If you have unlimited money to remodel your home, you might gut the bathroom, add on a couple square feet, and install all new fixtures, flooring, and cabinetry. If you are on a strict budget or just need to do some modernization before you sell, you can restore the surface of many fixtures without replacing them and save money!
Approaching A Budget Remodel
Your first priority in any bathroom upgrade is to make sure that there are no leaks, either visible or behind the wall. Leaks often lead to displaced tiles, damaged drywall, mold, discoloration, and odor. You need to go to the root of the problem before refinishing, as unrepaired leaks can damage new materials. Once you are sure that there is no water damage near the tub, shower basin, toilet, or sink, you can attend to improving the cosmetics.
If your fixtures and cabinets are in good condition, you can refinish them for much less than buying new ones. With any home improvement project, your ultimate goal should be for it to look professional. Shoddy work will stand out and may even sink your chances of selling your home - costing you more in the long run.
Even if you call in a handyman or bathroom remodeler who specializes in re-bathing, you will still save more than if you replaced all the old appointments.
Here Are Some Handy Tips When Upgrading On A Budget:
You can refinish tubs and sinks or have them professionally reglazed with a material such as Permaglaze, a state-of-the-art synthetic glaze. This material even does a great job on vanity countertops. For tubs, you can also have them relined by a re-bath specialist.
If your tile is dated or in poor condition from previous leaks, a bath or shower surround adds a new look at a very reasonable price.
If you are keeping the vanity base but changing the top, make sure the cutouts for your sink and faucet line up with the plumbing. Also, make sure your new top is not too heavy for the base; that granite and marble that are so attractive in bathrooms weigh much more than your old Formica top.
New lights, fresh paint and updated cabinet hardware and towel bars are all great ways to modernize your bathroom on a tight budget.
For Best ROI (Return On Investment), Don't Overdo It
When you browse home magazines, the beautiful vessel sinks, glass showers, and spa-like upgrades are very appealing. These trendy upgrades are also very expensive. In addition, they may have limited appeal to potential buyers or even worse, price you out of your neighborhood when you go to sell. Unless you live in a neighborhood where upscale baths are the norm, stick to basics if you are modernizing to sell the house.
Bath remodels often make the list of upgrades with a good rate-of-return at sale time, and smart planning will result in a beautiful bathroom that looks like new - at a fraction of the cost!