Remodeling a Bathroom on a Budget

Home improvements are essential. Home improvement projects increase the value of your home and also add to its appeal when it becomes time to sell the house. Aside from added value, home improvements projects can make you enjoy your home more and increase your value of living. Some projects require a lot of money. For example, renovating a kitchen tends to get expensive very quickly. Some projects are best left for professionals. For example, installing a new roof on your house is not a typical DIY job. But other home improvement projects can be both cost effective and DIY friendly.

One such projects that is both cost effective and DIY friendly is a bathroom remodel. Aside from the kitchen, a bathroom can add the most value to your home if done right. People spend a lot of time in the bathroom and really do appreciated a bathroom that is attractive and pleasant to be in. Many people avoid bathroom remodels due to cost restraints. but if you do the project yourself, it does not cost as much as you may think.

Let's take a typical full bathroom at a size of 5 feet wide by 8 feet in length. This bathroom size is pretty consistent with most small bathrooms found in modest homes in the U.S. Remodeling a bathroom of this size can actually be quite inexpensive. Remember, a kitchen is likely to be 3 times this size, which escalates the cost quickly.

Due to the small bathroom size, budgets are easy to maintain. A new bathtub will cost around $300. A new tile floor could be less than $100. A tile bath surround, less than $200. The toilet, less than $200. A vanity, also less than $200. Add some light fixtures, sink, faucets, and shower controls for another $300 and the project is almost complete. Slap some paint on the walls, add some accessories and you have a new bathroom.

Sticking to a budget does not mean eliminating good quality products, it simply means making decisions based upon your budget and not the trendiest, newest styles. For example, a Kohler toilet can be purchased starting around $200. A top of the line Kohler toilet, which really only differs in styling, can cost over $1,000. Similarly, a basic, but good cast iron tub rings in around $300. A top of the line cast iron tub could weigh you down more than $2,000. A jacuzzi or whirlpool type of tub will cost $1,000 or more. Some choices will have to be made based on budget, but there is no need to cut corners, but you may have to sway away from certain stylistic pieces that don't fit within your price range.

Total out of pocket cost can be kept well below $2,000 if you stick with modestly priced choices and do not splurge on extravagant, needless items. The real money saved comes from the fact that you did the job yourself. By doing the job yourself, you can keep costs to one fourth the price of hiring a pro. It may seem like a lot of work at first, but the room's small size makes it easier than you may think.

Many home improvements task are indeed budget friendly if you shop wisely and do the job yourself. There is no need to put off a home improvement project until funds come in. With a little hard work and strictly sticking to your budget, you can remodel your bathroom for little out of pocket expense right now.