Knowing how to remodel a bathroom correctly will improve your home’s appeal, saving you a lot of money in the process. You will be able to transform one of the most used rooms in your home into your own private sanctuary. Knowing what order to do the work in is the first step to a successful bathroom remodel. Keep reading for the complete process on how to remodel a bathroom, and answers to the most important questions.
Each bathroom remodel has challenges you will need to consider. The scope of the work can vary in several different ways. The size of the budget will dictate much about the project. One example is to encourage homeowners to put some “sweat equity” into the project.
This article will highlight the key stages to a complete bathroom remodel. Several stages in a bathroom remodel doesn’t require you to be an expert to do it yourself. There are other steps you will want to remove from the project schedule altogether, saving time and money.
If you plan on doing any of the work yourself, take into consideration what level of skill you have working with tools. When working with power tools it’s important to not do anything that makes you uncomfortable. That being said, the only way for you to build experience is to try. We all start at the same level of expertise.
If there is a stage in this project that is required, but you don’t feel comfortable tackling it yourself, look into hiring a professional. Just keep in mind this will deduct from the overall budget, and should be allocated accordingly.
Read this entire article before getting started. It is designed to answer questions you may not know you have yet, but should consider. I will be discussing what goes into each stage in a bathroom remodel. After that there is a list of frequently asked questions to look at.
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Stages Of A Bathroom Remodel
The thought of a bathroom remodel can feel like an overwhelming endeavor. That’s why it’s best to break it up into sections. The order these sections are in is how they should be tackled. But your project might not require some of them, and others might have a bit of overlap.
Planning The Project (1-2 Days)
This is the most important stage because it helps determine how to tackle the other stages of the project. Starting with a proper “game-plan” is the best way to make sure you stay on budget and the schedule is met, all while accomplishing everything you want to.
Determine what size your budget is for the project. Also decide how you will allocate those funds, making them accessible when they are needed. Be specific with where these funds are going. This means you will be doing research on how much things cost in each stage. You may need to be creative with some of your purchases.
You will want to set a schedule to work with. To do this, first have an idea of the amount of work to be done. Be as thorough as possible, and know this stage may need to be altered as the remodel progresses because of unknown circumstances.
Demolition (1-2 Days)
For some people this is their favorite part of the project. It’s a chance to take out some of that penned up aggression you may be harboring, lol.
You may need to do what’s called a “soft demo” based on the scope of the work being done. Limit the amount of demolition work to the specific areas being remodeled. Think about what you want to focus on, and target that.
For example, if you are changing your vanity then the whole thing can be removed. But if you want to reface it to save some money, keep it installed and remove only the specific parts that are necessary.
Some bathrooms need the electrical and/or some plumbing moved. This will require you to take off some drywall. This type of demo work is a good way for you to save on your budget by doing it yourself. Wear only clothes that you don’t mind getting ruined. And use the proper personal protective equipment for the job. Safety goggles and gloves are a good start.
Walls (2-4 Days)
There might be a chance you will be working with the walls in the bathroom. This can mean a variety of things, anywhere from opening them up for access like mentioned above, to physically changing the layout of the room.
For the latter option you will need a great deal of knowledge in building code, and power tool use. Do not attempt this if you don’t have the necessary experience.
If walls are being moved, be sure to determine ahead of time if they are load bearing. If you don’t know how to do this consult a contractor and a residential building inspector.
Redoing the layout in a bathroom by moving walls and/or plumbing are the two most expensive aspects of a bathroom remodel.
Move the Plumbing (2-5 Days)
There can be several reasons why you would want to move the plumbing. It might be because you want to change the placement of the sink, toilet, or bathtub/shower. There is a specialized level of skill required to work with plumbing.
There is a chance you will need to get an inspector to check the work, depending on your local code requirements and the level of work you will be doing. If you don’t know much about these requirements then I recommend talking to a professional plumber.
This type of work should not be attempted by a novice without proper supervision. It may also add to your budget and schedule if you will be including a professional in your project.
Rework the Electrical (2-5 Days)
Electrical work is included in two phases of a bathroom remodel. In this phase you will be moving wiring for lighting or electrical outlets. The walls need to be opened for the wiring to be accessible.
If new breakers and outlets are being added an electrician should be consulted. There may need to be an inspection done in this case as well.
Working with electricity can be very dangerous if done wrong. There are numerous ways to cause a problem that can become catastrophic. Do not attempt unless you have the proper amount of experience with electrical work.
If you are a beginner or don’t feel comfortable working with electricity, don’t be afraid to hire an electrician. If you hire someone to move the wiring and install electrical boxes, you probably want them to install the outlets at this time as well.
More Wall Work (1-2 Days)
This is the point where you have all the electrical wiring and plumbing moved to where you want it to be. Now it’s time to cover the walls with sheetrock. There are a few things to consider.
One is do you want to insulate the wall? This would be if there is a bedroom on the other side of the wall and the residents don’t want to hear anyone when they are in the bathroom. There are several sound proofing options to research.
Another important thing to know about is if you are sealing a wall that is where a tub or shower will be, you want to use a special type of sheetrock called “cement board drywall”. This is going to prevent any moisture from getting past it and rotting the studs in the wall.
Install the Vanity (1-2 Days)
Installing a vanity is not hard. The main piece of advice I can give is to secure it well to at least two studs. This will ensure it won’t wobble when bumped. The next bit of advice is to make sure it’s level in each direction. This will keep things from rolling off the top after your bathroom is finished.
The scope of this article does not cover all that goes into installing a vanity. This task can be tackled by a novice, as long as you have all the right tools. Make sure you learn how to install it before you begin.
Bathtub/Shower/Tile (3-7 Days)
Now is the time to install the bathtub or shower. If you are moving a heavy bathtub into place, make sure to have help so you don’t hurt yourself. Take your time with this phase, because you only get one attempt at it.
This is a phase that can be attempted by a novice if you feel comfortable working with tools and equipment. If you are new to doing this, take some time beforehand to learn the proper method of installing the tub or shower.
If you are planning on tiling the walls, there’s a higher skill level requirement. Specialty tools should only be used if you feel confident. There are locations that rent equipment like tile saws for you to use.
More Electrical (1-2 Days)
This phase of electrical work is where you are installing the outlets. If you had an electrician that moved the wiring, you could use him or her to install the outlets at that point as well. The other thing that’s done at this phase is installing light fixtures.
Fixtures (1-2 Days)
Installing the fixtures means both light fixtures and plumbing fixtures. Plumbing fixtures are things like the faucet and shower head you will be using. The faucet is done after the sink and countertop is installed. Shower head is after the shower walls are in.
Decor (1-2 Days)
This may be the most fun part of the project. You get to choose how you want to decorate the bathroom. This project was supposed to give you a more comfortable space to enjoy. That means you can choose what you want to decorate it with along the way. But it may be the final touches that are the most important.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a realistic budget for a bathroom remodel?
The scope of work done in a bathroom remodel will dictate how expensive the project will be. On average you will be looking in the $10,000 range. Remodels that have less work, or more sweat equity put in can be closer to $3,000. Some remodels can push the $25,000 limit.
On average you want to consider spending a total of 5 to 10 percent of the value of your home on bathroom remodels. More than this will not balance out the amount of value you will be getting in the end.
Can I redo the bathroom myself?
A diy bathroom remodel can be an accomplishment that gives a great sense of appreciation for your home. The amount of work you can do depends on both your skill level, and the scope of work being done. Don’t attempt anything that can be potentially destructive to your home, like plumbing and electrical work, if you don’t feel confident in your abilities.
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom renovation?
The most expensive part of a bathroom remodel is if you are wanting to reconfigure the layout. Moving plumbing requires opening up walls and possibly removing the subfloor. If you are looking to add electrical to the bathroom you will probably be adding new breakers, and running wire through your house to get to the bathroom. Moving walls can be a larger project than you anticipate. All of these are areas that most likely will require a home inspector to be involved.
What is the best type of flooring for a bathroom?
With the amount of water that spills on bathroom floors, the flooring needs to be waterproof. Some of the top options are:
- Ceramic tiles
- Porcelain tiles
- Vinyl planks
- Linoleum
- Sheet vinyl
What do I need to think about when remodeling a bathroom?
The most important thing to think about when remodeling a bathroom is the budget. This will dictate the scope of work that can be done in the project. It can also determine the schedule as a higher budget allows for professional help to be involved.
Can you renovate a bathroom in stages?
There is a list of stages to follow when renovating a bathroom in the above article. These stages will have overlap, and not have definitive boundaries.
What order should I remodel a bathroom in?
The best order to remodel a bathroom in is:
- Planning
- Walls
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Vanity
- Bathtub/shower/tile
- Fixtures
I have a detailed overview of each of these sections in the article above. Refer to these sections for a better understanding or if you have any questions.
When remodeling a bathroom what should you do first?
The first thing to do in a bathroom remodel is to plan out the entire project. This will give you a better idea of everything that needs to be done. This will help you break it into smaller portions that are easier to accomplish. You will also have a better idea of what parts of your budget should be allocated for.
Conclusion
A bathroom remodel can turn a commonly used part of your home into a mini sanctuary. It also is able to boost the resale value of your home, adding value to it’s investment. When done right a bathroom renovation can be very rewarding, and should be enjoyed every step of the way.
Thank you for reading this article. If you have any questions on what was said, please leave a comment below.
Happy Remodeling,
Kevin