Many people recognize the fact that the two most expensive rooms in the house to remodel are the kitchen and the bathrooms. However, what many do not realize is how these two rooms have the largest influence on the price of the house on the real estate market.
A kitchen is the most expensive room in the house to remodel, and also is often the most intrusive to the normal flow of family life. If you are seeking to improve your home by hiring a contractor to remodel parts of the house, a great place to start is in the bathroom.
Bathroom remodels can also be intrusive, but a competent contractor will be sensitive to the needs of the family. In order to have a great experience when remodeling your bathroom, it is important to have realistic expectations and goals. If you are hiring a contractor, it is their duty to help communicate the expectations of both parties while navigating the remodeling project, that way the project can flow smoothly with the least amount of hassle to the homeowner. We are going to briefly discuss four tips that well help you have a more enjoyable experience with your bathroom remodeling project.
1 – Clearly Communicate your Expectations and Goals During the Planning Phase
It is important to remember that you as the homeowner are the one who must have a clear vision of what you would like your new bathroom to look like. What kind of tile flooring do you want? What type of shower or bathtub would you like? How much are you willing to spend in order to build the bathroom you have dreamed of? Questions like these will help you as you try to determine what the desired outcome of the project would be for you and your family.
Your contractor should be asking you leading questions to help guide you through the planning and design phase of the project, that way they can help guide you and keep your expectations and goals realistic. The important thing to remember is that the contractor has the experience and expertise to bring your dreams into reality, but the only way that is possible is through clear communication before the project even begins.
2 – Expect to have Some Surprises During Bathroom Remodel
If you live in an older home, the odds are that there will be some surprises as your contractor begins to remove the old shower, toilet, and vanity. There are many variables when building a new bathroom, since the room contains plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and mechanical components. Often contractors will open up the walls or check the existing plumbing and realize that there is damage present or concerns that could effect the final product. As a homeowner, you must be ready to hear the contractor tell you of some sort of issues or concerns that they found during the demo phase, and must be flexible in coming up with the appropriate solution.
In contrast, it is important that the contractor you have hired is aware of the risks and communicates them to you openly. Also, make sure it is clear what is included in the price as far as any sort of damage or concerns that the contractor finds. The success of the remodeling project is largely based on the contractor communicating openly with you and you being willing to communicate openly with the contractor. No project goes perfectly according to plan, so be gracious as the contractor is seeking to provide you with high quality work and an excellent experience.
3 – Arrange Plans for Bathroom Use During the Project
This one may seem obvious, but it is important that you prepare for the bathroom remodeling project by ensuring that you have access to a bathroom during the entirety of the project. For those of you who have 2 or 3 bathrooms in your house, then this point is of less concern. However, it is important to expect a full bathroom remodel to take anywhere from 1-3 weeks depending on how much tile you have installed in the room. Not only must you have plans for your bathroom usage, but also you must have the conversation with the contractor about where his team will be able to use the bathroom during the time they are working on the project.
If you only have one bathroom, it may be worth renting and Airbnb or a hotel room for the entirety of the project, although that could get expensive. Another thing that many contractors will do is they will remove the toilet each day as they work in the bathroom, and reinstall it at the end of the day so that you have a functioning bathroom throughout the project. As far as your shower goes, if they are building a fully tile shower, expect at least 8 days or so that you will have no access to the shower. If it is a one piece or three piece fiberglass shower, you may have access to your shower on the same day with proper planning by your contractor. Again, proper planning will ensure that there are no surprises between the contractor and the homeowner during the entirety of the remodel project.
4 – Hire a Contractor who Seeks to Serve Your Needs First
The most important factor to the success of your bathroom remodel is choosing a contractor who is concerned with your needs and desires. A good indicator that you are hiring the right contractor for the job is often if they are asking you questions and listening more than they are speaking. A skilled contractor seeks not to sell you what you don’t need, but to listen to your unique context and vision and help bring that to fruition. At DOXA Contracting Company, we stress the importance of clear communication with our clients as well as serving their needs first. A contractor who is competent, professional, and organized will be able to make you feel safe and secure during the whole process, as their leadership is much of the value they bring to you as a homeowner.
Ask the contractor a few questions of your own to ensure that they are the right fit for you and your family:
Why did you decide to become a contractor?
What is your company’s mission statement and vision?
How many people will be involved with this project?
What is the best way for me to get a hold of you during this project?
The quality of the work of the contractor is only one factor to consider before hiring them. Remember, you are trusting this individual and his employees and sub-contractors to come into your home and spend multiple weeks there building your bathroom. What kind of company does this contractor run? Do the employees seem content and fulfilled in their work? Again, the goal of this project is to ensure a safe, successful, and enjoyable experience for you and your family.
If you are interested in a bathroom remodel near Danville PA, reach out to us either via phone or email, we would love to make your home more beautiful for you to enjoy with your family.
