Important Items to Consider when Costing out a Bathroom Remodeling Project
By Mark J. Donovan
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Before you decide on remodeling your bathroom think carefully about your budget and the time required to do it. Also, think about the disruption to your home while the bathroom remodeling occurs. A bathroom remodeling project can quickly turn into a huge investment if you are considering installing a new and larger tub, custom shower, and/or bathroom vanity.
Then there are the costs associated with installing new countertops and plumbing fixtures, and tiling walls and floors. If your bathroom remodeling plans include all or most of these improvements, expect to pay upwards of $10,000 or more to remodel your bathroom. |
When it comes to installing a new and larger tub or shower unit keep in mind that walls often have to be removed or added. In addition, if you’re installing a large Jacuzzi tub the floor framing may need to be beefed up. Likewise the plumbing supply lines may need to be modified to support the larger tub. Most standard sized tubs require only ½ inch diameter plumbing supply pipes. Jacuzzi tubs, on the other hand, typically need ¾ inch diameter plumbing supply pipes.
| If you are considering installing a custom ceramic tile shower with a tiled floor surface also expect to pay dearly for it. There’s a lot of work required to installing a custom ceramic tiled shower. The mortar shower pan alone, for example, can cost you a $1,000 or more to have installed.
The mortar shower pan is necessary for affixing the tiles to the shower floor and for ensuring a leak free shower base. Similarly, custom glass shower doors can easily set you back $1,000 or more. For most custom glass shower doors expect to pay in the $1,500 to $2,000 range for the glass doors to be manufactured and installed. |
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In regards to toilets, if your old existing toilet works, keep in mind that federal laws now require low water use toilets. If the porcelain is not cracked, and you’re okay with the style and color of the old toilet, you just may want to keep it in your new bathroom remodeling plans. You’ll save yourself some money and not have to deal with slow flush toilets.
| New sink faucets and tub/shower plumbing fixtures are also high ticket items. Yes, there are some entry level units, but you get what you pay for. Expect with entry level types to have to replace them every few years or so due to leaking and corrosion problems.
Bathroom lighting is another important element in any bathroom remodeling project. A bathroom should be capable of being well lit, either through natural lighting, electrical lighting or a combination of both. Don’t skimp in this area. You’ll regret it big time if you do. This said, the installation of new lighting fixtures and windows don’t come cheap. |
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To save money on your bathroom remodeling plans consider doing as much of the work yourself. Another benefit of DIY bathroom remodeling is you can control your spending rate and not have to deal with contractors running through your house. This said, if you lack the skills, tools or time, don’t kid yourself and hire a seasoned and professional bathroom remodeling contractor, or act as your own general contractor and hire the necessary contractors as required, e.g. carpenter, plumber, electrician, and tile contractor.
| To find qualified and pre-screened contractors for your bathroom remodeling project you may want to consider using the services of a national database contractor company. These companies have fully vetted out contractors that they’ve added to their database. The service costs nothing to homeowners. Simply fill out one of their online forms here and 3 or 4 contractors local to your area will contact you. You are not obliged in any way to use them.
So now with a better understanding of what’s entailed in a bathroom remodeling project, and what items can dramatically impact the cost, start your detailed bathroom remodeling plan today and good luck with your new bathroom. |
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For help on your bathroom remodeling project, see my Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet. The Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet provides a request for quote checklist section that you can provide to prospective bathroom remodeling contractors. It also includes a comprehensive bathroom remodeling cost breakdown table, in Microsoft Excel format, that allows the contractor to include his projected remodeling costs for every phase of the project.
Related Information
Additional Bathroom Remodeling Design Resources
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