When it comes to projects around the home, a bathroom renovation is usually high on the to-do list. Outdated bathrooms can make a home seem years older. They worry prospective buyers, and are one of the most commonly performed renovations when someone purchases a home.
A fresh, clean bathroom can do wonders for your home. Unfortunately, there are many pitfalls of a bathroom renovation that many people do not think of when diving into the project. As experienced general contractors, the team at Lindahl Construction has seen it all. Here is a list of just a few of the problems to look out for when taking on that bathroom renovation.
Bathroom Renovation Do’s and Don’ts
- Planning for Space: Bathrooms often don’t provide a lot of space to work with, and that can result in difficult maneuvering if planning is not right. While we all would love a claw foot tub, a spa jacuzzi, or double vanities, the room will need to be planned out according to the space you have, and what will work functionally. After all, we spend a lot of time in our bathrooms.
- Research Proper Lighting: Mostly an important factor for those applying makeup, the wrong lighting can cause shadow lines and make colors appear different than they are in reality. If you have the ability to do so, experts recommend lots of natural lighting, and even ambient lighting for long soaks in the tub.
- Don’t Forget Adequate Ventilation: A bathroom without a window is required to provide ventilation another way, but even if you have a window, be sure to ask an expert about how to achieve the proper levels of ventilation. You’ll need water and moisture to dissipate quickly so as not to produce a mold or decay situation. (Stay code-compliant – hire a licensed contractor for your bathroom renovation!)
- Consider (Lots of ) Storage: This is one of the biggest mistake homeowners make when considering a new bathroom. Sleek, minimal styles are beautiful, but often provide little in the way of storage. Between hair products, soaps, toiletries and towels, a bathroom is prone to clutter if everything is not given a proper place to reside.
- Rethink Bathtubs: Many people love their baths, or have children who require a bathtub. But more than one bathtub in the home may not be necessary, and you can free up a lot of space in a bathroom by removing the tub. That being said, if you want to add a tub to a bathroom and don’t want all the construction, try looking for a standalone bath.
- Poor Design: You don’t want to walk into a gorgeous bathroom and immediately notice the toilet. However, neither do you want to have to squeeze around a door just to get to the hidden toilet in a small space. Think about the design of the room, and consider placement and doors accordingly.
- Under Budgeting: When renovating a bathroom, remember that this is a wet area. That means that you may find unexpected plumbing issues behind the wall, or locate areas of mold or rot as you pull out old fixtures. There can definitely be unexpected costs when dealing with a bathroom renovation, so be sure to add in some leeway.
As with any renovation project, there are a lot of questions. How much will it cost? Do you need a permit? What are the applicable building codes? Your home and your investment are too important to guess about these things. If you are considering any type of home renovation in the Sarasota or Longboat Key area, give Lindahl Construction a call. We not only build beautiful custom homes, we turn your home into your dream space.