Planning to remodel your bathroom? It can cost you plenty. Remodeling bathrooms and kitchens are among the most expensive home improvement tasks. It can set you back by a few thousand dollars, and if you are looking at high-end options, the budget could quickly skyrocket.
Do you not have that kind of budget?
Well, now you don’t have to suffer your dingy and dated bathroom and kitchen forever or push that remodeling project to a future date. There are ways of making your bathroom and kitchen look fresh and new without overshooting your budget. There are numerous examples of how people have redone their homes within a limited budget.
Here are some practical tips on how to pull off a great remodeling job for your bathroom and kitchen and save money.
1. Create a Checklist
The first important step in any bathroom/kitchen remodeling is to create a checklist. You must have a list of questions ready before you call in the designer. These questions must cover various aspects of remodeling, such as layout, appearance, and storage needs.
- How much more space do you plan to add?
- Which appliances or design elements do you want for those spaces?
- Do you want to retain or change the overall design, and, if yes, how drastically?
- Does the plan include upgrading some existing appliances?
- Do you need more countertop, storage, or shelf space?
- Do you want to add more shelves/cabinets?
These are pertinent questions associated with any kitchen and bathroom remodeling project. Make sure you have a clear answer to all of them. And once you make a decision, stick to them because your designer will create a budget based on your input. Hiring a contractor reputed for kitchen renovation services is highly recommended.
2. Plan Ahead
The biggest mistake people make while remodeling bathrooms and kitchens is to change plans midway through the project. It can set you back by a few thousand dollars as materials are wasted, and you will have to pay the contractors for the work they have already done. And then some more for dismantling and doing the new job.
Some changes from the original plan may become inevitable in a kitchen and bathroom remodeling project, but such costs are always factored in by the contractor. Changing plans when the project is already underway can entail major expenses and throw your budget out of gear. Hire a consultant and an engineer to study the remodeling plan and approve it so that you can stick to it. It may cost you a couple of hundred dollars in consultation fees, but it will help you avoid costly mistakes later.
Do spend some time selecting the visual elements such as fixtures, lighting, tiles, cabinet colors, etc. Also, find out where you can get all your materials at competitive prices. Decide on the shops/brands and negotiate the price beforehand to get a great deal. Also Read Best Books for children.Last-minute buying means you will pick up what’s available and often at higher than market price.
3. Use Existing Things Creatively
An innovative and effective way of saving money is to refurbish and use existing materials and fittings instead of spending on new buys. You can dramatically change the look of any piece in the bathroom or kitchen with some smart thinking.
Bathtubs
If your bathtub has rust stains and looks old and jaded, you can get it cleaned professionally. It will cost you just a fraction of what you would spend on a new one. There are kits available to fix surface damage of tubs made of cast iron, fiber, and porcelain.
Shower Enclosures
You can change the look of your shower enclosure by giving the tiles and grout deep cleaning. Worn areas can be patched up easily to create a uniform look. Repair kits are available for shower enclosures of all kinds. Check them out.
Sinks
Bring your old sink to life by replacing the old faucet with a sleek one. The jaded look can easily be repaired using a polish kit. It will hardly cost you anything, say anywhere between $15 and $50.
Toilets
Give your toilet an elegant look by replacing the seat and lid. A wooden toilet seat can make the bathroom look elegant as well.
Cabinets
Use a fresh coat of bright-colored paint to make your cabinetry look new and fresh. You can change the handles and other hardware to complete the refurbishing.
4. Use Paint Innovatively
Simply changing the color of the paint in your bathroom and kitchen can make a dramatic difference to its looks. Don’t just add another shade of a different color. There are various painting tools available to give shape to your creative side. Use two contrasting colors to create a textured appearance. Artists use sponges, combs, and even rags to create a unique style and finish with paint.
Want to make your bathroom look longer? Horizontal stripes with a broad brush can do the trick. Use stencils to paint graphic designs directly on the walls or paint them on the tiles themselves. Even your sink and bathtub can be salvaged and given a solid makeover with the innovative use of enamel paints.
5. Look for Secondhand Artefacts and Designing Stuff
Secondhand shopping can be fun because you may come across things with more value than new materials. You will have to take time out looking for stuff that can adorn your bathroom and kitchen. These can include light fixtures, Italian tiles, sink, faucets, decorative items and lots more. Look for decorative bathroom listings online. If you are lucky, you may find stuff that can help you remodel your bathroom creatively and cheaply too. Antique stores and flea markets can also be excellent resources for finding vintage stuff.
Conclusion
Contrary to popular belief, bathroom and kitchen remodeling need not cost you a fortune. Undoubtedly, you will have to spend money on extending the bath or kitchen space if that’s in your plan. But if you are focusing solely on remodeling, you can easily do it within a small budget. The best way to plan bathroom and kitchen remodeling is to hire a consultant, decide on a plan and lock it, and go shopping for things you have in mind. It helps to plan in advance as last minute shopping is always expensive and worrisome. It will work to your disadvantage.
Specialty Kitchen & Bath is a premier kitchen and bathroom remodeling company operating in Grand Bahama, Bahamas and helping their clients save good money on the latest trends in the market. Contact us for more information today!
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