You saved up and budgeted like a champ, and now your hard work is paying off because you can afford to remodel your bathroom! But, aside from the funds, there are still a few things you’ll need to know and do to make your remodel a complete success. We have some great ideas on your next steps here:
1. Know your budget
Are you tired of us telling you that you need a budget? We hope not, because it is going to be a recurring theme around here. However, this time we don’t just mean a general budget for all of your finances, but a budget specifically designed to accommodate your bathroom remodel. How much will this remodel cost? How much are you paying in cash, and how much are you charging on a card? Do you have any wiggle room in place for unforeseen circumstances? Make sure your budget is totally ready to go before you proceed with any other plans for your remodel.
2. Understand your budget’s worth
Yes, we’re still on budgets. Once you decide how much you are willing and able to spend on this project, you need to gain an understanding of what that translates to in your remodel. For instance, is your budget enough to put in a new tile floor, new countertops, and a new bathtub? Or is your budget more in line with swapping out cabinet hardware and faucets? It’s important to have a realistic understanding of what type of changes you can expect to see with the budget you’ve made.
3. Do a lot of research
If you’re thinking, “Great, but I have no idea how much it costs to remodel a bathroom,” don’t worry – we have ideas for that, too. This is your chance to do tons and tons and tons of research to see which of your remodel dreams can actually come true. Compare pricing for floors and countertops and any other new items you hope to add to your new bathroom and talk to friends you know who have undergone the same process – they will be able to give you any tricks and tips they used. Just keep in mind that no two bathrooms are identical (probably), so your remodel may price out differently than your buddy’s remodel if your bathrooms are different sizes, built at different times, and so forth. It’s a good idea to write down the info you find or add it to a spreadsheet to help you remember what you learned and where to find what you need.
4. Look for great deals
There is no shame in a tighter budget – don’t spend what you can’t afford! But a smaller budget may mean you need to get creative with your remodeling options. Marble countertops may be out of the question, but you can find some DIY options at your local hardware store that would help you stay in your budget while still giving your bathroom a fresh new look. Even a new coat of paint can go a long way in giving the room a new, updated feel. Take some time to research ideas designed for smaller budgets to learn how you can still have a new bathroom without breaking the bank. Places like Pinterest are a great resource to help you get started.
5. Talk to the right people
Using a contractor to remodel your bathroom is a good for a number of reasons. First, they are the experts, which means that many of your questions about how far you can stretch your budget and which items to look for can be answered by the contractor you work with. Contractors also may have great sources or information on better deals for cabinets, countertops, hardware, and everything in between. Using a contractor means having access to all of the expertise they have cultivated. Just be sure you find a contractor that comes highly recommended. You can even go to social media to ask for ideas from people who have used a contractor in the past few months.
6. Know the timeline
It’s important to understand how long this remodel will take, especially if you will be unable to use that bathroom for a while and need to find a new place to shower. Ask your contractor for a projected completion date, or, if you are doing it yourself, go ahead and plan out each step so you can estimate how much time you will spend on this project. Knowing even an approximate timeline can also help you determine when you want to start this remodel – if you’re hosting everyone for the next big family gathering in two weeks, now might not be the time to start tearing out cabinets and busting through walls. Pick a time that will work best for you and your family.
7. Prepare for the unknown
This may seem like a paradoxical idea, but what we really mean is that you need to be flexible when it comes to everything about a bathroom remodel except your budget. You can’t predict the future – maybe the shower tile you love has been back-ordered and your timeline is stretching a little further as a result, or maybe your contractor comes down with the flu and has to take a week off. But while you can’t know exactly what will happen, you can practice being flexible and remember that many of these things are out of your control. Go ahead and expect that the unexpected will happen during the remodel process.
8. Consider taking it slow
This advice is most often given for relationships, and we are talking about the very important relationship between you and your new bathroom. If your budget is tight, that’s okay – you don’t have to remodel your entire bathroom at once. Start small by purchasing some new knobs for your cabinet drawers. Next month, if it’s in your budget, you can look at buying some framed art to go on the wall. The next month, look for a nice rug that will tie in some of the colors you want to use. Going slowly like this may feel tedious, but you will still get an updated look and your budget will thank you profusely.
Bathroom remodels are fun, stressful, exciting, crazy, infuriating, and every emotion in between. Go into your project with a firm plan in place and remember that, when it’s all said and done, you will get to enjoy a new room that is perfect for you.
If you’re ready to tackle home renovations, cash in on your home’s equity and consider a ReadiEquity Line of Credit from Georgia’s Own. You’ll enjoy a revolving credit line that offers easy access to funds, plus low rates, flexible funding, and more. Learn more about our ReadiEquity LOC or apply today.
