Renovation and remodeling are not only necessary but also add value to your property. However, remodeling a house costs a lot and according to surveys, bathroom is one of the most expensive rooms to remodel. It is important to have everything planned prior to starting a bathroom remodel project. You need to consider the design, colors and fixtures of the bathroom but the main thing here is the budget of this remodeling project.
A bathroom remodel can cost as much as $14,000 or as little as $4,000 depending on the size of the bathroom. However, a lot of other factors determine the final cost of the project. In this article, you will find a very detailed guide to bathroom remodeling budget and how you can manage.
The Style of the Bathroom
Let’s start with the basics. The first thing you need to consider is the style you want for your bathroom. Imagine the type of bathroom you want. Is it vintage and old-fashioned? Or contemporary with ultra-chic outlook? What is the size of your bathroom? Is it small but you still want to accommodate a lot of fixtures in it? Or do you want a green energy bathroom with minimalist outlook? The answer to all these questions will determine the other factors required for the bathroom remodel. Make sure to approach your contractor with many ideas and cut-out pictures from magazines or internet so that the contractor can estimate the cost of the project.
The Layout of the Bathroom
You may need to change the whole layout of the bathroom depending on the design you want. And changing the layout means more expenses. In order to transform your bathroom, the contractor will take apart the previous fixtures, plumbing, etc. and build the bathroom from the scratch again. You may need to add more square foot flooring, new plumbing and electrical wiring in the walls. All of these factors will increase the budget of the remodeling project.
Tiling of the Bathroom
Tiles cover the largest part of a bathroom, is it flooring, walls or countertops. It is imperative that you pay special attention while choosing the tiles for your bathroom because they will probably cost you the most. Keep a firm grasp on tiling if you want to manage your budget. The cost of tiling varies depending on factors such as the size of the bathroom, but mostly on the material of tiling. The average, minimum and maximum cost of tiling per square foot is $13, $4 and $55 respectively. But it is different for the following:
Flooring – the average rates of different types of tiles used in flooring is as such:
- Concrete Flooring – $3 per sq. foot
- Ceramic Flooring –$3 per square foot
- Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring – $7 per square foot
- Limestone Flooring –$11 per square foot
- Marble Flooring – $50 per square foot
Countertops – the cost of tiles used in countertops is higher than flooring. There are also a wide range of tiles to choose from, some which are:
- Onyx Countertops – $250 per square foot
- Marble Countertops – $100 per sq. foot
- Ceramic Countertops –$8 per sq. foot
- Glass Countertops – $105 per sq. foot
- Acrylic Countertops – $23 per sq. foot
Fixtures and Appliances in the Bathroom
Next to tiling, bathroom fixtures and appliances will squeeze out your wallet. The cost depends on the number of fixtures you install in your bathroom. A quick guide to average prices of some fixtures is as follows:
- Toilet –$340 to $480
- Sink -$1,400 to $2,300
- Shower –$3,000 to $4,800
- Lighting Fixtures –$1,100 to $1,700
- Cabinets –$4,700 to $7,000
- Bathtub – $2,600 to $4,100
However, you don’t have to install brand new fixtures while remodeling. You can use previous bathtub, toilet or countertops if they are still usable. In addition to these basic fixtures, there are also appliances and decorative fixtures that you can install in your bathroom as well. In order to keep the budget to a minimum, it is better to create a combination of the most suitable fixtures that covers all the necessary functions in a bathroom.
Plumbing and Wiring
Another factor that you need to look out for while planning your bathroom remodeling project is the cost of plumbing and wiring. Most contractors will use the previously existing plumbing system but they may need to modify these connections a bit in order to accommodate new fixtures. But there are high chances that your bathroom will require new wiring and plumbing if you changed the layout and floor plan. Moreover, complications can always arise without prior notice that adds to the cost of the remodel.
DIY Vs Professional
DIY remodeling has been popular recently. You can change your bathroom yourself without dealing with workers and also compromise on some features to maintain the budget.However, if you want an exquisite bathroom under a budget, I’d recommend hiring professionals. It may seem that you can save by going DIY but in the long run of things, it’s not true. Professionals know where to get raw materials for the remodeling at a good price; they have contractors they work with. You, on the other hand, will scramble for finding these raw materials and the chances of overpricing are high. Plus, you don’t have the necessary skills.
Bottom Line
Considering all these factors, it is obvious that remodeling a bathroom costs a lot. But you can keep the budget under control if you plan everything before starting the project. The project will finish in less time which will consequently decrease the cost of labor. You should overestimate the budget so that you can tackle any emergency or accidents that arise during the remodeling.