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A proven way to make your home more attractive to home-buyers and thus increase its market value is to renovate your bathrooms. It is also a great way to make your own life more comfortable. Many people hesitate to take bathroom renovations on, however, because of all the horror stories about how much it can cost, how it can make your life miserable for months on end, and still not get the bathrooms you expected.
All this is unfortunately true if you do not aim for success by planning. You can avoid many of the problems associated with bathroom renovations if you prepare beforehand and engage the services of professionals that can help you carry out your project. Here are tips for achieving success in bathroom renovations.
Space planning
The first step in a successful bathroom renovation is to consider the space you have available. You might dream of duplicating some of the designs you see online or in magazines. But you might end up with a nightmare if you ignore the importance of proper space planning.
In most cases, you have a fixed space for your bathroom, unless it is possible to expand it by knocking down a wall. If it is not an option, you need to bring your planning down to manageable levels. Consider the type of upgrades you want to improve your bathroom. Are you looking at simply replacing the cabinets, or adding more of them to increase your storage? Are you looking at changing the layout to give you more space in which to play? Maybe you are thinking about swapping out your tub for a state-of-the-art shower system.
Whatever you decide, you need to see if you have the space for it. A hot tub with a fireplace sounds fantastic. But if you have a 10 x 10-foot bathroom, that is not going to happen. Take a realistic look at your space and decide what you can change, and how far you want to go within the limits of your space.
Get real inspiration
Most homes follow standard dimensions, especially if they are part of a bigger project. If you live in a neighborhood where the bathrooms are identical to yours in terms of position and dimensions, you might want to get more neighborly and sneak a peek at their bathrooms. If you find a bathroom you like, you are almost sure to be able to use it as an inspiration for your own bathroom. And it will work.
If you get no joy from your neighbors’ bathrooms, or your house is not like any other house in your area, you can still put your visits to good use, especially if you are planning to put your house up for sale. You can do one better to make your home more attractive. For example, if your neighbors have two bathrooms, you might want to consider adding even a tiny powder room under the stairs. If they have no storage space, put in a vanity with granite countertops and overhead cabinets.
Think long-term
The extent of any bathroom renovations you plan to undertake should take into consideration what it will give back in the long-term. If you are planning to sell your home in the next year or so, it makes no sense to do anything too extensive as you will not get back your investment in that short a time. Concentrate on cosmetic changes such as painting the walls, putting in vanity tops. or adding bathroom cabinets as these are easy to do and can make your life more comfortable in the short time you will be still using it.
On the other hand, if you have no plans of moving in the next few years, indulge your personal preferences to the extent of the space and budget you have. After all, you deserve to have a nice bathroom you can enjoy to the fullest.
Make a realistic budget
While complete bathroom renovations can cost anywhere between $10,000 to $30,000 for a small to medium-sized bathroom, it can get away from you quite easily if you don’t have a clear idea of how to distribute the money you plan to spend.
The first thing is to establish how much you can comfortably afford. The next step is to prioritize the changes you want to make. And find out how much each one is likely to cost you. If you are intent on a major renovation, keep this in mind: choose the best toilet, vanity top, and sink you can afford, as these have to last you a long time. For everything else, you can choose the middle ground.
If you have to pick just a few things to upgrade, look to function first. If your tiles are old and outdated, do those first. Storage is always a problem in bathrooms, so look at putting in cabinets, which should not cost a lot, and easy enough to do yourself.
The point is to keep your renovation costs manageable. A complete remodel is not always the best way to go. You can plan a series of small improvements that will not run you off budget.
Look at the fine print
It is very easy to get quotes for anything you want done in your bathroom. However, you should never take them at face value. Some contractors provide incomplete quotes or will not provide detailed ones, so you might end up paying far more than you intended or not get what you expect.
Before committing to a contractor or supplier, check if they have the equisite licenses to operate in your area. Look for reviews about each one and see what past clients have to say about them. In some cases, you may get some mixed reviews, so it is a good idea to use the quote to make your own conclusions. If you feel that the quote is too good to be true, you are probably right.
It also pays to get several quotes for the same job with different companies. You might be able to narrow down your choices more quickly that way, and find a reliable company to help you with your bathroom renovations.
Conclusion
Planning a bathroom renovation in a realistic and practical manner can help you achieve success. However, choosing the right supplier can also have a great impact on the quality of the products you will get.
Cabinets City is your best bet when looking for top quality cabinets and countertops for your bathroom and kitchen. We service cities such as Chicago, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Hoffman Estate, Elk Grove Village, and surrounding areas.
We carry some of the best brands in the country, from RTA to custom cabinets, and at the best prices compared to Cabinets To Go and Advance Cabinets. These include Schrock, Fabuwood, J and K, Forevermark, and Wolf Cabinets, each of which come with manufacturer warranties.
We can advise you on the best cabinets for your bathroom and kitchen. Always we deliver on time, so you will not have to worry about keeping your schedule to stay in budget.
Give us a call for a free design consultation and quote, or visit our showroom in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.
