You’ve decided to bite the bullet and have made the decision to give your bathroom a full makeover! But before you jump into the fun of planning your brand new bathroom or buying shiny new products, there’s one thing you need to seriously consider: the bathroom renovation cost.
Bathroom renovations are a big project, both in terms of labour and cost. In fact, for an average bathroom renovation cost you can expect to pay anywhere between $15,000 to $30,000. If you’re not careful, you may end up spending a lot more than you had previously though. Don’t worry, it’s still possible to create a beautiful bathroom while still keeping your costs relatively low. These 10 budget-saving tips will help you reduce your bathroom renovation costs and avoid blowing a hole in your wallet!
Tip #1 – Create and stick to a budget
All good money-saving lists start with this crucial tip: create a budget! A budget is your plan on how you’ll be spending your bathroom renovation money. It’ll let you allocate funds for different parts of your remodel. For example, you can decide to allocate $1000 to the bathtub, $500 to the sink, $100 to the mirror and so on.
A budget will provide a bathroom renovation cost breakdown, letting you see where every dollar goes. It’ll also help you stay on track and encourage you to not go over the amount of money you’ve allocated on different things. You can make a budget on your own, but there are also online tools and templates to help you create one.
Tip #2 – Meticulously plan your reno
One way to make sure you’re saving money and avoiding an unexpected bathroom renovation cost is to plan your renovation and then plan it again. One incredibly important thing to plan for is the layout of your new bathroom. Figuring out the layout should be the first step in your plan.
Why is this so important? Getting the layout wrong can lead you to purchasing product things you don’t need or don’t fit properly – significantly increasing your remodelling costs. Asking yourself ‘how much do I really need to change?’ can also curb unnecessary purchases.
Tip #3 – Think carefully about tiling
To continue on the importance of planning, figuring out how much new tiling you will need for your remodel is another key step. Tiles are one of those dangerous costs that sneak up on first-time renovators. While they may seem cheap individually, they quickly add up and take a large chunk of your budget.
When it comes to tiling, you have to consider the size of your bathroom and the cost of demolishing existing tilework. Do you really have to tile the entire bathroom? Could you limit tiles to half the wall length? Or use them only in showers and wet rooms? Deciding on how much retiling you want to do (and sticking to that decision) can help save a lot of money.
Tip #4 – Try not to go overboard
Bathroom remodels and renovations can be an exciting time. After all, you’re getting a brand new, sleek bathroom! But sometimes it’s good to rein in your inner designer and avoid overdoing your renovation. After all, less is more – it’s why minimalism designs are so popular.
Reviewing your bathroom renovation ideas and learning how to say no to every pretty product can save you a ton of money. Instead, keep minimalistic bathroom design in mind, only splurging on one or two statement pieces. Dual purpose accessories like LED mirrors can knock out two birds with one stone and further reduce costs.
Tip #5 – Shop around for the best prices
Hunting for materials and fittings such as showers, vanities and lights is arguably the most enjoyable part of the bathroom renovation process. Here’s a tip to get the most bang out of your buck when it comes to product shopping: don’t settle! Visiting various retailers and shopping around will give you more options and help you find a product that fits both your design and your price range.
You can also practice some patience and wait for monthly sales or seasonal events to take advantage of the large discounts they offer. Price drops are not the only thing you can save money on. Free delivery, free installation and cash back promotions are all things you should be on the lookout for.
Tip #6 – Reuse and recycle
You don’t have to completely overhaul everything do you? By recycling some of your existing bathroom pieces, you can avoid the cost of replacing it. This links back to our previous point – how much do you really need to change? You might go into a renovation thinking you need to change everything. It might surprise you however, just how great some of your current pieces can fit into your design.
Another way to ‘recycle’ items is to go to an actual recycling centre! These are places where people leave unwanted items. You may find just the right showerhead or tapware at one of these places. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, right?
Tip #7 – Doing your own handiwork
Rolling up your sleeves and putting in the work yourself is able to save you a lot of money. Labour is expensive and DIY can help avoid the cost of hiring contractors and tradespeople.
Watch out though, because if you end up making a mistake, the cost of fixing it can significantly hurt your budget. Rule of thumb is to do your own work on things that are simple and easily fixable. This includes tiling, building shelves or painting. However, it’s not a good idea to begin moving plumbing or tweaking electrical wires – for these it’s best to rely on an experienced contractor.
Tip #8 – Choose the right trades people
Speaking of relying on contractors, choosing the right people to help you can save you from a world of headaches. The right tradespeople will be efficient, communicative and friendly. When finding help, pay attention to their past work and what other people have said about them.
While you may end up shelling out a bit more for good contractors, the frustration and time they save you from is worth it. Bad contractors may actually drive the cost of your bathroom renovation up, in the form of repairs and redos.
Renovating your bathroom doesn’t have to cost you a fortune
Bathroom renovations are hard enough, so why subject yourself to the pain of overspending? With these tips, you’ll be able to jump into your renovation project without having to break the bank.
Looking to further reduce your bathroom renovation cost? At MYHOMEWARE, our bathroom products are functional, stylish and affordable. We have thousands of items, from tapware to toilets, so you’ll be sure to find the right product for your renovation! Contact us today to see how we can help you build your dream bathroom.
