Not everyone is prepared for the work that goes into a DIY bathroom remodeling. Not only is it potentially dangerous, but a poorly remodeled bathroom can look cheap and wear out quickly. Thoroughly planning your remodel before setting a finger to it will put you on the right track.
Before you start tearing up the tiles and picking the grout color, read these DIY bathroom renovation tips. It’s important to fully understand the time and knowledge required to successfully complete a DIY bathroom remodel. The mechanics that handle on-site project management and installation have to undergo a five-year apprenticeship before being permitted to handle a bathroom remodeling project by themselves.
To be confident in your decision to remodel your bathroom yourself, be fully prepared to tackle common risks or oversights experienced by homeowners completing complex projects on their own. Make a bathroom remodeling check list to ensure all your bases are covered before you start tearing up flooring yourself.
Most Common DIY Bathroom Remodeling Oversights
Improper Waterproofing
A bathroom is a wet room. Your toilet, shower, sink, and bathtub are all possible places where a DIY remodeling project can go wrong. Failing to completely waterproof your bathroom can lead to structural damage, depreciation of your new bathroom, mold and mildew growth, higher utility bills, and an increased likelihood of termites.
It’s difficult to completely waterproof a bathroom without having a background in remodeling because the waterproofing membrane must be compatible with the substrate and adhesive being used. Waterproofing curing times also differ from product to product which can lead to human error.
Lack of subject matter expertise and improper substrate preparation can lead to tile failure and costly water damage repairs. If you’re unsure whether or not you can handle waterproofing a bathroom yourself, it’s best to call a bathroom remodeling expert.
No Fixture Layout Premeditation
Before starting a DIY bathroom remodel, one of the biggest considerations is whether or not to replace your old tub, shower, toilet, and sink. Whether you choose to reline your current fixtures or tear out and replace your old ones, it’s a heavy lift for a DIY project.
No matter how big or small the space you’re working with during the bathroom remodel is, it’s vital to get the layout right. Ask yourself if there is a better layout than your current fixture placement as you plan your DIY bathroom remodeling project.
Make sure that if you do decide to shift the current fixtures that you take accurate measurements to ensure you have ample space to perform normal activities and the doors have enough room to open and close. These small considerations are important in bathroom remodeling planning.
Unrealistic Timeline
People who are ready to start a DIY bathroom renovation project need to consider how intensive they want their remodel to be. To avoid delays, ensure all the necessary materials are in stock and in the right quantities before ripping apart your bathroom.
Most people think that a bathroom remodeling project is the easiest room to tackle in the house, but this undertaking presents the greatest opportunities for problems to arise. A total bathroom reconfiguration can take between 20 and 30 working days whereas a pull and replace job takes up to five days.
Unexpected Asbestos
It’s not uncommon to run into asbestos or other harmful substances while renovating your home, especially if it was built before 1984. Asbestos is commonly found in bathroom walls, under flooring, and in ceilings. During bathroom remodeling planning, check for signs of mold. Look for black spots on the wall or in-between grout.
Anticipate finding mold before tearing up tile or breaking through drywall. It’s important to wear a mask while handling a DIY bathroom renovation. Asbestos can be extremely dangerous to inhale, so if you run into it while renovating, you should immediately call a licensed expert to handle its removal.
Make A Bathroom Remodeling Checklist
A bath remodel is no small undertaking. If you’re unsure if you can handle the project yourself, call the bathroom remodeling experts at Metropolitan Bath & Tile. With four decades of experience, we know there’s no bathroom remodeling project we can’t handle. Our promise is to make our customers happy with every detail of our work.
Bathroom remodels and bathroom additions have the highest return-on-investment out of nearly any other home project. According to recent cost vs. value report, 70.1% of a mid-range bathroom remodeling cost is recouped during resale. Bathroom remodeling planning ensures that every dollar spent on a project is an investment.
Potential home buyers are looking to see how many bedrooms and bathrooms a property has, not how many kitchens or laundry rooms. It’s true that bathroom remodels can be expensive when it comes to new plumbing, new fixtures, new flooring, etc. Even though most of this money will end up back in your pocket, it can be hard to resist the temptation to save some cash and take on a DIY bathroom renovation.
Struggling With Bathroom Remodeling Planning? Call The Professionals.
Not everyone is a handyman. Many of us think we are, many of us know we’re not, and still many more know what we’re doing but don’t want to mess with plumbing or electricity. Depending on the type of remodel, you can save a serious amount of money if you can handle the work. However, many homeowners start a bathroom remodeling project out of their scope.
Consider these ideas before you start a project you’re unable to handle. If you don’t have the time, tools, or subject-matter expertise to handle a DIY bathroom remodel, contact the team at Metropolitan Bath & Tile. By focusing solely on bathrooms, our only priority is being the best choice for bathroom remodeling.
