You would be hard pressed to find a room in your home that gets more use, in proportion to its size, than the bathroom. It stands to reason, then, that it should be the inner sanctum you want it to be.
Bathrooms are the most remodeled rooms in homes today. Despite their small size, without proper planning and professionalism, renovating them can cause some large inconvenience.
So, here is a straightforward, honest guide to your bathroom remodel, and what to expect going into it, so you can get through it more easily.
Expect Only A-1 Service from the Contractor and Designer
Few rooms in your home have plumbing, electrical, fixtures, cabinetry, HVAC, special flooring and much more all together in such a confined space. Therefore, expect to check out a few contractors and designers.
Expect a history of great work, timely completion and strong referrals. Anything less means you move on to the next contractor. Go through the company’s website and request details and photos from past projects. Do you like them? It’s that simple. After that, to really get a feel for their work, and what to expect for your bathroom remodel, referrals are a must. Then examine all documents closely before signing. You need the project laid out with materials to be used, timelines, costs, and warranties, just to name a few.
It’s Going To Get Messy
After the plans are drawn and excitement is in the air, reality sets in and things get messy. Disruption, noise and mess are inevitable when remodeling a bathroom. But don’t worry. Expect the contractor you chose wisely to take care of you, to communicate what will happen each day, and to give forewarning.
So, what “reality” should you expect for your bathroom remodel?
- Noise – we wish it could be silent, but it is temporary
- Demolition – pulling out toilet, tub, shower, sink, floors, drywall, sometimes windows, etc
- Plumbing work
- Carpentry
- Electrical upgrading and rewiring
- Tiling and ceramics
- New drywall
- Painting
- New fixtures
- New lighting
When you add all these together, mess is inevitable. Barriers may be put up to keep dust away, but some will end up escaping and getting elsewhere. Don’t let this deter you because your contractor should clean up thoroughly along the way and take every precaution to minimize discomfort and stress.
Expect the Unexpected
As mentioned before, few rooms in your home have such a variety of intricate systems running through them. Combining plumbing and electrical is tricky enough without all the other aspects of a bathroom remodel, so you can expect at least one thing not to go precisely to plan. If you chose the right contractor for the job, he will communicate well with you, keep you in the loop, offer new ideas, and assist you to make decisions.
Stay Excited
When there is dust and noise and mess, it is easy to lose sight of the goal. That goes double if some design elements had to change. But that is the reality of home renovation. Stay positive. No problem is insurmountable. A good contractor and designer will support you by being present, keeping you up to date on your bathroom remodel, and guiding you through what to expect along the way.
Greg Nelson is the owner of Nelson Construction & Renovations Inc. He is a Florida State Certified Building Contractor, creating artistry in all areas of design and construction projects. He is a musician, and artist. A husband and father, Greg appreciates all the wonderful elements of family life.
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