A bathroom remodel is a major undertaken under any circumstances. It is even more so when the home is old. You have anything from leaky pipes to old-fashioned ceramic tiles, and they tend to be on the small side. It takes quite a bit of careful planning and clever designing to coax out the most in a remodel.
On average, the cost of remodeling a 5 x 7 feet bathroom is about $19,000, which is a big chunk of change. You can save a bit of money and still have the awesome bathroom you want if you go about it the right way. Here are some tips for a successful bathroom remodel.
Get a quote
For anyone attempting a bathroom remodel for the first time, setting a realistic budget may be an exercise in creative thinking. You probably have no idea what it would take to find and replace your leaky pipes, put in new floor tiles, and replace your vanity tops.
The easiest way to get some inkling of what a remodel is likely to cost you is to get a quote from a reliable remodeling company in your area. Mimosa Kitchen Bath is one such company, and the good news is, they offer free cost estimates for any type of bathroom remodel at no obligation to purchase. All you have to do is get in touch with them and they will come to your home to discuss what you want and need. Go into details of the remodel process and take notes.
In most cases, a remodeling company will have budget-friendly packages. Mimosa, for example, has a time-limited bathroom remodel package for an area of 5×7 feet. Always ask the companies you contact for special deals to save some money.
By the time you have two or more quotes, you should have a realistic budget in mind.
Work out a design
Bathroom design is pretty much fixed by the layout of the major elements, mainly the sink, toilet, and bathing area (for full bathrooms). In most cases, you want to keep the layout of the original bathroom in a remodel to keep costs low. However, if the bathroom is small and the layout is not space-efficient, you might have to reposition these elements. In that case, you need to work out a design with a professional.
Find bathroom designs you like on Pinterest or remodeling sites to show your designer. The designer will take the essential elements of your preferences and come up with a 3D rendering of the proposed design. This will help you see what it will look like at the end of the day. You can then use that design to make choices that will fit your budget.
The easiest way to find a designer that will work closely with you in choosing the right products for your design is to find a remodeling company that also offers free 3D designs. Mimosa offers this service when you visit the showroom in Ellicott City, and they will walk you through the different product options. Mimosa works with top brands of products for bathrooms and can offer them at lower prices than if you buy them from big box stores.
Choose the best you can afford
You have many product options from which to choose, but as a rule of thumb, you want to focus most of your budget on the key elements. Buy the highest quality sink, bathroom vanity, bathtub or shower system and toilet you can afford. Low flow toilets and showers are often pricey, but they will pay you back in the long term. These will also establish your bathroom as a quality room, no matter what design you have.
The features above are permanent fixtures, and replacing them can be costly. You want to choose ones you are not going to need to replace for a long time. If you have a limited budget, you can think about secondary features such as mirrors and soap holders if you have any money left over.
Pick out a good vanity top
One of the things that can give your bathroom a classy look without spending a lot of money is the bathroom vanity top. The vanity top will get a lot of use, so you want materials that will last for a long time and still look fantastic. In most cases, your best options will be granite, marble, or quartz stone. It might add a bit to your budget, but it will be worth it.
Choose a reputable remodeling company
The right contractor will make all the difference on the result of your bathroom remodel. A good one will make sure you get what you expect within the limitations of your budget. A bad one can run you to the ground and you still will not be happy with what you get.
Take the time to comparison shop and do some research into the most likely candidates for your project. Most will at least give you a free quote. However, keep in mind that the lowest quote is not always the best one. Make sure the quote is detailed and ask as many questions as you need. A reputable company will be transparent about all the costs, and even provide you with references. Contract only with companies with the proper licenses so you have some recourse in case you run into trouble.
Conclusion
A bathroom remodel can be stressful, but you can make it less so if you heed these tips and work with an experience and reputable company. You can get in touch with Mimosa Kitchen and Bath if you are in DC metro area, Columbia, Rockville, Bethesda, Jessup, Chevy Chase and surrounding areas.
We are a professional remodeling company selling a host of products for the bathroom and kitchen. These include cabinets, floor and wall tiles and other materials, faucets and sinks, and countertops and vanities.
We sell high-quality products manufactured by leading brands in the industry and expert remodeling services. Some of brands we carry include Zodiaq, Fabuwood, Forevermark Cabinetry, Caesarstone, MSI, Kitchenmaid, Wolf Cabinets, Cambria, and Hardware Resources.
When you purchase your products from us, you are guaranteed a speedy delivery compared to ordering from big box stores. Our contractors will fabricate the product and install it into your kitchen quickly and with excellent artisanship.
We have our showroom in Ellicott City, Maryland to see the many bathroom products and stone slabs we have available. This includes marble, granite and engineered quartz. All of our products come backed with brand warranties.
Contact us today to get a free quote for your bathroom remodeling project!
