Everything You Need to Know About Completing a Bathroom Remodel
Did you recently move into a new home and the bathroom requires a little TLC to accommodate the needs of your growing family? Or maybe you’re finally an empty-nester and it’s time to turn the “kids’ bathroom” into a luxurious guest bathroom? Maybe you’ve decided to treat yourself to a truly decadent renovation in your master bath?
Whatever the case may be, if you are thinking of completing a bathroom remodel there are many considerations before you dive into the renovation.
From how long you can expect the project to take to what questions you should ask before starting a renovation, read on to be informed by our expert Keller Handyman tips and insights on completing a bathroom remodel.
Question to Ask Before Starting a Bathroom Remodel
Before you and your Mr. Handyman Keller contractor begin a bathroom remodel project, there are a few questions you should already know the answers to. These questions will guide your bathroom design and ultimately impact how the finished renovation turns out.
Keep the following questions in mind when embarking on a bathroom remodel:
What’s Your Daily Routine?
What areas of the bathroom do you use the most? Are you a wake up, brush-your-teeth-and-go kind of person, or do you fill up every available inch of counter space with beauty products? Maybe, you prefer to shower or soak in a bubble bath? In any event, by understanding how you use your bathroom, you’ll be able to design a remodel that is catered to your needs.
What is Your Budget?
When you are remodeling your bathroom, your budget not only helps you stay organized but—when calculated properly—gives you an idea of what you’re getting into. The trick is to not enter a renovation situation blindly. Do your research to find out how much the materials you like cost, what your labor costs might be, and then make allowances for any unexpected expenses as well.
How Much Storage Do You Need?
Another key consideration is thinking about how much storage you will need in your bathroom. For instance, a powder room will require less storage space because it’s primarily used by guests in your home. Comparatively, your master bathroom will probably hold a variety of products and other bathroom items—taking up that much more storage space. Likewise, if you have small children, their bathroom will require room for diapers, towels, bath toys and other products.
How Many People Will Be Using the Room?
This consideration will also dictate how much storage you need, as well as how many sinks, whether you choose a bath or shower and if you need linen storage. Is this bathroom just for the kids? If you have house guests that regularly visit, what kind of amenities might they need?
What Don’t You Like About Your Current Bathroom?
You are renovating your bathroom for a reason. What is it about your present bathroom situation that you hope to avoid with the new bathroom? Perhaps you never use your bathtub and find it a hassle to step into. Maybe you want to install a steam shower, or perhaps double sinks are a necessity in your home. Whatever it is that you want changed, be sure to clearly communicate your expectations to the team at Mr. Handyman Keller and we will do our best to make your bathroom renovation dreams come true.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Bathroom Remodel?
While it can be tricky to nail-down a definitive timeline for your bathroom remodel project, there are many factors to consider when figuring out how much time the renovation should take:
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How extensive is the remodel? If you are completing a quick paint job, naturally the renovation will take much less time than complete overhaul. A cosmetic reno can take as little as a few days, whereas a rebuild could take a few months.
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Are all the materials readily available? Waiting on your dream tiles or bespoke faucets to arrive will impact the overall workflow and efficiency of the bathroom remodel.
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Have you considered the different trades professionals you might need? At Mr. Handyman Keller, our expert technicians can help you with a range of services including shower or tub installation, refreshing your tile floors or installing a new vanity. Should you need extensive plumbing or electrical work, you will also need to reach out to one of our fellow neighborly companies to find a certified plumber or electrician.
With those considerations in mind, typically a small bathroom remodel will take between 4½ to 9 weeks—depending on what unexpected circumstances may arise. The best practice is to prepare your family for a longer renovation period. Should your project go according to plan then it will feel like you’ve wrapped up early!
What to Consider when Completing a Bathroom Remodel?
In addition to knowing what questions to ask and conversations to have with your contractor, there are many different changes you may want to make during your bathroom remodel. Consider the following when planning out your renovation:
Plumbing
Did you know that the average pipe used in residential plumbing is 1½” wide? Even by upgrading to a pipe that is 2” wide can save you and your family the headache of having to unclog your pipes as often. Perhaps during your bathroom remodel, you could consider investing in slightly wider pipes for smoother plumbing.
Lighting
The kind of lighting you include in your bathroom remodel will impact both the mood and functionality of the room. If your bathroom is a place you go to relax at the end of the day with a nice long bubble bath, perhaps you will want a dimmer switch for your lights. If you apply makeup in the morning, you will want brighter light fixtures so that you can see what you are doing. Or perhaps you would prefer lights around your vanity or recessed into the ceiling. Either way, who and how you use your bathroom will guide your decisions about your bathroom’s lighting.
Cabinets
Does your current bathroom lack cabinets, yet you’d benefit from the extra storage space? Or perhaps, you wish for a medicine cabinet and you don’t have one right now? Do you have the space to recess your medicine cabinet or enough room for it to stick out from the wall? Your storage considerations are very important in figuring out what kind and how many cabinets you’ll need in your renovated bathroom.
Drawers
Do you prefer drawers to cabinets? Similar to the number of cabinets you may want, another aspect of your bathroom to consider are your drawers. For example, you may need drawers of differing heights depending on what you are storing. Besides cabinet shape and size, you may also want to consider drawers that are soft-close. This may fit the needs of a family using a bathroom at various times of the day and night.
Countertops
There are many options when it comes to your counter tops depending on your design, aesthetic and concerns. For instance, if you have kids then you may want to opt for a durable countertop like granite or quartz as opposed to something soft like marble or soapstone. How you would like your sinks done will also impact the type and style of countertop that you choose for your bathroom remodel project.
Sinks
Besides considering a single sink or double sink, there are a few other things to think about. Where will your sinks go? If you have a smaller space, then putting the sink in the corner might be a good idea. Also, would you prefer an undermount sink that is below your countertop, a vessel sink that sits above the counter, or perhaps a pedestal sink if storage is less of a concern? Whatever your vision may be, the experts at Mr. Handyman Keller will skillfully and professionally make it happen.
Fixtures
Your bathroom fixtures are the cherry on top of your overall design. Not only are there many functional decisions you’ll make as you plan out your bathroom remodel, but there are many design considerations as well. For instance, what kind of shower head would you like—rain or handheld? Will your sink have chrome or bronze? The options are not quite endless, but extensive. We suggest taking time to research online or at your nearest hardware store to have an idea of what fixtures will be the best choice for you and your family.
Toilets
One of the most fundamental aspects of your bathroom is the toilet. While it seems like this might be an obvious part of the bathroom, there are also many different considerations for your toilet as well. For instance, what about seat height? Perhaps you are an aging couple and accessibility is an important factor in the height of your toilet. Maybe sustainability is important to you, and you’d like to replace your old toilet with one that is eco-friendly. Additionally, you may want to consider installing a wall-hung toilet. This option will save space in your bathroom and is much easier to keep clean.
Window Placement
Does your current bathroom have a window? Would you like one? Not only does the accessibility of natural lighting impact your overall lighting decisions, but it also impacts your storage solutions as well. For example, if you want to install a large window above your tub, you may not be able to use that wall for storing your bath salts, soap or shampoo. Likewise, natural light will impact the warmth of your bathroom as natural light has a cooler tone than artificial lighting.
Showers
Depending on the use of your bathroom, you may have a shower or tub installed–or both. Your shower has many moving parts that are worth thinking about before embarking on your bathroom remodel. What kind of tiling will you use on the floor and sides? Do you need to install a shower sill to prevent water from leaking into the rest of the bathroom? What kinds of shower doors do you prefer—or would you rather opt for a curtain? What kinds of fixtures would you like to use? Would you like to install a steam shower?
Your shower can be the place you go to relax at the end of the day or prepare for a new start each morning. It should be a place that functions correctly and suits your individual needs.
Tubs
Are you a bath person or a shower person? If having a soak-tub or a whirl-pool system is a must for you, then we suggest communicating that to your contractor. The heavier your tub is, you may have to add joists to the floor below it to offer enough support. Another consideration for your tub is its fixtures. Do you like being able to control how much hot and cold water you put in the tub? Or maybe you’d rather have a single faucet? Maybe you don’t even want a tub at all and would like the team at Mr. Handyman Keller to complete a tub-to-shower conversion.
Book a Mr. Handyman Keller Technician for Your Bathroom Remodel
Our qualified technicians are experts when it comes to completing a bathroom remodel. When you hire our team, you can rest assured that your property is in good hands. We’ll give you peace of mind by doing our best to minimize our interference with your daily life while we work. Additionally, we’ll take precautions to reduce dust from the renovation—we guarantee our technicians will always leave a clean job site at the end of the day.
Do you feel empowered to start your renovation after learning what you need to know about completing a bathroom remodel? If you’ve researched what you want out of your new bathroom and considered your ideal budget and timeline, then we invite you to call the experts at Mr. Handyman Keller at 972-627-4793 or request a service today. We look forward to helping make your bathroom remodel dreams a reality.