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