As with all remodeling projects in your home, proper planning can help ensure that you get the bathroom of your dreams, and avoid making any number of mistakes; each of which could end up costing you dearly to have repaired or altered.
Here are some of the most important things to think about when planning a bathroom remodel:
Setting a budget
No remodeling project can even get off the ground without a proper budget in place, and you must carefully and honestly assess your funds before deciding upon the scale of the remodel. Where possible, try to have an extra 10-20% of your overall budget available for unexpected expenses that may crop up during the project, too.
Deciding upon the scale of the remodel
Once your budget’s in place, you can start thinking in realistic terms as to the scale of the remodel. This should involve evaluating the existing space and deciding what, if anything, you want to keep, and whether any demolition work will be needed.
Choosing a style
Will you be opting for a sleek and contemporary bathroom, a quirky one with ornate fixtures, a child-friendly space, or a minimalistic and purely functional room? Thinking about who will be using the space can help you decide upon a style, and looking at design ideas online or in showrooms can give you inspiration.
Select the flooring and wall coverings
Talk to a remodeling company about floor and wall covering options, as they will have the best idea as to which materials are water-resistant or anti-slip, for example.
Decide upon the fixtures and finishes
Fixtures and finishes in any remodel should never be an afterthought, so as soon as you’ve decided upon the design and scale of your new bathroom, you should take plenty of time to choose the right fixtures and finishes for the space.
Go through your lighting options
If you have plenty of natural light in your bathroom, you may not need much artificial lighting, but if you don’t have that advantage, you must think about lighting that serves a purpose both from a practical and aesthetic standpoint.
Assess your plumbing needs
If you’re working with an experienced local remodeling company, they will be able to assess the remodel’s plumbing needs, and talk you through any major work that might have to be carried out. If you want the layout of your bathroom to change, the pipework may dictate how much you can change it, and you may also want to think about swapping to energy efficient bathroom components, too.
Assess your electrical needs
Again, if you’re working with a remodeling company or even a general contractor, they will have access to qualified electricians who can assess the extent of electrical work required for the project.
Installing solutions for storage
Good storage can help save space and make a small bathroom feel bigger, and thankfully there are plenty of innovative and functional storage solutions to choose from nowadays.
Understanding building codes and obtaining permits
One of the most compelling reasons to hire a general contractor to remodel your bathroom, is because they will take care of all of this for you. They will make sure that all building regulations and codes are adhered to and that all necessary permits and approvals are gained well in advance of any work being carried out.
The last few steps in planning a successful bathroom remodel, are to choose the materials to be used, and establish an approximate timeline. Fortunately, with an experienced remodeling company on hand to help, these steps and all of those listed above can be effortlessly achieved, and you can get the bathroom you’ve always dreamt of, with minimal fuss.