Gerard Construction wants every house to feel like a home, whether we are helping to build from the ground up or we are taking an existing home and helping the homeowner tweak it into the perfect place for years to come. A bathroom remodel can be a great way to spend a little money to create a more functional and luxurious way to start and end your days.
What to Consider
There is a lot to keep in mind for a bathroom remodel and Gerard Construction will walk you through every step of the way.
1. Know your budget and over plan. We know budgets and finances are important in any part of construction and will work to provide a fair estimate for the work you want done. However, we won’t know what is lurking under an old shower pan or behind your cabinets until we get there. By budgeting a bit extra, you will be ready, just in case. If we don’t need it, you can splurge on the nicer towels, extra candles, and new body wash for your bathroom.
2. Hide what you can. This especially applies to the toilet. By tucking away the toilet behind a partial wall, door, or large armoire, you will create privacy and a more complete look for your bathroom.
3. Consider materials. Certain materials, like porcelain tile or surface mounted sinks, provide the durability you need for the bathroom, paired with style and ease of cleaning. Spending a bit extra on a quality material will help you in the long run as well.
4. Make it rain on your shower. Many homeowners are moving away from a bathtub in order to make more room for a large shower, complete with nooks for shampoos and a bench for sitting. With a large enough shower or one that is oriented in an L-shape, you may even be able to eliminate an expense, the shower door. Make sure you leave at least one bathtub in your home, though, for resale purposes.
5. Focus on the vanity. Not only will you want to make sure the vanity is properly lit with sconces or task lights, but you want to make sure you have plenty of counter space. Some homeowners may even choose to do one sink in a long counter as they get ready and prepare for their day with their significant other, needing the extra surface more than the extra sink.
What Not to Do
Your bathroom needs your own personal touches on it, but there are ways you can ruin a good remodel causing regret or more work down the road.
1. Don’t Rush. Your bathroom(s) are well used and need to be functional and stylish for you. We always recommend you think through the space and even pretend to use the space we are building or remodeling to think about where storage should be, different placement of items, and where you want those extra touches. Look through magazines and Pinterest for ideas and bring those to us for inspiration.
2. Don’t do it yourself. We know you have friends and family who show pictures of their bathroom remodel and you may feel inspired. What they usually don’t show is all the work, frustration, and sometimes repair that comes along with doing it yourself. The bathroom uses a lot of different skills that our craftsmen can provide for you, making sure it’s perfect.
3. Don’t forget about upgrades. Your wiring, plumbing, and water heater may need an upgrade to handle new parts of your bathroom remodel. Talk with us ahead of time to see what we recommend and make a few decisions about key parts of your bathroom, like your toilet or fixtures, to zero in on what we need to budget for.
4. Don’t forget this bathroom is for you. Consider where you want to cut costs and where you find value in spending a little extra. Some homeowners may choose a standard light fixture or faucet in order to upgrade their tile design or shower head features. Other homeowners may think a toilet is just a toilet in order to spend a bit more on the paint or natural light options. We can discuss the minimums we recommend for quality in order to make your budget work for you.
5. Don’t forget to plan ahead. The bathroom that works for you today, may not be the bathroom that works in a few years. Some may scoff at installing a handle by the tub, but a pregnant wife, small child, or even a regular person with a hurt back may appreciate that extra touch. You may have plenty of storage now, but thinking for an extra place to store towels, back up toiletries, or other bathroom essentials may be more needed down the road.
Gerard Construction can help you turn the bathroom or bathrooms you have into the perfect place to get ready for your day or wind down for the night. Contact us today for more information on how we can begin to design your remodel.