The average cost of remodeling a bathroom can vary depending on different factors. Cost will be affected by the current state, original material used to build, and how much labor will need to be hired, but it’s safe to assume that you’re looking at around $10,000. 

However, if you don’t mind swinging a crowbar and applying tiling cement, you can drastically cut the price down by thousands.

It’s also important to remember that remodeling any part of your home will add to the resale value, making this a great long-term investment.

After you’ve finalized a budget for the project, it’s time to start planning out where to begin and what changes you can make yourself. Most of these changes can be made by you during your free time, however, making and changes to the electrical system should be left to a professional. 

If you plan on making any plumbing changes, you should also consult with a professional, because nothing would be worse than a leak destroying all of the work you just finished.

Bathroom Remodeling Tips

1. Paint

The most cost effective way to spruce up your bathroom is to repaint. With a little paint you can give your bathroom a whole new feel. 

It doesn’t have to be a slow and time-consuming job, just get out some painter’s sheets and painter’s tape and mask everything that isn’t getting a touch up. Before you begin, make sure to scrape and sand any old chipped paint, and double check that you’ve masked off everything necessary.

Make sure to cover the:

• Tub or shower
• Windows
• Sink
• Outlets
• Toilet
• Mirror
• Floor

When choosing your paint, remember that the bathroom will be the most prone to mold and mildew in your house. You will want to select bathroom paint that is designed to combat mold and mildew specifically.

2. Retain and Refurbish

A huge cost-saver is the practice of retaining and refurbishing you current materials. If your tub is looking a little dingy, you can save yourself a lot of time and expense by opting to reline, reglaze, or refinish your tub.

If the main issue with your tub is that it may be yellowing or have a nick in it, then instead of removing your current tub (and everything that entails), see if you can save the tub and some money by refinishing it.

If the cosmetic damages are really minor, you can get away with a little touch up paint.

3. Replace the Accent Pieces

Unless you’re set on replacing the cabinetry in your bathroom, which can be a hassle in cost and installation, you might try adding a fresh theme with new handles and knobs. 

Depending on how far away from the original style you go, you may need to touch up existing holes while drilling new ones.

If you’re already changing the handles, then you may also want to add a new sink faucet. By simply changing out the faucet, you can retain your current sink while giving it a whole new look. 

It’s an easy endeavor that can radically change the feel of the bathroom.

4. Focus Your Cost Where You Want Them

Sometimes your artistic side wants to put cost-saving to the backseat. 

One area that you may want to splurge on are the countertops. If you choose a material like granite, you’ll definitely add to the resale value. Also, because you’re not working in an area as large as a kitchen, the cost may be more reasonable than you expect.

Another area you may want to spend some money on may be tiling. This also doesn’t have to break the bank. If you found a tile design that you love, consider placing in a row among less expensive tiles to make it an accent, versus lining a whole wall in the more costly tile.

5. Clean the Grout and Caulk

A fast, cheap, and quick way to brighten up a bathroom is to clean the grout and caulk. With a little manual labor you can scrub the grout and remove and reline the caulk, making a world of difference in your bathroom.

After you finish with this, you’ll wonder why you waited so long before cleaning these overlooked areas of your bathroom.

6. Bring in the Light

Lighting is one of the most critical accessories at your disposal for bathroom remodeling. If you have access to natural light, try to exploit it as much as you can, by placing mirrors in strategic places.

Also consider LED lighting. You can give your bathroom a modern look by placing recessed LED strips, giving your bathroom an ambient glow. Just avoid harsh bright lights, as that can give your bathroom a clinical and sterile feel.

You may even want to add lighting to areas such as behind the mirror or under the sink ledge to add more dimension to the room.

7. Plan and Plan Again

Being thorough with your planning can be you number one cost-saver. As the old adage goes, measure twice, cut once, the same can be said for planning your bathroom renovations.

One commonly overlooked mistake is not taking into account the existing electrical wiring and plumbing. It’s a major headache to have to cut into drywall that you just put up, when work could have been done with a little foresight.

Sometimes it’s easy to overlook simple measurements. It’s possible to buy too much tile because you didn’t account for how much of a footprint your tub takes up. While this isn’t a problem if the store accept returns, it is a hassle to have to make continuous round trips.

You also want to avoid underestimating cost. A wall may need to be completely removed because you found mold during the renovation, or it could be as something as small as not calculating the price of tools. 

Do you already own a tile cutter, do you have concrete and wood drill bits? One by one, these items can be small, but without proper tracking they can rapidly increase.

However, with a little bit of planning and elbow grease, in the matter of a weekend, you can give your bathroom the remodeling it needs.

Marie Erhart is a Success Manager at FieldPulse, creators of field service software that lets you run your entire contracting business from a single app. She works with contractors to help them grow their business using best practices.