Best Bathroom Remodel

When to remodel your bathroom

• Your bathroom is old and broken. If your bathroom appliances are falling apart or there is mold or mildew invading your space, it’s time for an upgrade. If your bath is stained and gross, it’s worth the money to replace it and enjoy your bathroom again.
• It doesn’t suit your style anymore. Even if your bathroom is still functioning well, it can be hard to enjoy if you can’t stand that pink bathtub or the outdated lighting.
• Someone in your family has additional safety limitations. Traditional bathrooms don’t cater to the elderly or disabled with limited mobility, as it can be difficult for them to enter a standard bath or shower. Installing a walk-in tub or walk-in shower with safety accessories such as grab bars and built-in seating can make bathing a breeze for you or your family member.
• You’re preparing to sell your home. Home experts and relators continually say that the kitchen and bathroom sell the house. A dreamy bathroom helps potential buyers imagine their lives in your home. If done tactfully, a bathroom remodel can recoup 100 percent of its cost at resale.

Bathroom remodel costs

When considering a bathroom remodel, many people wonder how much it will cost. The price for an average bathroom remodel varies greatly. It can cost anywhere between $2,000–$23,000. The average is around $10,000. This huge range depends on the following factors. These include:

• Size of bathroom — A small powder room will obviously cost less to remodel than a master bath. Factors include the square footage of tile, wall, and flooring you’ll need, the size of the appliances you’re installing, and the additional labor cost if you’re billed by square feet.
• Labor cost — If you’re hiring the project out (see below about hiring a contractor), expect labor to cost 40–70 percent of your budget. For example, if your materials cost $4,000, your labor could cost $6,000. If you’re hiring hourly, an average wage for a general contractor is $50–$75 per hour. Labor cost fluctuates depending on where you live.
• Scope of remodel — If you just want to give your bathroom a facelift with a fresh coat of paint and new accessories, this could cost you less than $100. However, if you plan to change the layout of your bathroom (which includes moving walls, plumbing, and electric), the total quickly rises to thousands of dollars.
• Materials — The kind of materials you choose to furnish your bathroom with affect the total price dramatically. For example, a stone bathtub can easily cost over $10,000, a cast iron freestanding tub can cost over $1,000, while a classic white fiberglass or acrylic bathtub will cost you around $300. A walk-in shower with a glass door can cost you over $800, but you can get a simple bath and shower combo for $400.
• Style — As mentioned in the previous bullet point, simple styles are less expensive than customized or decorative choices. For example, custom tilework will cost much more than a generic shower liner.
• Unforeseen costs — When remodeling your bathroom, it’s difficult to budget for all of the costs that come up. There might be structural issues such as leaks, mold, or failing appliances. The remodel might take more time than you think which could incur more labor costs.

Bathroom remodel timeline

Many wonder how long their bathroom remodel will take. Depending on the scope of your remodel, it could take anywhere from weeks to months. If you’re working with an experienced contractor who is working solely on your project, you can expect things to move a bit faster. Here are some rough estimates of how long each phase of your project could take:

• Consultation and planning beforehand 1 day–6 weeks
• Acquiring permits 1 day–6 weeks (see FAQ below)
• Demolition 1–2 days
• Framing and carpentry 1–2 days
• Windows and doors 1–3 days
• Electrical and plumbing 1–3 days
• Installation of new appliances (sink, toilet, shower) 1–4 days
• Walls (insulation, drywall, sheeting, paint) 2–4 days
• Tilework 1–3 days
• Cabinetry and counters 1–2 days
• Flooring 1–2 days
• Fixtures and decor .5–1 day
• Details and inspection 1–3 days
• Clean Up .5 day

If you were to include all of these stages, your bathroom remodel could take anywhere between two weeks and more than two months from start to finish. Some tasks require time before starting the next stage of your renovation such as waiting for the paint/caulking to dry, waterproofing the shower and surrounding area, or waiting for building permits. Some general contractors only work on one project at a time, while others split their time between several job sites at once. When you’re getting bids for your project, ask the contractor how long they think it will take. Budget in time for unforeseen obstacles such as mold, complicated plumbing, or scheduling issues.

Hiring a bathroom remodel contractor

Choosing the right bathroom remodel contractor through a company can make or break your project. Here are a couple of things to consider when picking a contractor:

• Scope of your remodel — Some contractors only specialize in shower or bath renovation while some contractors do it all. If your bathroom upgrade is simple, you might not need to hire it out (see FAQs for more information).
• Time —How fast do they say they can get your bathroom done? Some companies will bring in a team of skilled workers to get your bathroom done in a day or two, but some contractors will work on other jobs and not prioritize you and your home. Also keep in mind that there are typically an array of unforseen and unexpected issues that arise when remodleing, extending the overall time frame of the remodel.
• Bid — Make sure to get several bids for your remodel before selecting a bathroom remodeling contractor. This will help ensure that you that you’re getting a contractor for good price.
• Reviews — Read reviews and referrals about a contractor and the quality of their work before you commit to working with them. See what other people have to say. Ask the contractor for examples of his or her previous work.
• Design — Some remodeling contractors are designers, but some are not. For most contractors, it’s best if you come to the table with a design idea already in mind however, there are bathroom remodel contractors that include the design specs as part of their services. Different contractors have different expectations of what the client is expected to bring to the table. Get more details about bathroom remodeling contractors expectations in the FAQ section below. 

What to look for in a bathroom remodel company

Bathroom remodel companies specialize in bathroom remodels. Many specialize in tub and shower renovation, but some expand their services to full remodels. In addition to the factors listed above about picking a remodeling contractor, consider these things when choosing a bathroom remodel company:

• How is the customer service?
• Does the company use subcontractors, or employ all of its own workers?
• Does it offer a design consultation?
• Does it offer a free estimate?
• Does it offer financing options?
• Will the company take care of the necessary building permits?
• Does the company offer a complete remodel?
• How many years has the company been in business?
• Does the company offer a lifetime warranty on its products?