My grandfather left me his three bedroom brick home some months ago. The house is 46 years old and has had only one owner. It needs some TLC. The house needs painting, the bathroom fixtures & windows need replacing. Otherwise, the home is beautiful with hardwood and poured floors. I don’t have any money to fix it up, though. Do you real estate agents ever have clients who prefer a fix-er-upper or do most want ready to move in?
I just bought a 700 sf 1 bedroom condo and I would like to do remodeling on almost everything…kitchen, appliances, bathroom, floor, lighting, paints etc. I know the quality of materials I choose will be a big part of the remodeling costs, so is labour and mark up for the general contractor, but in general what’s a reasonable amount to spend not necessarily to make it super fancy, but better than average. $10K, $30K, $50K ??? Any personal experience to share?
The concept of home renovation in itself boosts energy within ourselves and as we move ahead with our renovation planning and as such bathroom planning has become a planning where there is loads of planning and a great deal of thought involved in it. The different aspect for which the planning has to be carried on is the layout, decoration and the other safety concerns. This article provides you with an overview as to how to develop an ideal bathroom that can set your bathroom apart from the rest of the bathrooms built.
As a known fact bathroom is an area of personal importance, and it enables us to maintain personal hygiene and it is a place which is a personal space and it is designed for facilitating the function of comfort and a peaceful retreat. As a known fact bathrooms have been designed to meet the different functions and often the different functions depend on the space availability and the layout of the house. It is considered an area which needs extremely deep and careful planning so that the function for which it has been designed is facilitated.
It is worth considering installing a new bathroom when the family is large and this would be an intelligent move because the washing area and separate shower cubicles and on the other hand those of you are not blessed with much space in their home can just go with the idea of incorporating a small wash basin and a bathing area in a spare room wear and tear of the existing bathroom would be reduced and this will also put an end to the morning queues. For people those who have enough space in their house they can have the privilege of a separate and this would just simply facilitate the function of a bathroom.
For any bathroom it is very important to build an efficient bathing area which coordinates with the rest of the room. You can also consider an option of installing sunken baths but its installation is an expensive factor, however they prove to be very attractive models. Incase you do not have enough space then you can probably go in for a corner bath, which can give you the benefit of saving space.
It is very important to understand that the type of the bathroom which we have selected determines the overall look and feel of the house; some bathrooms styles help us top save money like if the bathroom is efficiently designed then the bath area may require less water to fill the area and thus this will help to reduce the monthly water bill.
It is important to understand that the once the equipments have been installed in the restroom it is difficult to move these. So you must be careful that there should not arise any revision in the installation of the restroom equipments once they have been fixed. So always be aware and be very careful in the planning of a bathroom renovation because it is an area of great importance.
No matter what you might think, or what someone might have told you, renovations of any type arent easy, and when you start even thinking of bathroom renovations you can be assured that you’re letting yourself in for one big headache. However, don’t let that put you off. If you’ve got the renovation bug in you, then go for it. Besides, when you’re in the renovating mood, trying to redecorate your bathroom just won’t work.
You can try to spruce it up with new drapes and maybe a new rug. Perhaps even a new set of toothbrush holder and soap dish, but it just won’t make all that much of difference in your eyes. You’ve got bathroom renovations signs in your mind and it’s all you can do not to tear out the fifteen year old washbasin out with your bare hands.
You need to face the facts right here and now. Nothing but full scale bathroom renovations planning will do for you, and you need to get down to work. So you plot and you plan like a maniacal mad professor, and even your kids start to think that you’re going round the bend. And this, only the first hour after you’ve made the decision to renovate.
Before you begin on your bathroom renovations though there are a few things you will need to do. First up, you need to decide if you have enough cash up front for you to be able to go through with this.
You really don’t want to be half way through your bathroom renovations and realize that you’re going to be short a crucial few hundred. Sure you might be able to scrounge up enough cash to get it done at that point but remember that growing children do need to eat in order to grow properly!
Use whatever method of funding that works for you, as long as you can allocate a proper budget to your bathroom renovations. The next thing you’ll have to look into is how you’re going to cope while the bathroom renovations are being carried out.
Do you have only one bathroom or do you have two? If it’s the latter case then decide whether you’re going to be able to stand your whole family being forced to use it until all renovations are finished. And if you only have the one bathroom then you’ll have to come up with an alternate plan until your bathroom renovations are completed.
You could move into a residence hotel, or even a motel for the few days that you won’t be able to use the bathroom. Then again if you’re friendly with your neighbors you can always ask them if you could make free use of their bathroom until all renovations are over and done with.
As you can see beginning any bathroom renovations project requires planning and forethought on your part, so don’t tear out the washbasin with your bare hands before you get all these details ironed out!
When you consider bathroom renovation, DIY (do it yourself) is an attractive option just because of the costs involved. The bathroom is one of the most expensive of rooms to renovate. If you enjoy learning new things, getting your hands dirty and have patience, then there are some parts of bathroom renovation DIY style which can be done. However, if you have a major plumbing or electrical problem in your bathroom, get professional help. Your home could risk major structural damage, otherwise.
When you think of bathroom renovation DIY projects that you can do, all plumbing and electrical work should never come to mind. Legally, only a licensed plumber or electrician can and should fool around with such equipment. If you plan out your bathroom renovation project in advance, you’ll have enough time to get a few estimates from plumbers or electricians. Getting it done right will save you a lot of money and stress in the long run.
The facts:
1. You are NOT permitted to do any electrical or plumbing work yourself.
2. You will need to check with your local council before doing any structural work yourself.
Next you need to ask yourself these questions:
- How big is the job?
- How long will it take?
- Do I have the time and skills to do it myself?
- Have I got the necessary tools to do the job?
Some of these questions will be easy to answer, e.g. you can hire the necessary tools. However when it comes to skills and time, think carefully. It may pay to break down the job into smaller jobs. Know what you can comfortably do versus what an expert can do. Reaching a compromise where you complete the finishing touches yourself may the most economical and personally satisfying method.
With that out of the way, if you are still keen to do it yourself you should plan your workflow so that you do things in the right order. You will also need to give yourself plenty of time because there’s a fair chance you will end up spending more time on the smallest room in the house. Now here’s another consideration: Do you expect to still be using the bathroom while you are doing renovations? If your answer is ‘yes’, then it’s a bad idea. If you haven’t got a second toilet or don’t have access to a shower then peace and harmony in the household will be stretched to the limit. Best to pack up the household inhabitants and send them off for a long weekend. You’ll get more work done and you won’t be hassled by someone looking over your shoulder thinking, “Do you know what you’re doing?”
Although you can’t touch the lighting or the plumbing yourself, that still leaves you with a lot you can do for bathroom renovation DIY projects. Since you are in the bathroom so often, you’ll want to make it as pleasing to your eyes as possible. You can tackle new cabinets, towel racks, door knobs, curtains or blinds, paintings or pictures on the walls, a new lick of paint and new towels to match. Remember with any bathroom renovation DIY project that you have vertical as well as horizontal space to express your creativity. Even getting a new wastepaper basket and toilet brush holder can change the look and feel of a bathroom. And don’t ignore the lights. Although you can’t do electrical work, you can install new color or softer lit light bulbs, which might relax your eyes, or put in a new light fixture.
Perhaps there is a theme or basic color scheme you want your bathroom to have. Since it’s a room you want to relax in, please don’t paint the walls in garish colors like neon yellow, no matter how cheap the paint is. Even “relaxing place” could be a theme you can build your bathroom renovation DIY projects around, with dark curtains, soft light bulbs, pale, gentle colors and a shelf to put a little rock garden or a bowl or potpourri on. Give yourself time. The beauty of bathroom renovation DIY projects is that you do not have to stick to a schedule.
Home Renovations during a Home Appraisal-Can it be done? I am having a home appraisal done in a few weeks, however I am having major work done on my single family home. I am updating a kitchen and a bathroom, among other areas. The reason for the real estate appraisal is I am refinancing my house, no cash out. I am confirming based on your experience it should not be a problem work is being done on the house during the time of the home appraisal? Please advise. Thanks.
Bathrooms
When getting into a bathroom renovation, it is always better to start from scratch! Newer homes are easy if the builders did everything right. Older homes is another story.
In this chapter we will be referring to older homes that are in serious need of help. The reason is if you can do a bathroom renovation in and older home, you can do any home with a lot less work.
First thing you should do is always access the situation. This is a process that can apply to every renovation project that you decide to take on.
Keep in you mind to remember the first rule it is better to start from Scratch. I always tell people they should gut the Bathroom completely.
You probably already knew I would say that so get the hammer, pry bar if you even know what they are, if not stay away from the local hardware store and go straight to the nearest Home Depot or Lowes store.
You bought this book to renovations in your home so you need good tools that you will need for this job and the next.
Take your hammer and start smashing a straight line down the middle of the back walls first, be careful there is wiring and copper pipes behind those walls. Do not even bring a hammer close to a pipe or wire. Use a little pry bar for those area’s.
Then if you should replace the tube so disconnect the drain and the vent cap. If it is a really old tub that is made of cast iron. Buy a Sludge Hammer and smash away and make sure you were your safety goggles.
Don’t leave anything that you can trip over, you will thank me latter for that.
Now that you have a bare naked bathroom. You can check to see if the wiring is old and the plumbing is leaking. If the plumbing looks old change it! If the wiring is old change it! It is always better to start from scratch! Make sure all drains are vented trough the roof because the smell is toxic and you will not be able to live in that house.
99% of the time when a drain has a really bad smell it is because it is not vented or the pipes are old. Older homes didn’t put vents in back more than 25 years ago. Use PVC drain pipe instead of iron our cooper. It lasts forever. Don’t forget the glue!
Wen soldering cooper water lines make sure you use new pipe, not the you got from a friend. Lead free paste and solder, no 50-50 here you are asking for trouble, and it is against code. You solder all pipes to the shower taps and shower head before you can put anything back together.
I always put in shut-off valves on every tap and line. Lets say you have a leak somewhere. The store is closed and you have to shut the water off to the hole house to fix it. Think first, if there is a shut off on every tap they you can isolate the problem area and still have plenty of water. Sounds better does it not.
Wiring is easy if you can remember a few things. Shut power off to any lines you are working on. Run all wires first before you put up the gypsum board. Make sure all wires have merited ends and all have a proper ground, ground the box too. Why not drywall in the bathroom or the green drywall that they say is water proof. Gypsum board is the blue stuff, just in case somebody tells you different. It is water and mildew resistant.
For the shower tile area use Denishield Boards. They are more expensive but they are water resistant and mildew resistant. Better than cement board that falls apart after 10 years. Cement produces moisture.
Make sure that every joint is taped and adhesive.
Now you can start putting the tub first after running the boards all the way to the floor. The tub should always be anchored to the wall. Hook up drains and use plumbers putty, even if it has a gasket! Now it will never leak. Always check tapes and joints for any leaks before you close up the walls. Sometimes it may drip just a little, redo the job. At least you have a shut off valve this time.
No leaks you are on your way to freedom now! Drains don’t leak taps don’t leak what are you going to fix? TV remote!
If your going to install a standing shower use the kerdi system. It will be the best 600 after tax you ever spent. I personally use this system all the time. Shower boards should be on top of it, not behind like the tub.
Install a water proof membrane for the floor. If the subfloor needs replacing do this before you do anything you heard before. The membrane should be adhesive to the subfloor and allow 24 hours to dry.
Now the hole bathroom is safe and waterproof.
Choose a tile you wish and tile from the tub to the ceiling. Let dry for 24 hrs. Same thing for shower tiles. If you are using heavy tiles use a product that is made for it. When using marble tiles always use white adhesive. Grey adhesive will change the color of the marble!
If you can tile the floor the same day, if you wish but it is always better to do one area first. If you do the floor at the same time do not walk on the floor for 48-72 hrs.
After installing tiles, grout every joint and push the grout all the way to the wall backing board. This will last forever, if you seal the tiles and grout the next day. You can find different types of sealer and cleaners at the home depot store. For marble the adhesive and the sealer should say right on the bottle for marble. If it doesn’t go somewhere else.
After grouting wait about 20-30 minutes and use a lot of clean water, changing it every time it gets really dirty. You should see a light film on the tiles. Before sealing take a dry towel and dust it off, then seal. For marble seal before and after you grout.
Hey that bathroom is starting to look like something special. 24 hrs after that you can install the vanity and toilet, pot lights, vanity lights, mirror. Make sure all pot lights in the bathroom are waterproof pot lights. Yes you can pot them in the shower too. For a tub install a whirlpool tub for two if you can more room the better. Silicone the grout lines at the lowest joints and everywhere you think water might get in and cause damage.
Congratulations! You now have a spa bathroom remember to install glass shower doors at the end.
I have a dual sink drainage issue. I am in near completion of our bathroom renovation. It originally had a dual sink vanity. Each sink had it’s own p-trap leading to the same drain. The configuration is exactly the same. I am not sure how it was before, but now, when the sink to the left drains, water comes up the drain on the right side. Same goes when draining on the right side, the water comes up the sink on the left.
“Each sink had it’s own p-trap leading to the same drain.” is a typo meant to type:
Each sink HAS it’s own p-trap leading to the same drain.
Replacing a bathroom showerhead is usually as easy as unscrewing the old showerhead and screwing on the new one. This video shows you the tools and techniques you’ll need to replace a showerhead without crushing or scratching fixtures.
I’m trying to budget how much money I need to do the following repair or changes to my house. Although we plan on doing most of the work ourselves. I am also interested in what it would cost to have someone else do this stuff as well. Just looking for an estimate of how much I should put aside. ( I realize it will be expensive) If anyone knows I would love to know individually. If you onl
1.Privacy fence about 1/2 of an acre of land
2. Sprinkler system for 1/2 acre of land
3. remove and close up 3 prexisting windows
4. Change out cabinets in kitchen, add about 6 feet of cabinets, change countertops, will have to only add plumbing to move dishwasher
5. replace 2 doors (leading outside)
6. lay 3/4 of an acre of new sod
7. install a above ground pool and jacuzzi with some decking
8. replace two bathroom cabinets
9. ceremic tile about 400 square feet
10. have plumbing run to move washer and dryer into garage
11. Put sliding glass doors in an area where a solid wall now exsist
If you only know one, that would be great too!