How to Get Bathroom Renovations On a Budget?

You just bought the crown jewel of your bathroom, the bathtub. But it cost you a little bit more than anticipated. So now you decide to cut back on the floor tiles. But you don’t love the flooring and hate it just a little bit more every day after it’s installed. How can you avoid this nightmare?

With the proper amount of planning and budgeting, that’s how. We’ll walk you through some tips and questions to consider during a bathroom renovation on a budget.

Get a whole new (affordable) look with bathroom renovations on a budget

If you plan your design, shop smart and invest some sweat equity, you can have a bathroom remodel for a fraction of the price. Before you even call a remodeling company for your bathroom remodel, you should first talk with everyone who will be using the space. Try to have a discussion about fixtures and finishes you are supposed to use and how much of a budget you are willing to shell out. As you plan for your budget, it’s important to have a little extra, because you never know if there will be some unexpected problems that will increase the cost later on.

This planning would be really helpful and go a long way toward keeping with your bathroom renovation plan as you move along with the project. Once you start with the renovation, you have to know that the process may take months. No matter how long it is going to take, try to resist the temptation of changing your plans unless financial constraints or problems arise. Change of plans will force you to spend more and the completion date to extend further out.

If you are having a hard time setting a plan in place for your bathroom, consulting a remodeling contractor can help you a lot. A professional can also offer a vision for your style, and handle the scheduling for both installers and vendors.

If you are still confused, you need to start from the beginning and ask yourself some important questions, like:

●      Who will be using this space? Kids? Guests?

●      What are your needs? (we need more storage, new tub, etc.)

●      How big is the bathroom? Are you trying to add a double vanity, for instance, or a freestanding tub?

●      Are you changing the layout or relocating any plumbing fixtures?

●      What is the overall aesthetic you envision?

●      How long are you planning on being in this home?

●      If you could fit into your budget, what would be a great bonus to have? (heated floor or a luxurious bath tub)

●      Do you have any contractor connections or contacts in the trades or are you planning on doing some of the renos yourself?

Once you have all these questions answered, you can narrow down your scope of work and start budgeting and calling for some quotes.

Next, crunch those numbers if you want your bathroom renovations to be on a budget

It’s time to figure out what you can afford and what you legitimately want to spend. Remember to really consider how long you’ll be living in the property. If the answer is less than five years, maybe favor a smaller investment and choose finishes that are more widely appealing. Don’t over-capitalize and start putting in a lot of high-end fixtures if your home cannot support it.

If you plan on staying there forever and you really want to make long lasting changes, then by all means, make the investment. If you are hiring a contractor or designer, good ones will provide you a broken down quote so you know what to budget for based on the scope of work.

Keep your plumbing in place

Work within your current plumbing configuration. Moving major plumbing or installing new water pipes will overflow your budget during a bathroom renovation, so don’t move your water supply and drainage unless it’s absolutely necessary.