Bathroom renovation can be an intimidating process if you don’t know what you’re doing. If you want to make sure your bathroom remodel or renovation is handled safely and effectively, make sure you follow these dos and don’ts when tackling your next bathroom remodeling project.
Do Get a Professional
It may seem like a no-brainer, but turning your bathroom renovations in Murphy TX over to an experienced professional is one of those things that can save you serious headaches down the road. While it’s fine to take on smaller projects yourself (like doing minor repairs or installing faucets), trying to take on bigger jobs could lead to costly mistakes. For example, a DIY bathroom remodeler recently tore through their own home trying to remodel their kitchen sink. If they’d hired a professional plumber in addition to a contractor for renovations, they would have saved themselves hundreds in damages—and wouldn’t have had to clean up under their own sink.
Do Hire an Estimator
Even if you’re fairly certain about what you want to do, it’s a good idea to get an estimate before diving in. Not only will that person be able to share their expertise with you on any financial matters, but they can also provide helpful guidance for your design. A lot of homeowners underestimate just how much time and money it takes to remodel a bathroom—it’s easy to imagine things costing less than they actually do when viewing them online or in catalogues. It might seem daunting, but bringing in an expert will ensure that you aren’t unprepared. Always make sure that your estimator has ample experience doing full bathroom remodeling; no matter how small or large your project is, every bathroom remodel is unique.
Do Know What You Want
Deciding on a bathroom remodeling is overwhelming. It’s important to know what you want before you start so that you don’t end up spending thousands of dollars on things you don’t need, or can do without. If there are specific aspects of your current bathroom that you dislike, like outdated fixtures or low-quality countertops, set a budget for those things before jumping into bathroom renovations in Murphy TX
. You’ll have more say in whether they’re included—or not—once you have a price tag in mind. Knowing what’s out of bounds will also keep your renovation on track and prevent scope creep from getting out of hand.
Do Watch For Hidden Costs
Many bathroom remodels go over budget because people forget about hidden costs. From permits to plumbing changes, a simple remodel can quickly turn into a complicated project. Make sure you budget for all possible expenses—in addition to your design—before beginning any work. Or at least talk with local contractors about how much it’ll cost so you have an idea of what to expect before you get started. Most bathroom remodels are done in phases, but that doesn’t mean they should be done one piece at a time.
In fact, leaving small details undone or half-finished will make you feel like your bathroom is incomplete until everything is finished. Instead, make sure to complete one area of your bathroom (such as tiling) before moving on to another area (like installing cabinets). This way, when you walk into your bathroom every day you’ll see progress and feel motivated by seeing results sooner rather than later.
Do Get Proper Insurance
It may seem expensive at first, but having good insurance will make sure that you’re covered in case something goes wrong with your bathroom remodeling. If your contractor says you don’t need to purchase a policy, tell them it’s not their decision to make. Look for contractors who are fully insured as well—this isn’t required by law, but it does show that they have faith in their own work. You can often ask neighbors or friends who they recommend when looking for an experienced contractor if you want to do a little more research into their qualifications.
Don’t Overlook the Little Things
From choosing a new bathtub to redoing your cabinets, there are a lot of things that fall under bathroom remodeling. Even little changes, such as adding new tiles or changing out your lighting fixtures, can have huge effects on both your daily experience and how you feel about your space. In fact, if you’re investing in any bathroom renovations in Murphy TX—even small ones—it’s important to consider all aspects of them (including aesthetics). This will ensure that you really do get what you want out of your bathroom remodel. The best way to achieve that is by doing some research on bathroom design trends ahead of time.
Do Use Your Contractor’s Recommendations
If you have a good bathroom remodel contractor, there’s a reason he or she is recommended over others. They have what it takes to succeed in your bathroom renovation needs, so take their advice. This can include understanding some changes will be included that are not covered in your proposal because they weren’t discussed during initial meetings. Listen to them when they recommend certain changes — such as fixtures that may look great but will prove too complex to actually get installed properly by your plumber.
Do Consider Finishing Touches Yourself
One thing to note when working with bathroom remodelers is that you might find it cheaper to handle certain finishing touches yourself, especially if you’re more skilled with a specific craft. Some examples include crown molding, mirrors, and light fixtures. And while these aren’t super pricey additions—crown molding on its own can run $60 or $70 per linear foot—they can significantly add up in terms of cost. You also might be able to negotiate a better price from your contractor if you provide him or her with all materials. On top of all that, installing them yourself lets you call a whole bunch of shots about what exactly is included in your new bathroom remodel project: Things like hardware placement or tile sizes are fully up to you.