A spacious, well-designed bathroom is a vital component in your Villanova home—the room where homeowners start and end each day. If the features and layout of your bathroom do not serve your needs, it may be time for a bathroom remodel.
Read on to learn how to renovate a bathroom. From creating a timeline and budget to selecting a color scheme and installing fixtures, our guide will walk you through the entire process.
#1 Set A Budget And Timeline
Depending on the degree of modification in layout and plumbing, the cost of a bathroom remodel can range from $10,000 to upwards of $100,000+.
If saving money is a priority, you can reduce the total cost by up to 20% by taking on a portion of the labor yourself. Decide in advance what tasks you plan to do yourself and what work you will leave to professional contractors, such as electrical and plumbing.
Before starting the renovation, decide what design components and fixtures you plan to change. This will help you stay on track with your budget and timeline. For any DIY tasks, allow yourself more time to complete each step.
If you’re looking into how to renovate a bathroom by yourself, our recommendation would be to not undertake such project unless you have serious experience in construction. Quality comes with experience and knowledge, and a professional contractor will have both!
#2 Choose Your Design
In deciding how to renovate a bathroom that suits your needs and lifestyle, you need to select functional and aesthetic components. Do you want to start from scratch with your bathroom renovation, or will you only repaint and replace the vanity?
Some important considerations in your renovation project include:
Selecting A Color Scheme
Look online for designs that align with your vision. Make sure that your colors complement each other.
Choosing Wall Covering And Flooring
Water-resistant paint or wallpaper works well on bathroom walls, although painting is less labor-intensive. You will also find a myriad of flooring options on the market today. Ceramic tile or natural stone makes a more beautiful and durable option than vinyl and laminate but costs more.
Choose Your Fixtures
Do you plan to replace your shower or tub? Keep in mind that replacing these items increases your budget and adds to your timeline.
While some homeowners may prefer a walk-in shower, keeping one bathtub in your home improves its resale value.
Allocate Your Storage Space
Make sure you don’t sacrifice needed storage space during your renovation. For example, if you tear out a closet to increase the room size, you can make up for the loss of storage with built-in shelving or a mirror cabinet.
#3 Select Your Tools
Recommended supplies and tools for a bathroom remodel include:
- Safety goggles
- Gloves
- Safety mask
- Caulking gun
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- Spackle knife
- Spackle
- Silicone sealant
- Stud finder
- Bucket
- Pry bar
- Chisel
- Utility knife
- Hacksaw
- Flathead screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Power drill
- Extension cord
- Chalk line
#4 Let The Demolition Begin
In deciding how to renovate a bathroom, you’ll want to seriously consider the electrical and plumbing systems. If they’re not changing, they’ll need to be protected during the demilition.
Protect the electrical wiring and plumbing hookup by marking them before the start of demolition. It is crucial to wear personal protective gear during a demolition project, including hard-toe shoes, gloves, and safety goggles.
Follow these steps in order:
- Remove all freestanding objects and accessories, including the items you will replace
- Shut off any bathroom electricity from the main breaker
- Turn off the water supply
- Place a drop cloth over the remaining fixtures
- Carefully remove moldings and baseboards
#5 Install Bath And Shower Fixtures
If installing new bathing fixtures, ensure that the basin fits the allotted space before proceeding. If you have room, installing a shower/bathtub combo preserves home resale value.
If you have limited DIY plumbing experience, make a wise choice and leave the hookup to a professional.
#6 Electrical Rough-In
Electrical wiring is complex, especially in rooms with running water. We recommend leaving this task to a professional electrician.
Important points to consider during the electrical rough-in include:
- If you have moved the vanity and other fixtures, you will need to move the electrical outlets, including GFCI receptacles.
- You may want to replace 15-amp receptacles with 20-amp outlets to accommodate more powerful appliances.
- New lighting fixtures in the shower, ceiling, and vanity require additional hookups.
- Configure and install your new fixtures.
#7 Hang New Drywall And Start Painting
Allow extra time for this step. Hanging drywall is time-consuming because it must be custom cut to fit around the vanity, shower stall, toilet, and other features.
You might be looking into how to renovate a bathroom by yourself, but know that this part of the process requires a lot of effort, time, and even special tools that you might not have access to. Our recommendation: leave it to a professional.
#8 Put Down Your New Flooring
Prepare the subfloor as needed. After this step, you may start with the flooring installation. Natural stone and floor tiles remain the most popular options because of their beauty and durability. However, if you need a more budget-friendly option, vinyl and laminate floors are affordable and easy to install.
The following suggestions will ensure success in the step of your bathroom renovation:
- Start by installing the wall tile, work your way to the floor tile
- Tile the walls of the bathtub and shower first
- Use grout throughout the installation and apply caulking to the corners
#9 Install The Vanity And Cabinets
After hanging wallpaper or painting the walls, it’s time to bring in the cabinets, vanity, and any other remaining fixtures on your bathroom renovation list.
#10 Bring Back The Toilet
Return or replace your toilet at the hookup point. Installing a toilet is a relatively simple plumbing task. However, commodes are heavy and unwieldy to lift. Depending on your stature, you want a second person to assist. If reinstalling the old toilet, consider replacing the wax ring and flange.
#11 Decorate Your Freshly Remodeled Bathroom
The bathroom trim provides the crowning detail of every Villanova bathroom renovation. This last step marks the completion of your remodel project. Now you can freely decorate the space, adding your personal touch.
How to Renovate a Bathroom DYI Video Tutorial
If you still want to learn more about how to renovate a bathroom check out this video from Workin’ with Wolkon for an entire bathroom remodeling for one of his clients that just got a new home!
Start Your Bathroom Renovation Today
Now that you know how to renovate a bathroom, it’s time to act.
The passionate team at A.M. Pellak Construction is the premier construction and renovation company, serving the residents of Villanova and the entire Mainline, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties area. We strive to exceed your expectations with every remodeling project.
We offer professional bathroom remodeling for homeowners looking into how to renovate a bathroom in the easiest way possible, with the best process on the market. Check out our offer and see your vision through with the best pros in town!
Let us work with you to create the living space of your dreams. Fill out our contact form today to start your project!