There are many myths circulating about bathroom remodeling — such as: these endeavors are massively costly but despite that cost, the remodel itself adds no value to the home. Further, the only reason to remodel a bathroom is to make it more luxurious.
Bathroom remodels, according to these myths, add no functionality and offer no ways to save money. Read on, and you’ll soon see that none of these myths are true!
Myth No. 1: Bathroom Remodels Add No Value to a Home
One of the biggest misconceptions about bathroom remodeling is that remodels add no value to a home. While it is true that you are unlikely to recoup the entire cost of a bathroom remodel, at least a large-scale remodel, it is not true that you will end up losing money in the long run. Think of it this way: A bathroom that has not been recently remodeled only serves to drag down a home’s value, often drastically, depending on the condition of the bathroom. This is because when prospective buyers see the bathroom, it not only colors their impression of the home but it also makes them think about how much money they will need to spend on updates after purchasing the home.
In that sense, it is better to get the remodeling done to preserve the value of your home as a whole. As far as cost recoupment goes, Remodeling.com’s 2017
“Cost Versus Value Report” shows that nationwide, homeowners were spending an average of $18,000 on a bathroom remodel and recouping an average of $12,000 on the remodel during the sale of the home.
Keep in mind that this cost is for a large-scale remodel that includes replacing walls and moving fixtures. On top of that, it does not factor in money saved on green upgrades and smart features. All in all, bathroom remodels will significantly increase the value of your home. Plus, you’ll enjoy a cleaner, fresher, more useful space throughout your time in the home.
Myth No. 2: The Major Benefit Is the Luxury of the Upgrade
The idea that a bathroom remodel adds no functionality is another myth that homeowners should ignore. It is true that a bathroom remodel will increase the luxury of the bathroom, but there are many more reasons than that to consider an upgrade.
- If you have hairline fractures in the tub, sink or toilet, then upgrades will certainly help you prevent costly leaks and damage down the road.
- Remodeling is your chance to add organizational options such as shelving or additional cabinetry.
- Lighting can be moved around or increased. If you find yourself styling hair or doing makeup in some other, brighter part of the home, then you’ll appreciate the ability to confine these tasks to the bathroom where they belong.
- There are money-saving options to be had. Increase energy efficiency with new light fixtures and save money on the water bill with low-flow faucets and a water-saving toilet.
Myth No. 3: Remodeling Does Not Help You Save Money or Increase Your Home’s Eco-Friendliness
Remodeling within your bathroom can absolutely help you cut utility bills and make the bathroom more environmentally friendly. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, simply replacing the top five most often used fixtures or lightbulbs within your home can cut the electric bill by $75 per year or more. Multiply that across all of the lightbulbs and fixtures in your bathroom — or across the entire home — and you’ll see that those savings are substantial.
Even more importantly, the bathroom is responsible for at least half the water usage in the average home.
- According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average bathroom faucet uses 2.2 gallons per minute. While faucets marked with the WaterSense label flow at a maximum of 1.5 gallons per minute. Replace faucets to save 30 percent on water usage in the bathroom sink and shower.
- WaterSense faucets not only save gallons per minute but they save on water heating costs, as well. The fewer hot water gallons per minute used, the less energy is used to heat the water.
- Leaky toilets often go unnoticed but can go through up to 200 gallons of water each day. Replace older toilets to prevent such leaks.
- Further, think about replacing the toilet with a new high-efficiency model. Even if your current fixture does not leak, a high efficiency toilet can save you 4,000 gallons per year — enough to pay for the cost of the upgrade quickly.
Myth No. 4: Remodeling Makes Your Bathroom Larger
It is a major misnomer that bathroom remodeling increases the size of the bathroom. The only way to increase a bathroom’s size is to remove walls and expand into other rooms. If you don’t plan on doing this, then the size of your bathroom will remain unchanged.That doesn’t mean you can’t make the bathroom feel larger, however. Plan the remodel well, adding plenty of
new organizational options and storage spaces, and the bathroom will operate more efficiently with less clutter, which in turn helps the bathroom feel more expansive. Additionally, bright lighting and light-colored finishes will give the room a fresh, airy look — another factor that helps enhance the sense of space.
Myth No. 5: Bathroom Remodels Are Expensive
On average, bathroom remodeling costs $18,000. That fact lends credence to the idea that bathroom remodels are costly. Bathroom remodeling does not have to come with a huge price tag. It all depends on the scale of the project, the materials selected and the amount of work that you are prepared to do yourself.
A small-scale bathroom remodel, for example, could be as simple as new grout; a coat of paint; and fresh caulk around the sink, tub and toilet, just to freshen the room. This is a project that can be completed by the homeowner over the course of a weekend for $200 or less. The average cost to install a new toilet is between $360 and $500 (one more task that isn’t all that expensive compared to the value and cost savings that you will reap from the project).
There are many myths surrounding bathroom remodeling but these five are the most prominent — and the most likely to make you hesitate when you consider undertaking this project. Remember, they simply aren’t true. Don’t let them get in the way of your remodel!