Bathroom remodels are very common and the bathroom is one of the first rooms people think about when they want to make major renovations. This is because the bathroom is one of the most important and intimate rooms in a house. When done right, it can give you a great return on investment, but it can turn into a money pit just the same. Let’s take a look at some of the worst mistakes people make during a bathroom remodel so you don’t have to.
Hiring the Wrong Team
Everything starts by hiring the right people. You need someone who’s reliable, trustworthy, and with plenty of experience. Another thing you shouldn’t overlook is their creative vision. You need to look at what they do and what you’re trying to accomplish. If they have more of a classic approach and you’re looking for something more avant-garde, your opinions might clash or they might not be comfortable with certain techniques, but act like they are just so they don’t lose your business.
If you want the best results, we suggest you work with a home remodeling contractor like Beattie Development. They’ve been in the business for over a decade and received plenty of accolades along the way. They won the Guildmaster Award in 2018, 2020, and 2021, which is given to contractors who consistently demonstrate stellar customer service.
Customer service is extremely important when working with a contractor. You have to be able to know at what stage you are at all times. You should also know when and if there are going to be delays. As well as this, you need the quote to be consistent and make sure that any additional expense is justified.
Moving Major Components Around
Another major mistake that you should avoid is moving major components inside the bathroom. You should also think twice about replacing a shower with a bathtub. Doing so will not only complicate things, but not everyone loves bathtubs, so you might end up making your house less attractive to prospective buyers if you ever intend to sell.
Moving something like a toilet might seem simple at first glance, but there are major changes involved. Moving a toilet or a sink alone could cost you $3000 apiece, so that’s a lot of money to add to a project. Not to mention that you could probably get roughly the same results by keeping everything in place. This is where working with a good team will help. They will be able to look at plans B and C with you and look for solutions that will respect your original vision. They could also come up with suggestions to keep costs down.
Outdated Materials and Features
One of the things you need to watch out for is adding outdated elements into the design. Moroccan tiles, for instance, while being a staple in bathrooms all across America, are sort of passe right now, especially the black and white type. So, try to be more original. Terracotta tiles would be a great option here. And, if you’re going to be using Moroccan tiles, do so sparingly.
You also have to stay on top of the trends and know what features have fallen out of favor with buyers if your goal is to sell at a later date. Large jetted tubs, and tubs in general, are not something people will go crazy about. However, it’s still not a reason to replace it with a shower if you have one, as it will add to the cost as we mentioned earlier.
The solution here would be to go for something that is in style right now, like colored clawfoot tubs. People who love bathtubs love these, so you’ll at least be able to score points with them without going overboard with your budget.
Not Using Alternative Materials
You also shouldn’t be closed-minded when looking at materials and don’t be afraid to try something new. Things like luxury vinyl tiles, for instance, could completely transform your bathroom and they have tons of benefits. These tiles are made of vinyl, but they’re nothing like traditional vinyl flooring. These have a vinyl base with a printed pattern on top of it with a glossy protective finish. These can replicate the look of materials like wood that usually wouldn’t be a good fit for a bathroom. This is another thing you should look over with your contractor. They’ll be able to tell if it’s a good choice and show you the options available.
Using Expensive Marble
If you want to have a marble sink, there is no point in buying the very best marble. You can get roughly the same result by choosing marble with imperfections. It’s even better if the imperfection is somewhere in the sink bowl. Another option is using a marble veneer. This will give you roughly the same esthetic but for a fraction of the price.
Floating Sinks
Many people tend to associate floating sinks with luxury, and this is one of the features they want to see in a bathroom. However, although they look luxurious, they have many drawbacks. For one, they take up a lot more space than many imagine. So, unless you have a massive bathroom, you don’t want that much visual real estate being taken up by a sink. There are also many alternatives like wall-mounted vanities that will look just as nice but without taking up as much room.
Cement Tiles
Cement tiles are all the rage right now, but this is one trend we can expect to fizzle out very soon. While they do bring a nice texture and are somewhat affordable, they are a pain to maintain and get stained over a while. They are not a great choice for longevity.
These are all things you should avoid on your next bathroom remodel project. Avoiding these mistakes will make sure that you’re happy with the results and have a bathroom that both you and future owners will love.
