Is your bathroom up for renovation soon? Perhaps you’re selling your home and have heard that a bathroom renovation can help improve its value. Or perhaps, you simply want to give your bathroom a fresh, updated look. Regardless of your reason, one of the first things you need to do is set a budget for the project.
As in any other home improvement endeavor, the budget you’ll need depends on how extensive the renovations will be. The average price for a bathroom remodeling in Atlanta is around $10,000. But the cost can go well beyond that if you’re looking for something truly luxurious. On the other end of the scale, with the right planning, you can have a nicely spruced up bathroom for only around $4,000.
To help you in coming up with the right budget, consider these tips.
1. Determine the scope of the project
How much change do you want in your bathroom? Are you looking to transform it into a luxurious retreat, complete with a new shower room, a floating tub, or perhaps a spa or a roman bath? Or will it be a simpler makeover where the present layout and structure will not be changed?
In determining the extent of your remodeling project, consider how much it can improve the value of your home. If you live in an upscale area where a luxurious bathroom is the standard, a major upgrade with all the bells and whistles may be necessary. On the other hand, if your bathroom is too fancy for the rest of the house, and buyers are likely not willing to pay a premium for it, then you might not be able to recoup your investment.
2. Work with a contractor you can trust
If you’re planning a mid to high range bathroom renovation, it’s best to hire a general contractor who can oversee the project from start to finish. The GC can help you determine a budget you’re comfortable with by giving you options in design, materials, finishes, and other components of the project.
In addition, working with a general contractor can make the entire process easier for you. They can provide all the labor and materials, as well as hire any needed subcontractors. You and the GC will be bound by an agreed timeline and scope of work, which can help you in sticking to your budget.
Unless you have the right skills and knowhow, it’s best to avoid the DIY route. It’s easy for amateurs to make mistakes that could even be more expensive to correct. A DIY project is best confined to simple makeovers, such as putting in a new sink that fits your existing frame, changing drawer knobs, refacing the cabinets, and updating the shower head.
3. Add an allowance
It’s almost certain that you’ll spend more than you planned on your bathroom remodel. Unfortunately, this is true for most home improvement projects. In the thick of the work, you could change your mind about the tiles or lighting fixtures to use. Or the contractor might find hidden damages when they tear up the floor, or that some of the existing features you thought were fine actually need to be replaced. It’s best to prepare for such unexpected events and add an allowance of around 10% to 20% to your planned budget.
Budgeting a bathroom renovation is not a simple task. But with diligent research, careful planning, and the right contractor by your side, you can have an updated bathroom that feels like new without burning a big hole in your pocket.
Sources:
Budgeting for a Bathroom Remodel, HGTV.com
Budgeting a Bathroom Renovation, DIYNetwork.com