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The average person will spend 1 ½ years of their lifetime in the bathroom. Skeptical? See for yourself.

 

Trivia aside, your home’s bathroom(s) is obviously one of the most important rooms in your house and renovating it is a great way to: 1.) add value to home, 2.) correct odd or unsafe features (goodbye seafoam green tiles from the 70’s), 3.) add more space, 4.) Enjoy a more energy efficient home, and 5.) make your home look and feel more luxurious and modern. If remodeling your bathroom is on your To Do List this spring, here is Colorado Blinds & Design’s step-by-step Bathroom Redesign Workbook to help you navigate the process!

 

Step 1: Ask Yourself What You’re Trying to Achieve

Ask yourself what you’re remodeling objective is. Forget about your budget constraints, how much space you have, etc. and just think about what is intended for this bathroom:

• Who is this bathroom for?
• How often will it get used and what will its function be?
• How much time do you spend in the bathroom in the morning, afternoon, evening?
• How many people are going to use it?
• What are your priorities- storage, relaxation, resale only?
• What would your dream bathroom include?

 

If you’re happy with the layout and just want to update the look, then you’ll be focusing on material selection and maybe new cabinetry or plumbing features.

 

If you’re updating your bathroom in preparation for the resale your home, you need to consider what is important to potential buyers. Do a little research; talk to your friends and neighbors, or come in to Colorado Blinds and Design to talk to one of our designers for insight into what Northern Colorado homeowners are looking for.

 

If you’re remodeling to improve your bathroom’s functionality and/or storage, you may likely need to gut the space and rearrange the elements within it. You may even need to reroute the plumbing, meaning you’re looking at a whole new bathroom and the time and budget to match.

 

Step 2: Do Your Research & Set Your Budget

Although you probably already have a good idea of how much you have to spend, you want to make sure you have a realistic understanding of how much a bathroom model will cost. According to an article on Houzz.com, a basic update runs from $3,000 (DIY) – $12,000, on average, where a mid-to-upper range remodel typically falls between $10,000 and $35,000.

 

It is prudent to factor in a cushion of 10-20% for unforeseen costs. If you want to keep costs down, see if you can accomplish your updates without moving existing plumbing or wiring.

 

If you’re still feeling unsure about how much your project will cost, please talk to one of our professionals for some realistic figures.

 

Step 3: Find a Professional

If you have a clear idea of what you want, where you’ll get what you want, and how it will all work together, then you can probably handle the design phase of your project yourself. However, a professional at Colorado Blinds & Design may be able to think of things that you haven’t considered. Sometimes a professional eye can take your space to a place you didn’t even know it could go; to arrange it in a creative way to maximize functionality and efficiency.

 

Check out samples of work here to see what we mean!

 

If you’re not confident in your demolition, construction and installation abilities, you may want to consider hiring a general contractor. There is definite margin for error when you attempt to lay tile and flooring, install vanities and toilets, etc. yourself. These errors can result in lost time and money. When in doubt, hire a pro to help!

 

For major structural changes, you may need to consult with an architect and you almost always want to hire plumbing and electrical work out. Here at Colorado Blinds at Designs, we are always happy to refer you to a professional  to fit your needs.

 

Step 4: Fine-Tune Your Plan

The devil is in the details and now is the time to start thinking about them. Consider exactly how your elements will lay out — how everything will fit in the space you have. How will you create more space if you need it? Where will the outlets go? How will you access the main power source? Where should you put the toilet, what about the toilet paper, etc.?
You also want to solidify the style of your bathroom. Will it have an industrial or contemporary feel? You can look online or in magazines for inspiration, or you can talk to one of our designers to figure out what would work best for your home and your personal aesthetic.

Step 5: Approve Plan

If you have sketches and preliminary floor plans, now is the time finalize the major elements and their spacing. Once you have all your measurements, you’ll how many square feet of countertop to order, etc.You’ll also have the information you and your designer need to start shopping around for prices on materials.

 

Step 6: Choose Your Materials, Finishes and Colors

Now for the real fun! Start researching materials so you’ll have enough knowledge to talk to your designer or supplier about what you want. For example, you like the look of grout, but it’s more important to you that your bathroom be easy to clean, so you now you can research easier to maintain options.

 

In general, you will be choosing:

• Bathtub
• Countertops
• Color
• Faucets
• Flooring
• Lighting
• Mirrors
• Showers
• Sinks
• Storage
• Tile
• Toilet
• Vanities

 

Step 7: Review Design Development and Construction Documents

During this phase, you should be reviewing all your floor plans, layouts, and elevations. Keep on top of your project, because if something is not specified in your construction drawings, your installer may make a decision on the spot for you, and it may not be what you wanted.

 

This stage also includes the permit process. If you’ve hired a professional, they will help handle this for you. However, if you’re doing much of the work yourself, make sure you know what permits you need and where and how to submit drawings.

 

Step 8: Get Estimates From Contractors

Be sure to get 3 separate estimates from licensed contractors for your project. Colorado Blinds & Design is always happy to help you find and interview potential candidates. Although tempting, don’t base your final decision primarily on price; sometimes you really do get what you pay for.

 

Step 9: Plan for Installation and Prepare for Demo

Depending on the size and scope of your remodel, it could take 6 weeks to 8 months to complete, so be prepared!

 

Be sure all your materials are selected and ordered before construction starts to prevent any delays.

 

Are you and your family ready for the disruption? Where will you shower? Where will your store needed materials? Figure out when the workers will be there and if someone will always be around to answer questions when they arise.

 

Step 10: Create a Post-Project List

Get organized. Be sure to keep all your receipts, contracts, warranties, and product information associated with project. It’s better to be safe than sorry, just in case something is wrong, scratched, missing, broken, etc.

 

Create a document or write an email detailing any issues and make sure to get it to the party responsible for correcting the mistake. Include a date the work should be completed and work with your contractor to ensure the issue is resolved. Also, take a deep breath; mistakes happen, especially in large, complex projects.

 

Step 11: Decorate (and Celebrate)

Congrats! Your bathroom remodel is now complete and it’s time to add all your finishing touches: towels, soap holder, and more!

 

Call Colorado Blinds & Design and schedule your bathroom remodel consultation today!