According to remodelling magazine, the average bathroom remodel costs around $18,546. This is for a remodel that includes replacing bathroom fixtures, flooring and lighting.
But it isn’t necessarily the cost of the bathroom remodel that leads to financial burnout. It is the unexpected costs incurred when the project runs over budget, hits unforeseen problems, or suffers delays. These are the snags that lead to financial burnout as they cause the project costs to increase beyond what was initially expected, often involving funds that were not set aside for bathroom remodelling.
Therefore, when it comes to bathroom remodeling, it pays to take steps to prevent unforeseen budget increases. Here are four ways to help keep your bathroom remodelling project within budget.
Don’t Change the Layout
Changing the location of the shower and the toilet will involve significant plumbing modifications. This is one area where problems can arise, driving costs up and causing the project to spill over budget.
By keeping the same basic layout of the bathroom, and keeping the shower, toilet and sink in the same place, you can save significantly on plumbing costs and keep the project within the prearranged budgetary boundaries.
Limit Your Tiling
Laying tiling quickly adds to the cost of the project. By limiting your use of tile, by only using it on the floor, for example, you can bring the costs of the project down.
If you have your heart set on using tiling across the floor and the walls, there are other ways of reducing the costs. Many contractors use artistic, high-end tiles alongside cheaper tiling to bring the costs down.
Do Some of the Work Yourself
While nobody expects you to don a hard-hat and set about on complicated plumbing jobs, there are some aspects of your remodel you will likely be able to undertake yourself, incurring huge savings.
Applying a lick of paint, putting up a shelf, or taking out old fixtures and fittings yourself are all simple but time-consuming tasks. Doing these yourself could bring the project back within budget.
Save on Countertops
Granite countertops may be all the rage at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay over the odds for them. Choose bolder colours. Suppliers often charge more for browns, tans and beige shades as these are the most popular. If you have a striking bathroom design, splurge on a countertop with a striking colour to save money on high-quality counters.
There are also plenty of countertops with slight imperfections that suppliers are looking to offload for a cheaper price. In many cases, the imperfection is so slight that it isn’t noticeable, particularly if it is around the back of the surface or near where the faucets will be. You can shop around and negotiate with suppliers over what you will pay in these circumstances. No doubt you will be able to pick up a bargain.
Adopting these simple money-saving strategies when taking on a bathroom remodel will help you stay within your budget and ensure there are no nasty surprises down the road.