How A Bathroom Remodel Can Boost Your Home Value

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Few rooms in the house are as crucial as the bathroom, but they’re often neglected when homeowners are trying to boost their property value. A functional, stylish bathroom not only makes your home more comfortable to sell but dramatically increases its final selling price. In fact, a bathroom renovation offers one of the highest ROIs of any of the projects you could take on when trying to increase your home’s value.

Updating An Existing Bathroom

Contrary to popular belief, it is pretty easy to complete a bathroom remodel within the parameters of an existing one. The first thing to consider is how functional your current bathroom is. If you have any leaks or damaged plumbing, you have to tackle them first before addressing any cosmetic changes.

Upgrades to your bathroom’s plumbing, electrical, or structural systems will be costly, so brace yourself for the cost if any are necessary. On the bright side, taking care of these issues now will improve your home’s market value and avoid any surprises when buyers start bringing inspectors in.

Next, you need to decide whether you want to adjust the dimensions of your bathroom. Knocking out walls or reconfiguring the room’s layout is apparently more expensive than a simple design change, but more substantial bathrooms are frequently a selling point home buyers are looking for.

If you lack the budget to increase your bathroom’s size, you can still add value by making it appear larger than it is. Glass showers appear smaller than standard tubs, so installing one will make your bathroom look more prominent. Likewise, wall sconces around the mirror and brighter light fixtures make the bathroom appear more roomy for a fraction of the cost of actually making it so.

Once you know exactly what you want to do regarding functionality and design, you can start to determine the budget you’ll need to get it all done. Prices vary wildly depending on whether you need to hire a contractor, electrician, plumber, or any other specialists for your bathroom renovation. If you have the requisite necessary skills, you might be able to handle some of the labor on your own. However, a professional should be brought in if you need to tear out walls, move plumbing, or play with your bathroom’s circuitry to achieve your vision.

In general, a primary bathroom remodels costs a minimum of $3,000 to $12,000. The cheaper end of that range is for projects involving only new fixtures and a modern backsplash. According to Remodeling Magazine, the average cost of a bathroom renovation hovers around $18,000. The same report states that roughly 66 percent of the cost can be recouped in the form of higher resale value when the home is placed on the market.

Upscale bathroom remodels run an average of $57,000, with an average of 58 percent recouped when the home is sold.

If ROI is your primary motivation for your bathroom renovation, new tile, brighter lighting, and updated cabinets and fixtures offer the best bang for your buck. Improving your bathroom‘s usability and adding a touch of luxury can also be worthwhile investments. Here are a few of the most popular choices:

  • Jacuzzi tub
  • Steam shower
  • Double sink
  • Shower seat
  • More storage

For cosmetic changes, you should stick to neutral colors that help buyers imagine themselves living in your home. Trendy materials and designs may appeal to some buyers, but they quickly become outdated and require immediate replacement. Your bathroom should also fit into the overall decor of your home.

Adding A New Bathroom

Any unused space in your home could be used to add a brand new bathroom to the property. This is expensive, frequently requiring professional contractors, plumbers, and electricians to do right. However, buyers love bathrooms. The typical buyer is looking for at least three (a master bath, family bath, and half-bath for guests) according to HGTV.

A home equity loan can be an excellent way to fund the project if you’re light on capital at the moment.

The best way to determine if a new bathroom is right for you is to hire an appraiser to determine how the project would impact your property value. A Realtor can also help determine if the project will make your home too valuable for your neighborhood (and therefore more difficult to sell).

As always, any value added to your home by a bathroom remodel should be one factor among many considered when planning your project. Any bathroom renovation should enhance your enjoyment of your home first and foremost.

Bathroom Renovations Vancouver BC

Caliber West Renovations
Suite 600 – 1285 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6H 3X8
(778) 785-7395

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Five Ways You Can Reduce Your Bathroom Renovation Costs

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When planning renovations for your bathroom, it is natural to fantasize about extravagant touches you feel you cannot live without, such as wall-to-wall handmade tiles, fancy European hardware, and large skylights. However, the cost of perfection is high, and reality can hit hard when you calculate the price for such items.

This leads you to wonder if you can stay within your budget, yet still design a dreamy bathroom. Fortunately, the answer is yes, provided you understand when you must conserve and when it is okay to splurge.

Below are five tips for your bathroom renovation project that will save you a substantial amount of money without affecting quality, function or style:

1. Complete Your Demolition

Before installing your new mosaic tiled shower, you must remove old, worn out fixtures. This is an integral part of the demolition phase for which you may want to hire a professional. However, he or she will charge approximately $1000. If you choose to tackle all or some of the demolition as a DIY project, you will naturally have extra money for other items you truly want.

It is essential, however, to avoid making assumptions that a DIY demolition does not call for careful planning. According to Caliber West Bathroom Renovations, a home-improvement expert, you must have a prybar, a large crowbar, a sledgehammer, and an old claw hammer that you can live without should it get ruined during the process. Additionally, never begin swinging before you know what is behind a wall. Water pipes, electrical wires, and other items can create a nasty surprise. Finally, avoid making assumptions that your DIY demolition comes with no price tag.

On the contrary, tools, a dumpster, and hiring a service to hall away the debris are all aspects of the job that cost money.

2. The Role of a Recycling Center

You may wonder what a recycling center has to do with your bathroom renovation, but the price tag for recycled and lightly used building materials and fixtures is only a fraction of what their costs would be if you bought them new. Habitat for Humanity, Diggers List, and other national resources offer virtually everything, such as laminate flooring, bathtubs, faucets, double hung windows, and tile.

Of course, there is no guarantee you will get the exact fixtures for which you are looking. However, recent items sold through such establishments included an antique, brass-finished faucet set, and a contemporary vanity with built-in sink, for $400 and $100, respectively. The brass finished faucet set would have retailed for well over $2000.

3. Update Lighting Creatively

When completing your renovations, remember that even though it is essential to brighten up a dark bathroom, adding skylights or windows considerably inflates the cost of your project. If you need more light in your bathroom, but prefer not to cut a large hole in the side of your house or your roof, consider a solar tube, also referred to as a sun tube. These flexible tubes funnel natural sunlight from a tiny opening in the roof to your bathroom. Ranging from 10 to 20 inches in diameter, they cost a mere $200-$400, when compared with the approximate cost of a skylight, which is about $1500.

4. Consider Subway Tile

Although mosaic, glass tile accented with pewter is a beautiful option, you may find its price tag of $100 per square foot a bit costly. If this is the case, you may wish to consider using expensive tiles as decorative borders and plain, white subway tile for other surfaces. At less than three dollars per square foot, this look is simple, classy and has a timeless appeal that matches virtually all types of interior decor.

5. Invest in a Can of Paint

Even cost-effective tile can quickly chew up your renovations budget. Fortunately, however, floor to ceiling tile is not necessary to create a dramatic look for your new bathroom. You can save a significant amount of money by painting the walls and limiting tile to the shower and floor. For additional texture and warmth, you can also quickly add an affordable wainscot of faux beadboard. The latter is easy to install and offers an attractive appearance.

Bathroom Renovations in Vancouver BC

Caliber West Renovations
Suite 600 – 1285 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6H 3X8
(778) 785-7395

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15 Helpful Bathroom Remodeling Tips To Know Before Renovating

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As a homeowner, you need to gather a lot of information about bathroom renovations if you are planning to undertake such a massive project. This knowledge enables you to make the right decisions about materials to buy, their cost, the labor required and overall budget. This information can help you estimate the amount of time is necessary for the remodeling process to be complete to avoid any inconveniences in your home.

Here are 15 bathroom remodeling tips you need to know:

1. Consider the bathroom remodeling cost

Before you commence the project; you need to have estimates of the total cost to avoid spending more than you planned or having to halt your project. The expenses of bathroom renovation can be determined by the size of your bathroom, the quality of materials you need to remodel the bathroom and labor. If you require the hiring of work, you can take into account the cost of hiring a handyman and vice versa. You can have basic, mid to upper range and luxurious bathroom remodels which will all have different prices.

2. Hide the toilet

It is advisable to avoid making your toilet the first thing to be seen when someone opens the door. This is because the bathroom door can be left open from time to time making your shower the first thing you or your guest will see. If you don’t have any ideas, you can inquire opinions and options from an experienced bathroom designer. You will have several options to choose from your expert.

3. Consider leaving vintage finishes intact

The main aim of a bathroom renovation is to make it look new and fresh. Hence, you are advised to avoid removing vintage finishes if they are going to cost you more in labor to avoid altering your planned budget. In some homes, wall tiles were installed with a wire lath or several coats of concrete, and if you are to remove them, you may end up requiring more time and money. However, if you are planning to transfer yours, consult a tile specialist.

4. Plan a lighting scheme

Involve a lighting designer to have your bathroom well-lit to maximize its space and make it beautiful. There are several bathroom lighting options, and you can choose depending on functionality, cost, preferences, and choice.

5. Understand standard bathroom dimensions

While researching about bathroom renovations, knowing about basic standard bathroom dimensions, e.g., the size of a standard bathtub, bathroom vanity, and space toilet can help you plan your renovation efficiently. You will need an understanding of the amount of space required and how much you will have left after the restoration.

6. Plan the right height for your sink

Although countertops range between 32 and 34 inches off the floor, you need to have the right height for your sink for easy brushing or washing your hands. You will, therefore, need to consider how the pan will vary from the counter’s top height to make the right decision. To make this decision, you will also need to find your height for easy accessibility.

7. Consider having a corner sink

If you have a small bathroom, you can have your tub in one of the corners to free up some space. The decision of putting your pan at an angle can also be determined by how your entry or shower doors swing open. The sink may be hindering natural movement in your bathroom and since you cannot remove the doors, moving the sink to a corner is the ideal choice.

8. Consider having a tiny tub

You can have a shower and a bathtub in your bathroom. However, if you have a small bathroom, you can get a small bath to economize in the available space. Due to most bathrooms being short, most companies have started manufacturing small bathtubs to meet the needs.

9. Choose the right vanity

Vanity is just for looks and hence you should be very cautious when choosing one. The size, type of material and cost should be your prime factors. A big one may limit your bathroom space while a small one may not meet your requirements. On the other hand, if you pick the wrong material, you may end up having maintenance issues in future. You should, therefore, make a sound decision, and if you don’t know how to do it, you can inquire help from an expert.

10. Get a few high-end materials

Although you want to be economical, spending on a few high-end materials and finishes can make your bathroom look luxurious. Therefore, in addition to primary and affordable materials, you can get the high-end floor and wall coverings to make your bathroom luxurious. You can also add some high-end countertops and bathroom ceiling to improve your bathroom experience.

11. Counter check your file size

Most tiles are sold using European sizes, i.e., millimeters, and the quoted size might include tile and grout while as a homeowner you are unaware. This can affect your plumbing, tile layout and niches because the tiles would not fit because the measurements are wrong. Before buying tiles, make sure that you have the correct measurements to avoid further inconveniences. Alternatively, you can take an expert with you to help you when purchasing.

12. Consider turning your bathtub into a shower

If you have a bathtub and you rarely take baths, you need to convert it into a shower to maximize your space. In fact, it is very cost effective because you won’t have to reroute your plumbing system. A shower economizes on the area, and if you have a small bathroom, it is the better option.

13. Install a toilet yourself

Most homeowners have experienced toilet problems and are usually encountered in installing toilet fixtures. Since installing toilet can increase the cost of bathroom remodeling, you can opt to do it yourself to cut the costs. It takes just an hour and involves necessary skills which most homeowners have acquired over the years.

14. Dry out your bathroom

Mold and mildew growth is facilitated by moisture. Hence, if you want to reduce mold and mildew growth in your bathroom, you need to dry your bathroom. You can promote moisture removal in your bathroom bay having operable windows and a fan. A bathroom window which can be opened and closed facilitates circulation of air and consequently reduce moisture (humidity) in the bathroom. On the other hand, a fan that vents to the outside and not to the attic will facilitate moisture removal.

15. Plan on how the hardwood meets your tile floor

Most likely, your bathroom will have a tile floor while the adjacent room or the hallway will have a different material, e.g., hardwood. You should, therefore, plan how these two elements will meet because their transition requires a lot of skills. As a homeowner, effective planning before the project starts will make your bathroom remodeling a success.

This post was written by Caliber West

Caliber West Renovations
Suite 600 – 1285 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6H 3X8
(778) 785-7395

Bathroom Renovations Vancouver

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