Bathrooms are usually the smallest rooms in a home, but they are the most essential. You literally cannot function without a bathroom, at least not in the modern world. Statistics indicate that a person will have spent half a year in the bathroom spread over the average lifetime. That is over 4,300 hours, which is impressive if you think about it. Some people tend to spend a lot more time in the bathroom than the average, so that number can be a lot larger.
The main reason for the importance of bathroom is simply people must go in there to stay clean and healthy, and preferably at least once daily. Additionally, the bathroom is like a haven for some people, especially those that like to sing despite being terminally off-key. It is a place where they can release stress in a relaxing bath or invigorating shower and work to look their very best for the office or a night out.
Since people do spend a lot of time in the bathroom, it makes sense to give it priority in the home improvement budget. You deserve to have a place that makes you feel comfortable entering and using always of the day. It doesn’t have to be luxurious if you are happy in it.
This is just for bathrooms you use personally. You can express your personality without hindrance in those. For guest bathrooms and powder rooms, you want to make sure they find it inviting. You also want to create a good impression, so you might want to splurge a little on the luxe accommodations.
All these considerations typically mean renovating the bathroom, especially if you are coming in as a new owner to an older home, or you have not done anything to upgrade it in many years. Fortunately, bathrooms are particularly easy to remodel because:
• You normally leave the base structures such as plumbing and wiring intact, unless you are planning to change the layout of the room or expand the bathroom, or if there are serious problems with them
• Demolishing bathroom walls and tiles do not usually involve any load-bearing structures, so you can go at it with little fear
• Bathroom materials are usually standard, readily available, and affordable, especially if you choose ceramic tiles
• Labor cost tends to be les because you are looking at a smaller space, and contractors typically cost out materials and labor on a per square foot basis
Given that bathroom remodeling is not that big a deal compared to remodeling a kitchen or basement, the question is how much you can expect to spend on one. Typically, you will shell out about $8,000 for a complete remodel of a 45-quare foot bathroom complete with new fixtures.
Of course, that figure will change depending on any issues you might discover as you demolish walls and floors. This is especially true if you live in an older house. In some cases, you will have to replace whole plumbing or electrical lines, or both. You might find mold, so remediation will add to your cost. In general, you should put aside 15% of your remodeling budget for contingencies.
Cost Breakdown
In most cases, your bathroom remodeling will involve some basic elements. Each one represents a certain percentage or amount of your budget. You can use this breakdown to help you calculate the probable cost of your remodel.
Vanity
The bathroom vanity has become more common in even small bathrooms, and rightly so as it serves many purposes. It provides a surface on which to place various items for grooming and hygiene. It also provides a nice focus for your design. Most vanities are a pair or set of base cabinets, so it also serves to hide plumbing and provide storage.
An important feature of vanities is the countertops. Choose beautiful colors and patterns for your vanity tops and you have an attractive bathroom. Choose granite, marble, or quartz, and you have a functional one as well.
The price of a well set-up vanity will vary, depending on the materials you choose. A marble vanity top with a bowl sink and solid wood base cabinets is going to cost you more than a standard porcelain sink with laminate countertops with no cabinets. Expect your vanity with a countertop to cost you upwards of $550.
Fixtures
Faucets and other fixtures are essential for your bathroom. Since you are upgrading, you should the best you can afford, as they can make a huge difference on the look of your bathroom. Expect to pay anywhere from $300 for a complete set of good-quality fixtures for a full bathroom.
Plumbing
Unseen but essential, the bathroom plumbing will cost you a pretty penny if you must replace them for the remodel. However, your best investment in this would be to engage a licensed plumber to assess and carry out any work necessary. Expect this to cost you anywhere from $250 to $5,000, depending on the size of your bathroom and scope of the work.
Walls and floors
If you are ripping out tiles and replacing them for the wall and floors, the cost will depend on the materials you choose. You can expect to pay as little as $1,000 for retiling walls and floors, including shower tiles, for a 5 x 8-foot bathroom. For patterning tiles, this could go up about 15% due to higher labor costs. On average, the cost of retiling is $15 per square foot.
Conclusion
Bathroom remodeling should be on the top of your list for the coming year. The cost is less than a kitchen remodel, but the value added is more because of the functionality of the room. If you need help, you should contact a reliable contractor. Fairfax Kitchen Bath guarantees you will love your remodeled bathroom for life.
Fairfax Kitchen Bath services the DC, MD and Northern Virginia metropolitan areas. We are a Class A, licensed and insured contractor, registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We have a showroom in Fairfax, Virginia, which houses all our products.
We sell only top-quality products for all your bathroom remodeling needs, from natural and engineered stone slabs, cabinets, shelves, sinks, faucets tiles, backsplashes, knobs and pulls, and flooring. We carry only the top brands for these products, such as Schrock Cabinetry, Silestone, Blanco, Kohler, and Mosaic Décor.
Contact us today to get free in-home design consultation and quote for your bathroom remodeling project.
