Planning Your Bathroom Remodel

You know your bathroom needs a change, but aren't quite sure where to begin. Any expert will tell you that a successful bathroom-remodeling project begins with a plan. A plan will help you decide what your budget is, what the trouble areas of your bathroom are, how big your remodel will be, and if other areas of your home will be affected. By making a plan, you can decide whether now is the best time to remodel your bathroom or if it would be better to wait until you have a bigger budget, so that you can make the changes you want.

Considering Your Bathroom Remodel

You could just jump into your bathroom remodel without looking at the big picture, but you may find yourself over your head financially. You also may find that your project is taking longer than you thought or that it is beyond your abilities. Worst-case scenario in those situations may put your bathroom out of commission for an extended period and require you to shell out for a professional to come in and fix all your hard work. To avoid this type of situation, consider these factors before you get out your tool box:

• Scope - How big will your project be? Are you simply adding new paint and fixtures; rearranging the layout of your bathroom; or gutting your entire bathroom and starting from scratch? Your first option is the simplest and least expensive and the last will require you to pony up a substantial amount of money and hire sub-contractors, like electricians and plumbers. Before you tear out your toilet or shower, make sure you have alternative arrangements if you only have one bathroom in your home.
  
  
• Budget - Based on your funds, how large can your project be? You can consider taking out a home equity loan for the remodel, but that is only advisable if there is moisture damage to the structure of the room itself and it is no longer safe. It is better to make changes within your means if you're just bored and want to revamp your bathroom.
  
  
• People - How many people use this bathroom? You may want to consider adding a few extra bathroom vanities if you have the room and your bathroom has high traffic. You can also divide your space so that both the vanity and the shower can be in use without too much trouble. For smaller spaces with high traffic, extra storage space can keep personal items and towels from cluttering the area.
  
  

You can also hire a designer to help you make the best use of your space, but you will need to include their services in your budget. At the end of the day, nothing will beat a good plan as far as saving you time and money during your bathroom remodel.

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