Thinking about remodeling your bathroom?
Today, we’re going to examine bathroom remodel costs more closely and share some tips to help you save money!
What’s the Difference Between a Bathroom Renovation and a Bathroom Remodel?
The terms “bathroom renovation” and “bathroom remodel” are often used interchangeably, which can be confusing because they have different meanings.
Bathroom renovation is about upgrading your bathroom’s look without significant changes. That might include replacing broken tiles, refinishing surfaces and fixtures, repainting the walls, and so on.
Meanwhile, bathroom remodeling involves overhauling your bathroom to improve its look and functionality. This might include changing the layout of the space, redoing the floor, replacing existing fixtures or adding new ones, installing new cabinetry, and so on.
A bathroom remodel may require extensive plumbing and electrical work, especially if you want to rearrange the layout or if the house is old and its plumbing and electrical systems need to be brought up to modern standards.
Finally, a bathroom remodel may also involve structural changes to the house if you have a separate toilet room and bathroom and want to convert them to a single space or expand your bathroom.
Renovating your bathroom is much more affordable than remodeling it, not just because of the smaller project scope but because you can probably do many of these tasks yourself, even if you aren’t particularly handy.
Meanwhile, remodeling your bathroom can be expensive because it requires skilled labor, quality materials, and even building permits.
That’s why we recommend starting with a simple renovation and only proceeding to a complete remodel if you feel that it’s necessary!
Bathroom Remodel Costs: A Quick Breakdown
According to Angie’s List, labor costs typically account for 40% to 65% of the total project cost.
You may need to hire an interior designer, a general contractor, a tiler, a plumber, and an electrician.
Then, there are the material costs, which include everything from tiles to cabinetry to fixtures. These costs will depend on the project’s scope and whether you choose low-end, mid-range, or high-end materials.
In addition to that, there are the demolition, removal, and disposal costs, which might add up to a few thousand dollars.
You might also need a building permit if you intend to make changes to the structure of your house, its plumbing system, or its electrical system. Permits typically cost less than $1,000.
Finally, you should leave some slack in your budget, ideally 10–20%, for unexpected expenses. Keep in mind that once you start gutting your bathroom, you might discover problems that you weren’t aware of, such as hidden water damage or mold.
Unless you have previous experience managing similar projects, working with a trustworthy bathroom remodeling company is the best way to bring your vision to life while keeping costs under control.
Bathroom remodeling companies can help you decide on the scope of your remodel, work out a realistic budget, procure materials at a better price, source and manage skilled labor, and ensure that the project stays on track until completion.
Plus, they typically have business insurance and provide warranties, so if something goes wrong, you won’t have to pay for it out of your pocket!
Should You Install Accessibility Features Even if You Don’t Need Them Right Now?
If the home you are living in is your forever home, where you intend to grow old, you might want to consider investing in accessibility features such as:
- Slip-resistant flooring that reduces the risk of slips and falls.
- A raised toilet seat that makes it easier to sit down and get up.
- A walk-in bathtub that makes it easier to get in and get out.
- A level access walk-in shower that doesn’t have a barrier that you need to step over.
- Grab rails that can provide support while showering.
These features are designed to make the bathroom more accessible to people who have reduced mobility.
They might come in handy if someone in your household becomes ill or gets injured, if you ever need to take care of elderly relatives, or if you or your spouse experience decreased mobility in your old age.
Accessibility features are more expensive and will increase the total cost of your bathroom remodel. However, it might make sense to install them now if you can afford to do so. That way, should you ever find yourself in need of them, you won’t have to do another remodel.
How to Save Money When Remodeling Your Bathroom
- Don’t make structural changes. While it may be possible to expand your bathroom by moving the walls, that will substantially increase the total cost of the remodel.
- Keep the same bathroom layout. Rearranging the layout means rearranging the plumbing, a complex and time-consuming task that requires skilled labor. It often ends up being the most expensive line item.
- Reuse whatever you can. Before you throw out existing cabinetry and fixtures, consider repainting or refinishing them instead.
- Do as much as you can yourself. This is going to depend on your skill level but at the very least, you may be able to do simple things like paint the walls or dispose of the demolition rubble.
- Hire experts for the most important tasks. Messing up something important, like plumbing or waterproofing, can cost you a lot of money, especially if it leads to water damage. It’s best to leave tasks like that to the experts.
- Be intentional with the materials you choose. You don’t have to use all low-end, all mid-range, or all high-end materials. Feel free to mix and match based on what matters the most to you.
- Decide on the scope of your remodel and its budget before you get started. Home improvement projects have a tendency to grow in scope, which can lead to them exceeding their initial budgets. That’s why it’s important to think things through, create a plan, and stick to it. Don’t make changes on the fly unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Bathrooms by Genie: Oklahoma’s Top-Rated Bathroom Remodeler!
Bathrooms by Genie provides customized bathroom remodeling solutions for Oklahoma residents.
We have a 5/5 star rating on Google Reviews, an A+ rating from Better Business Bureau, and a top rating from Home Advisor.
In addition, we have received multiple awards, including the Angie’s List “Super Service Award.”
Whether you want to replace a bathtub or a shower, install accessibility features, or completely remodel your bathroom, we can help you with your project!
Book a FREE Consultation!
P.S. Our tubs, showers, and other bath remodeling products come with lifetime product warranties to protect your investment!
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