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Bathroom Remodeling Planning & Design Checklist

The most important step for remodeling a bathroom is the pre planning and designing process which will gather the homeowner’s wants & needs, determine the final layout and ultimately choose the types, styles and colors of products used in your new bathroom. This planning and research will help you understand how your bathroom will be constructed, what to expect during construction and help you visualize the new bathroom before the remodeling starts.

9-12 Months Ahead. Collect ideas from different sources like magazines, online manufacturer’s products, home improvement shows and visiting kitchen & bath dealer’s showrooms. Set up folders in categories to file literature and info on plumbing fixtures, sinks, showers, tubs, bath vanities, countertops, floor tile, lighting, replacement windows, ceramic wall tile, mirrors, medicine cabinets,  and any other materials you are planning to use. Setup a separate notebook or folder for written notes of business names, contacts, phone quotes and appointments. Keeping this information organized will make it easier for you make selections and track the costs of the materials you purchase.

Set up a six month calendar to show the phases of the project from planning to finish. On this calendar show holidays, the approximate start date and completion date. Schedule the bathroom remodeling date for the time of year that best works into your family’s yearly activities. List things like vacations, family events, weddings, college students leaving or coming home or graduations and adjust remodeling date accordingly.

Remodeling a bathroom is a complex project and it is important to have an accurate schedule to follow because the construction can involve different trades working in a small area. A complete remodel may require the following trades- a carpenter, electrician, plumber, HVAC knowledge, possibly a roofer for roof penetrations, a tilesetter for ceramic tile, cabinetmaker, exterior siding if windows are replaced and a painter.

For your project to be completed successfully you must set an affordable budget and stick to it throughout the project. Making an accurate detailed cost estimate for the scope of work will give you more control when selecting materials and help assure you will have enough money to complete the job. Your budget will drive your buying decisions no matter what your wishes or dreams are.

How will you pay for the remodeling? Will you finance with your own money, take out a home equity loan or refinance your home.  Loan applications can take up to 60-90 days for final approval, so plan accordingly.  If you are borrowing money for the improvements do not sign any contracts with contractors until you have a commitment from your bank for the loan.

To what extent will you be remodeling?  Just changing a toilet, vanity, sink, faucet, or are you gutting the whole bathroom for a complete makeover? The decision making can be overwhelming as you search for designs, collect product information and choose colors and styles for the materials to be used in the bathroom. Don’t be discouraged by all those large beautiful bathrooms that are shown in the home decorating magazines as they tend to make you feel that you have the smallest and ugliest bathroom in the world. Many homeowners dream of having a large spacious master bathroom suite but in reality you are limited to the space that is available in your home. So collect all the design ideas you can and do the best with the space you have or make the decision to do an extreme makeover and live out your dream.

Another benefit of renovating your old outdated bathroom is that a new bathroom or kitchen will give you the highest dollar return on your investment compared to other types of home improvements. If you are thinking of selling your home, a remodeled bathroom or kitchen will make your house more appealing to potential buyers. A major factor for most home buyers making their final buying decision of which house they purchase is based on the condition of the kitchen and bathroom.

Unlike the past when bathrooms were just a functional room for hygienic tasks, today’s modern bathrooms have evolved to a tranquil place for total body care, personal enjoyment and relaxation with a spa like atmosphere. Rethink how you use your existing bathroom now and the benefits that a new remodeled bathroom can give you with amenities like a whirlpool tub, steam shower, soaking tub, body spa, or footbath and transform the plain old bathroom into a total relaxation center for you to wind down and pamper yourself. 

The master bathroom is a personal use room that should be custom designed for the individuals who will use it. Make it a comfortable place to start your day and the place to unwind and relax at the end of the day or a retreat on the weekends. Enhance the room with natural light by adding a skylight, arch top window or even a bay window.  Create a room you will want to spend more time in and give it a whole new feeling. Simple things like installing light dimmers, a mini music system, hanging pictures, scented candles, tropical plants, flower arrangements and using fragrant bath oils can create a sensuous vacation like atmosphere.

Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations of dealers, bath designers or contractors they may have used and call a couple of your own choice to give an estimate.

Do It Yourselfers-

If you are considering doing it yourself be realistic about your skill level and only do things that you can finish in a professional manner. Average costs for a do it yourself bathroom remodel is $4500- $10,000 depending on extent of renovations. Consider the time it will take to remodel if you do it yourself, a project as large as remodeling a bathroom can easily drag out for months if you are the only one working on it. The important factor for DIY’ers is to complete the job and not leave things unfinished.

Estimating tips- If you are doing the work yourself make sure to add sales tax, if applicable, to the total estimated material costs. Budget at least 10% of the total cost for product upgrades, price increases and items you may have missed in the original estimate. If you are doing a complete remodel yourself consider how to dispose of demo and construction debris, you may have to add the cost of a dumpster for the duration of the project. Using your budget as a guideline, make a list of the type of materials and styles you like and what you expect when the remodeling is complete. Group the items separately into different categories like- flooring, fixtures, countertops, ceramic tile and so on. On this list show the cost for each item so you have an accurate estimate to work with to track each item.

Bathroom Remodeling Planning Checklist

Pre Planning Bathroom Remodeling Project- 9-12 months ahead

• Evaluate your existing bathroom and make a wish list.
• Make a preliminary cost budget.
• Survey existing bathroom- make a sketch of the room with dimensions & fixture locations.
• Are you planning a partial remodel or complete renovation?
• Proposed major changes to bathroom size.
• Relocation of sink, toilet, tub or shower.
• Update Plumbing- additional sink, whirlpool tub, water supply, drains, higher capacity water heater.
• Update Electric- GFCI outlets, recessed lighting, exhaust fan, heat lamps, radiant floor heat, shower light.
• Heating/AC- move or add ductwork.
• Relocation of walls,doorways, windows.
• Replacement windows.
• Changes to surrounding rooms, bedroom, closets, etc.
• Add skylight, bay window, dish ceiling, soffits.
• Collect info & ideas- types of fixtures, cabinetry, ceramic tile, flooring, coordinating colors.
• Attend home shows, visit bathroom showrooms, consult with bath designers, read home magazines.
• Check with local building dept for new building codes & construction permits required for the remodeling.

Planning Design & Estimating Costs

• Secure funds, apply for loan applications.
• Contact at least 3 contractors, set up appointments for estimates.
• Visit Kitchen & Bath showrooms for ideas and consult certified staff designers.
• List any associated costs to remodel the surrounding areas or rooms.

Finalize Budget, Design, Contractor

4-6 Months Ahead of Start- Finalize your total budget amount plus 10% extra for optional or accessories and a date when you will have funds available to use for purchases of special order items and give deposits to contractors. Financing or loan applications should be applied for as soon as you have all of the estimates together and arrive at the total price for the improvements.  Finalize a contract price with your bathroom designer or contractor and establish a target date to start the remodeling. It is a good idea to plan an alternate date in case more time is needed for decisions or to coordinate with the contractors’ schedule you have hired. Together with the contractor make a list of things you will have to do within deadline dates for final choices of material, colors and styles to be installed. Review details of scope of work included in contract and define.

• Total actual budget for project.
• Secure funds to pay for the remodeling project, apply for loan applications, savings, cash.
• Final layout & design drawings.
• Make an itemized list with deadline dates for colors/styles selections.
• List contractor supplied materials & scope of work.
• List homeowner responsibilities.
• Building Inspections- who will handle & schedule- Homeowner or Contractor.
• Extra work order terms & agreement with contractor.
• Contractor certificate of insurance & workers comp.
• Product warranties and manufacturers rebates.
• Agreeable completion date.
• Sign contract & payment terms/conditions/schedule.
• Establish daily work hours and the days of week contractor can work. Saturday? Sunday?
• Contractor vehicles parking on site.
• Details for access to your home by workers.
• Contractor to give reasonable notice (2 days) to homeowner prior to shutdown of any utilities.
• Contractor’s responsibility to safe off work area & daily cleanup.
• Establish proposed start date.
• Apply for building permits.

• Expedite Materials

Special Order/Long Lead Time Items

• Confirm model #'s, specs, quantities, dimensions, colors.
• Shower receptor base, tub, toilet, sinks.
• Faucets, diverters, controls.
• Ceramic, granite, marble floor tile.
• Ceramic, granite, marble wall tile.
• Exhaust fan
• Shower/tub wall surround.
• Shower wall accessories- built in shelf, soap trays.
• Vanities, tall cabinets.
• Vanity tops- granite, solid surface, integral sinks.
• Medicine cabinets, mirrors, towel bars.
• Lighting- recessed, wall mount.
• Replacement windows, skylight, doors.
• Shower doors.
• Wallpaper, window Treatments.

• In Stock/Short Lead Time Items

• Construction materials- framing, water resistant sheetrock.
• Stonewall, hardie board- for walls, subfloor.
• Plumbing supplies.
• Electrical supplies.
• Wall & floor tile adhesives, mud floor, thinset, grout.

• 4 Weeks Prior to Start

• Contact contractor to confirm proposed start date.
• Check status of special orders.
• Make Final Selections- in stock items, colors, styles.
• Provide onsite storage space or garage for receiving materials during construction.

• 2 Weeks Prior to Start

• Target exact start date with contractor.
• Notify neighbors of start date.
• Pickup building permits.

• Days Prior To Start

• Site visit by designer/contractor.
• Contractor to provide names of foreman & employees on site.
• Exchange 24hr emergency contact phone #'s for you and contractor.
• Homeowner clear work area/rooms of contents.
• Secure/protect/remove valuables, collectibles, hanging pictures.
• Check status of special order materials.
• Notify local building dept of start.

• Being a Certified Designer myself for many years, I suggest you contact a certified bath designer to help you plan & design your new bathroom. These specialists usually work at kitchen and bath dealers and have access to products and information for making selections.  A bath designer will show you design possibilities, latest trends, materials and answer any questions you may have to help you visualize your new bathroom. This is a major investment in your home and will be in place for years to come. A well thought out plan and design is important to achieve the results of your dreams and transform them into a reality. Remodeling can sometimes be stressful during certain phases of construction, a designer can explain to you what to expect and address your concerns.  Have a positive attitude and in a short time you will be enjoying your new master bathroom.

For Estimates contact - Jersey Shore Home Remodeling

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