If you’re looking to invest in your home, a bathroom remodel is a great choice. On average, remodeling a guest or master bathroom results in a 70% return-on-investment, making it one of the best possible projects for a homeowner to start. There are a lot of ways to stretch your remodeling dollar, including limiting the project scope, reusing existing materials where possible, or breaking the project up into several phases. In this article, however, we’re going to review some of the common plumbing and remodeling mistakes homeowners make when trying to cut costs and time
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Hiring the wrong people
One of the most common ways homeowners try to cut costs on their bathroom remodel is by hiring the cheapest-available contractors and plumbers to work in their homes. Unfortunately, this approach often backfires. To put it simply, hiring unqualified non-professionals to work on your project can lead to work being done incorrectly, cost overruns, or even disasters such as a flooded home. If the contractor does not know what they are doing or are careless with their work, the quality of the entire remodel could be compromised.
Hiring the right professionals for your project is important. Look for a plumbing contractor, and remodeling experts with a proven track record of successful bathroom remodel. Ask about their certifications, licensing, and insurance, and be sure to inquire about past clients who are willing to serve as references and vouch for the quality of their work.
Buying low-grade materials
What is true for people is also true for materials: you get what you pay for. You may be able to cut your upfront project costs by purchasing poor quality shower tile, floor tile, toilets, vanities, countertops, and more, but you will likely be paying for it later. Not only do low-grade materials often lead to a less alluring bathroom at the immediate end of the project, but they also do not stand up to regular wear-and-tear as well as higher quality bathroom products.
Once you have an experienced, trustworthy contractor on your project, talk to them about the materials they have used on past bathroom remodels. They will be able to point you toward high-quality tile, vanities, and more that are made to last, but won’t break the bank.
Making incorrect measurements
For any remodeling work you are tackling yourself, be sure to make precise measurements. When it comes to laying tile, installing a concrete bathroom sink, or sloping the floor drain of a shower, being off by even a fraction of an inch can cause serious problems. Too often, homeowners make a measurement mistake and are then forced to make a choice between a shoddy end result or starting over, leading to cost and time overruns.
Taking shortcuts to save time
Whether you’re planning on listing your home as soon as the project wraps up or you’re going to be enjoying your new bathroom for many years to come, many homeowners are understandably eager to finish the bathroom remodel so that they can get back to using the space. However, many critical bathroom plumbing mistakes are made in an attempt to rush the project across the finish line. Impatience fuels measurement errors and leads to materials not being allowed to sufficiently dry.
These are just some of the common mistakes homeowners make when remodeling their bathroom. For even more things to consider before starting a renovation, be sure to check out this infographic from the team at ABC Cooling, Heating & Plumbing in Hayward, California.
