A bathroom remodel isn’t cheap. According to HomeAdvisor, on average, you’d need $10,911 to remodel your bathroom. For high-end homes, the figure goes up to $25,000. Fortunately, there are ways to ‘revive’ your bathroom without going over budget.
Avoid flushing away your hard-earned savings with these cost-saving tips:
#1 Hire a Professional Contractor
Homeowners often refrain from hiring a contractor since it’s a “waste of money”. After all, how hard can it be to rebuild a bathroom by yourself, right? Wrong. Remodeling a bathroom by yourself isn’t that easy. By hiring a contractor, you can avoid making costly mistakes so you don’t have to redo everything in the event that things don’t go as planned. And since you likely don’t have experience in construction, you can count on your contractor’s expertise to figure out a design that fits your budget.
If you’re worried about the cost, you’ll want to partner with a property management company. They’ll have a network of vetted vendors that can provide their services at a competitive (aka cheaper) price.
#2 Don’t Enlarge the Room
Is your bathroom too small? You’ll have to be creative with the space because enlarging the room can be very costly. Making the bathroom bigger involves replacing the plumbing system, which would set you back at least $5,300. Changing the position of the toilet costs $2,500 alone. Hence, don’t alter the bathroom’s dimensions unless you really need to. For instance, a valid reason could be because you need to maneuver a wheelchair, or that you need to add a bathtub for your baby. Find out whether the advantages outweigh the financial burden that comes with changing the bathroom’s layout.
#3 Add a Frame to the Mirror
Are the edges of your mirror starting to look flaky? A low-budget way to conceal it is by framing it with a fancy frame. It costs significantly less compared to purchasing a mirror that costs around $110 to $240 to install. That way, you don’t need to waste your money on a “modern” mirror — you know, the ones that are backlit. Save by enveloping your “boring”, builder-grade mirror in a decorative frame.
#4 Replace the Toilet Seat
Do you need to replace your toilet, or is the real issue the toilet seat? As a South Florida property management company that’s been in the industry for several years, we’ve seen it all. We also couldn’t help noticing that the common problem in the bathroom is the toilet seat. Often, replacing the toilet seat is all it takes to give it an upgraded look without breaking the bank. So, instead of installing a new unit, invest in a toilet seat to save thousands of dollars. Then, hire a house cleaning service to give your toilet a long-overdue scrub-down, making it look brand-new.
#5 Shop Around
The prices of parts vary by vendor. With that said, you should always “window shop” when it comes to sourcing components, furnishings, and so on. For instance, if you find a toilet that you like, check local toilet stores and websites like Craigslist. Who knows? Maybe someone bought that toilet but didn’t like how it looked, so now they’re trying to get rid of it. In addition, if you’re shopping online, don’t forget to factor in the cost of shipping. If possible, pick up the items in-store or ask for a discount if you’re buying in bulk.
Don’t make the mistake of taking flea markets for granted, too. Although the items you’ll get from garage sales, auctions, etc. are second-hand, you can refinish them to fit your bathroom’s aesthetic.
#6 Look for Tile Alternatives
Should bathrooms be tiled? Not all the time. While tiles look sleeker, retiling a bathroom can be costly — be prepared to spend about $12.50 per square foot. Fortunately, tiles aren’t the only option. You can “beautify” your bathroom from floor to ceiling by opting for wood boards, beadboards, and so on. Unlike tiles that result in a “clinical” look, wood is warmer, making your bathroom look like a sanctuary.
#7 Open Up the Cabinets
People prefer to have closed bathroom cabinets because they want to hide their private items, but what this does is make the room look tinier than it is. By opening up the cabinets, the room can feel lighter and larger. If you’re concerned about the clutter, buy big wicker baskets to hide your towels, toiletries, washes, and so on. Besides, investing in a shelf costs a lot less than building a closed cabinet.
#8 Get Good Lighting
Chances are that your bathroom’s biggest problem is its lighting. Homeowners tend to forget that good lighting can drastically change a room’s aesthetic. If your bathroom’s lighting has a blueish tint, it’s obviously going to give a clinical vibe. Similarly, if the bathroom is poorly lit, it’ll look like a motel bathroom — yikes. On the other hand, if you go for warm lighting, your bathroom will feel comfortable and not to mention classy.
#9 Buy a Prefabricated Shower or Tub
Don’t build — buy. Building a shower is extremely expensive, so you should consider buying a prefabricated or preformed shower stall instead. This is because you no longer need to hire tile setters, which can cost you around $16 to $27 each hour. A one-piece shower is far more affordable and can be installed in no time, whereas a tiled shower takes a week to build.
Keep in mind, however, that if you’re living in an apartment, the prefabricated shower probably won’t be able to fit into the hallway. You can ask your property management company to double-check for you.
#10 Add a Pop of Color With Paint
One of the cheapest (and easiest) ways to dress up your bathroom is by painting one wall to essentially create a “statement wall”. Choose a color that fits the aesthetic you’re going for. If you’re going for a modern look, colors like dark green and black are great options. Don’t paint all of the walls, otherwise, your bathroom will be boring.
Plan Your Bathroom Remodel With the Pros
Sprucing up your bathroom soon? Plan it with Luxury Property Care. As a top-rated property management company, we’re here to oversee your bathroom renovation and make sure that the work exceeds your expectations. Aside from offering contractor waiting services, we also provide a wide range of property management services, which covers coordinating with vendors, sourcing suppliers, and so on.
For more information, call us at (561) 944 – 2992 or contact us online.
