More than 1 in 10 homeowners remodel a bathroom each year. Roughly 21 percent of those remodels are of the master bathroom with a minimum budget of $7,500. Whether you’ve purchased an aging home in desperate need of an update, or you’ve lived in your house for decades and you’re ready for a change, a bathroom remodel can breathe new life into one of the most used spaces in the home.
Setting a budget for a bathroom remodel can be intimidating. Adding up the cost of a new countertop, fixtures, shower, tub and toilet can throw your budget off track before you even get started. If you need to renovate a bathroom on a budget, there are a few steps you can take to avoid common issues.
Bathroom remodel budget
Before you dive into the numbers, use a few tips to launch your project on a strong financial path. When planning your bathroom remodel:
- Select one feature to receive a major upgrade or replacement. This will be your splurge item and the focal point of the new bathroom.
- Have a contingency budget. You never know when you’ll find water damage, mold or another type of setback. Set some money aside for the unplanned expense.
- Consider bathroom features you can renovate rather than replace. Perhaps a fresh stain or new paint color will bring the vanity to life, saving you hundreds during the remodel.
- Consider buying previously owned items. Check out local consignment stores and regional online sale and trade sites for materials you can purchase at a discounted rate.
- Price less expensive materials. Exchanging some of your wishlist items for cheaper materials will help keep you in budget. Unless it’s your splurge item, forgo the porcelain tile for vinyl instead.
When you think outside the box for ways of gathering your materials and where you can choose similar products as opposed to the costly counterparts, you’re more likely to stay on track with your bathroom remodel budget.
Create a successful bathroom remodel
Even if you’re inexperienced with home renovations, there are some aspects of the bathroom remodel you can complete. Handling your own demolition is possible if you’re just removing the bathroom vanity and mirror, but if you’re replacing the shower, leave that to the pros. Damaging the plumbing that runs behind your walls could easily consume your budget.
A fresh coat of paint on the walls or vanity can completely change the feel of the space. Some of the most popular paint colors for bathrooms include stone blue, light gray, soft tan and off white.
If your budget doesn’t allow you to rip out the old shower or sink, update the fixtures. A modern faucet and shower head can completely transform the old space. Add to that new cabinet hardware and lightning fixtures and you’ve created a whole new look for just a few hundred dollars.
A bathroom remodel doesn’t have to cost you thousands. Choose the area where you want to splurge and supplement the rest of the space with new paint and inexpensive swaps to stay on budget.
