Bathrooms are a must-have, but they’re also expensive. Here are some ways to save money on your bathroom remodel.
Pick the right materials for your budget and goals.
While material costs add up quickly in a bathroom remodel, feel free to use less expensive materials. For example, if you want tile but can’t afford it, consider using vinyl flooring instead of ceramic or porcelain tiles. Or, if you love natural stone but need more money for it, think about using quartzite or granite slabs as your countertops instead of marble or limestone, which can cost up to 10 times more.
Feel free to mix and match different textures and patterns- combining different types of surfaces can create a unique look that’s still within your budget. There are many affordable alternatives to expensive tile flooring, such as vinyl plank flooring, which is easy to clean and requires little maintenance over time. Plank flooring still offers great style options like linear designs or accent colors such as gray tones, which complement any color palette perfectly.
Choose your contractor carefully.
It’s essential to ensure the contractor you choose has experience with your type of project, but it’s also important to check references and ask for a contract before signing on with them. If you want someone who will work hard and do quality work, finding a contractor who can provide proof of past projects and testimonials from satisfied customers is worth it.
At W.E. Davies + Sons, we have over 47 years of experience in the industry. We specialize in kitchen, bathroom, and home remodeling projects. Wynn and Wade Davies and their award-winning team bring the service and expertise you’re looking for in your bathroom remodeling project—big or small.
Don’t move the plumbing.
When you’re planning a bathroom remodel, it’s important to remember that plumbing is expensive. Moving pipes and quality fixtures are the most costly part of any bathroom remodel, and they can cost more than the rest of the project combined!
If you’re looking for ways to save money on your next bathroom renovation project, don’t move or change any existing plumbing—at least if it works well and meets code requirements. If there are problems with existing plumbing (like leaky faucets or toilets), address them before installing a new tub or shower.
Should you do your demolition?
Demolition is no easy feat, so having a professional do the job is essential. A professional will save you time, money, and backache, and experienced demolishers know how to tear down your home without causing unnecessary damage or harm. They come equipped with all the necessary machinery, take all the required safety precautions, and strictly follow demolition regulations, meaning you can trust them to do it in no time. And if you need more than that, they’ll even offer advice and tips if you’re looking to build on the same land. So don’t mess around trying to DIY your demolition – have a pro get those walls down!
Keep the old sink and toilet?
Even if you decide to replace the old sink and toilet, you can save money in several other ways. Consider keeping the existing vanity and upgrading the look with new knobs, drawer pulls, or paint. This way, you get a new look without the additional cost of new cabinetry!
Leave the walls and floor as they are.
If the flooring is in good shape, consider just painting the walls instead of replacing the tile, saving you money on labor and materials. Or, if you do decide to replace the flooring with new tiles or wood planks, choose a matching style to the existing flooring to avoid mismatched styles running throughout your home.
Another way to save money during this project is by upgrading your accessories. Install new towel racks, toilet paper holders, and medicine cabinets instead of full-on renovations like installing a new vanity cabinet or faucets. Again, these smaller touches cost at most $50 per item, but they will still give an updated look when paired together!
Should you nix the bathtub?
One of the most significant decisions you’ll need to make when planning your bathroom remodel is whether to get rid of the tub. This can be a tough choice, but here are some things to consider:
- Bathtub upgrades may be expensive. If you have had an old-fashioned claw foot bathtub in your house since 1925, it may need severe updating before it’s up-to-date enough for today’s building codes.
- Bathtubs take up lots of space, and lots of people have a tub they rarely use. Getting rid of one could give you more room for cabinetry or shelves—or even allow more sunlight into your bathroom!
- The whole issue of accessibility is discussed below.
Shower instead of the tub for elderly or disabled family members.
If your home has a family member who is elderly or disabled, it may make more sense to install a zero-entry shower instead of a bathtub. Showers are easier to clean and safer for elderly people because of the slip hazard when stepping in and out of the tub.
Showers are more accessible and less painful on joints than baths, making them excellent options for people with arthritis or other joint issues that make sitting upright tricky. If you’re doing a complete remodel anyway, this will give you one less thing to worry about later.
Careful Planning
The most effective way to save money on your bathroom remodel. By doing this, you’ll be better prepared for the project and can plan your budget accordingly. You can break the project up, do some of the work yourself, and hire a contractor for the tricky parts.
You need a bathroom, so don’t cut corners.
The bathroom is essential to every family, but remodeling can be expensive. It’s nice to know there are ways to save money when doing so! We hope this list gives you some ideas on making your next bathroom renovation budget-friendly and still getting everything done right.
Talk to a local contractor to get the best advice on saving on bathroom remodeling near your location. If you’re in the Madison, WI, area, contact us at W.E. Davies + Sons, and we’ll answer any questions.
Transform Your Bathroom with W.E. Davies Remodeling. Call: 608-222-6609
