If you are looking to sell your home, you may be looking to maximize the value of it before selling. There are many small and large changes you can make to your space to make it more appealing to buyers and to increase the value of your home. Remodeling a bathroom may be one of the areas that you can increase your home’s value, especially if your bathrooms are outdated. Here are a few of the renovations you may wish to consider.
One of the top mistakes that people make when remodeling a bathroom to increase the value of their home is going overboard. You need to carefully consider the current value and what buyers in your area are looking for. For example, marble may look beautiful in a bathroom, but not every market supports the high price of marble. In many cases, making small, simple changes may help to freshen up a dated bathroom and increase the value of your home. These can range from painting your bathroom, installing new flooring, refurbishing the vanity, or replacing the faucets and hardware in your bathroom. Small changes are relatively affordable, yet can instantly and inexpensively give your bathroom a fresher and cleaner appearance.
Another way to increase the value of your home with a bathroom remodel is to increase the size of the bathroom. If you have a small and cramped bathroom, increasing the space will help it feel more luxurious. People who have older homes without a full ensuite bathroom are finding that if they renovate their tiny half bath and turn it into a full bath, they increase the value of their home and make their home more appealing to buyers. It is important to note that increasing the size of a bathroom can be a large renovation and can be pricey, so always weigh the pros and cons to ensure you are getting value out of increased bathroom size.
If you have a bathroom that is not very functional, it can negatively affect the value of your home. One of the common misconceptions about bathrooms is that they should include a toilet, sink, shower, and bathtub. However, if the space is small, fitting all of these items in the space may take away from the functionality of the bathroom. In some cases, removing a bathtub and only going with a shower can make a lot of sense, as can changing up the layout to make the space more functional. You should not have to feel cramped in a bathroom, and if you do, renovating the space to make it more functional may increase the value of the space.
In some cases, it makes sense to make minor changes to your bathroom. However, if your bathroom has structural issues, mold problems, or has not been renovated in over 25 years, gutting the bathroom and starting fresh makes a lot of sense. Gutting a bathroom is typically expensive, and as such, you may not want to do this unless you absolutely have to. However, if a bathroom has structural damage or mold problems, or is severely dated, it can deter potential buyers and lower the value of your home. Repairing these problems helps to show buyers you take care of your home and can help to make the space more modern.
One of the lesser-known ways to increase the value of your home through a bathroom remodel is to consider aging-in-place changes. More people than ever want to remain in their homes as long as they possibly can. Having a bathroom that someone can age-in-place in can help them remain in a home longer. Aging-in-place changes generally include things like walk-in tubs, seats in the showers, space for walkers or wheelchairs, and non-slip tile. If buyers in your area tend to be 50 years or older, or if you are remodeling a bathroom attached to a mother-in-law’s suite or casita, considering aging-in-place renovation changes can pay off.
The final way to increase a home value through a bathroom remodel is to add luxurious finishes. Potential buyers often pay attention to the finishes of the home, and those finishes may sway a buyer. Adding small touches, such as high-end stone countertops, rainfall showerheads, or heated tile may be exactly what you need to up the value of your home and potentially sway a buyer to select your home over a different home they are looking for. When selecting luxurious finishes, you should look at other homes in the area. Going overboard on finishes can wind up costing you, so you want to ensure your finishes stand out but are not overdone for the area.
Finding a contractor who has experience with bathroom remodeling is important. Here at Columbus Bath Design, we can help you put together a bathroom design that will help to maximize the value of your bathroom and help you fetch top dollar for your home, and then make that design become a reality. Reach out to us today to get started.
One of the first things people notice about their new home or if they are interested in purchasing a home is the bathrooms. Everyone pictures themselves basking in the glow of their oasis. But when you start taking a look at what it would cost to remodel, many people get scared away by the potential cost.
The good news is that there are some simple design choices and project expenses that can be made or cut that can help you create your new bathroom no matter what your budget. Some simple cost-saving measures, when implemented properly, go a very long way.
A consultation with a design expert at Columbus Bath Design could set you on the right path. We’ll work with you to come up when a plan, then give you a free estimate to get you on your way!
There are a wide variety of ways you can save money on your bathroom remodeling project. We’ll discuss of few of them below.
It can be tempting to expand your bathroom’s existing footprint to create a bigger space, but resist the urge! Rearranging or enlarging a bathroom will often involve moving plumbing pipes and electrical wiring. Such changes can increase a remodeling budget significantly.
The most expensive fixture to move is the toilet since it involves moving both the waste pipe as well as the water service line. To move these elements will require tearing out the floor and some of the walls. Likewise, performing new electrical work may be more hassle than it’s worth. If you live in an older home, making a change to electrical may require bringing the whole room up to code!
Only consider altering the bathroom’s footprint if it is necessary to accommodate its intended use. Moving fixtures such as sinks, tubs, and toilets to different parts of the bathroom are often the largest expense in a bathroom remodeling budget.
Along these same lines, make sure that you don’t move any load-bearing walls. Sometimes a non-load-bearing wall can be pushed out easily, but if it’s a wall that provides structural support, stay far away.
Designers will often recommend exploring the possibility of expanding through a wall that doesn’t bear any weight. This could be a good way to expand your space with the minimal extra expense.
If your plan does require moving a load-bearing wall, you’ll need to engage a general contractor to assess the structural needs of your home.
It’s important to remember that the more walls you open up, the more walls you’ll have to close up in the end! Always address problem areas like walls that have mold or mildew, but if you can get away with keeping the existing drywall in place, do so.
A good way to save money is to replace only the bad sections. You’ll likely want to replace the drywall near the tub or sink but stay away from gutting the whole room if possible.
At the beginning of your project ask yourself if you need to replace all of the fixtures, or if you can refinish them to start life anew. If you are looking to save money on your remodel a good place to start is by assessing if you want to replace elements because of their function or their aesthetic.
If something doesn’t need to be replaced, save money and get it refinished instead. For instance, you can refinish your bathtub with a protective, attractive coating instead of taking it out and putting in a new one. If your bathroom cabinet is still in good shape, consider painting it to match your new color scheme instead of replacing it entirely.
Plus, by reusing your existing features you not only save money but also save the environment by not sending your old stuff out to the landfill!
If you have an old, prefabricated bathtub or shower and want to replace it with custom tiled walls and base, you are looking at a pretty expensive remodeling job. Instead, consider replacing your current fixtures with a new prefabricated unit.
Significantly less expensive, prefabricated units have come a long way in recent years and are now available in a wide range of colors and styles. Plus, they are far easier to install, often taking as little as one day.
That’s the easy part, just give us a call! We’ll walk you through all of the choices and decisions you’ll need to make to ensure that your bathroom remodeling is done right and fits your budget.
We look forward to helping you create the perfect bathroom oasis!
You’re always looking for the best value. Whether it’s a refusal to pay the sticker price on a new car…or watching your grocery bill go down by clipping coupons, you never want to pay more than should. Why should your home be any different? It doesn’t matter if you’re flipping the house, planning to sell in the near future or hoping to live out your golden years in it, making your home more valuable is always a good idea. At Columbus Bath Design of Columbus, OH, we’ve got a few ideas on how you can do just that.
Is a Bathroom Remodel Worth the Cost?
If the cost of a full remodel (average or upscale) is a bit more than you can afford right now, there are always some low-cost ways of giving your bathroom a fresh, updated look. Give us a call and our team can give you some answers to match your budget.
Do Your Homework
With the number of houses we’re seeing on the market today, you want to make sure yours stands out from the rest. Talk to a real estate agent to see what buyers are looking for in a bathroom. Go online to check out some houses that have sold recently. How many full or half-baths do they have? That kind of information can prove to be invaluable if you’re considering putting your house on the market.
It’s also a good idea to look through a few magazines, or better yet…stop by our showroom, to discover what type of neutral color schemes are available for your bathroom remodel. Going with timeless colors that are easy to match with the accessories of potential buyers can really set your bathroom apart.
In the end, only you can answer the question of whether or not a bathroom remodel will result in the best value for you and your family. But our team at Columbus Bath Design of Columbus, OH is here to help you answer that question. Invest a small amount of time with us today…and we’ll help you with an investment that can last in the years to come.