Did you know that poor planning is the leading reason bathroom remodels exceed their budgets? If you’re planning a bathroom remodel, you should plan carefully in order to avoid some of the risks and danger areas that could affect not only your budget but other areas of importance.
Industry experts know of some key things which are problematic for home owners who are planning bathroom remodels. If you can learn from these common mistakes, you’ll be able to pull off your bathroom remodel without a hitch. Below, discover three major risks you should work hard to avoid during your bathroom remodeling project.
1. Not Having a Flexible Budget
Even the most detailed bathroom remodeling plan cannot predict whether your contractor will uncover water damage after ripping out the floor or wall. This is just one reason you need to have an extra 10-15% of your overall budget in reserve for unexpected costs that may come up. Without these additional funds, you may be putting the whole project at risk. The last thing you want is to end up with a half-finished bathroom because you have nothing left over for unexpected costs. Another upside to this strategy is that if it’s not needed, you’ll have something left over for decorating or other finishing touches!
2. Hiring the Cheapest Contractor
One common risk home owners take when remodeling is choosing the cheapest contractor. Sometimes it can work out but in most cases it results in the home owner having to hire another contractor to fix what the first contractor started. Even in the best scenarios, cheap contractors can produce disappointing results. For example, you might spend good money on quality tile only to have it installed unevenly, making your whole bathroom look cheap and in need of more work. In the worst scenarios, bad contractors could cause damage to your home that far exceeds the amount of the original remodel cost.
Always look for a local contractor who has the proper credentials and can provide verifiable references for projects they’ve completed recently. They should also provide a detailed estimate and contract for parts and labor. A good rule of thumb is to get quotes from at least three different contractors before making your final decision. Choose one with whom you feel comfortable and who meets all the necessary requirements.
3. Forgetting to Consider the Future
Doing a bathroom remodel is not only an opportunity to make your bathroom better in the present but to also make sure it will meet your needs in the future. If you’re like many American home owners, you’d like to live in your present home as long as possible. And, since you’re already making changes to your bathroom, why not include features that will make it easier as you grow older? That doesn’t mean you need to turn your bathroom into a hospital-like space. It simply means installing things like non-slip floors, walk-in showers or tubs, and perhaps a few hand-bars that can double as towel racks. Talk about these sorts of considerations with your contractor so you can create a bathroom that will continue to serve your needs as the years go on.
With your upcoming bathroom remodel, make sure you plan carefully to avoid these common mistakes. Like the old saying goes, “Measure twice and cut once.” The time you spend in the planning phase, eliminating risk, will be the most valuable time you spend remodeling your bathroom!