Remodeling a bathroom can be a big part of remodeling your home. It can also be a great standalone project to revamp a part of your home that needs a bit more love.
However, remodeling a bathroom can take a decent chunk of funding, especially if you plan to make a lot of big changes or you haven’t remodeled in a long time. Not everyone has the budget to go all-out with their bathroom remodel. If this seems like you, then you’re in luck — because there are so many ways to keep your bathroom remodel budget under control.
Whether you plan to do a bit of rearranging, some redesigning, or even moving around the layout of your bathroom, it doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg. You can find many creative solutions that reduce the cost of a bathroom remodel. Whether you embrace all of these ideas or just go for a few, you can rest assured your budget will thank you.
1. Plan Accordingly
As with any home project, the best way to save on remodeling is to have a clear plan that you lay out and communicate from the beginning. Whether you work with a contractor or plan your own remodel, having the steps in place ensures you get the right materials, don’t waste time or effort, and generally get the job done faster and without any waste.
Really, remodeling is about making your place look how you want it to look, and that usually requires knowing what you want. Before you jump into anything headfirst, make sure you have a plan.
1. DIY Your Remodel Where Possible
One of the best ways to reduce the cost of any remodeling project is to take on some of the work required to perform your remodel.
While some of the larger remodels might require professional expertise, design elements such as painting, tiling, and storage can all be delegated to you. How-to videos and articles can guide you through the basics if you’re confident enough to take them on.
Besides saving on labor, DIY projects also let you make the most of existing features. You can revamp older features rather than replacing them, like staining or painting your cabinets. Coats of paint or resurfacing can help a little effort go a long way in transforming the look of your bathroom.
3. Go With Affordable Materials
While you don’t want to sacrifice quality and durability, going with materials that are a bit more affordable can cut your costs heavily. For example, you’ll want to find flooring tile with a grade of one or two, and you’ll want to find cabinetry materials that are sturdy. This doesn’t mean you need to go for the fanciest materials out there, especially if you have a lot of space to cover.
Some flooring materials that are moisture-resistant but more affordable than porcelain tile include good quality laminate and vinyl. The same goes with wall or shower tiling— you can find materials that look good without being pricey.
4. Don’t Move the Plumbing
The layout of the bathroom could be one of the most tempting things to change in your remodel. However, it’s also one of the larger, more expensive, and more time-consuming bathroom projects.
If you need to move a sink or toilet, you can, but keeping the plumbing in the same spot can reduce cost and time by a large margin. A trustworthy contractor can help you get an idea of which choices will end up escalating costs and which are more budget-friendly.
5. Recycle Your Materials
One of the best ways you can find affordable materials to use in your bathroom remodel is finding recycled materials. Not only does recycling help the environment and do good for the planet, but it can also make your bathroom a bit more unique.
From using recycled tiles in the floor and shower to finding recycled woods for cabinetry and storage, recycling is one of the best ways to save money and create a stylish bathroom.
6. Use Shortcuts
Each bathroom is different, but there are definitely some shortcuts you can use to make a remodel go faster. Speeding up the timeline can help you reduce the cost of a bathroom remodel overall.
Buying your own materials is one of them. That way, you don’t need to jump through any hoops to work with multiple services. However, you should be careful with this method, because typically contractors are able to secure materials at a lower price than consumers.
Another way to save time and money is working with some of the fixtures you already have and only changing some of the bigger items. Each contractor and designer will have their own opinions, and you can ask them about any tips for saving money. Just remember — using shortcuts is not the same as cutting corners.
7. Hire a Contractor That Sells and Installs
Some manufacturers will offer contracting services. While this isn’t always possible for a remodel, finding a contractor that both sells and installs the products you need in your bathroom can sometimes save time, money, and energy throughout the whole remodeling process. This is because they are likely to secure the products and have them on-site fairly reliably.
This can be especially true if you’re happy with the variety they offer and you can get it all in one place. Just make sure you can get a good deal on the products themselves by checking their prices against competitors.
8. Set a Realistic Budget
The cost of remodeling can go up if you get carried away in the excitement, or you don’t commit to a specific number from the beginning. To avoid this, make sure you set a budget that you can stick to, and do just that — stick to it!
8 Tips to Reduce the Cost of a Bathroom Remodel
There are so many ways to budget for your bathroom remodel that won’t break the bank. From using recycled materials to doing a bit of DIY work, you can find solutions that work for your home and make you excited to spend time there. What’s your favorite money-saving hack?
Author:
Evelyn Long is the editor-in-chief of Renovated, a home improvement publisher with advice on gardening, decor and DIY projects.