Are you ready to update your primary or guest bathroom? Bathroom renovations are one of the most sought after remodel projects. Homeowners and buyers alike crave a functional and beautiful bathroom space. But before diving into renovation, be sure to think about the process and desired outcome. After all, although bathrooms might be one of the smallest spaces in your home, they can be a significant investment, depending on your project size and material selections.
When you’re ready to seek out a contractor to update your bathroom space, be sure to get it right the first time around. To avoid remodel regret, or worse, a re-do, go over these 7 questions with your contracting company before you begin so that you both have a clear understanding of expectations and results.
1. What bathroom features should I consider most important?
First and foremost, think about who is going to use the space. Is this a primary bathroom for two people, a family bathroom for 2-3 children, or is this a guest bathroom? Keeping this in mind will inform your decisions about various bathroom features. Unless you have an unlimited budget and excess of space, you’ll need to make choices. Decide what’s most important to you. If it’s a large walk-in shower with bells and whistles, then make that a priority. Do you need accessibility features like a shower seat or handlebars? Is having two sinks important? What about counter height? Ample storage? Reflect on what you appreciate about your current bathroom, and conversely what bothers you. Prioritize from there.
2. Should I keep my current bathroom layout or change it?
Does your current configuration work for you and your family? If it does, then simply updating your bathroom can save you a lot of money and make a huge impact. A bathroom renovation becomes much larger when you need to move plumbing or walls. If you feel cramped in your current space, it might be time to consider taking space from adjoining rooms to create a larger bathroom. While the project will be larger in scope, you will see a return on your investment should you decide to sell, and you can’t put a price on comfort and convenience during rushed, early mornings.
3. What flooring is best?
When selecting flooring for your new bathroom space, safety should be the first consideration. While gorgeous marble bathroom floors look nice in that magazine you just skimmed, stepping out of a tub onto slippery marble can be hazardous. We suggest porcelain tile. Look for slip-resistant tile that is safe to walk on when wet. Avoid carpet (eww…mold and mildew), and real wood (eventual warping from water exposure). If you’re not a fan of tile, seriously consider vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring can mimic the look of wood, brick, stone, you name it…and it’s much more affordable and practical.
4. How will I communicate with you throughout this process?
With J&J Construction, our system keeps your project running on time and on budget. No surprises. If anything unexpected should come up throughout the process, we’ll contact you. While no remodel is 100% stress-free, the idea is to eliminate unnecessary stress. In our experience, if homeowners are informed, they feel positive about the process. We’ll communicate our timeline estimate so that you’ll know when your project is starting and when it will be complete. In fact, you’ll have access to our app where you can see the schedule and progression of work. Interested in sharing your ideas with the team? Start a Pinterest board so that we can take a look at your inspiration. Also know that your project manager is there for you should any questions arise.
5. Should I incorporate a tub, shower, or both?
Ultimately you have to think about your lifestyle. If you’re someone who takes baths regularly, or if you are renovating a bathroom for small children, it will make sense to incorporate a tub into your bathroom design. However, whether it makes more sense from a mobility standpoint, or simply a change in lifestyle, we are seeing many homeowners forgo their large, outdated tubs for more luxurious walk-in showers. Walk-in showers are typically glass or have minimal framing with little to no curb, resulting in a streamlined look that makes any bathroom appear more spacious. Take a look at our Hall Bath Guide for more information or be inspired by a few tub-to-shower conversions here.
6. What should I look for in bathroom fixtures?
The options are limitless. You want a shower that changes light colors to pre-selected music? Not a problem. Heated floors? Done. Homeowners have many choices when redesigning their bathroom, but when looking at fixtures, think about comfort, design, cost, and efficiency. Fancy amenities like heated toilet seats and high-end showers equipped with multiple shower heads can be great, as long as they fit in your budget and design vision. Emphasize efficient features that can offset utility bills while also helping out the environment. Consider water-efficient toilets and high-efficiency shower heads that will both aid with water conservation. We also happen to think that comfort-height toilets are a must. Once you’ve installed these, you’ll never want to go back. Trust us.
7. Do you have examples of previous jobs and reviews?
It’s imperative that whichever contracting company you use they offer examples of previous work done and reviews from happy clients. If a company is hesitant to offer these, proceed with caution. We offer a comprehensive gallery of projects from bathrooms to kitchens to outdoor decks. J&J also dedicates an entire page on our site to reviews. Word of mouth referrals mean the world to us and are a testament to our process and quality of work.
You don’t have to approach this process alone. Our experts are always here to guide you. Feel free to browse through our bathroom gallery for inspiration, and if you’re considering a remodeling project, J&J Construction can help achieve your goals. If you’d like more information don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a free phone consultation: Schedule one with our team today!
