Bathroom Renovation Oversights Mean Bigger Bills
Renovating a bathroom can completely change the feel of a home, but it needs to be done the right way. Otherwise, you might encounter some unexpected (and very expensive) challenges.
- Renovations aren’t done in a vacuum
If you’re thinking about renovating your bathroom, make sure you have a strong plan before you start. Renovations work best when they complement each other, so don’t retile your floor only to realize you need to break it apart to add new plumbing later.
- It’s easy to lose focus
Most people think about the big-ticket items when planning a renovation, like a new shower. However, stay focused on the small things, too, so you get a functional, beautiful end result.
- Renovation mistakes can be costly
If you don’t have a good plan in place for your bathroom renovation, you might end up with mistakes that are expensive to fix, both now and years later. In fact, you may need to redo the entire project!
If you live in East Greenville, you know all about the beautiful aesthetic of this region. From the Museum of Art to the picturesque gardens by the river, beauty is at the forefront of our architecture. That’s why Mr. Handyman has been helping so many people to revitalize their own homes, creating sleek and modern spaces or cozy, naturalistic rooms. For many homeowners, bathroom renovations are some of the most appealing options for upgrading a house, and our team can help you achieve your vision, too! Reach out if you need some expert help with renovating your bathroom.
Of course, breathing new life into a bathroom comes with its fair share of challenges. When homeowners try to tackle this project alone, or when they use companies that don’t do this type of task for a living, they can make mistakes that cause big problems later. Understanding these common pitfalls helps to ensure your remodel goes off without a hitch.
Don’t Make These 5 Bathroom Renovation Mistakes!
Renovating a bathroom isn’t easy, and it’s definitely not something you should do on your own. Mr. Handyman offers affordable bathroom remodels in East Greenville, SC, and part of our commitment to quality is helping you avoid expensive oversights that can derail your project and cost you much more than you planned.
The most common mistakes we see people make when remodeling their bathroom are:
Poor Layout Planning
You might have a vision for all the features you want in your bathroom: beautiful sliding shower doors, swing-out mirrors with storage inside, a spacious bathtub, and more. However, have you laid all this out on paper?
Inadequate space planning can result in cramped, inefficient, or dysfunctional bathrooms. Your doors might swing awkwardly close to other objects or prevent you from getting through entirely. Fixtures might not be placed in the right location relative to other devices that need them, or you might not have enough space for all of the things you planned for (but you find that out after you’ve already bought all the items!).
A bathroom remodel on a budget doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have everything you want. It does, however, mean that you need to spend sufficient time in the planning stage before rushing into the more exciting building phase.
Underestimating the Budget
Determining an accurate budget before the project starts is essential. Figure out the absolute maximum you can spend within your comfort zone, then create a project that costs slightly less. This can account for unexpected changes, such as discovering damage that needs to be repaired in the process of renovating.
Don’t forget that there are many costs you might not have considered! Homeowners often overlook hidden costs such as permits, labor, and unexpected material expenses, leading to budget overruns and financial stress.
That’s why it’s important to choose a team like Mr. Handyman that offers transparent pricing so you know what to expect. You won’t be taken by surprise when your formerly affordable bathroom remodel has suddenly skyrocketed well out of your price range.
Ignoring Proper Ventilation
Your bathroom renovation is all about the improved aesthetic and luxurious functional items, right? As you think about those, don’t forget to account for all of the seemingly hidden but essential elements that keep this serene space running smoothly and safely.
For example, your bathroom vent fan has a much more important job than you might have given it credit for! Fans pull moist, humid air out of the room after a shower and route it out of the home. Neglecting ventilation can lead to moisture buildup, mold, and long-term damage, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix later.
Sure, you can save a little money now by not worrying about the fans during a renovation. However, properly sized exhaust fans that vent outside are essential if you don’t want to pay the price later. Some damage to the home’s structure from moisture is irreversible!
Choosing the Wrong Materials
It is entirely valid to create a bathroom that fits your specific aesthetic, even if it isn’t the most popular color or material. However, make sure you select materials that are actually suited for a moist environment. Choosing materials based on looks alone without considering moisture resistance can result in warping, mold, and deterioration. You’ll be paying to replace those elements in no time, and they can cause structural damage because they’re not keeping out moisture like they should.
Paint is a common culprit here. Make sure to choose a waterproof paint for showers, not one for home exteriors or something for interior walls. Yes, you might like the color of a specific paint you found or want to match the rest of your home’s walls. Just be sure to do that with shower-safe paint. If you’re not sure how, your handyman team can help you!
Overlooking Storage Needs
A beautiful bathroom quickly becomes a nuisance if you don’t have anything you need inside of it. Stacking shampoo bottles precariously on the edge of the shower is inconvenient, and it can also be a hazard. Insufficient storage planning leads to clutter, and clutter takes away from the pristine space you’ve just created!
Incorporating cabinetry, shelving, and recessed storage enhances both organization and aesthetics. Mirrors with a storage area inside can be a real bathroom space saver! Consider making your sink double as a cabinet underneath or adding shelving inside the shower, built right into the tile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to remodel the entire bathroom at once?
No, a bathroom remodel doesn’t necessarily need to be completed all at once. However, it’s smart to tackle related tasks at the same time. You don’t want to complete a beautiful new renovation just to find out you have to tear out some of it when you tackle a later project in the same area.
Can a handyman do every part of a bathroom remodel?
It depends on the handyman! Some companies focus on only one task, but highly skilled handymen rely on the expertise of team members who understand everything from drywall repair to painting, tiling, and more. This is much more convenient, as it means you’re juggling fewer teams, and it also tends to produce a better end product, since one team is responsible for the whole vision with no miscommunication between multiple companies.
Is the ROI on a bathroom remodel worth it if you are selling your house?
The ROI on a bathroom remodel can be anywhere from about 50% to around 107%; it all just depends on what you change, whether it’s in style, and how high-quality the workmanship is. However, don’t get hung up on getting the most out of every dollar. It’s equally important to create something you love to use, even if it’s not the trendiest thing on the market right now.
