The task of bathroom remodeling can take a toll on homeowners considering the five-figure cost attached with it. Sometimes, unexpected expenses like wall leakage can further add to the burden. It may seem unlikely, but an attractive yet affordable bathroom remodel is attainable. All you need to do is think outside the box, look for smart choices, and opt for economic alternatives. Here are some ideas to chop down the cost of bathroom remodeling.
Plan in advance
Before diving straight in, get a clear idea of what you want your new bathroom to look like and how you can fix it. For instance, you may not want the commode to be the first thing they see when entering the bathroom. Make a list of things you want your bathroom to have and then categorize them into must-haves and nice-to-haves. This will help you prioritize your expenses. Planning is the foremost step to any bathroom remodeling project. Changing the entire plan halfway may burn a hole in your pocket. Don’t forget the extra time and money you will have to spend buying new material. Hired contractors may charge extra for the redo work; it wastes time, money, and effort. While planning your bathroom remodeling, spend time comparing elements like plumbing fixtures and tiles. This way, you know where to start and what each item may approximately cost.
Retain the footprint
Dismantling and moving your entire bathroom to a different part of the house is a costly task. Moving toilet discharge pipes, sewer, and plumbing pipes are not cheap. You may also have to get a building permit, which may be time-consuming. Hence, move the bathroom only if necessary. You can resize or alter the layout during the remodeling. But make sure you calculate your finances before taking this step. There are plenty of ways to change the look of a bathroom without altering the footprint. Consider changing fixtures, walls, flooring, and paint. Choose a light color wall and a clear glass door to make a small bathroom look bigger.
Refurbish bathroom accessories
Instead of replacing the entire accessory, you can refurbish them to save cost. You can salvage an old bathtub by having it cleaned professionally. Consider investing in a DIY tub-refurnishing kit to fix surface damage to cast iron, fiberglass, or porcelain tubs. Change the look of your sink by replacing the faucet. To give your shower enclosure a fresher look, clean the tile and group thoroughly. Patch and repair dented or cracked spots by buying a repair kit. It may be wise to replace only the toilet seat and lid rather than the entire toilet to make it look new. Alter the look of the walls by simply repainting them. Install laminate shower wall panels that offer a lifetime guarantee if you have a tiled wall that you want to change. Place corner shelves instead of recessed tile niches to save money. You can refurbish tile floors by cleaning them or replacing the grout.
Consider using cheap materials
It is essential to understand that cheap material does not necessarily mean inferior quality. When refurbishing is not possible, it is best to replace accessories with cost-effective material to save money. It is suggested to splurge on one or two high-impact items like clawfoot tubs and buy cheaper alternatives for everything else. Consider installing tiles in a bathroom in places that get wet regularly. For the rest of the area, painted drywall is the cheapest replacement. Laminate and vinyl are the most affordable flooring options. Install fiberglass or acrylic panels for shower walls that can’t be refurbished to keep the cost low. The most cost-effective type of bathroom storage is open shelves. If you want to keep your supplies in a closed cabinet, invest in a stock cabinet rather than a custom-made one. Laminate or thermofoil is the cheapest for cabinet material, but it may warp with time. Choose pine, maple, oak, or alder wood.
Look for bargains
A great way to save costs on remodeling your bathroom is to shop secondhand. This will not be easy, as you may need to research and find out which places have the stuff you want. You can visit a reuse center if you have one in your area and see if you find anything there. Browse the internet for the material you need and check out different sites for the best price. Go to a flea market, yard sale, or antique store to find vintage items at low prices. Ask for a volume discount if you are buying many items from one place. If you have time, wait for the holiday season, as many retail outlets have huge sales. Additionally, check out websites that show you compared prices between two brands or models to cut costs.
