| Designing and planning your bathroom remodel | | | | - Towel bars, toilet paper holder |
| project is one of the most important steps of the | | | | - Again, the finish you select will impact the cost |
| bathroom remodeling process. Planning your bathroom | | | | * Lights - $200 |
| remodel is not as easy as going to the local home | | | | - Be sure to have adequate lighting in your bathroom; |
| improvement store, buying some tile, a new vanity, | | | | the bathroom is where you begin and end each day. |
| and some new fixtures, and going home to start | | | | - Use more than one light for the services of the |
| tearing your bathroom apart. If you try this | | | | bathroom such as vanity, mirror, and the shower |
| approach, you will quickly realize that it is not an | | | | space. |
| effective or productive approach. | | | | * Primer, paint, accessories - $125 |
| A very important component of the bathroom | | | | - To help with lighting in the bathroom, I suggest |
| remodeling project is establishing your budget for | | | | using a subtle color for the walls to help reflect the |
| your project.. To provide you with a starting point, I | | | | light. |
| detailed the basic material costs for a bathroom | | | | * Construction Materials - $10 a square foot, this is a |
| remodel. Please realize that these costs are general | | | | good starting point. |
| estimates for a basic bathroom remodel to guide you | | | | - Construction materials include tile backer, thin set, |
| when establishing your budget. | | | | screws, drywall, joint compound, and etc. |
| * Permits - I budget around 10% of the total | | | | - If you have a 5 foot by 8 foot bathroom, you |
| construction costs for permits fees. | | | | have 40 square feet. I would budget $400 for |
| * Tile - $7 to $15 a square foot | | | | materials. |
| - The cost for tile varies by the amount of tile | | | | * Dumpster - $300 |
| needed and type of tile chosen | | | | * Plumbing - $1,000 |
| - For more information on tile, please refer to the | | | | - Disconnect the sink, faucet, toilet, bathtub, and |
| previous articles that I recently wrote | | | | shower valve |
| - Along with the tile you will also need grout and tile | | | | - Install a new sink, faucet, shower valve, toilet, and |
| sealer | | | | bathtub |
| - In-floor heat $14.00 a square foot. | | | | - Install new shut off valves for sink and toilet |
| * Bathtub - $500.00 | | | | * Electrical - $800 |
| - This is the average cost for a 60" long by 30" wide | | | | - Inspect bathroom for a dedicated circuit to comply |
| bathtub; 60" long bathtubs usually range in width | | | | with current electrical code |
| from 30" to 36" and in height from 14" to 18" | | | | - Update electrical, install new outlets and lights |
| - Soaker tubs start at $1,000 | | | | - Connect in-floor heat |
| - Whirlpool tubs start at $1,500 | | | | - Install bath fan switch |
| * Vanity - a good estimate is $125 per linear foot for | | | | - Remove and replace vanity light |
| the vanity | | | | It is important to stay within your overall budget. |
| - This amount is for a semi custom made vanity of | | | | Once you have a budget established for the items |
| Maple, Cherry, or Oak, with soft close drawers | | | | that are needed, it is time to decide who is going to |
| * Vanity top | | | | complete the work. Undertaking a bathroom remodel |
| - Cultured marble - staring at $80 a square foot | | | | can be a time consuming and stressful situation if you |
| - Granite - starting at $90 a square foot | | | | decide to complete the remodel on your own. Some |
| - Cambria - staring at $90 a square foot | | | | questions you need ask yourself before attempting a |
| * Sink - A good starting estimate is $200 | | | | remodel on your own include: |
| - Depending on the vanity top that you select, you | | | | * Do you have the time to complete the remodel? |
| may need to purchase a separate sink. Cultured | | | | A bathroom cannot be properly remodeled in one |
| marble vanity tops have the sink molded in the top | | | | weekend. As a contractor, I suggest that you |
| as one unit. | | | | develop a remodeling timeline, and then add extra |
| * Bathtub and shower Faucet - $350 | | | | days. Some unforeseen problems will occur. To save |
| - The finish you select for your faucet will impact | | | | yourself unneeded stress during the remodeling |
| your cost; a chrome finish is generally less expensive | | | | project, pad your timeline by a minimum of a few |
| while brushed nickel and oil rubbed bronze cost more. | | | | days. |
| * Vanity Faucet - $150 | | | | * Do you have the necessary tools to complete the |
| - The finish you select for your faucet will impact | | | | remodel? |
| your cost; a chrome finish is generally less expensive | | | | Whether completing the remodel yourself or choosing |
| while brushed nickel and oil rubbed bronze cost more. | | | | to work with a contractor this information should be |
| * Mirror - $200 | | | | helpful in deciding what you would like to spend on |
| * Bathroom Accessories - $200 | | | | your remodel and what you expect for your money. |