You have decided to remodel your bathroom, but need to set a budget. Before you can do this, you will need to have some expectation of what an average remodel costs. For the do it yourselfer, you can save a lot in labor costs alone. But it depends on your experience too. There are some elements to remodeling that are simple, and there are some that require skilled trades. This article provides some average costs for the major items involved in a typical bathroom remodel.
Cabinetry This can vary widely. For low end, paint grade unfinished cabinets, you can spend an average of $75/linear ft, to the upper end of $250/linear foot with an additional $100/foot to finish.
Plumbing The average price of the plumbing will depend on how much work is involved. Do you plan to just install new fixtures, or will you need to move the toilet or shower from the existing location? If you are just changing fixtures, you can expect to spend an average of $600; if you need to make major plumbing changes, you could spend up to $2,600. Adding a Jacuzzi tub can add at least $1,000 to the budget.
Mirrors Budget $200-$500 for mirrors. Mirrors can be as simple as standard size mirrors with no framing to custom cut mirrors from a glass shop or decorative mirrors that match your design.
Lighting & Electrical Changing out light fixtures can start at an average of $100 and up; to change the layout of the existing lighting, adding recessed can lights and installing quiet exhaust fans can cost up to $1,500.
Flooring The average floor labor install can cost between $4-$6/square ft, and the material can cost $2-$20/square ft. Most bathrooms have tiled floor, but concrete, vinyl and wood are also alternatives.
Shower An average one piece surround shower will cost $400; if you plan to add a tile shower, you can expect the averages to be similar to the flooring averages outlined above. This will be highly dependant on the material you choose. Adding a frameless shower door can average $1,000.
Drywall/Paint For simple textured walls, an average budget is $600, while an artistic or plaster finish can cost up to $2,500.
Countertops A prefabricated cultured marble top with integrated sink can cost $100. A natural stone top, such as granite or marble can cost an average of $65/square ft, which includes material, fabrication and installation.
Accessories Accessories include towel bars, toilet paper holders and hooks. A good budget amount is $100-$500 depending on the finish. Simple chrome fixtures are at the lower end; oil rubbed bronze is considered higher end.
Labor costs will be the biggest factor to consider, and is dependent on your labor market. Before starting any remodel project, make a list of all planned changes, and prepare a detailed budget for each item. It is easy to go over budget on any remodel project.
Have you taken a good long look at your bathroom lately? What condition is it in? If you were to try to sell your home today, what would prospective buyers think about it? The condition of your bathroom can seriously affect the resale value of your home. It's true the bathroom is not the focal point of the home, but the condition it is in and how "dated" it appears will affect the home's overall appeal. And in some cases, it could even be the deciding factor on whether or not to make an offer on the home. So if you want to keep your home at peak resale value, you need to keep your bathroom modern and make the necessary renovations.
But Why the Bathroom?
Many people don't see the value of remodeling the bathroom when other, more visual parts of the home could be renovated first. This is a valid point; however, the bathroom is normally the most outdated part of the home because of that exact reason ? it's not a highly-visible part of the home. You're not forced to look at it every minute of the day like the living room or kitchen, so it's easy to disregard the bathroom when it comes time to remodel (especially when you're on a tight remodeling budget). As a result, the bathroom endures years of neglect and before you know it, every time you step into the bathroom, it's like stepping through a time warp. This may become a novelty for you and your family, but when it comes time to sell your home, your once "quaint" avocado green bathroom with the outdated wallpaper and linoleum can quickly become an albatross around your home's neck.
That's why the bathroom needs to be updated and remodeled in accordance with the overall style of your home. Even if you haven't renovated your home in many years, remodeling your bathroom can give your home the edge it needs to be the hot property on the block.
What to Consider When Remodeling the Bathroom
The reason a newly remodeled bathroom can positively affect the resale value of the home is because of the luxuries a bathroom can contain. Every master bathroom has a bath tub/shower, toilet, and sink. But not all bathrooms have a whirlpool tub, elegant bathroom mirrors, and an under-lit vessel sink resting gracefully on the latest designed vanity. A stylish, well-designed bathroom can make a huge impression on prospective home buyers and even be the deciding factor when choosing between two homes. Who knows, after remodeling your bathroom and installing that whirlpool tub, recessed lighting, under-lit vessel sink, and sleek bathroom vanity, you might not want to sell your home after all.
If you're thinking about renovating or updating your bathroom and want the latest bathroom designs and styles available, check out Modern Bathroom's wide selection of bathroom vanities, sinks, faucets, mirrors, and more.
For more information, visit http://www.modernbathroom.com
Both Julia Ritzenthaler & Frank Johnson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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