Bathroom Renovation Checklist Tips
Any kind of renovation should involve a checklist of sorts. The bathroom offers some additional challenges when it comes to renovating. Having a bathroom renovation checklist at hand allows you to avoid running into unanticipated issues later on down the road. Having an idea of the expenses that you are likely to incur will prevent having you pause the renovations until you increase your budget, and that brings us to our first checklist tip....
1. Have A Budget
Starting a bathroom renovation without having an initial idea of the costs involved is sort of like walking into your in-laws unprepared. You do not know what to expect, what to do, and you certainly did not dress for this. Develop a plan of what your fantasy bathroom would look like with the following complete bathroom renovation cost guide.
Create a bathroom renovation checklist of what you would like to get done, what the materials are, the estimated labour hours, and you will have a general range of expected costs. With this number in mind you will be able to make decisions that are geared around your finances. Having to stop constructive renovations midway in order to save for an increased budget is going to be a pain. Keep in mind if you have another bathroom to use while the renovations are underway; if you only have one, you are especially going to want to stay within the budget parameters that you have set.
2. Function Over Form
Having the beautiful bathroom you have always wanted is important. Having a functioning bathroom is absolutely mandatory. When you are setting your budget, and designing your peaceful place make sure you are keeping functionality in mind. A poorly functioning bathroom that looks nice is going to add headaches in your future, and it is going to decrease the value of your home if you ever look to sell.
3. Humidity Is Thy Enemy
I am sure no one will need a reminder of the extensive damage that water can do to a home given time. It damages drywall and invites mould, neither of which are attractive outcomes for someone who wants a newly renovated bathroom. If having a fan or some form of airflow is not in your bathroom plan, or added into your budget, highly consider this addition. The added expense of having a fan in your bathroom is going to definitely reduce the likelihood of having to conduct repairs in the future. Even if you have to downgrade some of the other aspects of your ideal bathroom, the fan is a must. If you want to just pull the trigger on the repairs, but cannot quite afford installing the fan yet, consider waiting and saving until you can increase the budget on these renovations.
4. Prepare to Have Company
Even if you are the handiest person on earth chances are you are going to need to hire some form of professional contract work. Plan your renovation around a good time for you. If the kids are home for the holidays, chances are you do not want contractors coming in and out of your property working. You can always call and get a quotation for renovation from electrical and plumbing contractors so you have an idea of the labour hours and material costs in mind. If there is work that you plan on doing yourself, make sure you are updated on the building codes required of you before you get into any work. Unless you are a professional electrician I would highly recommend you leave that work to the professionals. If you are adept at flooring, that can be an easier part of the project to complete on your own without having to invest in expensive labour hours contracting work can involve.
5. Lighting is Key
I am sure we have all had an experience in a poorly lit bathroom before. One where the shower is far too dark and it makes for an uncomfortable experience. Yet despite our history with these bathrooms, sometimes we do not always think about the importance of lighting. If you are fully renovating your bathroom, consider having lighting explicitly for the shower, and then the rest of the bathroom. This of course is dependent on the size of the bathroom, and how important lighting is to you. A small bathroom is not going to require a division in the lighting, but a larger bathroom might benefit from this design. Be sure to include all of the details required in your budget, down to the last detail. Keeping ideas like lighting in the back of your mind is going to make sure you do not run into unexpected costs.
Always keep in mind your budget when it comes to any kind of renovation. Make sure it is designed to function, will avoid moisture, and you have prepared yourself for the intrusion of contractors in your living space. Keeping these points in mind will help make this renovation go over smoothly for you.
Clara Annesley
Clara Annesley is an interior design and construction content writer. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Architectural Design Technology from the University of West London. Clara specialises in residential construction for topics like health & safety, architectural design and writing cost guides for renovation and remodelling projects.