Bathroom 101
On a regular basis we get questions about renovation costs and logistics. Such as...”How can we update our bathroom? What elements are easy to change? How much money will it cost to update this space? What are the logistics surrounding a bathroom renovation?" Today we are hoping to shed some light on how complex these questions really are. When it comes to renovating every decision affects the next and every item on your wish list determines the scope AND all of these elements affect cost.
When it comes to designing the perfect bathroom there are a number of things we want to consider. First we sit down and chat about what you want to see in your newly designed bathroom. Some possible scenarios are outlined below:
Powder Room Cosmetic Updates $2500 New wallpaper, Mirror, Lighting
+$1000 -$2500 If you add in new plumbing in the existing locations
+$2500-$4000 If you want to relocate plumbing
Main Bath (kids) (Plumbing locations remain) $35,000 - $50,000 Minimum New Millwork, New lighting, New tile, New countertops, New mirrors, New Plumbing.
+$10,000-$18,000 if you want to relocate plumbing
Ensuite (Plumbing locations remain) $50,000-$65,000 New counter tops, New Plumbing, New lighting, New tile, heated floor, freestanding bath, additional cabinets
+$10,000-$18,000 if you want to relocate plumbing
Now everything shifts depending on the project so keep in mind that the numbers above are approximate. There are so many factors to consider that makes predicting costs very challenging. Bathrooms require a lot of different details. Some of the considerations that come into play are below:
Lighting, Bathrooms need good ambient + task lighting at all times of day so it’s important that they are not only beautiful but functional. 1-3 Sconces and 1-3 pot lights as well as some pot lights in the shower usually do the trick in most spaces. We always consider if there is a window in the bathroom because natural light affects this as well.
Tile, depending on your design goals a single bathroom (main or ensuite) can have up to 6 different tiles! (Bathroom floor, vanity backsplash, shower floor, shower walls, shower feature wall, wall tile) We make sure that each tile functions well in its location and keeps consistent with the design of the space.
Plumbing in an ensuite typically requires two faucets, 1-2 shower heads + rain heads, and a tub filler. We make sure the specified plumbing fixtures meet your needs and fit the aesthetic of the space.
Shower Niches are another consideration that we like to incorporate whenever possible but it requires the wall of the shower to be thicker than normal so there is space to create a niche in the wall or a shelf. Oftentimes we have to be creative in this department because the floor plan of your bathroom can’t accommodate the required wall thickness or the addition of a niche results in relocating the plumbing which also drives up cost.
Steam Showers are a wonderful addition to an ensuite but the apparatus that powers it needs to be stored close by if it is being added in a renovation. So this usually results in the loss of millwork storage but only if we are lucky enough to have a cabinet nearby.
Heated Flooring is another common addition to an ensuite. It is a somewhat costly addition but nearly every client we’ve installed them for say it’s well worth it. We also need to consider your adjacent flooring in order to make sure there isn’t going to be a big difference in floor levels between spaces.
We do our best to consider everything and come to a solution that meets all of your needs and fits within your budget but as you can see there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to a bathroom renovation and each item on your Wishlist affects the next. We hope the information we have outlined above shines some light on the complexity of a renovation and how we consider that in our approach to your design.
Are you ready to build, renovate or update? Contact us
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