Bathroom Remodeling
Planning: The Key to Bathroom Remodeling
 
 
by Woodrow Aames (aka. Gabby Hyman)
 
Remodeling your bathroom doesn't have to be a terrible experience. Yet so many homeowners fail to plan properly when creating their ideal bathroom design. Working without a checklist and master plan can be dangerous. You don't want to burst your budget--or burst a bathroom shower pipe. And you certainly don't want to hire a contractor without insurance.
If you've already pored through online or print magazines offering small bathroom remodeling ideas, you can settle on features you want. Now's the time to match up your bathroom design with the components you'll address in the remodeling project.
 
Bathroom Checklist
Depending on the scope of your design, you'll probably have to address many of these critical items:
  • Sink (or sinks)
  • Toilet
  • Tub or Shower (plumbing, hardware, doors, curtain rods, and surround)
  • Storage or Medicine Cabinets
  • Vanity
  • Shelving
  • Entry doors
  • Ventilation
  • Lighting (wiring and fixtures)
  • Flooring
  • Wall covering (paint and tile)
  • Mirrors
Ask yourself, have you budgeted adequately for each of these items? Even so, before undertaking any bathroom remodeling effort, hold your designs up to the following criteria:
  • Are there any outstanding plumbing problems that need addressing?
  • Do you have adequate plumbing and electrical resources to serve the bathroom design?
  • If you have insufficient space to handle your family's needs, does the remodel design provide additional room, storage, and lighting?
 

Bathroom Remodeling Checklist

Before anyone starts work in your bathroom, go through the following:

  • Does your contractor's bid fit your budget and include plumbing, electrical, HVAC, tile(paint), and cleanup?
  • Have you set aside 10-20 percent in contingency funds in case of cost or labor overruns?
  • Will your contractor arrange insurance, pick up necessary building permits from the city/county, and order all required supplies?
  • Do you have a timeline for reviewing the work in-progress, as well as a firm completion date?
Finally, and typically overlooked, do have you access to an alternate bath and shower for the length of time it will take to have your bathroom remodeling completed? You'll be glad to have this arranged.
 
About the Author:
Woodrow Aames has written articles and profiles for Yahoo, Microsoft Network, Microsoft Encarta, and other websites and print magazines around the world. He holds an MFA degree and has taught English abroad.
 
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