Remodeling a Bathroom – Do’s and Don’ts

07 Aug Remodeling a Bathroom – Do’s and Don’ts

Whether you are remodeling a bathroom to suit your personal design preferences or renovating an outdated bath to prepare for sale, this is an important makeover for the feel and function of your home. Done well, the value of a remodeled bathroom can meet or even exceed the value of the investment.

Here are some of the important lessons we’d like to share as a veteran builder and renovator of Bay Area homes.

The Bathroom Remodel Do List

For the homeowner, remodeling a bathroom begins with identifying pain points and imagining solutions. Idea boards, decor magazines, and market research can help inform and shape your goals. When it’s time to turn from ideation to renovation, here’s what you should remember:

Prepare with considered planning. Before actually remodeling a bathroom, you need to examine the bathroom you already have. How will your inspiration take shape? Extensive renovations may call for moving plumbing and re-inventing storage solutions. Draw up your own ideas and consult with a general contractor to make sure you are on the same page — and that the plan will work.

Anticipate the future. If you plan on staying in the home forever, your bathrooms can benefit from universal design that accommodates age and ability. If you expect to sell in the near- to medium-term future, talk with a designer about the trends to expect.

Think beyond looks. Water usage, ventilation efficiency, cleaning commitment — remodeling a bathroom succeeds through great design and smart decisions for every component.

Leave a little room in the budget. Contractors often discover mold or plumbing problems that need to be fixed before moving forward. Allow some leeway for unexpected but necessary work.

Find a contractor who understands what you want. Bathrooms have become a focal point of happiness at home and a major consideration for home value. It’s a personal and important project. You don’t want someone remodeling a bathroom if they do not understand your esthetics and lifestyle or if they will insist on doing things the way they’ve always been done. Interview people, review portfolios, and find a shared vision.

The Bathroom Remodel Don’t List

Remodeling a bathroom can lift a great burden from home life. So much so that you might get carried away in the excitement and forget some important details of a successful remodel. We recommend you avoid these mistakes:

Don’t overstretch your DIY efforts. Homeowners can do some of the remodeling work such as removing old fixtures and applying the final touches. The more complicated aspects of remodeling a bathroom, though, should be left to professionals.

Don’t obtain mismatched items or online products you’ve never seen. Contractors can get wholesale pricing for many materials, mitigating the savings you might expect by purchasing items yourself. Shopping online and sourcing from various manufacturers is a recipe for clashing colors and uneven design.

Don’t ignore the importance of licensing and insurance. Remodeling a bathroom involves plumbing, electrical work, and heavy materials. Make sure to work with a contractor licensed for the full scope, with insurance to protect your liability.

Don’t marry yourself to too many trends. It’s possible to get everything you want — the colors, the finishes, the showerhead, the bidet, the vintage lighting. In the big picture, though, remodeling a bathroom with too many in-the-moment decisions can lead to regret and datedness soon after. San Francisco stays ahead of (or even creates) the trends very well, so you want to seize the moment early, not late.

Contact Plath & Co. to find out more about remodeling a bathroom with the San Francisco area’s leading designers and builders.