A bathroom can be a quick, in-and-out space or a luxurious room to relax in the tub in order to remove the stressors of the day. How you chose to use your bathroom and a few other factors will help you what to consider first when you start planning a bathroom remodel.
Lists Are Good Things!
Before you even hire a contractor what do you want to change about your bathroom? The best thing is to create of list of wants and needs. Consider these items:
- Do you want an entire remodel or just flooring and fixtures?
- Why are you remodeling?
- Is it to turn your bathroom into the space YOU want it to be? Or, is it to add
value to your home to sell it? Or, are you remodeling to make the bathroom and easier space based on what’s going on in your life? All of these factors will help you determine what to put on your list.
- Do you want to add more space in the room which will require moving a wall?
- Do you want to add a half-bath to your home?
- What kind of fixtures do you like?
- Do you want a shower and a tub or just a shower? Do you want a walk-in shower?
- What flooring are you thinking of having installed?
- What about storage under the sink and in other areas?
- List down extras you might want like mirrors, built-in vanities, etc.
- Do you require any extras like a bench or handicap toilet area?
Once you have a list of necessities, it’s time to call a contractor that knows how to remodel a bathroom—and one that will listen to you wants and needs.
Hiring the Right Contractor
First, if you are renovating, you may be able to recoup an average of 60 percent of the cost of the remodel when it comes time to sell your home. And adding value means doing things the right way the first time around.
Recouping that costs mean you may want to skip the DIY and hire a contractor that specializes in bathroom remodels. While a general contractor may be your first thought, there are companies that renovate bath areas only. If a company specializes in one area of renovation, they are your best choice. Be sure the contractor you choose is licensed and insured.
Working with the Contractor
Once you’ve given your contractor your wants and needs list, take time to set down with them to tell them what sort of fixtures, flooring, spacing, and other items are most important to you. A great contractor will then design a bathroom for you and get your design approval before any work begins.
Be sure you have a set price in place you agree on and be sure to ask about change orders. For example, if a contractor runs into an area where more than what was quoted is needed to renovate, how will those changes be conveyed to you for approval?
Ask them for a set timeline to determine if you should leave the home during the renovation or if you can stay in your house. They can recommend what’s best.
Stay in communication with your contractor. That may mean greeting them in the morning and asking them the plan for the day and the status of the job. It may also mean calling them in the evening and asking for a status update on completion. Keep the communication door open. When initially speaking with a possible contractor, if they appear standoffish, you may want to choose another renovator.
Check for Guarantees
Although a great contractor will perform a walk-through with you before approval and final payment is due, you may find a tile is loose in the shower or a hinge needs to be replaced on a cabinet. Ask how long you have to call the contractor to make these repairs. Most should stand by their work.
Plan ahead, offer your opinions, and then choose the right contractor for the job and you’ll have the bathroom of your dreams.
