A bathroom remodel is one of the best ways to improve the value of your home. Yet even if you aren’t planning on selling your home anytime soon, a bathroom renovation is one of the best home improvements worth investing in.
A modern bathroom remodel can be as simple as refreshing the fixtures, making some minor repairs and changing the décor. If you need to make major changes or repairs, such as replacing a toilet, sink or tub, it might make more sense to embrace a complete bathroom remodel or a luxury bathroom renovation.
If you want to do it right, your plan must account for bathroom renovation costs, including a detailed list of exactly what you’re remodeling. Many people choose to wrap their bathroom into a larger home remodel. This allows you to finance the whole project with one home improvement loan.
A modern bathroom remodel can be as simple as refreshing the fixtures, making some minor repairs and changing the décor. If you need to make major changes or repairs, such as replacing a toilet, sink or tub, it might make more sense to embrace a complete bathroom remodel or a luxury bathroom renovation.
If you want to do it right, your plan must account for bathroom renovation costs, including a detailed list of exactly what you’re remodeling. Many people choose to wrap their bathroom into a larger home remodel. This allows you to finance the whole project with one home improvement loan.
Complete Bathroom Renovation vs Simple Bathroom Remodel
It can be hard to know if your bathroom just needs a modest refresh or if a complete bathroom remodel is called for. Not only are the bathroom renovation costs staggeringly different, but the extent of the planning is often more than the average DIYer can handle alone.
A Bathroom Refresh
A simple bathroom remodel can vary from something as simple as a change in décor and replacing a few fixtures. You might need to replace one of the components like the toilet, along with replacing a few fixtures and updating the décor.
This level of bathroom remodel is often within the realm of what a capable DIYer can handle. The total bathroom renovation cost is typically less than $1,000.
This level of bathroom remodel is often within the realm of what a capable DIYer can handle. The total bathroom renovation cost is typically less than $1,000.
A Complete Bathroom Remodel
You might want to consider a total bathroom renovation if you need to do serious repairs, or if there are major plumbing issues that need to be done. The threshold here is usually when the material cost alone is more than $1,000 or the bathtub needs to be replaced.
You might also want to consider a complete bathroom remodel as part of a major home improvement project. Many people who renovate their homes with the intent to sell, will start with a bathroom and kitchen remodel.
You might also want to consider a complete bathroom remodel as part of a major home improvement project. Many people who renovate their homes with the intent to sell, will start with a bathroom and kitchen remodel.
How to Plan a Bathroom Remodel
Whether it’s a DIY refresh or a complete bathroom remodel, there are several key steps you need to follow to make sure you do the job right. This requires an objective, step-by-step approach that goes beyond just imaging the bathroom of your dreams. Especially if you’re doing your bathroom renovation on a budget.
Evaluate the Bathroom & Determine Problems
To properly determine the extent of your bathroom remodeling project, you need to take an honest assessment of everything that’s mechanically and aesthetically wrong with the bathroom.
This starts with noting things like:
This starts with noting things like:
- Leaking fixtures
- Outdated fixtures
- Slow-moving drains
- Cracked or chipped porcelain
- Failing caulking
- Electrical issues
- Ceiling mold and mildew
- Woodwork discoloration
- Ventilation issues
- Flooring problems and damaged tiles
- Discolored grout
- Compromised tub surround
- Underlying plumbing problems
- Accessibility & safety concerns
Once you’ve accounted for the physical problems in the bathroom, you can add in the aesthetic concerns. This order helps you stay objective in your bathroom remodel assessment.
Research Options & Seek Inspiration
Once you’ve identified the mechanical problems and the areas where you want to make cosmetic improvements, you can start researching options. This is arguably the most fun part of a bathroom remodel.
Thumb through home improvement magazines. Take your time walking through hardware stores such as Home Depot and Bunnings. Take a slow tour through home improvement showrooms. Make the most of a rainy day and binge watch shows like Three Birds Renovations, Fixer Upper, The Block, and Dream Home. It’s all for research, right? Take screen shots to build a mood board that you can refer back to.
If you’re using a builder for renovating your bathrooms, ask if they have examples. Many have a book with plans and photos of their past projects that might inspire you. A few even offer design services that can mockup some digital options for you to consider.
Thumb through home improvement magazines. Take your time walking through hardware stores such as Home Depot and Bunnings. Take a slow tour through home improvement showrooms. Make the most of a rainy day and binge watch shows like Three Birds Renovations, Fixer Upper, The Block, and Dream Home. It’s all for research, right? Take screen shots to build a mood board that you can refer back to.
If you’re using a builder for renovating your bathrooms, ask if they have examples. Many have a book with plans and photos of their past projects that might inspire you. A few even offer design services that can mockup some digital options for you to consider.
Determine Your Budget
Determining a proper budget for your bathroom renovation project is a give and take between the amount of money you have available, factored against the cost of materials and labor.
It’s easy to come up with an unrealistic budget if you start with your “Dream Bathroom” and work backward from there. You need to be meticulous about determining the funds you need for the bathroom remodel and the funds you have access to. Ask yourself the following questions.
It’s easy to come up with an unrealistic budget if you start with your “Dream Bathroom” and work backward from there. You need to be meticulous about determining the funds you need for the bathroom remodel and the funds you have access to. Ask yourself the following questions.
- Can I handle the bathroom remodel myself?
- What’s the basic cost of materials?
- Do I need to hire a professional builder to handle the job?
- How much will the builder cost?
- How much money do I have to spend on the bathroom remodel?
- How much money can I get financed for this house renovation project?
Having an honest answer to these questions will give you a framework for determining the bathroom renovation cost. Even if you think you’re capable of doing the project yourself, it’s still wise to get a few quotes from builders. This can help you understand just how much labor costs can add to the project.
You also have to accept that no matter how detailed you are with your estimate, that most bathroom remodels go over budget. So, set aside a minimum 10% as a contingency fund. If you don’t use it, you can save that money, or put it toward other home renovating projects.
You also have to accept that no matter how detailed you are with your estimate, that most bathroom remodels go over budget. So, set aside a minimum 10% as a contingency fund. If you don’t use it, you can save that money, or put it toward other home renovating projects.
Select Materials & Fixtures
Once you have a reasonable budget, an understanding of what needs to be updated, and a basic cosmetic concept, you can start selecting your new materials. This is a phase where a lot of bathroom renovation projects go over budget.
There’s a lot of temptation to choose the next level up in fixtures, tiles, and décor materials. Many DIYer tell themselves it’s alright to go 5% over budget on this and 10% over budget on that. Then it all adds up to a final bill that breaks the bank.
When choosing your new materials and fixtures try to ask the following questions.
- Is the more expensive option functionally better?
- Is the next level up more durable?
- Is this easier to maintain than the lower-cost option?
PRO TIP: Keep and eye out for second hand items in Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree. We have found for our own renovations many bargains online from people who have bought items new for their renovation that they were not able to use for whatever reason. Some items were still sealed in the box!
Find the Right Builder
If you’re planning to hire a professional builder for your bathroom renovation, you need to find one with the right qualifications. While also being mindful of how their costs will affect the budget.
Aim for 3 quotes and only consider builders who are fully licensed and insured. Any specialists like plumbers and electricians should also have qualifications that meet the state’s standards.
PRO TIP: Investigate each builder online for reviews from past clients. Check their credentials and history with your local building and construction authority to confirm their licenses are current and valid for the work you are engaging them for. This has paid off for us when engaging a plumber to do some gas work at our property who assured us he was licensed – turned out he wasn’t!
Then ask for itemized quotes from each builder. Compare each quote line by line. Watch for signs of inflated markup costs.
Most bathroom remodel projects go over budget. If one builder is marking up the cost of materials more than the others, that builder is likely going to also markup other things. They’re more likely to go grossly over budget on labor and additional hidden fees.
Aim for 3 quotes and only consider builders who are fully licensed and insured. Any specialists like plumbers and electricians should also have qualifications that meet the state’s standards.
PRO TIP: Investigate each builder online for reviews from past clients. Check their credentials and history with your local building and construction authority to confirm their licenses are current and valid for the work you are engaging them for. This has paid off for us when engaging a plumber to do some gas work at our property who assured us he was licensed – turned out he wasn’t!
Then ask for itemized quotes from each builder. Compare each quote line by line. Watch for signs of inflated markup costs.
Most bathroom remodel projects go over budget. If one builder is marking up the cost of materials more than the others, that builder is likely going to also markup other things. They’re more likely to go grossly over budget on labor and additional hidden fees.
Write Up a Flexible Schedule
If you’re taking a DIY approach to your bathroom remodel, you also need to set up a reasonable schedule. Unless you have a lot of experience, you can expect tasks to take longer than you expect. Even if you have a professional builder handle your bathroom renovation the project will likely take longer than they quote.
This is just the nature of most home improvement projects. Expect unforeseen things like delays in things like material delivery, permitting, completion, and inspections to take at least 25% longer than expected.
Don’t fall into the trap of planning to finish your bathroom remodel the day before you go on holiday. Plan for disruptions and give yourself or a professional builder some acceptable leeway.
This is just the nature of most home improvement projects. Expect unforeseen things like delays in things like material delivery, permitting, completion, and inspections to take at least 25% longer than expected.
Don’t fall into the trap of planning to finish your bathroom remodel the day before you go on holiday. Plan for disruptions and give yourself or a professional builder some acceptable leeway.
Permits and Certification
Most major bathroom renovations require some type of permit or certification. Especially if you’re making any changes to the structure, plumbing, or electrical work. In some states, the process of applying for a permit will also trigger scheduling inspections.
For a complete bathroom remodel, the state might require a pre-inspection and completed inspection. If you’re working with a professional builder, they’ll understand these permitting requirements and handle them for you.
When applying for the permit, be sure to have a rough estimate of a schedule, with leeway for delays built into it. The last thing you want is an inspector to show up when you’re only halfway done with the project. Then you have to reschedule to have them come back a second time.
For a complete bathroom remodel, the state might require a pre-inspection and completed inspection. If you’re working with a professional builder, they’ll understand these permitting requirements and handle them for you.
When applying for the permit, be sure to have a rough estimate of a schedule, with leeway for delays built into it. The last thing you want is an inspector to show up when you’re only halfway done with the project. Then you have to reschedule to have them come back a second time.
Demolition & Site Prep
The demolition phase of a bathroom renovation is not like you see in movies where people swing away with sledgehammers. It’s a precise process of carefully removing old fixtures and components.
Mistakes during the demolition phase are a common cause of bathroom remodels going over budget and beyond schedule. Especially if you’re only doing a partial bathroom remodel and something like the toilet is damaged, while clumsily removing the sink.
You need to consider.
- What you’ll do for bathroom facilities during the project.
- How to turn the water off to all the fixtures in the bathroom.
- How to properly remove major components.
- How to dispose of demolished materials.
- What materials can be recycled or repurposed.
- First-aid supplies in case of an injury.
Perform the Remodel
The installation of new fixtures, materials, and cosmetic enhancements usually takes longer than expected. Especially if you’re doing the bathroom renovation yourself.
It helps to have a plan for how you’re going to bring things in and install them. Starting with the largest things first. Bathtubs and new shower stalls usually need to be brought in first. Often before you make changes to any secondary walls, this makes it easier to make any changes to the surrounding plumbing.
You can then build backward working on smaller plumbing fixtures. Replacing water lines and adjusting drainpipes as you go. This ensures that you have all the dirty work done before you start painting or putting on the finishing touches.
It helps to have a plan for how you’re going to bring things in and install them. Starting with the largest things first. Bathtubs and new shower stalls usually need to be brought in first. Often before you make changes to any secondary walls, this makes it easier to make any changes to the surrounding plumbing.
You can then build backward working on smaller plumbing fixtures. Replacing water lines and adjusting drainpipes as you go. This ensures that you have all the dirty work done before you start painting or putting on the finishing touches.
Schedule an Inspection
Most bathroom renovations require an inspection to comply with local building codes and insurance policies. If you have a professional builder, they’ll handle this for you.
If it’s a DIY bathroom remodel, you must be smart about scheduling the inspection. A basic home improvement inspection typically costs between $200 to $500.
If an inspector shows up at a pre-scheduled time, and you’re not done, or the bathroom remodel isn’t ready for inspection, they’ll still charge you for it. Depending on the type of inspection, they’ll likely charge you full or 50% of the fee. Then you’ll be charged again when they return for the final inspection.
If it’s a DIY bathroom remodel, you must be smart about scheduling the inspection. A basic home improvement inspection typically costs between $200 to $500.
If an inspector shows up at a pre-scheduled time, and you’re not done, or the bathroom remodel isn’t ready for inspection, they’ll still charge you for it. Depending on the type of inspection, they’ll likely charge you full or 50% of the fee. Then you’ll be charged again when they return for the final inspection.
Wrapping It Up
When planning any type of bathroom renovation, you need to be as objective as possible. Determine what your needs are and what serious physical problems you need to address. Separate them from the things you simply want in your dream bathroom remodel.
As you search for inspiration in magazines, hardware stores and home improvement shows, you can more accurately budget for each. If you’re doing a complete bathroom remodel or renovating the bathroom as part of a larger home improvement plan, you might want to hire a professional builder.
Just be sure to get multiple quotes and compare them. Most bathroom renovations go over budget and take longer than scheduled. Accounting for this will help keep your bathroom remodeling project from interfering too much in the rest of your life.
As you search for inspiration in magazines, hardware stores and home improvement shows, you can more accurately budget for each. If you’re doing a complete bathroom remodel or renovating the bathroom as part of a larger home improvement plan, you might want to hire a professional builder.
Just be sure to get multiple quotes and compare them. Most bathroom renovations go over budget and take longer than scheduled. Accounting for this will help keep your bathroom remodeling project from interfering too much in the rest of your life.