Bathroom Remodeling - Ideas and Checklist

It's no secret that women generally have the last word when deciding on which new home to purchase. Of course, the man wants his garage, but the two areas that have the greatest impact on that buying decision are bathrooms and kitchens. So, if you're considering a sale, there's no better way to increase the value of your home than to improve the appearance and functionality of your bathrooms. But, selling your home doesn't have to be the only reason to consider a bathroom's new look or greater utility. So, regardless of your motivation, let's look at some important elements to consider.

One of the simplest ways to start planning your remodeling project is to take a look at other bathrooms. Check out home improvement magazines, surf the internet, visit homes for sale and even the bathrooms of neighbors or friends. Pay attention to what you like and don't like.

Be sure you understand the reason for the remodeling project in the first place. Is it to create a more relaxing, personal environment or greater functionality by facilitating storage, organization and busy weekday mornings? By paying close attention to how you get ready in the morning, you'll have a much better vision of the purpose for the needed improvements.

An important suggestion to consider, if you happen to share the bathroom in the mornings, might be to add special features to help control the space. If you put your makeup on over the bathroom sink, add a separate sink and mirror for you to do that task, while your partner brushes his or her teeth at the other sink, to help prevent bumping into each other.

Another helpful hint is to avoid recessed lights. They may enhance a relaxing mood, but they'll put your mirror in shadows. You always want clear, bright light for applying makeup or shaving. And, if it's practical to do so, put the shower and toilet in a separate area so one person can groom while the other bathes.

Should your remodeling plans include a children's bathroom, a good recommendation is to include plent y of storage and cubbies that are both safe and colorful. If several kids will use the same bathroom, a wall or half wall between the toilet and the rest of the bathroom may be a good idea, as well.

Regardless of the size of the bathroom, it's important to remember that there will be lots of humidity and moisture that can penetrate and damage ceilings, floors and countertops. To properly eliminate both odors and humidity, your plans should include a power ventilator large enough to do the job.

The final consideration will be to determine the feasibility, or affordability of the project. It's always a good idea to start with a budget representing the total amount you intend to spend on the project. And, since the cost for professional contractors can be significant, you'll want to do as much as you can on your own. You may be comfortable with painting or wallpapering, but you'll be surprised at the additional skill you can quickly acquire with free online tutorials and on-hands training from places like "Home Depot". You might even consider purchasing 'how to' books or videos.

Your estimated costs should include:

Typical sink - $60 to $100
High-end sinks - $$ hundreds $$
Vinyl flooring - starts around $3 a foot
Ceramic tile - usually triple the price of vinyl
Basic bathtubs cost a few hundred dollars
Whirlpool tubs - $$ thousands $$
Showers - $300 to $2,000
Traditional toilets - under $200
Fancier toilets - up to $1,500
Paint costs around $50
Wallpaper $60
New accessories - anywhere from a few dollars to a hundred dollars

By shopping around, your numbers may be more precise, but the above list is a quick way to get started with estimating your budget requirements. And lastly, no matter how good a job you've done with your estimating, it's wise to hold back about 20% of your funds to cover emergencies. No matter how hard you try, they do happen.

Harry Monell maintains a conten t website http://www.thresholdthree.com/bathroom/index.html which features a number of articles on bathroom remodeling, including tips on designing, planning, and budgeting your project.

Harry Monell maintains several affiliate and content websites. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Old Dominion University. Following formal retirement in 2000, he spent five years working as a special projects consultant and now spends time with what he considers his most challenging, yet most rewarding endeavor - developing his writing skills.

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