What's the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?
When starting a bathroom renovation, it's important to understand the factors that will affect your budget the most! Surprisingly, a large portion of your budget goes into an area of your bathroom that you wouldn't suspect! That would be the shower or wet areas. In this article, we will explore why this is and how you can navigate budgeting for you next bathroom renovation.
Understand the Key Factors
The wet area of a bathroom typically accounts for about half a the cost when renovating a standard 5'x7' bathroom. Rightfully so! An improperly installed wet area can cause a lot of problems and can cost you big time! There's a few main factors that contribute to this area adding up so quickly. These factors include the following:
Plumbing Updates
First and foremost, anytime you update a bathroom, shower or wet area, you should be updating the plumbing while you have access behind the walls! This is absolutely crucial to avoiding any leaks in the future. Updating the plumbing should be done by a licensed and experienced plumber. If you plan on relocating any of the fixtures during the renovation, you can bet that this will increase the cost significantly!
Labour
It's an unavoidable part of any renovation, but the labour is a major factor in the cost of a new shower/wet area. Something most people will overlook is that a smaller bathroom doesn't always relate to a cheap installation. This is because small spaces reduce efficiency since less workers can fit into the space and tasks can become trickier to complete. Labour costs will vary greatly between difference companies and this is where most homeowners get hung up. The thing to remember is that most construction companies make most of their money and cover their overhead in the labour. So, knowing that, the labour rates of each company will vary depending on their unique overhead costs and profit goals. Many people try to save money here but this can lead to underqualified people working on your home and in some cases, having to repair their work for an additional cost.
Material
Similar to the labour, the material costs on a new shower/wet area can vary greatly. Tile alone can range from $4.50/sq.ft. to $30-$40/sq.ft. Probably the most important material in a project like this will be the waterproofing system used. Again, these can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand depending on the system and size required. A system like RedGaurd will only cost about $200 but has no warranty and can still leak over time if not applied in enough coats. A system like Wedi can cost $2500 or more but comes with a 15 year warranty when the installer is certified by Wedi.
Plumbing fixtures are another major cost that ranges vastly. A simple shower valve and trim kit from Home Depot might run you $350 but a premium shower valve and trim kit could cost more than $2500 if you were to select one of Brizo's faucets.
How to Maximize Your Renovation Investment
Money doesn't grow on trees, so it's important to know how to maximize the returns on your investment when renovating. It's hard to balance the budget between not wanting to overspend on things that are unnecessary and not wanting to regret spending more once it's all said and done. Here are a few tips to help you find that balance:
1. Get multiple estimates from local companies.
It's always a good idea to get a few quotes for you renovation so that you can get an understanding on what your local market is like for the type of renovation you're after. You can also start getting a feel for each company and see which one suits your needs better.
2. Select your finishes carefully
It's easy to get carried away when you're walking through bath showrooms and seeing all of the ultra-luxurious faucets and hardware that's available. It's best to start by figuring out what features you want in your new bathroom/shower and then going to the store and sticking to that. You should decide if you want a rainfall shower, handheld shower, steam shower, heated floors etc. in advance so that it's less tempting to splurge in the showroom.
3. Consider the Benefits of the Updates
After the renovation is complete, you will have successfully increased the value of your home! But that's not the only benefit of renovating. Often times making smart improvements throughout the project can also increase energy efficiency, increase home comfort, and also improve your day-to-day routines. Try to keep these things in mind as you decide where you spend your budget! Sometimes spending a little bit more to get the insulation replaced behind the walls, or to get the more energy efficient faucet will pay off in the long run.
Conclusion
The wet area of a bathroom is, without question, the most expensive part of a bathroom renovation. This is driven mainly by the need for skilled plumbers, skilled labour to install the waterproofing and tile, as well as the type of material being used. With careful planning and smart material selection you can navigate these costs to maximize your return on investment. A bathroom renovation is an involved project and working with a professional company that has proven success will make your project run much smoother.
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