The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the home and can begin to show age rather quickly. Fortunately, a bathroom remodeling project can breathe life into your home while adding value and improving overall efficiency. Unfortunately, nearly 40 percent of American homeowners spend more than they plan to during a renovation. From choosing a contractor and selecting a style, to purchasing fixtures and making sure they’re properly installed, it’s easy for the costs of a bathroom renovation to get out of hand. If you’re concerned about not being able to stick to your renovation budget, here are some tips for managing your bathroom renovation costs.
Skip the “Total” Renovation
While in the planning stages of your bathroom renovation, stand in the middle of your bathroom and take a good look around. Chances are, there are parts of your bathroom that don’t even need to be touched. Whether it’s the tile, the toilet, or the vanity, you should determine what can stay and what should be replaced immediately. While a total bathroom renovation would be nice, in most cases it’s not necessary. Make a list of what needs to be renovated or replaced in priority order – you may find your bathroom renovation budget will shrink before your eyes as you cut out any unnecessary aspects.
Resist the Urge to Make Changes
Be aware of the possible consequences that making changes to your bathroom renovation can have on your remodeling costs. The truth is, making changes can quickly cause remodeling costs to spiral out of control. Each time you request a change, it can delay the schedule, cause the contractor to shift workers to another home, and almost always increases the bottom line. If you’d like to finish your bathroom remodel according to schedule and escape extra fees, try to avoid making any changes once construction has officially begun.
Use a Rewards Credit Card
If you’re taking more of a DIY approach and are purchasing many of the materials yourself, use the best rewards credit card you own. Many credit card companies offer deals and bonuses for customers who use their cards, as long as you pay the balance in full when you receive the bill. Typically, credit card companies offer everything from cash back deals and frequent flyer miles, to free merchandise and discounted groceries. Just think: with all the money you spend on a bathroom remodel you could get a free plane ticket to the destination of your choice. It just might make the renovation stress worth it.
Let the Workers Do Their Jobs
While it’s only natural to want to see the progress being made on your bathroom, it’s best to save the walk-through for after working hours. Many of the workers are there to do a specific task, and will have no idea about the plan for the overall project. If you’re constantly interrupting them during working hours to discuss your project or ask questions, you could be slowing down their progress and unknowingly extending the life of the project. If you have any questions or concerns you’d like addressed, call up the contractor – he or she should know exactly what’s going on with your project.