The average American will spend an average of 1.5 years in the bathroom over the course of his or her life. Much of that time will be spent on the toilet or in the bath, of course, but other bathroom activities include grooming, reading, using social media, moisturizing, bathing your pet, cleaning, flossing and brushing your teeth, manscaping, and even singing. Bathrooms are personal spaces, for long, luxurious baths or quick showers, for hair and skincare routines, for rushing kids through in the morning or spending time pampering. The point is that we spend a considerable amount of our lifetimes in these rooms, whether they’re small, shared family bathrooms or large, naturally lit and well-ventilated small sitting rooms.
It’s no wonder, then, that a recent study by the National Kitchen and Bath Association found that in 2016 one in five Americans spent $7,500 or more to remodel their master bathroom. In fact, remodels in general have increased to an all-time high, with conditions 8.7% better than the previous peak in spring 2007. There are manifold reasons for this, including budgetary concerns, a shortage of new properties forcing homeowners to renovate rather than purchase, the acceleration of economic growth, and the increased demand resultant of 2017’s natural disasters. The remodeling boom has led to a smaller skilled labor pool, which in turn has resulted in some manufacturers’ development of easier to install products. This simplification trend, though originally intended to give a leg up to contractors and remodelers, has the added side effect of allowing more DIYers to tackle bigger projects they may not have the budget, skill, or specialized tools for.
So, Will a Bathroom Remodel Increase its Resale Value?
Realtors across the country generally agree that kitchens and bathrooms are huge selling points, hot ticket items that can be deal breakers for homebuyers. However, in terms of return on investment, a cost vs value assessment for 2017 tells a different story, of just between 59% and 64% cost recoup. In terms of return on investment, this is much more likely for basic home maintenance projects such as new siding, insulation, or front doors. Another interesting finding is that minor remodels (under $10,000) tend to offer greater benefits, for both kitchens and bathrooms. The level of return on a home also depends on its value, the value of the other houses in the neighborhood, the housing market in the area, and how soon after the improvements the house is sold or assayed. The quality of the workmanship itself will also play a significant role, as this is one of the areas in which it’s easy to tell whether money has been well spent or not.
Why Remodel my Bathroom at All?
Despite what may have sounded like a litany of discouragements, it still holds true that bathrooms are a good remodeling project, if only for the amount of time we spend in them. In new constructions, bathrooms and kitchens are the rooms that most developers splurge on, so homebuyers automatically look for similar refurbishments in existing builds.
Another consideration for both homeowners and prospective buyers is the number of bathrooms on the property. Despite their charm, many older homes lack the amount of bathrooms that have become the norm in newer houses. If this is the case, instead of redoing an existing bathroom, perhaps the better choice is to add a bath to the master suite.
Do I Have to Gut my Bath and Start from the Bottom?
A bathroom redo doesn’t necessarily have to mean that the whole space needs to be completely torn down and begun anew. The first and most essential part of any bathroom remodel is analyzing and understanding how the bathroom must work for you. Everybody in a family uses the bathroom differently, despite the structure’s same basic appliances: toilet, shower, and sink.
• Ask some questions: Is the space shared by two or more people, while rushing to get ready for work? Do children who need assistance also use the space? Are there pets that need to be bathed? Does the room include laundry facilities, or is this something you’re looking to include? Do you prefer separate toilet and shower facilities? Is there even any space for all of these grand plans?
• Picture it: Next, it’s a good idea to think big: what would your ideal bathroom look like? Remember, this wish list can always be pared down according to budget, and possibly even incorporated further down the road.
• Be realistic: Take the existing space into consideration. Sure, that free-standing tub may look dramatic and spectacular on a mood board, but it may not even fit into your space. And if there isn’t room for both the claw-footed bathtub of your dreams and a shower, experts agree that a large walk-in shower is a better investment. After all, who really has the time to take long, luxurious baths on a regular basis? Oftentimes, these are relegated to weekend use, if at all, so it may not be an efficient use of square footage.
• Think of a budget and a timeline: Maybe the idea of a brand new bathroom is something you’ve been considering for a long time, or maybe it just popped into your head after extensive Pinteresting and a sudden infusion of cash. Whatever the case, once you’ve decided what your ideal bathroom would look like and cost, (and possibly found it to be prohibitively expensive and impractical); think about what an attainable remodel would look like. If even that is slightly out of budget, consider small, inexpensive fixes and details that can refresh the overall look.
How Hard Is It, Really, to DIY Remodel a Bathroom?
The bottom line is that the type of DIY project a homeowner can take on with a high possibility of success will ultimately depend on their ability level. Bathroom remodeling tasks can essentially be divided into three distinct trades, all of which are highly skilled: plumbing, electrical, and tile work. Emphasis on highly skilled, as in, the average DIYer probably won’t have the requisite expertise to attempt these on their own, (and no, YouTube videos are no substitute for actual, hands-on experience). In bathrooms, space is at a premium, which means that every square foot absolutely counts, and there are a multitude of things that can go wrong and affect the rest of the property (faulty plumbing installations, for instance, can cause mold and ceiling destruction, among others).
The first priority in a remodel should always be to keep the existing structure sound. Expert work done by experienced contractors will take this into account, but entails an additional labor cost versus going the DIY route. Surface remodels, such a retiling, changing a toilet or vanity, or installing new faucets and a showerhead have much less chance of running into any issues, and can generally be undertaken by dedicated DIYers. Extensive remodels which involve removing tubs, installing showers, or otherwise moving plumbing around are much more involved, with correspondingly higher chances of inflicting permanent damage to your home. These, and structural projects like building a whole new bathroom, are best left to professionals.
Beginner: Even Small Fixes Can Make a Big Difference
If your plumbing and electrical skills are next to zero, there are still projects that can give any bathroom some much-needed sprucing up. Putting up shelves or new towel racks, changing light switch plates, hanging a new mirror or shower curtain, or changing toilet paper holders, are all within reach of even the most inexperienced DIYer. Incorporating plants is also very on trend, as is patterned wallpaper in vibrant prints.
Even something as simple as painting can make a considerable change. Bathroom color trends have been stubbornly neutral for the past twenty years or so, perhaps as a reaction to the gaudy shades of the 70s and 80s (avocado green tile, pink toilets, and mustard yellow accents come to mind as particularly garish examples). However, color is gradually making a comeback, with hunter greens, dusty pinks, and charcoal grays dominating the landscape. A particularly dramatic color choice is black, as is deep navy, both of which can look lovely with very on-trend brass or copper fixtures.
Intermediate: Still Not Ready to Gut the Whole Room
Some mid-level changes can include switching out faucets and shower heads, some retiling, installing new light fixtures, re-lining an existing bathtub, putting in a new floating vanity, refinishing wood cabinets, and adding wainscoting.
Expert Level Remodel
Some DIYers are almost professionals. These are the people who can build their own house from scratch without the end result looking like a parallelogram. They can install heated floors and new showers, lay new pipes, build new walls or new windows or a whole new linen closet, change toilet placement, and pour a new polished cement countertop.
When to Call in the Specialists
In theory, the most experienced DIYer could technically even build a whole new bathroom from scratch. However, the problems begin when somebody whose skills are not much more than intermediate has an incorrect assessment of their abilities. No amount of How-to videos is an adequate substitute for years hands-on, practical experience. This is why people should never tackle something large-scale without a considerable amount of relevant experience. When in doubt, it’s always best to trust the professionals. Remember that all the work that’s done must be compliant with local codes, and even a dedicated DYIer must obtain all the necessary permits.
Now, many consumers choose to go the DIY route due to budgetary concerns. While this is a perfectly reasonable consideration, it’s crucial not to get in over one’s head. What may seem like a small, inconsequential mistake can quickly balloon into thousands of dollars, requiring a pro intervention and the very same expenditure that one was trying to avoid. The national average for a professional remodel falls around the $10,000 range (including labor and materials), so if the project is big enough, it’s always a good idea to at least consider hiring experts for the more complicated elements.
However, we cannot stress enough that the combination of the homeowner’s skill and the scale of the redo is the bottom line in deciding how much can be done independently, and what needs a high level of proficiency. When researching different local contractors, consumers should always ask for estimates, providing a budget. Estimates should include an itemized list of the time and materials needed to complete the project.