22 May 4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start Planning Your Bathroom Remodel
Your bathroom may be the smallest room in the house but renovating it can be as expensive as remodeling an entire kitchen. If you are not careful, you might end up going over budget during the process. A bathroom remodel can have more decisions than a kitchen remodel and is more complicated, especially if the layout changes.
Just like any home improvement project, a bathroom remodel always involves different requests, designs, necessities, and budget concerns. These factors should be carefully considered before you start changing things up in your bathroom.
To get the most of your remodeling investment, be sure to analyze your wants, needs, and desires, as well as a financial investment first in order to make informed decisions. Check out these questions to help you ward off any potential renovation regrets or worse, many do-overs in the future.
1. Who will be using the bathroom?
Believe it or not, bathrooms function differently in every household. A homeowner who’s a young professional may need their bathroom for a quick shower before they go on their way, while other adults may like to relax in a bathtub every now and then.
Another thing to consider is the age of the people who will use the bathroom. If it serves as the main bathroom for kids, homeowners may install countertops that are multi-layered for convenience. If the elderly will be using it, certain toilet alterations and hand or grab rails may be needed for accessibility. Knowing who uses the bathroom also helps you determine whether you need to add more storage or not.
2. What is my budget for the bathroom remodel?
One of the most important things to consider when doing a bathroom remodel is the budget. Whether you are adding a new room to your home or simply sprucing up your bathroom, a budget is necessary to keep everything in line. A kids bathroom may need simple, easily maintained fixtures and finishes whereas a master bathroom may want nicer finishes and a “little more show” in the finishes. All of these play into the budget and investment.
Aside from keeping contractors under control, having a budget to stick to allows homeowners to spend only within a certain range unless going beyond it is absolutely necessary.
3. What do I want and need?
Before starting your home remodeling project, you need to decide which amenities you want and which ones are really needed. For example, if you have a common bathroom outside the living room, surrounding mirrors might be a good addition, design-wise. However, given the purpose and location, the mirrors are not necessary. Keeping sight of the overall use and by whom, helps with the decisions between wants, needs, and desires.
Think about the concept of “give and take” when dealing with a bathroom remodel. Decide which upgrades you need instead of just focusing on what you want. This will save you lots of time and money during the process.
4. How long can I function without the bathroom to be remodeled?
Most of the time, sinks, toilets, and showers are out of commission during a bathroom remodel. This means members of your household need to do their usual restroom activities elsewhere. When preparing for a bathroom renovation, think about how long you or your family can function without this specific bathroom.
For example, not being able to use a second bathroom may not be an issue for a young couple, but a family of six might have a difficulty functioning without an extra restroom.