You’ve probably never thought of remodeling your bathroom as a “low cost” venture. In fact, home remodeling generally seems to get out-of-hand more often than not. Whether you’re doing your first ever remodel or you’re an old hat, sticking to a budget is challenge #1.
We want to help you overcome that challenge. That’s why we’ve put together this list of five helpful tips for saving money during your next bathroom remodel. Stick to these suggestions, and you’ll transform your bathroom for the better… without transforming your bank account for the worse.
1. Plan it all out ahead of time.
This advice works whenever you’re going to be spending a chunk of change on a specific project. Always set a budget! If you have everything planned out before it happens, then you won’t be blindsided by unexpected costs. If you know how much you’re spending at the beginning, then your bills won’t be shocking at the end.
2. Choose money-saving fixture models.
This may not save you much money up front, but it will save you plenty in the long run. Invest in WaterSense products. They’re environmentally and ecologically friendly. They use less water than traditional fixtures. Best of all (at least for your budget): They’ll save save you money on your monthly water bills over time.
Look for fixtures with the EPA’s WaterSense label on them. Choosing a WaterSense fixture is always a wise investment in the long run. Remember: saving water isn’t just great for the environment, it’s great for your pocketbook, too!
3. Don’t move the plumbing.
Moving your pipes is very expensive, not to mention time-consuming. If you can avoid gutting your bathroom and moving the pipes around, you should. If you still want to overhaul your bathroom without removing the pipes, work with a designer.
They might be able to help you install the upgrades you’re looking for without moving things around too much. You can still substantially improve your tub, shower, or toilet without moving the pipes connected to them.
4. DIY when and where you can.
When it comes to a bathroom remodel, there are certain things you’ll need to leave to the pros. Installing major plumbing fixtures or working on pipes aren’t projects you’ll want to take on yourself. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do yourself, however!
Look for simple, small projects that you feel confident handling yourself. You could lay tile, hang wainscotting, replace a showerhead, and more. Anything you do yourself is something you won’t have to pay someone else to do for you.
5. Consider small aesthetic changes.
Even simple, low-cost improvements like a fresh coat of bright paint can make a considerable difference to your bathroom. A new or brighter color could radically transform what your bathroom looks and feels like. There are all kinds of other small changes that you could have a big impact besides paint, too. You could put up shelving, set out some candles, or even just buy a new bath mat!
Once you remodel your bathroom, your next priority will be to keep it in top working condition. You can do that by partnering with the pros at Ben Franklin Plumbing for regular maintenance check-ups. We’ll make sure your bathroom looks and works like it’s brand new.