Now that you have decided to remodel your bathroom, you may be wondering how much you should anticipate spending. The good news is that renovating a bathroom is considered one of the highest yielding investments you can make in your home, whether you plan to stay for a long time or resell in the near future. Your bathroom is a space that you frequent daily, so designing one that pleases you and meets your family’s needs comes with a steady payoff. And, should you choose to move on, prospective buyers are willing to spend more for homes that have modern, well-designed bathrooms. Below are three investment or budget levels that list what type of plumbing and structural changes you can expect to make as well as the type of finish materials you can select for your desired investment level.
Basic Remodel
$5,000 – $10,000
In a basic bathroom remodel, the plumbing locations will most likely remain in the same place. Relocating plumbing locations can be expensive and tends to drive the price of a remodel up, especially if your home is built on a concrete slab. You can replace plumbing fixtures, specifically faucets, tub fillers and showerheads with stock or off the shelf products. These plumbing fixtures typically last five to seven years, depending on the manufacturer and the quality of the components that are used inside the fixture. You can expect to refinish or paint your existing vanity or replace it with stock cabinetry from a big box store. The countertop can be ceramic tile or you can choose to go with a prefabricated cultured marble countertop that will fit on the existing cabinetry. You will be able to tile the tub or surrounding shower area with ceramic or subway tile, but don’t expect to replace flooring or install a tile wainscoting on the walls at the lower end of this budget range.
Mid to Upper Level Remodel
$10,000 – $30,000
At this budget level, you may be able to adjust the layout of the space and relocate plumbing. You will be able to select slightly higher end finishes to complete the look of your bathroom. You can also select upgraded plumbing fixtures that have copper or bronze cartridges inside of the fixture that tend to last longer than their off the shelf competitors. You will be able to look at semi-custom cabinetry that can be configured with more decorative details such as glazes or furniture style legs as well as more intricate door panel details. The countertop can be a mid grade quartz, a granite remnant or solid surface product. Tile used in the bathroom can be upgraded to a porcelain tile, which is more durable and slip resistant than ceramic tile. Typically, there are more colors and design options to choose from with some tile even designed to mimic natural stone. You will be able to use more tile throughout the bathroom at this budget level.
Deluxe Level Remodel
$30,000 and up
You can plan to revise the entire space or add additional space to the bathroom at the deluxe level budget range. Custom cabinetry made from solid wood with custom finishes can be selected and high end granite or natural marble countertops are not out of the question in this budget range. You can choose to add radiant heat flooring to make your space warm and inviting and you can select tile made from natural marble or limestone. Your options for plumbing fixture will be unlimited and amenities such as steam showers, and tubs that include aroma or chroma therapy can turn your once dull bathroom into a private spa retreat.
Money-Saving Tips
- Save a few dollars in the end by planning ahead. Go through the design process first and choose all of your fixtures and finishes. This will help define your budget and prevent hasty decisions in the midst of the project.
- Consider how labor intensive some design choices can be. For instance, installing individual tile pieces versus installing a single piece of material such as cultured marble sheeting.
- Stay inside your home’s footprint. Consider borrowing space from a neighboring room or closet. If you really need to add space, consider a small bump out of two to four feet to avoid changing the foundation or roofline of your home.
- Opt to reglaze a tub that is in good shape rather than purchasing a new tub. This can save you more than half the cost of a tub replacement. FBN
By Michelle Mallett
Michelle Mallett is the owner and principal designer at Mallett Design Works, a design firm specializing in customized kitchen and bath design. Mallett is certified in kitchen and bath design by the NKBA and is and Allied Member of ASID. To discuss how Mallett Design Works can help you achieve a space that exceeds your design expectations, call Mallett at 928-699-1405. You may also visit her website at www.mallettdesignworks.com to see a full list of services and a portfolio.