Bathroom Remodeling on a Budget

Remodeling a New England bathroom is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to improve a homes' looks and increase its value. Research shows that it is the second most desired home improvement. Since bathrooms are normally a small space, the work can be done within a very limited budget.

Since we mentioned budget, that will be the your first step- determining your budget. The more time you take doing research and developing detailed plans, the easier it will be to stay within that budget. Doing an inexpensive bathroom remodel doesn't have to mean using cheap materials and cutting corners. Just be prepared to spend more time on planning and on shopping for the materials you want.

Realistically determine how much of the work you want to do yourself. If you have some basic skills in construction you can save a lot of money. Normally more than half of the cost of a remodel is spent on labor. One thing many people can do is demolition or demo. Removing toilets, vanities, tubs and shower stalls can be done by the homeowner in many cases and can save a considerable amount of money. You should get a quote from your contractor priced with and without demo.

You can save the cost of hiring a designer by doing your own bathroom remodeling plans. Spending time in Bookstores going over magazines and going online for ideas can help you decide just what you want in your new bathroom. If your bathroom desperately needs more space, check your floor plan and determine if there are any closets or hallways that share a common wall that could be removed. Be aware that moving the electrical and plumbing in your bath will increase the cost substantially. We always recommend hiring a licensed electrician and plumber for this type of work. Most local building codes will require this.

Take the time to compare prices for your big ticket items. Some companies have undamaged returned stock on high end items like spas and toilets that can be purchased at great savings. Be creative in your planning. Check with tile and countertop installers for any excess materials that might have left over from a previous job. Shop antique and salvage shops to find items that can be refurbished or refinished to provide a unique look in vanities, tubs and light fixtures for your new bath. If you have a lot of cabinets in your bathroom, consider replacing only the doors and repainting.

Get referrals before hiring a contractor. Check with New England home improvement stores, friends and neighbors for a remodeling contractor. Take the time to compare quotes using one remodeler that can do all the work, with quotes from individual electrical, plumbing and carpenter subcontractors. Hiring individual contractors will require more of your time planning and coordinating the work, but in some cases, can save you money.

Keep in mind -remodeling your bathroom on a budget requires trading your time and effort for the money you will save. Before you begin, make sure you are able to commit to the time it takes. If you do, you will be amazed at the money you can save.