Tips for Adding a Bathroom to Your House
If you want to renovate your house, a new bathroom is one of the best add-ons. It can add real value to your home. No matter where you live, adding a bathroom will increase the value of your home.
We're sharing five tips to make the challenging process smoother.
1. Consider Interior vs. Exterior Renovation
There are two primary ways to install a bathroom in the home - you can build it into an existing room or add it to the exterior, effectively creating a whole new space from scratch.
Realistically, installing a new bathroom inside your property is much easier because you don't have to worry about adding to your foundation or putting up new sections of walls. However, if you can afford the renovations, it's almost always better to increase the square footage of your house, even if the new bathroom is relatively small.
Not only can an increase in your home's size add to the resale value, but you don't have to reduce the amount of livable space in another room, which can sometimes lower the appeal for new buyers.
2. Full Bath or Half-Bath?
Not all bathrooms are the same. A half bath is a toilet and a sink, while a full bath includes a shower or bathtub too. As you might expect, a full bath installation will cost more, but it could add more value to your home when you decide to make a residential move. Also, if you and your family are constantly waiting for the shower, installing a new one can alleviate this issue significantly.
That said, even a half bath can be valuable, particularly if you put it in a recreational area like the basement. Finally, consider converting a current half bathroom into a full bath to accommodate it more.
3. Determine Your DIY Limit
One of the best ways to save money on home renovations is to handle most of the work yourself. However, installing a bathroom requires professional input since you'll work with plumbing and electrical systems. That said, if you're pretty handy, you can have the pros create the foundation and connect the different ports while you handle the rest (i.e., fixtures, cabinets, decor, etc.).
4. Create Multiple Designs and Layouts
Before starting any home renovation project, you need to plan as much of it out as possible. When installing a bathroom, you may have grand ideas of what you want it to look like, but reality may prevent you from realizing your dream. For example, you might be limited by pipe or outlet placement or even the types of walls you'll have inside.
It's best to develop a few different ideas, so you have alternate options to fall back on if your first draft won't work. This way, you can still get what you want, even if it's not your first choice.
5. Know What You Want vs. Need
Yes, it may be nice to have a Jacuzzi bathtub in your new bathroom, but will it fit, and can you afford it? Writing down a list of wants vs. needs can help you budget and plan efficiently. Also, writing it all down can help you visualize what matters with your new bathroom so you don't go overboard with the project.
Get Help Moving Into Your Dream Home!
Are you moving into a home you plan to renovate to become the place of your dreams? Let us help with the logistics, so you can focus on what matters most. Contact us today for a free quote.
