Bathroom remodeling is one of the best and fastest ways to increase the value of your home. If you are one of the many homeowners planning to re-sell your house, a clean and well-maintained bathroom of an old bathroom is not enough to mark up its resale value.

According to Remodeling magazine’s cost vs. value report for 2024, a homeowner can expect a return on investment of 73.7% with a mid range bathroom remodel. Net return for bathroom remodeling has significantly increased since 2020 by 10%.

*Fig. 1. Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report for 2024, comparing average costs for 23 remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale in 150 U.S. markets.*

This increasing trend of net returns for bathroom remodeling allows homeowners to upscale their bathrooms by adding key features that will improve their aesthetics and functionality. However, not all bathroom renovations will help you increase resale value, especially if they are not done with quality. A careful and guaranteed way to get the best resale value with your bathroom remodel is by using suitable materials and finishes and choosing a team of the best experts for bathroom remodeling, such as Modern Handymen. Modern Handymen offers a wide range of bathroom remodeling ideas. A team of experts will help you decide on the bathroom remodel that is the best fit to upgrade your existing bathroom. With careful planning and hiring the best remodeling contractor, homeowners can avoid costly mistakes that lessen their home’s value.

6 Steps to a Successful Bathroom Remodel:

1. Define your goals

The bathroom is an essential part of every home’s health and happiness. Upgrading your bathroom also means TLC. Caring for your bathroom is caring for yourself and your family’s welfare.

The most common reason homeowners remodel their bathrooms is to improve their appearance. If your existing bathroom no longer suits your taste, it’s time to remodel. Whether you want a more modern look or to maximize bathroom space and functionality with every feature, a remodel is the best way to improve your bathroom’s aesthetics and functionality.

Remodeling your bathroom also improves safety. Slippery floors in your bathroom are hazardous. According to the National Fall Safety Institute (NFSI), slips and falls account for more than a million hospital emergency room visits or 12% of total falls, the leading cause of hospital visits in the US. Half of all the accidental deaths in the home are caused by a fall. The risks of slip and fall can be lessened by improving your bathroom features through a remodel, such as replacing your home’s floor tiles, adding grab bars, and creating a walk-in shower or tub.

Bathroom remodels can also lower utility costs. They expose unseen and outdated plumbing lines, which can be a potential source of water leaks. Electricity-saving showers, water-saving toilets, and faucets are also available on the market. These energy-saving features can significantly reduce utility costs and simultaneously help the environment. Whatever your reasons for remodeling your bathroom, it is essential to plan carefully ahead of time to avoid costly mistakes.

2. Set a realistic budget

It is essential to estimate the cost of your bathroom remodeling plans to have an overview of the budget you have to work within. The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) suggests setting aside a budget between 5% to 10% of your home’s overall value for your bathroom remodel. Generally, bathroom remodels range from $70 to $250 per square foot. A bathroom remodel in Nashville and Brentwood averages from:

Small range- $5,000 to $15,000

Mid-range- $15,000 to $30,000

Full-scale- $30,000 to $50,000.

To break this down, you have to set a realistic budget for the following items:

a. Planning & Design

If you opt for a DIY bathroom remodel, you can save money on this. However, it will cost you time, and indirect costs might increase. The best option is to hire a qualified remodeling contractor to plan along with you and offer you freshly-baked remodeling design ideas for your bathroom. This can save you from time-consuming planning and stress.

b. Permits

Permitting may vary depending on the location of your home. Your permit fees will depend on the total cost of construction. You may visit your local government websites for the latest permit fee list that applies to your remodeling project. In Tennessee, you may visit the Department of Commerce and Insurance.

c. Materials & Finishes

The final price of the bathroom remodel depends on the size of the bathroom, floor plan, number and complexity of fixtures, and material quality; according to Forbes, fixtures and flooring cost up to 15% of your total material cost and a lesser cost on paintings, which composes only 5% of it. DIY can have the most minor budget of $2,100 on cheaper materials. But it can go as high as $9,000 for high-quality materials. Hiring a contractor may save you money on material costs as they can give discounts from suppliers for their frequently used materials on different projects.

d. Labor Costs

As a rule of thumb, the estimated labor cost is 45% to 65% of your material cost. That is $50 to $75 per hour. The more complex your bathroom design is, the higher the labor cost. Labor costs or contractor charges may also vary depending on the location of your project. The farther your area is, the higher the mobilization cost. It is important to note that your water and pipes should be left to plumbing professionals to maximize your labor costs and minimize rework costs.

e. Management Costs

If you are doing a DIY project, eliminate this. However, hiring a bathroom remodeling contractor may still save you money. Expert remodelers can prevent delays and costly mistakes by managing almost everything from planning to execution.

f. Contingency Cost

You might encounter unforeseen problems during remodeling, such as unsafe electrical lines hiding behind drywalls or improper plumbing lines. While preparing for a budget, you must also include a budget for repairing and correcting existing lines to maximize your renovations and save time.

3. Plan the Layout

The main differences between a bathroom renovation and a remodel include changing layouts. As renovation typically upgrades materials and finishes, a complete bathroom remodeling involves changing the bathroom layout to increase its square footage. Plan and reconfigure your layout thoroughly to maximize your bathroom space and achieve your desired efficiency. Remember the following tips in planning for your bathroom layout:

a. Ensure the bath, vanity, shower, and other fixtures are the correct scale for your bathroom. Do not install big fixtures because they take up too much space.

b. Provide sufficient storage in your bathroom. Eye-level storage is critical in a bathroom to prevent untoward incidents. Refrain from restricting your storage to the vanity section; this will make your vanity space too dominating.

c. Do not place the bathroom door where it opens to face the toilet directly. It is unnecessary and unstylish.

d. Consider adequate and correct lighting in your layout to make your bathroom a relaxing space to spend time.

e. Create separate zones within your bathroom to make it more functional and welcoming to users.

*Fig. 2. Installation of glass door as permanent separator between toilet and bath by Modern Handymen*

Consider the existing structures, especially the plumbing and electrical lines, to avoid moving them and blowing out your budget. Identify critical locations before you drill to install your fixtures and accessories to avoid costly mistakes.

f. Measure accurately before selecting fittings and fixtures for your bathroom to ensure they’ll fit. Measure also if drawers and cabinet doors will not have obstructions.

4. Choose Your Materials and Fixtures

The bathroom is one of the most abused rooms in your home, exposed to different causes of deterioration such as heat, cold, steam, and mold. Using low-quality materials may not stand long enough. Using longer-lasting materials is more cost-effective. From selecting your tiles for flooring to plumbing and lighting fixtures, it is essential to consider not only what looks appealing to your eyes but also their durability. The quality of your bathroom remodel results dramatically depends on the quality of the material and fixture you choose to buy and install.

*Fig. 3. Modern Handymen’s attention to detail in choosing the right materials to complement homeowner’s bathroom style*

5. Hire the Right Contractor

When you choose a contractor for your home remodel, you must pay attention to these critical factors:

a. Portfolio

Check the contractor’s past projects to verify their experiences align with your bathroom remodel needs. Reading online reviews will also help you gauge the quality of their work.

b. Communication

When you meet with a possible contractor, pay attention to how they communicate their ideas. Do they approach you in a professional and friendly way? Do they respect your time, or do they constantly reschedule? These can be early signs of how they will implement your bathroom remodel projects.

c. Price

Often, homeowners are tempted to always choose the lowest bidder or the contractor with the lowest price. However, this may pose risks in dealing with bathroom repairs sooner than expected because of possible low-quality materials used. Check the average rate of remodeling contractors in your region to see if their offer is overpriced or too good to be true.

d. License and Insurance

The contractor’s license and insurance speak so much about their credibility. Your contractor must know the local codes to avoid violations and penalties. You will also feel secure if your contractor is insured. The contractor’s insurance covers damages and accidents.

6. Timeline Expectations

Your bathroom remodel schedule may affect your daily routine. For some homeowners, this may cause excitement and anxiety. You have to set realistic timelines for your bathroom remodel to avoid disappointments. On average, bathroom remodeling takes 4 weeks, depending on the bathroom size and the plan's complexity. Here is an ideal overview of a typical bathroom remodel timeline:

Week 1: Pre-construction Preparations

In the first week, an ocular inspection is scheduled before the start of the project. Once the plans and estimates are finalized, you may also start purchasing materials. If an existing structure needs to be removed, you can begin demolition. Start the roughing-ins for the electrical and plumbing lines or repair works if there are any. Ensure that the necessary waterproofing is also applied to ensure sufficient curing time.

Week 2: Carpentry

Once the roughing-ins and waterproofing have been inspected, tested, and approved, you can begin closing the dry walls and ceilings and installing new walls if necessary. Schedule a final punch listing and inspection prior to painting.

Week 3: Tiling Works and Finishes

Tiling is generally the longest work in a bathroom remodel. Tiles are difficult to install correctly, and it takes an expert tile setter to finish the work correctly in a short period of time. Smaller tiles take longer to install than larger ones.

Week 4: Final Finishes

By this time, your bathroom should be starting to look like a new one. Finish any remaining carpentry work, such as cabinets and walls. Once all carpentry work is completed, it’s time for the final painting. Observe proper curing and application of paints to avoid rework and delays. Once all the finishes are completed, final punch listing should take place to fix what needs to be improved before final cleaning and turnover. This timeline is ideal. However, you need to consider certain circumstances that may affect your original schedule, such as bad weather, the availability of materials, and unexpected repairs.

Now that you understand how bathroom remodels are planned and implemented, you will know that remodeling can be an enormous task. If you opt for DIY, you will have too many tasks to handle. If you’re looking for a successful bathroom remodel without the hassle of figuring out where to start or how to finish, team up with Modern Handymen. Modern Handymen is the most trusted remodeling contractor in Brentwood and Nashville, TN, with a team of vetted professionals and skillful remodel experts. Reinforce the value of your home with a successful bathroom remodeling by Modern Handymen. Call Modern Handymen today at 615-200-8071 to talk about your bathroom remodeling project!

The Complete Guide to a Successful Bathroom Remodel