Remodelling your bathroom is a sure-fire way to enhance your home life and boost your property’s value. It’s one of the most important rooms of any house, which is what makes meticulous planning crucial for this popular home improvement project. Without further ado, here are the things you need to consider when planning a bathroom makeover:
The perfect bathroom doesn’t have to be palatial, but it does have to be both stylish and functional. Ideally, it should have the appeal of a spa. However, it should be comfortable enough that you can still go about your daily routine without any inconvenience.
For instance, we’ve mentioned the different flooring options in our guide to ‘Planning a Bathroom Design’, which include ceramic, granite, and marble tiles. While relatively more expensive, these are popular because of the easy upkeep compared to vinyl or hardwood floors. The natural waterproofing of these materials also make them more ideal for walls and counter tops.
Lighting and heating systems are important considerations, too. You can set the mood and have a much more relaxing time if you can adjust the lighting and the temperature at will.
You also have to think about bathroom fittings. Will a basic toilet fit your needs or do you require something that has added features, like integrated nozzles or a heated seat? Consider the size and shape of your sink as well as how it fits into the aesthetic of the bathroom. And more importantly, decide whether a shower is enough, or if a tub is a must-have in your dream bathroom. Surveys reveal that 76% of Brits prefer showering over taking a soak in the tub because it’s faster and more environmentally friendly.
It goes without saying that redoing a bathroom is not cheap, especially with all the fixtures that go inside it. In fact, House Beautiful points out that remodelling your bathroom is the most expensive home project, compared to any other room of the house. Homeowners spend an average of £7,820 on the project.
Your budget will depend on the size of your bathroom and the amenities you want to install. If you’re not installing a clawfoot tub, for instance, you can already save upwards of a thousand, which can go towards sprucing up other parts of your house in the future. Make a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves to create a realistic budget for your remodel. If your resources are limited, this list can help you decide what to prioritise.
A bathroom is meant to be your very own sanctuary, which can be difficult to achieve if it’s not covered by insurance. HomeServe highlights how plumbing and drainage insurance creates a more stress-free household, especially with year-long coverage and a 24-hour helpline to lean on. This means that you won’t have to worry about fixing water leaks and other unwanted damage yourself — you’ll have professionals who can address these problem areas with one call. This is particularly helpful with renovated bathrooms as there’s an added risk of damaging the original plumbing and drainage systems during there modelling process. With insurance, however, you can avoid these expensive headaches in the future.
DIY bathroom remodels take time, especially if you’re going beyond cosmetic upgrades. The Spruce notes that 4 1/2 weeks is typical, but home renovations hardly ever go according to plan. There are so many tasks to cover in such a short amount of time, from demolition to the final installation of fixtures.
One way to make room for any contingencies is to allot at least an extra week into your preparations. But if you’re in a crunch, seeking the help of professionals can help you get the bathroom of your dreams much more smoothly.
Prepared by Jamie Bench
