Homeowners are eager to invest in home improvement projects that not only enhance the appearance of their house, but also increase the value of their home. Remodeling a bathroom is one of such projects, as it is known to generate the highest return on investment. If you are up to the task of handling a bathroom remodel project on your own, it is important to understand the scope of your budget and what you need to do to get things running. This article looks into the costs involved when remodeling a bathroom yourself and provides advice on how to cut on unnecessary costs during the project.
Estimating the True Cost of a DIY Bathroom Remodel
A bathroom remodel is all about all highly skilled trades such as electrical, plumbing, tiling, and installation of new fixtures and fittings. Since bathrooms are essential spaces, engaging in a DIY project puts you under great pressure to get things up to speed. Although you may be cutting the labor cost by putting in all the work, it is important to have a good idea of the amount you will spend when doing a bathroom remodel on your own.
A mid-range bathroom-remodeling project in the United States costs around $10,000 or more depending on the scope of work and labor expenses. However, the amount of money people spend when remodeling a bathroom by themselves is significantly lower. This works great if you can pick all the materials using your own vehicle as it also saves on transportation costs.
Most of the do-it-yourself bathroom remodel projects often range between $6,500 and $8,000. Just like other projects, the prices of a DIY project may vary based on a few different factors. This makes it quite difficult to estimate the exact cost since people may differ in terms of their sources of material, preferences, and lifestyle. It is important to plan carefully before executing your ideas to avoid any lags or inconveniences because of unexpected costs.
Are You Remodeling Your Bathroom at Once or in Stages?
This is one of the first questions you need to ask yourself before you start any DIY bathroom remodel project. This type of home improvement is not an all-or-nothing since you can always cut down on costs by taking one step at a time. The true cost of the project varies widely when you decide on remodeling your bathroom in stages or doing everything at once.
If you want to cut down on costs without compromising the quality of your granite countertops or new bathroom vanity, you can choose to do it in stages. Afterward, you can upgrade other features along the way. It is important to choose quality over quantity based on the amount of traffic in your bathroom.
If you are doing a full bathroom remodel, you are likely to spend more compared to replacing a few items at a time. Instead of ruining your décor with substandard products, make sure that your budget is enough to handle the costs associated with the type of DIY project selected for your bathroom.
Other Factors that Determine the Exact Cost of a DIY Bathroom Remodel
Location
The cost of a bathroom remodel project is higher in places where some materials are not readily available. Specialty materials that need to be shipped from another location will also affect the cost of the project.
The Size of Your Bathroom
Larger bathrooms attract higher costs than smaller ones because they often require larger pieces to make them complete. Such projects may call for partial remodeling to avoid compromising on quality.
The Level of Customization
Relocating the plumbing is one of the most expensive parts of remodeling a bathroom, as it may require the expertise of a professional or licensed plumber. Incorporating a different layout from the previous one may attract higher costs for renovation.
Unexpected Expenses
It is common to find rotting wood, pests or molds in bathrooms where moisture is always present behind walls and under floors. This can create a dramatic effect on your expenses. Unless you saved up enough cash for your DIY project, you may have to secure financing for such expenses.
As you can see, the exact cost of remodeling a bathroom on your own can vary greatly depending on the factors we have discussed above. Choosing the wrong types of financing can also cost you big down the road. Whatever decisions you make, it is always important to have a budget that allows you to cut on expenses without compromising the quality of the bathroom remodeling project.