A bathroom renovation can make a world of difference if your existing bathroom is too small, outdated, or in desperate need of an upgrade. It is also one of the home renovations with the highest ROI if you decide to sell your home. So, if you are planning this endeavor, it pays to know what mistakes to avoid when remodeling a bathroom. After all, if you want to enjoy all the benefits of a new and improved bathroom, financial or lifestyle-related, you want to make sure it’s perfect.
The most common mistakes to avoid when remodeling a bathroom
The most common mistakes people make when doing a bathroom renovation include:
- Failing to create a solid plan
- Attempting to do everything yourself
- Trying to save on materials
- Overlooking proper ventilation
- Choosing the wrong fixtures
- Forgetting about storage
A detailed plan is your best friend
Before you begin any renovation project in your home, you have to create a detailed plan. It will do several things:
- Ensure everything goes smoothly – List everything you want to do and change. It will help keep you on the right track and ensure everything goes without a hitch. A solid plan will minimize the chances of unexpected problems. It will also help you communicate with contractors; they will know what you want and how you want it.
- Help you estimate a budget – Knowing what you want to do in the bathroom will help you estimate the total expenses of the project. Your contractors will know what material you will need and how much everything will cost.
- Estimate the time necessary for completion – Once contractors know what they are supposed to do, provided they don’t run into any unexpected structures, plumbing, or electrical issues, they can tell you with relative accuracy how long you can expect the works to last.
- Decide whether you need additional services – Having the actual presentation of the scope of the work will tell you if you will need any other services and plan for those expenses. For example, you may have to rent a storage unit. Depending on how extensive the renovation is, a unit will provide the extra space you need for all the items you need to keep protected from dust and debris.
You need help
You may be skilled at DIYing, but make no mistake – you need help to execute a successful bathroom renovation. It is a complex project that demands professional expertise. Even if you can manage some aspects, there is no way you can do everything yourself. For instance, there may be something wrong with the plumbing or electrical installations. These are not things to mess with and are best left to professionals.
Hiring contractors will save you time because you won’t have to learn how to do the necessary tasks. Also, it will save you money because you won’t have to deal with possible mistakes.
Never skimp on materials
Quality is the best policy – never skimp on materials.
When renovating your home, it is critical not to skimp where it counts. If you opt for cheap, and therefore lower-quality, materials, you will likely have to organize another bathroom remodel sooner than you may like. Investing in higher-quality materials will save you money in the long run. They will last longer, and you won’t have to deal with repairs frequently. Moreover, better quality materials often demand less maintenance, saving you both money and time.
Bathrooms need good ventilation
One of the biggest mistakes to avoid when remodeling a bathroom is overlooking ventilation. We may disregard the unpleasant smells that will last longer without proper ventilation, but you will face more severe issues. Bathrooms are inherently humid, so you risk mold formation without a sound ventilation system. In addition, you won’t enjoy being in that space. If you plan to live in that house, it won’t be great for you. And if you plan to sell, buyers won’t love it either.
Bathroom fixtures can make or break your renovation
A shower, sink, toilet, and taps are the essential elements of your bathroom for two reasons:
- They take up the most of the space
- They determine the design of the bathroom
It’s crucial to evaluate the amount of space you have at your disposal and pick the size of these amenities carefully. If your bathroom is smaller, you should go for a narrow sink, a low-profile toilet, and a curbless shower. Then, visualize the bathroom you want and choose the design that fits that image.
Storage is everything
One of the mistakes to avoid when remodeling a bathroom is not planning for storage solutions.
What do people complain about the most? The lack of space. In fact, it’s the lack of storage that typically causes issues in homes. Bathrooms are the same. It would be best to have enough storage options for all the knickknacks you must keep there. Toiletries, towels, medication, and possibly even cleaning supplies all need their designated space. They also need to be handy, so make sure to think about where the good place for each item is.
If your bathroom is smaller, think of alternative storage solutions, such as baskets, floating shelves, hooks, etc. Those can be decorative and functional simultaneously.
A bonus tip
Of all the mistakes you can make when renovating anything in your home is rushing the process. You may be eager for the work to be done, and, understandably, you can’t wait to see your design take the physical form, but rushing things is never wise.
If you finish everything too quickly, you risk not doing it right, leading to problems down the road. You may have to fix mistakes and conduct another mini-renovation, which is costly and takes more of your time. Therefore, arm yourself with patience and make sure everything is done the right way the first time.
Avoid bathroom renovation mistakes and enjoy your home
Hopefully, you know what mistakes to avoid when remodeling a bathroom and how to avoid them. With a few helpful tips, you can make sure your renovation project goes smoothly, whether you are renovating to increase your home value or improve your life quality.
