A bathroom remodel is something that can make your home immediately more livable. The good news is that it does not have to cost an arm and a leg. Continue reading to find out how to keep the cost of a small bathroom remodeling job under control.
Have a Sensible Plan And Stick To it
Your first decision should be about how much you want to spend on the bathroom remodel. That will to a large extent determine what can be done and what can’t. Discuss your plans with the remodeling contractor. He or she will be able to give you valuable advice about what is feasible and what isn’t. Once you’re on the same page regarding what should be done and how much it will cost, the likelihood of the cost spiraling out of control becomes much smaller.
Try To Leave The Plumbing And Electrical Wiring Unchanged
This is our number two cost-saving rule for a good reason. The moment you decide to rearrange the pipes, costs will escalate dramatically - and sometimes completely unnecessarily. This is because labor is no longer cheap and this type of job comes with significant installation costs. Try to use your current plumbing and do not drastically change the layout of the bathroom.
The same applies to your current bathroom’s electrical wiring. If it is still safe and it meets all your requirements, let it remain in place. If something has to be changed, only do what is necessary to meet new electrical code standards.
Remember That Tiling Can Be Very Expensive
It’s very seldom that one really needs to cover every inch of your bathroom with expensive tiles. Tiling only part of the room can save a lot of money - and so can reaching a compromise between your love for real Italian marble tiles and your bank account. Ceramic tiles are typically significantly cheaper and you can still have that upmarket look you like so much.
The same principles can (and should) also be followed when choosing the rest of the materials for your new bathroom.
Have a Standard-Type Toilet Installed
It’s always a good idea to replace your old toilet with one that can save a lot of water when the bathroom is upgraded. But a new toilet with all the latest features can cost a surprising amount of money - plus, if something goes wrong in the future, it will cost more to fix than a sturdy old water guzzler.
Unless you or someone in your household needs a toilet with specific extra features, choosing a simple, well-designed toilet that can offer strong flushing performance while using less water than your current one is a great option.
Get Rid Of The Bathtub
We get it, a bathroom without a bathtub is a drastic step. But unless you are addicted to long, hot soaks you could save a lot of money by ditching the bathtub altogether. Many people are nowadays opting for a shower only. Not only does this reduce the initial cost of upgrading your bathroom, but it also reduces the long-term running and maintenance costs.
Have a Prefabricated Shower Installed
Tearing out your old shower and having it replaced with a new one can easily be one of the most costly bathroom upgrades you ever make. Luckily there is another option that will cost much less. What we are talking about here is a pre-manufactured 1-piece shower stall instead of a tiled shower. In the first place, you will not have to pay for the labor of a tile setter. And secondly, it is possible to install a shower stall in a matter of hours, while a fully-tiled conventional shower will take several days to complete.
Sources:
https://www.thespruce.com/save-money-on-bathroom-renovation-1821369