A bathroom is one of the places in your home that you can update and be guaranteed a good return on the money you spent. A bathroom remodel is the second most desired upgrades that home buyers look for. You will increase your home’s equity by following some simple steps to renovate a bathroom inexpensively.
Draw out a plan or dream for your bathroom that will best suit your needs.
1. You can save money by completing most of the work yourself. The largest amount of money people spend goes towards labour more than materials. If you can do the work yourself, you would be amazed at how much money you would save. If you are not a handy person, know when to hire. Knowing how to avoid the pipes and electrical wiring when demolishing your bathroom is important to avoid accidents and damages that could add to the cost later. Also, if you do not know how to measure accurately for things to fit properly , do not want all the leg work of shopping around for needed supplies, do not know how to do the plumbing and electrical, hire an expert. You may pay but you will be sure that the work will be done correctly. You will save more in the long run if you have been diligent in checking out references and the Better Business Bureau. Get everything in writing. Make sure they do not subcontract so you know who you are actually dealing with.
3. If you are doing the job yourself you can buy materials directly and shop around for best prices. Remember if you will be tiling, you must purchase a little bit of extra tiles for future repairs, especially if you are buying styles that could be discontinued someday. Discontinued tiles are priced lower since they will no longer be available; just make sure to buy an extra box or two for future needs.
4. Paint your bathroom walls a neutral color, add some accessories such as white fluffy towels, change out cabinetry knobs, towel racks ect; Re-use existing cabinets, toilets, bathtubs and shower doors if they are still in good condition. You can refurbish or refinish them to make them look good again. Do not buy a new mirror if your existing one still works, you can frame it to make it look attractive.
5. Go to yard sales, check out road side Spring clean up events, check online deals through e-bay or Kijiji websites to locate pieces that you can use for your bathroom renovation. For example, claw foot tubs are inexpensive when you buy them at yard sales as opposed to going to antique dealers or to a store that has already restored them. You can also use an old dresser or chest of drawers that you can turn into a sink by drilling holes for your fixtures and plumbing. They would look better than those manufactured cabinets you see at home improvement stores.