New Bathroom Renovation Budget

The bathroom is usually regarded as a great sanctuary where one could finally relax after a long day's work. This area is also mostly subjected to renovations. In any endeavor of remodeling, you need to prepare your budget first of all. You could go from DIY solutions to intricate detailing done by professional contractors.

You need to decide on your budget. And you could only set the proper financial costing if you initially settle on the type and extent of the renovation. You must have at least rough draft of the bathroom's final look. The plan should include the new designations of lighting and positions of new fixtures. Especially for the full remodeling task, you need to consider the electrical connections and plumbing. Unless you are savvy in these areas, you have to hire the services of professionals. To lessen your expenses, disregard hiring a middleman. You could easily handle the transaction with the contractor or electrician. Some home improvement shops are great locations where you could find trustworthy workers and servicers. Their fees would depend on the extent of their task.

DIY renovation

If you really are on a tight budget but your bathroom needs a little zest, opt for this method. You would be surprised at how much you could save on labor fees if you decide to do most of the work. However, if your plan includes re-assignment of pipes and electrical wiring, you really need to consult experts to avoid mishaps.

The main focus for self-help remodeling is to give proper attention to the materials. You could get quick tips from online DIY home improvement sites. These offer suggestions where good materials can be found and at great prices too. For one, you could find listings of salvage yards, thrift stores and bargain shops. You could get great deals by buying scrap wood and/or metal. You could also check out new tiles, which are cheaper when bought in bulk orders. In addition, there are a wide range of furniture pieces looking closely similar to antiques, which are naturally less expensive. Claw foot tubs, faux leather finish mirrors, dresser tables and even slightly used sinks.

You could also find good use for old doors, cabinets, toilets, bathtubs and shower heads. You could enhance their look by simply refurbishing paint application or adding decorative detail. For example, you could achieve rustic finish for doors and cabinets through simple applications. Put nails in a thick cloth. An old towel would be perfect. Beat the door and cabinets using the bundle. You would see nail marks on them. Apply a fresh coat of paint. Super white is preferable for bathroom doors and choose a contrasting or complementing color for the cabinets. Let it dry for a half day. Apply clear varnish into the surfaces. Let it dry for a couple of hours. Once everything is set, these fixtures would seem as if bought from an antique store.

Any old dresser could be converted into a sink counter. Do the same paint and varnish treatment for a consistent look. Drill a hole into the top of the dresser which could accommodate your existing sink. Ensure that the plumbing would still function well.

Full-blown remodeling

This one requires extensive spending. But you could have an overview of the total expenses if you use a bathroom construction/renovation calculator. You could access home design directory online sites that offer free estimation for your request. Basically, you would be asked to choose the layout. Some sites display visual presentation of layout options. When you have selected the layout, specify the size, contents and tiled area.

The size ranges from small to large or customized according to your preference. As you designate the tiled area, you would also be asked to choose the tiles. As for the contents, you could pick which ones should be included - bath, mixer, wall spout, bench top, basin, mirror, shower enclosure, towel rails (heated or traditional), robe hook, exhaust fan, and others. The costs depend on your specifications. For example, renovating a small bathroom including tiled floors and walls would cost around $22 per sq-meter. The price would increase depending on the tiles you choose. The standard-type tiles per sq-meter cost around $40. The contents range from $80 to $2,000+ a piece. The prices are dependent on the type of the materials.

You should also consider the labor costs. You could save a little if you stick with the original positions of the electrical wiring, plumbing, windows and other fixtures.

The main point in all of these is that you could have better renovation experience if you know how to stick to your budget and layout. You need to be decisive so you could be spared from unnecessary spending.