How To Save Money On A Bathroom Renovation

A limited renovation budget does not have to mean you are stuck with a bathroom straight out of the seventies. The good news about a bathroom renovation investment is that you may be able to recoup the money at resale, provided you do not overspend and the work is high quality. Though over-renovation may not be a wise investment, leaving your bathroom a few decades behind will not help resale value either. You can give your bathroom a fresh new look and spare your bank account by choosing cost effective cosmetic updates and keeping these renovation ideas in mind.

One Step at a Time
Planning ahead will help ensure that your choices fit within your overall budget and help you achieve a cohesive style in your renovated bathroom. Many home renovators are hindered by an all-or-nothing approach to bathroom remodeling, but you do not have to go all in on a costly renovation to reap the benefits of an updated bathroom. Planning your full renovation ahead but tackling only one or two projects at a time takes patience, but will ultimately give you the remodeled bathroom you seek with a minimum impact on your finances.

Resourcefulness with Energy Efficient Upgrades
Many cities, states and utility providers offer rebates, credits or other incentives for replacing toilets, faucets or shower heads with water conserving low-flow models. Taking advantage of incentives offered through energy conservation programs can help you stay within your renovation budget, with the added bonus of reduced utility expenses each month.

The Update-or-Replace Conundrum
Many bathroom renovation projects come with a choice: update or replace? You may invest in new vanity cabinets, or you may paint or refinish existing ones. Alternatively, you may compromise and replace only the cabinet faces. Bathtubs and countertops can be replaced, or they may be reglazed to look and function like new. Even outdated tiles can be refurbished instead of replaced. Do not assume that you have to replace everything in your bathroom to get the look you want. With some research, careful prioritizing and of course, patience, you can give your bathroom a stylish update at a fraction of the cost of new materials.

Hiring Professionals for the Right Jobs
If you are relatively handy, a great way to save money is to tackle some jobs yourself and hire a professional for those that are outside of your skill set. Making an honest assessment of your capabilities and time availability is key to this decision, especially since work of subpar quality can hurt more than it helps home value. When hiring a contractor for certain aspects of your remodeling project, it is typically advised to get at least three quotes to find a fair price on the job.

It is often said that home renovations always cost more and take longer than anticipated. In addition to starting out with realistic goals and expectations for your renovation schedule, setting aside a contingency fund for unexpected expenses can help you stay within your renovation budget. By allocating your renovation budget wisely, you will be well on your way to a beautifully renovated bathroom that no longer invokes the sentiment of decades past.