The renovation advice I wish I’d had
I’ve remodeled four bathrooms; here’s what I learned along the way.
Last weekend while we were hanging out, my cousin casually asked if I had any bathroom renovation advice. As someone who had renovated four bathrooms over the years, I did have some advice (a lot of it, actually), but I didn’t want to overwhelm her. So I waded into the conversation like I enter cold water: slowly, checking the temperature along the way.
As we talked, it became clear that she didn’t have a clear idea of what she wanted to achieve. Her bathrooms were dated, but it didn’t seem like she had a specific vision of what she wanted (in part because she had some preconceived notions of what she could or could not do). Back at home after we’d parted, I started to write my cousin an email and realized that maybe this advice I could share with all of you too.
With any remodeling project, I suggest making two lists before you begin. First write down the pain points of the space—be as specific as possible. Next, make a wish list of everything you would like to do (money no object!). Then, get multiple quotes and research costs for everything on your wish list. Even if you have a general contractor you love, it’s important to get multiple bids. Make sure to spell the scope of work out clearly, so everyone is bidding on the same thing. Don’t forget to account for things like paint, grout, and shipping costs (for example, shipping tile can cost almost as much as the tile itself).
I also suggested that my cousin define her goal for the renovation. Obviously the goal is a new bathroom, but I think being even more specific can be clarifying. For example, my friend once renovated a bathroom with low maintenance as her goal. She opted for big tiles (less grout to clean), a wall-hung sink that she could easily mop beneath, and a pricier skirted toilet that had fewer nooks and crannies to clean. Approaching seventy, my cousin might think about designing for aging in place (something I wish my own parents had done more of when they renovated their bathrooms). If you live in the West, conserving water might be your guiding light; if your bathroom is in a summer house on the East Coast, maybe preventing rust and mildew is paramount. Own a historic house? Walking the line between historical sympathy and modern convenience might help you focus (Robert Khederian recently wrote about just such a renovation). Having a clearly defined goal will help you with all the many decisions you need to make.
I have also made many mistakes (both big and small) in past renovations that I hoped my cousin might avoid. Below are my personal recommendations for anyone embarking on bathroom renovation (some of it applies to any renovation).
Do not renovate before selling
If you’re selling a home and the bathrooms are dated, I am doubtful that upgrading them will return on your investment. Bathroom renovations are expensive (usually much more so than we anticipate!). Instead, do a light refresh: Paint, hire someone to steam clean or redo the grout (or deep clean it yourself), buy a pretty shower curtain, and let the next homeowner renovate to their own tastes. (By the way, here are some more thoughts on staging a home for sale.)
Renovate for yourself
My cousin would like a no-step shower, but was nervous that eliminating her bathtub might not be a good idea. I say renovate for yourself, not some imagined future buyer. This is my advice for everything–not just bathrooms. If you’re bothering to renovate, do what pleases you and don’t worry too much about what someone else will think later because it’s impossible to guess someone else’s desires and you might end up staying longer than you expect (I’m 11 years into our “starter” family apartment).