Do you have the bathroom remodeling budget blues? Well, you're not alone. For many homeowners, budget is the number one obstacle to performing a bathroom renovation.
According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), the average cost of a bathroom remodeling project is $16,000. As you set your budget...
the NKBA notes, keep in mind that you should spend 5 to 10 percent of your home's value.
If a budget of 5 to 10 percent of your home's value seems too high for you, consider a D.I.Y. bathroom upgrade. After all, if you hire a pro, most of your project's cost will be labor - labor that you just might able to perform yourself!
Of course, a professional remodeling company, like Enterprise Home Remodeling, can perform outstanding work with quality, speed, and efficiency. But if you're a handy homeowner, and you have the bathroom remodeling budget blues, you just might be the perfect candidate for a D.I.Y. project.
Below we have offer some simple D.I.Y. tips for your next bathroom makeover.
1. Take a Bathroom Remodeling Class
As we noted in our D.I.Y. kitchen remodeling article, home improvement stores like Home Depot offer free workshops and classes designed for the D.I.Y. homeowner. With a little know-how - and, ahem, a little elbow grease - you can replicate the work of the pros. Bathroom makeover classes will teach you the basics, like grouting and tiles, as well as a few advanced techniques, like installing a toilet.
Classes can also help you answer a crucial D.I.Y. question: Am I up for this?
If you're not the D.I.Y. type, it's best to consult a bathroom remodeling company from the get-go. And remember, even if you are the D.I.Y. type, you can choose simple projects for yourself and leave the most challenging work to the pros.
2. Perform Your Own Demolition
Speaking of challenging work, the bathroom demolition often requires a significant amount of labor. Fortunately, this type of labor is not specialized, and can be performed by most ambitious homeowners. You just need a sledgehammer and a little muscle. Before you start smashing your bathroom, though, remember the number one bathroom demolition rule: Do no harm to your bathroom's plumbing and electricity! Just to make sure you're destroying the right things, you might want to consult a bathroom remodeling professional before your demolition.
3. Install Your Own Flooring
Take the cue from our article on D.I.Y kitchen makeovers: install your own tiles! This project is for the detail-oriented homeowner who has the patience (and diligence) to cut and lay tiles. The DIY Network offers a wonderful step-by-step tutorial on installing a bathroom tile floor.
Just remember, even if you're feeling ambitious, installing a bathroom floor requires hours of work. You might need to set aside an entire weekend (or two). If you have the talent and the time, though, installing your own tile floor will inspire extreme satisfaction. There's nothing better than stepping onto your cool bathroom floor in the morning, and thinking, I built this myself!
4. Paint Your Own Vanity
Most bathroom remodeling projects include a new vanity, but a simple bathroom makeover can be achieved by painting your old vanity. And unlike grouting or tile work, this D.I.Y. bathroom remodeling project can be easily performed by most homeowners. Check out this handy kitchen makeover article from a handy mother who converted a closet into a bathroom and painted her own vanity mint green. As the article notes, a paint job is an easy way to achieve a custom look
for your bathroom. With colors suited to your unique personality, and the pride of a job well done (not to mention the money you'll save), a vanity paint job is a D.I.Y. no-brainer.
When to Call a Pro
For some homeowners, the decision to call a pro will always be the most budget-minded option. At Enterprise Home Remodeling, we suggest calling a pro from the very start of your remodeling project. Even if you decide to perform most of your work on your own, we can help you plan for a successful, budget-minded project. After all, nothing's worse than a D.I.Y. disaster!
Kitchen Remodeling
Master Kitchen & Bath Design has set the standard for kitchen remodeling in the Bucks County area for over thirty years. A rare find in the kitchen remodeling industry, MKBD excels in both in-house design and construction. We never use subcontractors, all of our team members, from our lead designer to lead carpenter, take ownership of each project.
Bathroom Remodeling
Master Kitchen and Bath Design designs beautiful bathrooms to complement both older and newly constructed homes. For over thirty years, MKBD has distinguished itself as the leading bathroom remodeling company in the Philadelphia area. When you work with MKBD, you partner with the most innovative and skilled talent in the bathroom remodeling industry.
Finished Basements
In many homes, the basement is a neglected space, a hideaway for moldering storage boxes, discarded furniture, and outdated supplies. A remodeling project can transform your basement into a functional living space. From recreational rooms to guest suites, Master Kitchen & Bath Design excels in the design and construction of finished basements.
