3 Simple Tips for Starting a Custom Bathroom Remodel

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Custom bathroom remodeling work is one of those things that can have you feeling excited about the possibilities. There are, however, plenty of practical issues to take care of before starting. Let's look at three considerations you'll want to be aware of.

Establishing a Plan and Budget

These two items might feel like they each deserve their own place here, but they go too closely together to be separated. If you're looking at financing options for your project, such as drawing from home equity or personal credit, how much you have to spend is likely to dictate what your plans will be.

As you're balancing plans and the budget, it's wise to break things up into three categories. First, you ought to assess the essential things, such as improved efficiency faucets and new lighting. Second, there should the easy-to-subtract items that you'll only budget if you can get them at the right price. Finally, there should be the necessary items that can be fudge a bit, such as going with a lower-cost countertop if the budget requires flexibility.

Talk with Designers and Contractors

You may also want to have a designer or an architect create plans for your custom bathroom remodeling effort. This can help you identify problem areas, such as spots where new plumbing will be needed. You'll want to iron these problems out before you seek bids from contractors.

Bidding involves talking with many local custom bathroom remodeling services. Don't just have them all engage in a race to the bottom. Learn a bit about each contractor from their references, reviews, and previous work. Focus on getting the best contractor you can within your budget rather than just the cheapest bid.

Also, don't use the cheapest bid to lowball contractors. Folks know who their best competitors are, and throwing around a cheap, low-quality company's bid is a good way to get told off.

Develop a Checklist and Punch List

Work from your plans and the bid to create a checklist. Itemize everything that was included in the bid to ensure that you'll be able to check things off as they're completed.

A punch list is like a checklist, but for the end. Reproduce the checklist, and use it to walk through completed work to determine what needs to be tightened up or redone before the job is concluded. Use the punch list to verify that something wasn't missed along the way, too.


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