Are you in the middle of planning a bathroom remodel? Before you start spending thousands of dollars on your new bathroom, there are a few things you need to know. Remodeling a bathroom isn’t like putting a new roof on your house – it’s a lot more costly than many people think! But with a little research, a little planning and the right contractor, you can create a room you’ll love for years to come. Here are some of our top recommendations to help make your bathroom remodeling dreams become a reality:
Before you even call a professional for your new bathroom remodel cost estimator, you must first discuss with who will be using the room. Set aside at least 20 percent of your projected budget for unexpected expenses and other surprise costs that you’ll inevitably find during your remodeling endeavor. Consider the people who will use the room when you are preparing a remodel cost estimator. These could include your plumbing contractor, your electrician, your plumber or your general contractor. If you’re not sure who to call in case you have a question about any part or material, it’s always a good idea to get bids from a variety of contractors to get a better sense of who’s going to do the work.
Ask friends and family for suggestions and references if you aren’t planning to hire an established contractor. Don’t be afraid to ask specific questions, such as how long they’ve had their own bathroom renovation or what type of experience they have. Asking friends and family is a great source of opinions, because everyone has their own tastes and experiences. Additionally, there are often other homeowners that you can speak to about the job, which can give you more perspective than just the contractors and general contractors. When you do talk to other homeowners, be sure to check out their recommendations.
It’s also very important to consider your bathroom renovations budget. Many times, bathroom renovations require that you buy new fixtures and bathroom fixtures because they no longer fit or are broken. If this is the case for you, then you may need to save up for these fixtures. Whether you’re replacing your existing shower and bathtub or purchasing new fixtures, your overall remodel costs will change because of your fixtures and materials.
Some common elements of a bathroom remodeling costs include labor, material and per hour charges. Labor is the total amount of time that it takes to complete one bathroom project. This includes the number of employees that will be involved including those on staff at your local Home Depot and those who are working outside your building. Materials include the actual wood or metal that you purchase and the amount of time it takes to install it.
Depending on the type of project, a materials cost could also include installation costs. Installing a bath is much different than installing a floor. A bath fitter will come into your home and install everything you need including the plumbing, wiring and trim. Even though you may save money at the local home depot, you’re probably not going to save as much money doing it yourself. There’s a lot of specialized skill involved in some tasks. The most money that can be saved by doing it yourself is about five hundred dollars.
The final bathroom remodel cost breakdown includes the labor costs for the installation crew. Again, this could include the plumber. You could also save money by hiring a person to install the new faucets instead of hiring a plumber to do it. This depends on whether you want the plumber to come to your home or if he comes to someone else’s home. Most people are fine getting an individual to come to their homes.
You will also need to purchase construction permits. Some states require specific remodeling permits before any work can start. Other states don’t require such permits but many require building permits to be obtained before starting any project. If you don’t have any building permits, purchasing construction permits and the corresponding permits to operate the plumbing, electrical and HVAC equipment will help you save even more money.