Most bathrooms have a relatively small footprint compared to the rest of the home. But your bathroom has the most significant impact on your daily routine. So, when you decide to undertake a bathroom remodel project, it’s important that you create a space that is perfect for you.
If you want your project to go smoothly, there’s no way around it – you will have to set a budget and create a plan to stick to it. Unfortunately, many homeowners find themselves halfway through a project only to realize that costs are getting out of control. If you want to have a successful project, you must first understand the costs for each part of your bathroom remodel. No matter your vision for your project, you can find a way to make it a reality with careful planning and the right contractor.
Without fail, your new bathroom’s cost will depend on your unique scope of work and material selections. For example, moving the shower placement can significantly increase the cost, and granite countertops will be more expensive than laminate. That’s why it can be tough to look at national averages for bathroom remodeling costs to estimate your project budget. However, you can break down the percentage of your budget that should go to different categories, which will guide the project to stay on budget.
According to HomeAdvisor, here is a rough breakdown of the base percentage materials costs:
Note: Remember to account for labor as well, which could be anywhere from 40% to 65% of your total project cost.
The percentages above can have significant ranges. So, knowing the average percent that you should be spending on each category in your bathroom remodel can give you some flexibility within your budget. For example, if you choose an expensive countertop, you may be able to save some money on less expensive fixtures.
If you have done other home improvement projects in the past, you probably know to expect the unexpected. No matter how well you plan, you could still encounter some common unexpected costs during your bathroom remodel.
These problems are unpredictable; however, in over 35 years of improving Maryland homes, there are a few problems that we have commonly seen in older bathrooms. These include corroded plumbing, improper wiring, and framing damage, that remain hidden until the tear-out phase of the bathroom remodel.
Most home improvement experts will advise you to set 20% of your budget aside for unexpected costs. That way, you have a resource to draw from that won’t impact your design plans for the bathroom remodel.
There are some things you just can’t control when it comes to a bathroom remodel, but choosing the right contractor is something that you can do up front. Before working with someone, check their online reviews, make sure they are licensed and insured, and confirm that they will pull permits for you. They should provide you with a comprehensive scope of work before you sign any contracts. That way, you will have all of the information that you need to make an informed decision.
Budget planning is a great way to have a smooth remodeling experience. Still, it takes a trusted contractor to make sure you can control your costs throughout the process. When you trust the plan that you create with your contractor and designer, you won’t have to worry about surprises along the way.
When you choose to work with Brothers for your bathroom remodel, you gain specialized teams excited to do the job right. Our consultants will listen carefully to your vision and budget, providing you with a comprehensive scope of work. Our design team will guide you in materials selections keeping your budget in mind, then take you on a virtual walkthrough of your new space before any work begins. Finally, our team of highly skilled tradespeople will execute the installation supervised by a Field Quality Manager, who uses the plans drawn by our design team to conduct quality control, making sure that you get exactly what was promised.
Are you ready to start your bathroom remodeling project? Contact us to get started today.