Bathroom remodeling is one of the most exciting home improvements that will help increase the value of your house. When it comes to having a great and comfortable bathroom, it is not so hard to do so when you know how not to fall for costly mistakes that most people make. Below is a simple plan that will help you complete your bathroom transformation successfully.

Assess Your Needs and Set a Realistic Budget

To ensure that you fully maximize your bathroom remodeling plans, be honest with yourself about how you use the bathroom and what changes you wish to make.

Consider the following:

– Could there be a need for extra space to store your items?

– Is the layout of the different building parts awkward, or does it consume too much space?

– Do you need changes in the sinks, the toilet, the bathtub, the shower, or the lighting?

– Is there a need to restore the area flooded with water, or does the area have poor ventilation?

After defining your needs, indicate the financial limit of the project that you can afford, given the extent of work to be done. There are a certain amount of materials and labor costs you can expect so find out what those prices are in your area. But do not forget that you should include a margin of contingency of 10-15 % for the expenses that you could not foresee.

Create a Floorplan

To begin designing for your ideal layout, consider the following factors: Draw on paper or use an online floor plan tool to try out new layouts and how they feel. Use all the space effectively and try to find how it can be utilized for storage purposes.

To the extent that existing plumbing fixtures are being relocated, include the cost of relocating supply lines and drains. Determine if it is possible to take down the walls by taking a close look at the structure of the building and gaining a thorough understanding of how it was constructed. Another aspect that should be examined is how the new layout would integrate with other rooms adjacent to the current space.

Choose Fixtures and Finishes

Or, as they call it in Sweden, ‘the fun part’ – now you must choose the materials, textures, colors, and styles to fit your picture. Read design websites and magazines to get an idea about the type of tiles to choose, the cabinetry and countertop designs, and the kinds of handles and knobs to put on the cabinets.

For more durability of the finishes, it is recommended to invest in higher quality in areas that are most prone to wear and tear, such as the shower walls and floor. Ceramic tiles are cheaper than natural stone, so if you plan to use them for secondary surfaces such as decorative walls, you can go for them.

The materials used should be durable, and this is an implication that the furniture will be used frequently. This includes mold/mildew-resistant shower enclosures and flooring that would not be easily harmed by water.

Interview Contractors and Request Quotes

Once you have such detailed drawings and a selection of the finish, you are ready to call the contractors. Seek out licensed remodelers with good word of mouth and favorable ratings, especially concerning bathroom remodels that are similar to yours.

Ensure that the contractor has general liability insurance and that the employees are covered under the worker’s compensation insurance. Request contacts of previous clients you can follow up with for an interview.

At least three contractors should be contacted and invited for on-site consultation with the submitted floorplan/finishes list. Demand to know more about their strategy and then request a pricelist that breaks down the cost of materials and services.

Compare Quotes and Hire Your Contractor

Take time to crosscheck and double over the bids received and ensure that the price differences are well highlighted for either material or expected working hours. Remember that the cheapest service is not always the most beneficial one for the customer if the quality of materials or the work done is not satisfactory.

This involves going through the quote and finding out what is being offered by the supplier, as well as any extras that are missing or required to be paid for separately. Ensure contractors have clarified the differences in their assessments. Once registered, employ the contractor who will give you the best remodeling job within the agreed time frame and cost.

Sign a Detailed Remodeling Contract

Before any construction work commences, ensure that your contractor gives you a detailed agreement that outlines the expected time frame, payments with clear links to the milestones, types of materials to be used, warranties, and others.

The documentation should include a floor plan, finish list, agreed price, and terms for fixing any disagreement that may occur between the two parties. And finally, never enter into a contract without fully understanding the terms of the agreement and agreeing to them.

Apply for Permits

Typically, a bathroom remodel entails getting a permit from the local building authority to guarantee the work meets the plumbing and electrical code as well as the structural requirements. Your contractor may give the drawings and obtain any permits that may be needed in most cases.

However, just bear in mind that permits require quite some time for processing, about 2-4 weeks. It will be helpful to plan for this lead time when scheduling your project. The work on the interior will also require approval from the building inspector at different times in the remodeling process.

Prepare the Bathroom for Remodeling

Before you sign a contract and get the necessary permits, make sure to prepare the bathroom for a makeover.

This includes:

– These include taking personal items, art pieces, propped mirrors, and other ornaments.

– This involves removing any item that is likely to be placed on a countertop and clearing all shelves, cabinets, and drawers.

– Moving certain items that are frequently used, such as medicines and soaps, for some time.

– Removing outlets and fixtures such as the toilet, sinks, and cabinets that will not be used in the new design.

– Preserving old floors/walls that are not to be changed in the kitchen or bathroom

Ideally, arrange auxiliary facilities, such as the spare toilet or a portable one, to use during the repair of the main one.

Time for Remodeling!

You have evaluated your options, hired the right contractor, made a legal agreement with them, and made arrangements in preparation for the bathroom remodel. As you can see, the change process has started; now, it’s time for the real change!

While the construction is still ongoing, consider dropping by the construction site time and again in order to monitor the progress of the construction exercise and to ensure that the progress made meets the agreed standard. It is essential that your contractor shares with you any that comes up or any hitches that arise in the middle of the process. There will be some dirt/dust and noise from construction work when bringing down the walls and constructing your new bathroom.

As long as you communicate your vision well and the contractor knows what they are doing, you will have the beautiful, practical bathroom of your dreams in the years ahead. Do not neglect to take a break and have a good time once your remodel is done!