Planning to remodel your bathroom? Here are some new tips from the experts. Unlike a kitchen - where a homemaker can install new appliances and refinish the existing cabinets without changing anything else - bathroom remodeling has a spiral effect. If the tub is replaced, the tile and floor surrounding the tub have to be ripped out. It is harder to match tile in an older home, where tubs typically need replacement, so in many cases, a new floor and new tile have to be installed. In order to replace the floor, the sink and toilet must be removed.
It's less expensive to get a turnkey estimate at the beginning. That's a start-to-finish job that would include tearing out old fixtures and replacing with new ones. This way, the homeowner is in control of what the whole job will cost. They can choose fixtures - good, better or best - and decide how much they can afford to spend. There are no hidden costs.
The only area to substantially save money during remodeling is in choosing the location and type of fixtures in your new bathroom. Due to building codes, as soon as you move the toilet, your costs will skyrocket. Often it's best to leave fixtures where they were when remodeling - just upgrade to new fixtures.
Although many homeowners try to save money by doing the work themselves, bathroom remodeling should usually be left to a professional. Bathrooms can often present problems for amateurs that can become costly mistakes. For example, installing a tub faucet or drain can often jar pipes that are concealed behind walls or above ceilings.
In order to stop the water damage resulting from these loose pipes, a contractor must tear down the wall - a task most do-it-yourselfers are not equipped to handle. A professional with the proper tools and training will be able to handle any unforeseen problems and avoid those that can plague do-it-yourselfers.
Many people are under the impression that they will spend a lot of money if they call a professional contractor, but most professionally done jobs actually cost much less than repairing a do-it-yourselfer's mistakes
The number one reason people remodel their bathrooms is to improve the value of their homes. Other reasons for remodeling include water damage to floors or walls and increasing storage space.
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Replacing plumbing fixtures is a must when remodeling a bathroom. Visit our
plumbing site and read all about it.
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