5 Major mistakes to avoid when renovating your bathroom
When it comes to an outdated bathroom, newer doesn’t always mean better. From changing the layout to the little things such as sealing the tite grout, there are a lot of things to consider — and mistakes to avoid – when it comes to renovating your bathroom.
Forgetting about functionality
Many times after a home is built, homeowners will realize that they should have added an outlet in a particular place, or moved a loud space like the kitchen sink or TV room further from a bedroom wall.
The benefit of a renovation is that you already know how the space functions as is. Before calling a contractor or beginning to make your plan we recommend keeping a notepad in the space and jotting down notes you want to consider when renovating:
- What do you like about the space?
- What do you want to change?
It’s easy to jump to the aesthetics but what about the corner you always bump into, or how you need to unplug a toothbrush charger to plug in a hair straighter everytime?
We have a knack for working around quirks in our own home until we forget they’re an inconvenience but if you take a step back (or ask a friend) you can remind yourself of where you need to improve functionality.
Improper planning
This one might seem like an obvious first step but it comes with a caveat: there’s a chance something might not go according to plan once you get started.
Anything is possible with time and money, but the most common crusher of renovation dreams is the latter. We recommend considering what the reason for your renovation is, and then coming up with a few different versions to share with your contractor. An example guideline might be:
Option A – which includes all of your hopes and dreams for the space
Option B — updating everything but following the same layout
Option C — what is absolutely necessary to make the space work for you? Maybe you have children and you need a bathtub. Does it have to be in this room?
Devaluing your home
Yes — it’s possible. When it comes to renovations, more doesn’t always mean more return. While there are a few ways your investment could become a loss, we have identified 3 of them:
- Improper craftsmanship – HGTV and YouTube are great resources but they rarely explain building codes and what can go wrong. Example: failing to tile a sink backsplash could result in water damage.
- Incorrect material – this goes hand-in-hand with poor craftsmanship and is the very reason we recommend consulting a professional. Example: bathrooms require moisture resistant drywall sheets.
- Timing of trends — it’s you’re home and you should absolutely design it how you like. If you want a jungle themed bathroom with pink flamingos wallpapered on to the walls, we say go for it — but if you ever plan on selling just remember the next buyers may not share your flare for sub-tropical waterfowl and you may have to make a second investment in erasing this hard work.
- Decreasing the square footage — there are rarely two rooms that impact value as much as the bathrooms and the kitchen. Shaving off space from either is rarely recommended. Example: if you need to add laundry to the main floor, consider converting a closet rather than adding one to your bathroom.
Ordering online
We’ve all seen it, an amazing deal on a fixture or vanity at Costco or on Wayfair that just can’t be beat. But we recommend talking to your contractor before making the purchase to determine if it will really save a few dollars or if it will increase your budget with quirky surprises. Example: Table style vanities with a beveled countertop edge look fantastic – but they don’t always line up properly with the bathroom tiles depending on what style and layout you have selected. That means that this small saving could turn into a big moldy bill a few years down the road if water from the countertop is sleeping down behind the vanity.
Not talking to a contractor
When it comes to renovations (especially if you’re inexperienced), you don’t know what you don’t know. A contractor will typically have a few pointers, cost saving tips and suggestions that hadn’t crossed your mind. Call a member of the Working Hands team today for a no obligation quote today.