Your bathroom needed an update — yesterday. One more look at the avocado sink and the water damage on your ceiling has you ready to swing your sledgehammer.
As satisfying as that might be, stop.
Before you jump into such a drastic change, you have a few things to take care of first. Here are five chores you need to do to ensure your bathroom upgrade goes off without a hitch.
1. Look for Inspiration
Jump online to see what other people have done with their bathrooms and save the colors, layouts, and trends that you like the most. Pick images that resonate with you and save them to a folder or print them out on a physical vision board. Visual references will help you articulate your ideas to professionals and streamline decision-making.
2. Set a Realistic Budget
Once you know what you want to achieve, you should start thinking about your budget. Review your finances to understand how much extra cash and savings you have.
Next, go online to get an idea of what the average bathroom reno will cost, tweaking your estimates to reflect the complexity of your plan. Your spending estimates should include labor, materials, and permits.
3. Create a Cash Cushion
Your budget establishes a spending plan for your reno. Unfortunately, many bathroom projects go off script very quickly.
You may not realize you have a leak or mold problem until you start tearing down your shower or removing your sink vanity. Unfortunately, you can ignore these issues. You have to deal with them, even if repairs put you over budget.
That’s why many renovation experts recommend adding an extra 15% to your estimated budget. This gives you some extra cash to deal with problems you can’t foresee.
4. Safeguard Your Credit Score
Ideally, your cash cushion will provide enough money to help you in a tight spot. However, some unexpected issues can cost more than this cushion provides.
Many homeowners rely on personal loans and lines of credit as a safety net to their savings, just in case. With this in mind, you should know these 15 things that may harm your credit score. Avoiding these bad habits may help you apply for a personal loan or line of credit in an emergency.
5. Compare Home Professionals
The average DIY-er can handle a minor bathroom facelift that involves putting down peel-and-stick tiles and painting the walls. But when it comes to more complicated changes, like installing a clawfoot soaker tub, you need to involve the professionals. They know how to change the layout of your bathroom and install plumbing in ways that are safe and to code.
Before you invite a professional to handle your renovation, you should research and compare local candidates. Look at professionals with experience in the work you want to achieve and take a deep dive into their reputation.
- Read reviews left by previous clients.
- Check they have the appropriate license and business insurance.
- Ask for customer referrals and references.
- Get your top picks to come out and provide a quote for the work.
- Keep in mind how these professionals communicate with you.
Starting a bathroom renovation can be an exciting yet complicated journey. Follow these tips to help you avoid the common pitfalls of this adventure.