Are you planning a bathroom remodel? It can be exciting, especially when you picture the finished produce. However remember not to overspend or you will lose your initial enthusiasm. There are ways to keep your bathroom remodel cost under control. Have a plan before you get started and figure out your budget ahead of time. Once the work has started, changes to the plan can add significant cost to the project. You can save headaches and money by giving yourself time to shop for bargains or material to make your bathroom plan exactly what you want. Here are a few experts’ recommendations for saying within budget and remodeling without stress.
Learn How to budget
- Finish materials – Could include tile, cabinets, counters, fixtures, mirrors, lighting, shower doors, paint, accessories, ventilation fans, etc.
- Labor – If it’s not you or a friend, you’ll have to pay a professional to install materials.
- Incidentals – All the things that are required but you don’t see like trash hauling, a temporary toilet, pipe, grout, backer board, spacers, angle stops, drywall, wire, switches, etc.
If you have an older home be prepared to expect to run into more issues. There may be water damage under the toilet or you may have to remove plaster walls down to the studs, or your wiring may have to be upgraded. The older the home the more you need to put into your budget. It is pretty rare that incidentals are over $1,000.00. Of the nearly 2,000 bathrooms he built he said he can count on two hands the projects that had issues over $500.00.
Shop for the Right Contractor
Having a contractor is a bit like getting into a marriage! Workers will be in your house and under your feet while they are completing the work for three to five weeks or longer. You want to make sure they are a good fit. The first thing you want to do is ask for referrals from friends, co-workers, remodeling associations, consumer lists and the Better Business Bureau. Make sure the contractor you hire is professional, courteous and skilled. Ask potential contractors…
- Are you licensed and insured (including liability)?
- How long have you been in business?
- Do you have references?
- Will you commit resources to my project on a daily basis?
- Do you have experience in producing this type of project?
You need to know the contractor is licensed and insured for two reasons: one- in case things go awry and two – if someone is hurt on the job. The other questions will help you get a sense of the contractor’s professionalism and if you want to hire him to be in your home for weeks. The best time to ask the questions is before the demolition.
Shop for Materials
Most great prices are on closeouts or discontinued items so make sure you don’t run short. Also, be careful and do you homework on these closeout items because there is probably a reason these were discounted and or discontinued in the first place. It’s nice to have the flexibility with a contractor that allows you find some good buys and save!
Stick To the Plan
A contractor can get out of sync if something changes majorly during the project. The changes could require extra materials and they will need to charge for it. So know that once you open the door, you’ll be opening yourself to extra charges and delays! Also, avoid tweaks to the plan and only make them based on conditions that were not able to be seen until demolition takes place. If the plan is clearly laid out and can be visualized, there should be no reason to “tweak” anything.
Going Green Does Not Need to Break the Bank
It does not take too much to upgrade to more green products in the bathroom remodel. How will you as a consumer know the difference between green wash and just plain old green? You might want to work with a contractor who is experienced in going green. An experienced green builder might know the best places to find deals on quality green products. They might also know the ins and outs of installing new technologies, like passive solar water heating which might take less specialized contractor more trial and error to figure out. Tile is a green choice, as is choosing natural linoleum over vinyl flooring. But what is the best green decision you can make? Plan for the long term and build something that is going to last for a long time, not something that will have to be replaced in a few years.
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Contact us (859) 331-8100 today!
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About W.Stephens Cabinetry & Design
1-Source Turnkey Planning and Design Services
W.Stephens Cabinetry and Design provides planning and design services for the entire home including kitchens, bathrooms, wet bars, butler pantries, libraries, home theaters, and closets. Our designers follow a project from conception to completion, assisting clients in not only space-planning and design but also guiding clients through each step of the project.
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- Initial Client Consultation – The design process begins with a consultation at our show room or in your home to obtain the necessary information needed to design your dream kitchen, bath, or space.
- Design – We carefully design the space, keeping your desires as the foundation of our creativity.
- Feedback / Design Approval – Working with you, using your feedback to get final Design approval.
- Installation Meeting – We meet with the installers, prior to installation to go over ALL the details.
- Post Installation Follow-up – We follow-up with you to make sure everything went well during installation.
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