5 Common Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
A bathroom is a complex part of your home, consisting of functional and decorative works such as plumbing, electrical, ventilation, heating, material finishes, vanity, cabinets, accessories, and many more. Remodeling your bathroom involves more than just changing its loo; it involves how efficiently you can make your desired changes in function. The National Kitchen and Bath Association has demonstrated that thorough planning can reduce the overall cost of a bathroom remodel by 20%. Planning will help shorten the time your bathroom is out of order. Expertise in remodeling will also prevent you from encountering costly issues later during remodeling. Avoiding these common remodeling mistakes for a successful bathroom remodel is essential. Let’s break them down one by one.
1. Underestimating the Budget
Setting a budget is the first step in any home improvement project. Setting a budget for contingency allows you to be flexible in cases of overruns and unexpected expenses. Hidden and unexpected costs come from less knowledge about the existing plumbing or electrical lines and other indirect costs from pre-construction, such as permitting costs. 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.
In estimating a realistic budget, thoroughly dividing your budget in detail can help you get the most value for your investment. You need to be more accurate in your budget to ensure the efficiency of your remodeling, as this may cause delays and last-minute changes. As recommended by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), here is the breakdown of estimated budget per work item of bathroom remodeling:
Fig. 1. Recommended budget breakdown for bathroom remodeling by NKBA
While preparing for a budget, you must also include a budget for repairing and correcting existing lines to maximize your renovations and save time. Contingency costs may be more than 1%, depending on how conservative you want to be with your budget. The tighter the budget, the more detailed the budget estimates should be.
2. Ignoring Ventilation
Inadequate ventilation will prevent proper airflow, resulting in moisture buildup and mold. Poor ventilation in your bathroom may result in challenges that require professional expertise to resolve. How do you tell that your existing bathroom has poor ventilation?
Mirrors become cloudy for long after showering
Lasting damp smell inside the bathroom
Mold and mildew are present, especially in corners or on ceilings
Paint or wallpapers are starting to peel off
Water stains are observed on walls or ceilings even without leaking
Fig. 2. Improved ventilation by installing exhaust fan by Modern Handymen
When choosing your exhaust fans for ventilation, consider the size of your bathroom. The general rule of thumb is to have one cubic foot per minute (CFM) of airflow for every square foot of bathroom space. You can also install a vent or a window for additional air circulation and more aesthetic appeal.
3. Choosing the Wrong Materials:
One of the worst bathroom remodel mistakes is choosing the wrong materials, which cannot withstand moisture. Moisture can cause these materials to warp, peel, or deteriorate, leading to costly repairs. Poor materials lack durability, resulting in a shorter lifespan and frequent repairs or replacement.
Fig. 3. Wooden flooring with rot and mold replaced by Modern Handymen with new floor tiles
Certain types of wood used for flooring and walls can warp, shrink, and expand in hot and cold conditions, leading to uneven surfaces. Wood may rapidly decompose and become a host for a variety of bacteria and mold. If you want the aesthetic appearance of natural wood, you can use wood-looking porcelain tiles. Wood-looking tiles are highly durable and moisture-resistant compared to natural wood. They are often cheaper and more practical to install than natural wood.
Ceramic, porcelain, and vitrified tiles are excellent choices for most wet spaces, such as your bathroom. They have high durability and a low rate of porosity, which does not require additional maintenance measures, such as sealing. Ensure proper grouting to seal all the gaps between the tiles to prevent water from seeping through.
4. Overlooking Storage:
Overlooking storage space in a bathroom can have significant consequences that impact its functionality and aesthetics. Bathrooms with insufficient space due to poor storage planning can become cluttered with toiletries, towels, and other essentials, creating an unorganized and chaotic appearance.
When remodeling a small bathroom, you have two priorities: maximizing space and increasing storage. Organizing storage for your bathroom requires less creativity, but it can significantly improve your bathroom’s functionality and comfort. Innovative storage solutions, such as built-in cabinets or floating shelves, drawers, baskets, and trays, are essential to keep your bathroom organized. These storage spaces help enclose loose items and prevent them from taking over countertops or shelves. Group similar items, such as cosmetics, towels, and grooming tools, to maintain a neat and orderly storage drawer.
5. Skipping Professional Help:
Bathroom remodeling is very tedious work for homeowners to do themselves. To complete a project safely, you need enough knowledge about measurements, waterproofing, plumbing, and even electrical wiring. That is why it’s not advisable to attempt to do it yourself (DIY).
One of the most common DIY remodeling failures starts from failed plumbing works. A small plumbing mistake can lead to water leaks, damages, and costly repairs. For electrical works, you can ensure proper electrical safety measures and compliance with local building codes when you let the experts do it. Unless you’re a licensed plumber or electrician, leaving the plumbing and electrical work to the professionals is strongly recommended. If the plumbing and electrical works are not done correctly, you may have significant consequences–like starting a fire or flooding your bathroom. Investing in professional plumbing services is best to avoid electrical hazards and plumbing disasters. Hire a licensed professional with specialized knowledge and expertise to prevent unsafe conditions and costly fixes. Hiring a licensed and insured contractor can give you protection. You will be at peace knowing that if something goes wrong during the project, the contractor’s insurance can cover the costs of any damages or injuries.
Bathroom remodeling is time-consuming. If you have a busy schedule, hiring a contractor is best. The homeowner can save time while the contractor ensures the project is completed on schedule.
Bathroom remodeling is a tough job for homeowners. It involves a lot of decision-making and thorough planning. Plan your bathroom remodeling ideas ahead with a contractor to avoid these common mistakes in bathroom remodeling. It’s essential to do all the necessary research to choose a licensed and insured contractor with experience in high-quality bathroom remodeling, such as Modern Handymen. Modern Handymen is a top-tier bathroom remodeling contractor in Brentwood and Nashville, TN. It is a team of vetted and licensed professionals with a wealth of experience in bathroom remodeling. With **82 reviews and a 4.9-star rating,** you can be guaranteed that your bathroom remodeling project is in good hands. Call them at 615-200-8071 for consultation on your bathroom remodeling ideas. Let your dream luxury bathroom become reality, and enjoy the comfort it brings you and your home. Start that bathroom remodeling now with Modern Handymen!
