Rebuilding your bathroom is next to the kitchen in terms of difficulty and costs, according to experts. Inexpensive renovation costs approximately $10,000 or lower if you’re good in budgeting. A more elaborate rework using expensive materials will reach more than $26,000. By using some ingenuity, it’s possible to bring down expenses to $3,000 or lower. It depends on how extensive or limited the changes are.
The bottom line is bathroom remodeling adds value to your home. It is possible to recover a considerable amount of costs once you sell your house. Compute the money you can spend for this project to find out the magnitude of possible changes to your bathroom. You’ll spend less with purely cosmetic modifications like adding minor fixtures or repainting. Costs will shoot up if you plan to replace windows, add a bigger shower, or install tiles.
Economical Alternatives
Look for cheaper substitutes. These affordable options resemble the original. Vinyl flooring looks like original hard wood or granite flooring. Modern vinyl products look splendid compared to previous models. For example, plank and luxury vinyl look amazing for a bargain-basement cost.
Limit the use of tiles. These materials become costlier if a contractor performs the installation. To save more money, use tiles only for the bathroom floor and shower stand walls. Pain the rest of the concrete walls. Or else, purchase inexpensive models and brands using them for artistic accent. By doing this, you can indulge in granite bath countertops which are smaller than kitchen counters or shelves.
Focus on colors. Neutral shades such as light beige, tan, and brown are very common making them more expensive in the market. Opt for a broader range of colors that sell for less. Purchase granite slabs with defects. Prices are lower if the flaws are more obvious.
Don’t replace the bathtub but simply refinish it. The cosmetic changes involve covering the cracks or discolored surfaces. Install the pre-fabricated shower instead of the tiled version. Another cost-saver is to use old dressers as sink foundation or platform. Remove the top portion of your dresser along with the drawers. Cut holes at the back for plumbing purposes.
Repainting Bathrooms
Repainting is the most cost-efficient way of giving your bath a fresh and pleasant look. There’s one small downside. The bathroom may be the smallest part of a house. However, painting takes longer. You must paint slowly particularly around the following areas:
o Window
o Sink
o Tiles
o Mirror
o Toilet
o Sink
o Tub
o Shower
o Wall corners
o Flooring
The task calls for patience and ample supply of painting tape. Remember this when you plan the bathroom remodeling. Consider the moisture as well. Molds and mildew develop fast in wet or damp areas. Humidity and temperature change frequently. It would be practical to buy high-quality paint with satin finish foundation. Use the special type of bathroom paint for the ceiling to prevent the growth of fungi.
Update your Fixtures
Just update the minor fittings like faucets, drawers, towel racks, and lights. Check the bathroom improvement websites and magazines for smart ideas. Once again, look for possible alternatives. It’s not necessary to buy brand-new towel brackets in posh home improvement outlets. Ask your handyman to refurbish old pipes as holders. Redo the shower and sink. You can save a fortune by doing this.
It’s quite easy to recondition vintage items like cast iron or porcelain. The simple restoration kit costs as low as $150. However, you need additional materials which include sand paper, spray gun, several paint brushes, and face mask. Go over simple tutorials for Do it Yourself refinishing.
Grout and Calk
Grout (mortar and paste) is important to fill up crevices in bathroom floors. Caulk refers to the waterproof sealant and filler. Many homeowners overlook these small but essential details. It has the tendency to become filthy and look ugly. To deal with this issue, simply clean the grout and add straight lines of calk around the sink and bathtub. This causes a radiant sparkle for only a few dollars.
DIY Again
Paint the interiors personally. You don’t have to be an expert handyman at all. There’s little space to paint that you can finish in two to three days. Install the toilet yourself or probably with the help of an adult family member. Perform minor plumbing tasks such as fixing a leaking spout or installing small fittings.
Don’t attempt to tamper with the sewer lines or replace pipes since this job calls for a full-fledged plumber. Refrain from making major plumbing changes like moving drains systems and water supply. It will cost you a lot of money to implement these major adjustments.
You may need to hire a plumber or tiler. Yet, bathroom designing is an easy and fun task. Home renovation calls for the services of a contractor and interior designer. But bathroom remodeling can be a plain DIY effort. At the same time, install the vanity tops without professional help. These units come in a variety of sizes between 24 and 60 inches. You need not worry about complicated installations. This approach will certainly reduce your expenses by a mile.
Green is Beautiful
Think of the environment when you redesign and renovate the bathroom. Be an environmentalist right inside the comfort of your own home. Opt for low-flowing sinks, shower heads, and toilets to conserve water. It is also an effective method of saving cash. Upcycled upgrades in e-commerce sites like ETSY that sell vintage and handmade products would be a good source. You can also turn your creative juices to recycle old jars into fancy soap-dispensers.
Your Next Step
Old houses may need some immediate restoration. The key is to learn recycling and upcycling. Repainting will contribute to keeping expenses minimal. Creativity is equally essential, so you don’t have to buy many new fittings and materials. Stay away from executing any major transformation. In other words, think of money-saving concepts for reinventing a small space in your home.