Without careful planning, a renovation project can quickly make you exceed your financial limit and even lead to overcapitalization. But if you prepare wisely and stay organized, renovating your bathroom can add dollars to your bottom line and also improve the rental potential of your property.
Planning a bathroom renovation can be an exciting time, but it can also mean feeling exhausted and overwhelmed by the number of decisions you have to make. This is why nailing your renovation plan can help you get ready for the job and make sure you have no regrets when the project is finished.
Always keep in mind that you may decide to sell your property later, so try to make changes that add value over time
Even if you don't know exactly what you want yet, you want to get started on a renovation knowing what the room needs. This will help you plan your budget, which you need to work out early to stick to. Exceeding your budget can result in a half-finished renovation and even over-capitalize your property.
Once you've established your budget, you can then make a decision on what's possible in your space and explore more options from there.
If you're renovating your own home, always keep in mind that you may decide to sell the property later, so try to make changes that add value over time. Try not to make renovations that are too personalized in terms of design choices and that are rather neutral, timeless and elegant.
Here are eight steps to follow when planning your bathroom renovation – they will help you make sure it is completed on time and on budget. When you are well prepared for your project, the journey to creating your new bathroom retreat is worth it!
FIRST STEP: DISCOVER THE NEEDS OF SPACE
First of all – how do you use (or your tenants) the space now and how many people use it? Is this a master bathroom for three people or is it a private bathroom used by one person?
What works and what does not work? What functions could be improved? Does the bathroom require a double sink or more storage?
Asking these questions helps you determine what space needs and what can go.
Keep in mind market expectations if you plan to sell your property. You can't use the bathtub often, but if it's a family home, you may need to keep or install one to appeal to young families. These are some of the things you should consider before embarking on a renovation.
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Functionality and visual appeal go hand in hand when selecting furniture for a bathroom, so you need to keep your demographic target in mind when making design choices. However, a little personality can also work in your favor!
SECOND STEP: ESTABLISH YOUR BUDGET
Will it be just a cosmetic renovation, or do you have a budget large enough to make structural changes? Can you afford high end products, or will you have to shop around for a good deal? Keep in mind that you may also need to consider less obvious costs like demolition and garbage removal.
Renovation expert Naomi Findlay recommends adding a 10% buffer to your budget for any unforeseen cost – there will be. Keep track of your expenses, update and modify your spreadsheet as things go so that you know at all times how you are tracking.
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Cheaper does not always mean a lack of quality, and vice versa. Take the time to really shop around for the products – you could find what you're looking for at a fraction of the cost you expected.
STEP THREE: DEVELOP A FLOOR PLAN
Now that you have set your budget and know how you want to use your space, you can decide on the floor plan. Are you satisfied with the way the bathroom is arranged or do you want to make changes?
You may want to move your shower to the other side to make it more spacious or to create space for a luxurious bathtub.
Do not forget that the more you move, the more expensive your renovation will be. Keeping your plumbing and electricity in one place can save you a small fortune, so look for ways to make the existing floor plan work if you can.
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Choose a tub design that fits into the available space you have without looking awkward in the room. Accentuating it with light can add appeal and make the bath the center of attention.
STEP FOUR: DECIDE ON THE DIAGRAM AND THE COLOR STYLE
Now that you've identified the functional requirements of the bathroom, you can start thinking about aesthetics.
What style do you like and what complements the rest of the property? Do you think of warmer or cooler tones? Pick your favorite looks on Pinterest and create a mood board with your favorite colors and textures to make sure they go well together.
"I like the feeling of walking through a property that has been completely taken care of," says Findlay. "Think of the elements of the house that you can integrate in the bathroom, such as the same paint color or a tapestry style similar to that used in the kitchen."
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When choosing your color palette, aim to create a flow and connection throughout your home for a more upscale feel. You want the property to look like a single property, regardless of its size.
FIFTH STEP: CHOOSE YOUR HEROES
Most people want to stick to a budget, so Findlay suggests that you decide to spend big on one or two "hero" items in each room renovation.
More than that and it can seem overwhelming, with too many features calling for attention, so you have to decide who will be the hero of your bathroom.
Have you put your heart on a stone bench or complex tiles? Perhaps you think that aesthetics would benefit the most from a large bathtub or a magnificent vanity?
Choose one or two things you want to highlight in your space, then soften the rest of your choices. That doesn't mean boring – it just means that they are simple and elegant, to complement the hero pieces and allow them to shine.
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Wall tiles are excellent centerpieces because they are decorative while not requiring any significant effort or maintenance for their maintenance. Whether you want to highlight color or texture, there are countless options available.
STEP SIX: PLAN YOUR BUSINESSES
With a thoughtful budget and a careful design plan for your bathroom, it's time to start your trades.
You probably know that you will need a tiler, a certified waterproofer and perhaps an electrician and a painter. But did you know that the order in which you use your trades is very important for your renovation?
You wouldn't tile your floors before you pluck up and replace your vanity, for example. Plan the exact schedule for your renovation and the trades that will work on which day – not only will this help the renovation flow but it will save you money so you don't have to call back the trades to perform additional tasks.
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Wall-hung vanities are great space savers, and they can be installed without having a major effect on the walls of your bathroom. Always take the existing height of the vanity into account when measuring how high you should hang it.
STEP SEVEN: DECLUTH THE SPACE
Before starting the renovation, you must clean it.
There is a good chance that your old bathroom is full of half-empty and unused products that should be thrown away. Get rid of rusty shower shelves, old toothbrush holders, and cosmetics that you haven't used in years. Then you can organize the things you use often in practical baskets or makeup bags that you can put elsewhere during the renovation.
You should also consider decluttering the rest of the house before the trades arrive. The more space and ease of access they have to your bathroom, the faster they can start working.
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Open shelves can help you organize your bathroom, because you can take stock of the items you have more easily. It also becomes more obvious if you start to accumulate too much!
STEP EIGHT: STAY ORGANIZED
Without access to the bathroom, you will have to think of other facilities for you or your tenants. You may need to install a makeshift face wash station, a toothbrush in your kitchen or laundry room, and decide where to shower. It might be a time to call your friends or family to see if you can stay a few nights; if the property is rented, talk to your property manager about ways to compensate your tenant for the disturbance.
Depending on the duration of your renovation, you can also consider staying in a nearby hotel so that you can supervise the project more easily.
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Storage containers will still be functional, so look for ways to maximize their usefulness. Many containers are designed to be used indoors and outdoors, so opt for crates that will look great anywhere!
CASE STUDY
Naomi Findlay explains how she renovated the bathroom of a chic upscale property on a tight budget to meet the client's current and future needs
Renovator expert Naomi Findlay was given the challenge of updating a large but difficult-to-use bathroom on a multi-million dollar property. Since the owners were not sure of the purpose of the property, she had to make sure that it met both their own needs and the potential needs of them. a buyer.
“The bathroom was a large but non-functional space for two adults and two adolescents. Housed in an old house, the bathroom had a pedestal sink, a corded tub, and inadequate lighting and ventilation. In other words, it was overwhelmed and tired! Findlay said, "The challenge in this space was that the owners also didn't know how long they intended to stay, now that their children were older." So Findlay had to make choices that improved the value of the property under the $ 20,000 budget it "I needed to choose finishes that would add value to the home and be suitable for the market," she said.
"My strategy for this renovation was to design the bathroom in a way that suited people who lived in the house for potentially only a few more years, but at a price that met the needs of the property. . I also made sure that the style was not too polarizing for the market if they decided to sell the property later! »
The tastes of the customers go against the style of the house, which creates another complication. But Findlay took advantage of it and overcoming the obstacle became a source of pride for her.
"In my design plans, I had to keep in mind that this was an extraordinarily traditional house, but the owners had a very modern taste! My favorite part of my design plan was the multiple finish formats we chose for the tiles – this created real architectural interest and texture in the space. I also liked the way we mixed the metals and linked the modern elements that the customers chose, like the pink circular basins, with beautiful traditional utensils. It went so well! " she says.
"Although the owners did not intend to sell their house immediately, I did everything I could to renovate the bathroom in a responsible and sustainable manner in order to help me. ; ensure that they have not under or overcapitalized the renovations! "
Naomi Findlay is an experienced real estate investor who aims to help people create wealth and freedom by using his rapid renovation formula
Warning: All the products and prices indicated are correct at the time of printing. The advice in this article is for general information only and should not be considered financial advice. Please make sure to speak to a qualified professional before making any investment decisions
