Have you ever endured a bathroom remodel? Seemingly, the smallest room in the house often involves needing knowledge and skills in basically every aspect of remodeling.
A complete bathroom renovation involves expertise in demolition, rough carpentry, insulation, plumbing, electrical, drywall, plastering, tile work, finish carpentry, and painting. All of the sudden, an 8' x 5' space calls for lots of moving pieces and a variety of experienced professionals in order to successfully complete a remodel.
Scheduling
When it comes to the timeline, it's important not to be deceived by the relatively small size of your bathroom compared to other rooms in the house. While it's easy to assume that a smaller space would entail a condensed timeline, one may be surprised to find that the very nature of such a confined space is exactly what calls for several weeks of construction. If one is dependent on a specific timeline, a bathroom remodel brings with it very little room for error.
Due to the need for several different specialty trades, someone managing a bathroom remodel may find themself in an uphill battle involving conflicting schedules, unexpected surprises, and problem solving every step along the way. Usually, there is only enough space for one, maybe two, people to work at a time. Additionally, these different trades and steps are typically dependent on each other to be completed in a sequential order. Toss in one or two minor changes to the scope or schedule, and it's not uncommon for one to find themselves days behind in scheduling. In summary, small hiccups really can have a huge effect on a project when there is limited space to work, and when all of the steps are effectively dependent on each other to be completed.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost?
This is a common question with an answer that comes with many variables depending on a few things. When building a budget for a new bathroom, it's important to consider the following:
-What is the current state of your bathroom?
Are there any signs of water damage or mold? Signs of either of these can help in preparing for additional costs to your project right from the start. If you suspect any water damage at all, then it is important that you allocate some extra funds in order to address these issues as the work takes place.
-When is the last time your bathroom was remodeled?
If it's been years, or decades, since your bathroom was built or remodeled, then it's important to be aware of any changes in the local building code that may have taken place in that timeframe. Whether it's related to plumbing, electrical, or even insulation, you'll want to have funds set aside that will allow you to address these updates along the way as well. If you're pulling a permit for your renovation, then these updates will be necessary to keep the project moving along.
"Full-Gut" vs. "Face-Lift"
As a contractor, this is the most important question I can ask a potential client that is looking for a general, up-front understanding of what their project might cost.
A "Full-Gut" renovation entails removing everything in the bathroom, all the way down to the studs, in order to update plumbing, electrical, and insulation before moving back into the realm of finish work. It can often involve framing adjustments as well, if someone is looking to reorient the layout of their bathroom. Typically, a "full-gut" renovation will start at $30,000-$35,000.
If you're just looking for a casual update to your bathroom, or a "Face-Lift," then you may find that the cost will start off closer to $15,000. This price involves the scope of replacing a vanity, replacing a toilet, updating a light fixture or ceiling fan, updating the floor, followed by painting and minor punch list items for a full refresh. Once you venture into the process of replacing a tub/shower surround, or installing a custom tile shower, you'll quickly start creeping into the $20,000-$25,000 range. For a modest custom shower, most of these added costs are related to labor. However, the overall cost of this line item can quickly be skewed by your choice in a specific tile or design.
Every home is different, and it's important for a homeowner to understand their current circumstances in accordance to what their remodeling goals are. If you're in the market for a bathroom remodel, or just looking to get the ball rolling in mapping out your journey, give us a call. We want to hear your ideas, and would be thrilled to provide value in answering any questions you may have.