A
bathroom renovation is an exciting task. But before jumping to choosing the
latest tile or bathtub design, there are some less exciting things to consider
so your project turns out just the way you dream it. Because renovating a
bathroom can be overwhelming, time-consuming and costly, we prepared a simple
15-point checklist to make sure that your project stays on track and the
renovation runs smoothly.
1.
Budget
If
you don’t know already you should work up an ides of how much you want to spend
on your bathroom renovation. Setting a budget will help guide you as you make
decisions about what to include in the remodel. Once you’ve figured out what
you can spend and subtracted the amount allocated to labor, you’ll have a
clearer sense of what you can spend on tile, fixtures, and extras.
2.
Time
Many
people assume that if they are remodeling a small bathroom it will take muck
less time than a larger one. This is not necessarily the case. Depending on how
many items you are changing in the bathroom your contractor will have to go
through all the same steps as a larger bathroom. However, planning refers not
only to defining the duration of the renovation works but also certain
intermediate steps such as ordering and purchasing tiles, fixtures,
custom-built vanity or cabinets to make sure they can be delivered when your
contractor needs them. planning time is also crucial for those with only one
bathroom in their house as they will have to make arrangements where to take a
shower and use the toilet while the bathroom is taken apart.
3.
Works sequence
When
it comes to bathroom renovation by completing the job in a specific sequence
you can save yourself from a lot of clean up time and mistakes. Whether you are
demolishing sheetrock or simply repainting, you always want to start at the top
of the room. Remodel your ceiling first, walls second, and floors third so you
can prevent damage to your new components.
4.
Hidden problems
If
you are doing a major upgrade to your bathroom consider doing a “full gut”.
When done by a professional with expertise you end up with a zero problems
bathroom that will function flawlessly and add tremendous value to your home
for many years to come. Depending on the age of your home and how well it was
built the biggest hidden well it was you may encounter is water damage, so look
for structural deficiencies in the floor framing, not properly vented plumbing,
old corroded plumbing, non-waterproof tile shower/tub surrounds, etc.
5.
Design style and functionality
When
first starting out start by thinking about the look you want for your bathroom.
There are many factors to consider like paint color, tile choices, vanities,
showers, tubs, faucets, etc. it can get overwhelming very quickly so start with
some research. You can start to piece together elements that you like into what
will become the final design of the bathroom or you may choose a design item
you want to feature in the bathroom and then work the rest of the bathroom
design around it. Design should work hand in hand with functionality so
consider who will use the bathroom and who will use he bathroom and how,
consider an eventual resale of the house and also take a moment to think how
the bathroom design will fit in with the rest of the house.
6.
Measurements
There
are 3 major limitations which really make size matter in bathroom renovation:
the overall size of the bathroom (usually the smallest room in the house), the
location of existing plumbing pipes and electrical wiring and the typical
standard dimensions of bathroom fixtures. Therefore make sure you have the
correct measurements and specifications when you go to the store. More
frustrating than trying to shop without measurements is to end up purchasing
stuff that doesn’t fit.
7.
Plumbing fixtures and features
No
renovation is complete without remodeling or repairing fixtures and features,
which could very well make a separate checklist themselves: shower, bathtub,
toilet, bidet, sink, faucets and shower heads. You should also update or repair
your mirrors and shower doors. You can also change the look of your bathroom
very easily by changing out door
handles, drawer pulls and the hardware for your shower doors. If you have the
budget a new set of shower doors can completely change the look of your room.
7.
Cabinets, storage and shelving
Planning
cabinets, shelving and storing solutions is a tricky problem in most cases. In
small, irregular shaped rooms like the bathroom, it is even more so. They need
to be functional and accommodate all your stuff while keeping everything easily
reachable, they must fit into the available space and make the most of it and
on top of it all, they need to look stylish.
8.
Walls and flooring
Virtually
any material can be used to surface walls and floors in the bathroom as long as
it’s waterproof, either naturally or by means of an impervious finish.
Depending on your budget and style, ceramic, marble, and granite tiles make
handsome and highly durable flooring and wall surfaces for baths. For flooring
additional options may include cement (painted or stained), sheet vinyl tiles
which are inexpensive and look better than used to. Whatever your choice,
always mind another key criteria for choosing your bathroom flooring durability
and slip-resistance.
9.
Lighting
A
bathroom can be rendered impractical of downright dangerous without adequate
lighting so plan for design lighting that is functional and also creates
atmosphere. Plan for maximizing natural light first, whereas for artificial
light it is advisable you should have least 4 watts of incandescent lighting
per square foot.
10.
Accessories
Although
apparently insignificant in the bigger picture of the overall project, no
remodel is complete without new accessories. And surprisingly enough, the small
stuff like new towels, wash clothes, soap dishes, mirrors, towel racks, bath
mats do add up to the final bill. If you are on a budget, new hand towels will
be better than nothing.
11.
Ventilation
Ventilation
is crucial is a wet room like the bathroom. It is also a tricky task which
needs good planning: choosing the right fan, the right position for its
installation and dealing with the electrical wiring-poor ventilation can leave
your bathroom damp, mouldy and can even harm your health, a well-ventilated
bathroom, however, isn’t just a healthy bathroom. Continual airflow can also
prevent both the decay of any wooden trim or fixtures and the saturation of
building insulation.
12.
Going green
Even
if you personally don’t care about going green one way or the other, the market
is trending toward this so it’s something to consider. And there are many
budget friendly options for adding a green touch to your bathroom: a low flow
toilet that uses less water and saves you money in water bills; low-VOC or
no-sustainably harvested tile surface counter tops, etc.
13.
Final clean
The
final clean should include a thorough cleaning of all cabinetry, inside and
out, ductwork, walls, floor, windows, and light fixtures. Although often
overlook in the planning phase, in the case of a major renovation you may want
to consider contracting a cleaning service which means additional costs that
impact your budget. If you feel up to doing it yourself, you may need to add a
day or two to your initial timing.
