Elevate Your Everyday: A Comprehensive Guide to Bathroom Remodeling

Chapter 1: Reasons to Consider Bathroom Remodeling

Your bathroom is a space where you can relax and escape the stresses of the day. Although some may not believe it, many homeowners will mention their bathroom as one of their favorite rooms in their home. However, if your bathroom is outdated, cramped, or in need of repair, you may not be getting those vibes. There are many signs that could be telling you it’s time to consider remodeling your bathroom.

1. Your Current Space is Outdated or in Need of Repairs

One of the major reasons many homeowners consider a bathroom remodel is to repair specific damage. A cracked sink, a leaky showerhead, or worn-out fixtures are not only unsightly to look at, but can cause major damage behind the walls. If you ignore lurking problems by thinking that you can live with the annoyance, it won’t take long for it to become a much bigger issue. Circumstances like this can cause water damage and mold growth-both of which are unhealthy and frustrating to deal with once they’ve gotten out of hand.

2. Lack of Space and Functionality

If your bathroom has become a small space of chaos in your home, it can make mornings and evenings very difficult to prepare for and wind down from the day. While some bathrooms simply have a small footprint, others have an inefficient layout that can make the room feel even smaller than it is. Your bathroom needs to be functional and allow you to move around freely. It’s important to have the storage to hold the necessary items you want to keep on hand. If you’re struggling with a lack of space or a layout that just doesn’t make sense, it’s time to consider remodeling your bathroom.

3. Poor Energy Efficiency

Outdated bathrooms don’t just look old. Outdated fixtures can be costing you money in your utility bills and are not very environmentally friendly. Old plumbing wastes water, old lighting fixtures aren’t very energy efficient, and both can be driving up your monthly expenses. Bathrooms are high-traffic areas. One flush or shower may not seem like a big deal, but if you have several people in your home using the same bathroom daily, that waste and inefficiency can add up quickly. While this isn’t a top priority for every homeowner, if you are already considering a bathroom remodeling project, this is something to consider.

4. Your Outdated Space is Hurting Your Home’s Marketability

If you are planning on selling your home, a dated, dingy, or poorly laid out bathroom can cost you. Most homebuyers are looking for move-in ready spaces and are not looking to take on a remodeling project, especially a bathroom. If homebuyers see a dated bathroom, they know that you have not invested in any upgrades in the space and may wonder if there is any underlying damage. Homebuyers are quick to turn away in favor of a home that has a fresh look, particularly in the bathrooms. If you are considering listing your home, take a good look at your bathroom and determine if it is attracting buyers – or turning them off. Fortunately, remodeling your bathroom packs a high ROI. If the cost of the project has you second-guessing whether or not you should do it before you sell, it’s important to note that this project in particular will help you sell your home, and you’ll recoup a hefty percentage of your investment.

5. Enhance Your Safety and Accessibility

While you may not be thinking about it now, safety and accessibility will be a concern for you – or your homebuyers – down the road. Sometimes recovering from an injury can show a homeowner exactly how inaccessible or unsafe their bathroom is for a person who is not completely mobile. If you are hoping to stay in your home and “age in place”, or if you are hoping to sell your home and want to make it as desirable as possible, having accessible fixtures in the bathroom can make the space far more desirable. While this may not be a concern for everyone who is taking on a bathroom remodeling project, some want to look ahead and make sure that the bathroom is a safe and accessible place for anyone who uses it.

6. Make Your Bathroom Your Own with Personalization and Aesthetic Upgrades

One of the biggest reasons to consider a bathroom remodeling project is to improve the aesthetic of your space and make it exactly how you want it to be. If you love to take a long bath at the end of the day, a bathroom remodel is the chance to get the tub you’ve always dreamed of. If you hate cleaning a bathtub but long for a dual-headed shower, a bathroom remodel can turn something you don’t want into something you do. If you and your spouse struggle to share the sink in the morning, a dual sink may solve your problems. If the space feels dark, a remodel can allow you to get new lighting to open it up. Think about what you would most like from your space and take this opportunity to get the bathroom you’ve always wanted.

Chapter 2: Benefits of Bathroom Remodeling

A bathroom remodeling project doesn’t need to only be about fixing what is wrong. While looking at particular problem areas can be a good place to start, looking at what you can gain from a bathroom remodel is also helpful. There are many benefits to a bathroom remodeling project that will make it well worth the investment.

Increased Comfort and Functionality

Your bathroom can feel like an oasis in your home. While it is undoubtedly a functional room, it can also be a place to recharge. When you remodel a bathroom, you can focus on what you want to improve. More storage, double sinks, a dual-headed shower, a luxurious tub, towel warmers, ambient lighting, and more are all possible. If your space feels cramped or cluttered, adding storage or adjusting the layout can make even a small space feel bigger. When you are planning your bathroom remodeling project, one of the benefits is that you can blend comfort and function to create the perfect space for you and your family.

Improved Energy Efficiency

As previously discussed, old bathrooms with old fixtures and old plumbing aren’t very energy efficient. With a bathroom remodel, you have the opportunity to improve. Energy efficient or “green” homes are well sought after in the real estate market. Not only do homeowners feel good about having a responsible home and reducing their carbon footprint, they also enjoy the energy savings that come with efficient fixtures, in both their water and electric bills. When you remodel your bathroom, you can install low-flow fixtures that use significantly less water without sacrificing water pressure, energy efficient lighting fixtures that can improve both the aesthetic and energy use in the bathroom, and upgrades that will eliminate any water leaks or power drains. When you are planning your bathroom remodeling project, you can discuss your preferences with your contractor to get the best efficiency without sacrificing any comfort or functionality.

Enhanced Storage and Organization

It’s nearly impossible to relax in a space that feels cluttered. Many bathrooms have a relatively small footprint, but a bathroom remodel can make the best use of that space to create storage for everything you need. Even a small bathroom can feel spacious after a remodeling project that enhances the storage. Rather than dealing with a clunky and inefficient vanity, new trends in open shelving, built in medicine cabinets, storage racks, wall storage, and concealed shelving can help you organize everything you have to make your bathroom as functional as possible. There are many creative storage spaces that bathroom remodeling contractors can help you design. The most important consideration when enhancing your storage and making your space feel bigger is to make the right changes that don’t hurt the functionality of your space. An experienced bathroom remodeling contractor can help you design a space that is just right.

Upgraded Fixtures

Advances in design and technology can catapult your bathroom into modern times. Today’s fixtures are designed to be easier to clean and maintain, more luxurious, and longer lasting. Rather than simply replacing a fixture with the same basic style, you can choose from touch-free models, massaging shower heads, jetted tubs that shoot air instead of water, and multi-flush toilets that allow you to control the amount of water needed to get the job done. If your needs are changing, you can make sure you have a tub for young children, or take the tub away to allow a more accessible shower for older adults to age in place. The upgrades available at nearly every price point can allow many homeowners considering a bathroom remodeling project the opportunity to experience all the benefits of an upgraded space with quality fixtures.

Visual Appeal

You know when you entered a bathroom designed in the 1980s or 1990s. The colors, designs and overall aesthetic can cause a bathroom to feel dated and unappealing. Even a newer bathroom that was only given basic builder-grade materials can create an unwelcoming space. A bathroom doesn’t need to be trendy to have a visual appeal. A bathroom remodel can create visual appeal in nearly every project by incorporating a timeless style. Light colors can make the space feel open, lighting can change depending on the brightness required, and clean lines and high-quality fixtures can all combine to create a beautiful space. Many homeowners feel that the visual appeal alone can make a bathroom remodeling project worthwhile. Soothing colors, natural stone or tile, and updated plumbing fixtures can all make the space feel far more relaxing and inviting.

Chapter 3: Hiring the Right Contractor for Your Bathroom Remodeling Project

Once you have decided to remodel your bathroom, finding the right contractor can be a challenge. There are many contractors out there, but all contractors are not created equal. If you want your bathroom remodeling project to be successful, you need to be confident in who you choose.

Why Hire a Professional Contractor

A bathroom remodeling project is a bigger project than you may think. Whenever you are dealing with plumbing and electric, you want to make sure that you have an experienced professional to take on the job. While you may be able to handle replacing a faucet, a full bathroom remodeling job is best taken on by professionals. A professional bathroom remodeling contractor will have the right team trained and ready to handle the complete project, including design, technical skills, and experience to get the job done. From the overarching plans to the final details, your contractor can handle the ordering, installations, inspections, and everything else that will go into your bathroom remodel. In addition, your contractor can ensure the project is completed on time and within budget. If you want a successful bathroom remodeling project, hiring a professional contractor is the right decision.

Start By Researching And Gathering Recommendations

If you search for “bathroom remodeling,” you can be swept away in a long list that doesn’t give you much insight. The best way to begin your search for a contractor to remodel your bathroom is by asking for recommendations. Focus on local friends, family, and community members who recently had a bathroom remodeling project.

• Who did they use?
• Did they have a good experience?
• What didn’t they like?
• What do they wish they’d done differently?

Many homeowners who have recently had remodeling done are eager to share their experience with others. Once you have a good list, you can research those contractors online to see if they will fit your project well.

Chapter 4: Refresh Your Bath: A Bathroom Remodeling Checklist

If your current bathroom feels outdated, cramped, or inefficient, it’s time to consider remodeling your bathroom. Deteriorating fixtures, a poor layout, and small issues that can quickly lead to larger problems won’t create the relaxing space you deserve. By remodeling your outdated bathroom, not only will your space be aesthetically pleasing, and personalized to your wants with improved functionally, but it will increase your overall property value and the marketability of your home. Your energy efficiency will increase and you will know that the underlying structure is sound with no mold, mildew, or water damage. 

When you are ready to take the next step, look for a bathroom remodeling contractor who will work with you to help you achieve the goals that are most important to you. Look for a company who not only aligns with your vision, but who will be easy to work with as well. Doing so will lead to a successful bathroom remodel. Total Quality Construction has bathroom remodeling experts who are ready to improve the look and functionality of your space. We take pride in clear communication, finishing your project on time and within budget, and guaranteeing our work. Take the first step toward your new dream bathroom and contact us today for a consultation and an estimate.