a custom closet for little money and add a great deal of value to your home.
Additionally, now is a great time to plan to age in place if you intend to stay in the house. If you're opening up the walls of the shower, add grab bars and consider adding a roll-in shower lip. Additionally, even if you're not making changes to the footprint of the bath, try to find the space to open up the wall so, if need be, it can be wheelchair accessible.
Where Not to Spend Money
If you're replacing a bath to make space for a growing family, consider using less costly and labor intensive materials. For example, custom cabinets in the Bath Replacement are lovely for adults, but it only takes a couple of strikes from the Big Wheel to tear them up. If your bathroom will get a lot of child or pet traffic, consider vinyl flooring and a lower cost shower/tub combo to start. Add the custom tile shower when the kids are older, or just use it in the master bath.
Final Thoughts
When you're ready for a spa-like experience, there's nothing like a bath replacement to help you fall back in love with your home. Plan with care and figure out exactly what you want to make this experience worth the effort!
