Bathroom Remodel, 7 Things to Consider Before Starting

We believe that a Bathroom Remodel  is one of the most exciting upgrades you can make to your home. However, there are a lot of decisions involved to ensure you end up with the bathroom that fits your family’s needs.

By putting extra thought and planning into what you want to accomplish with your remodel project, you are more likely to end up with the bathroom of your dreams as the end result.

This comprehensive overview will walk you through the different things you need to consider when preparing for your bathroom remodel.

1. Which bathroom do you want to remodel?

The type of bathroom you are looking to remodel will determine which upgrades make the most sense in your space. For example, you would approach a master bathroom renovation differently than you would a guest bathroom that is rarely used.

Your master bathroom is a personal space that gets used every day, so you’ll likely want to put more time and thought into how the bathroom is laid out, the materials that are used, etc. Additionally, if you share your master bathroom, you might want to consider double sinks in your vanity for extra space.

If you’re upgrading a child’s bathroom, on the other hand, you may want to focus less on high-quality style and more on functionality. After all, kids won’t care about granite floors!

2. Decide how you plan to use the space

If you plan to remodel your primary bathroom, take a moment to think about how you currently use the space and how you hope to use it in the future.

Do you get ready for the day quickly, without giving your bathroom a second thought? Or do you prefer to spend hours soaking in your tub, treating your bathroom as your own personal spa?

The materials you choose for your bathroom remodel may vary depending on your answer.

3. Determine the layout

The best way to maximize the space in your bathroom is to be strategic with the layout of the room. At Gehman Design Remodeling, we can help you determine how to best utilize your space to make your bathroom feel bigger and more functional.

We recommend designing your bathroom so that the toilet is not the first thing you see when you walk into the room. In some cases, our clients choose to add a water closet to their upgraded bathrooms, which is a separate room for the toilet with a door for added privacy.

Design with the future in mind

It’s worth noting that you should plan your layout with the future in mind. How will your family change over the next several years? Are you just starting your family or will your kids be out of the house soon? The answer may impact how you choose to approach renovating your bathroom. Similarly, if you are planning to sell your house in the next five years, make sure any updates you make will increase your property value.

4. Decide on a bathtub, shower, or both

The main star of your bathroom should be your shower or tub area. When designing your new bathroom, you’ll need to decide if you want a shower, bathtub, or both. First, start by thinking about what makes the most sense for your daily needs.

If you have small children, you will want to make sure there is a tub in their primary bathroom. Or, if you have an older family member with more limited mobility, you might want to convert your old tub to a shower for a safer bathing option. If you’d like to have access to either, then we can help you develop a plan for that as well. If you can dream it, we can do it!

5. Think about areas that are often overlooked

There’s nothing worse than completing a bathroom remodel and realizing that you would have loved to add a feature that you failed to think about before starting the project. Avoid this regret by taking time to think through the different aspects of your bathroom that are often overlooked.

Lighting

Good lighting can make your bathroom feel bright and open, while poor lighting options can leave your space feeling dark and dreary. Before starting on your remodel, think about how much light you want in your bathroom and plan accordingly with extra windows, beautiful fixtures, and/or recessed lights. Fortunately, there are a number of tips and tricks that can help create the perfect lighting for your space.

Storage

Don’t let storage be an afterthought when planning your bathroom remodel! Instead, plan storage options into your design for a more functional bathroom. Think about how you would like to use medicine cabinets, space under the vanity, linen closets, etc. before you start your project. And don’t forget to install accessible outlets throughout your bathroom and in storage areas, if needed.

Flooring

Do you need to replace your current flooring? If mold or mildew has developed underneath your tile, it could lead to extra work and excess costs. You should also think about any flooring upgrades you might want to make. For example, if you’ve always dreamed of warming your feet in the morning on heated floors, you’ll want to plan for that prior to beginning the renovation process.

Ventilation

Proper ventilation is key in a bathroom, as excess moisture can build up in the space and cause problems down the line. Built-in fans can help remove moisture from the air, keeping your bathroom protected from moisture-related issues.

Hot water tank

Imagine spending the money to install a new soaking tub, only to realize you can only fill it halfway before the hot water runs out. While your hot water tank isn’t actually in your bathroom, it plays a role in making your bathroom a more enjoyable space. If you’re planning to install a soaking tub or multi-head shower, you may need to install a larger hot water heater to accommodate your new space.

6. DIY vs. Contractor

After planning out your bathroom, you may be tempted to go the do-it-yourself (DIY) route and tackle the project yourself. While DIY may be cheaper up front, it can lead to costly issues later on if everything is not done correctly from the start.

Additionally, taking on a complicated DIY bathroom remodel is time-consuming and stressful, and you might find that you are in over your head. This will leave you looking for a contractor to clean up what you’ve started and correct any errors you’ve made.

7. Set yourself up for success when working with a contractor

Once you’ve determined how you plan to use your new bathroom, the layout you want, and the details for your space, you’ll want to reach out to contractors to find the right team for the job.

Budget

Before you even make the initial call to a contractor, it’s best to have a set budget in your mind and a good understanding of what that budget can get you. It will allow you to have a more honest conversation with contractors so that everyone is on the same page and it will help you feel assured that you’ll be comfortable paying for your project.

Contract

Before you sign a contract, be sure that it properly outlines the scope of your project. The contract should include:

• Details about the colors, styles, and materials that will be used.
• A clear description of what the contractors will do.
• The approximate start and completion dates.
• The total price, broken out by line item.
• Information about warranties for both materials and workmanship.

Communication

As with every relationship, communication is key between you and your contractors. Never assume that your contractor is on the same page as you are. Even if it seems redundant, it’s better to spell everything out clearly so there is no confusion.

If you’re ready to begin your bathroom remodel, Gehman Design Remodeling would love to be the team you choose to work with on your project! Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Since 1990, Gehman Design Remodeling has focused on unique spaces and exceptional service. We believe in the importance of quality work that meets the individual budget and needs of our clients. With nearly 30 years of experience to offer, we have a wealth of knowledge in remodeling each room in your home, as well as building additions onto existing homes. Maybe you have always wanted a sunroom, or maybe your living room is becoming too small for your growing family and you want to add on. No matter what your needs are, our goal is to be there for you every step of the way, and that is why we are the only home addition contractor you need. Below are 5 reasons why you don’t need to go anywhere else.

1. Our Experience

Over the years, our company has successfully completed many types of home additions. We began as a small company, but have grown immensely and now employ dozens of qualified professionals. Our team of home addition builders is comprised of residential designers, certified re-modelers, certified kitchen and bath re-modelers, certified green professionals, certified aging in place specialists, and project developers. Each individual at our company is motivated by providing our clients with the best experience possible. While many companies strive to be the winner of the most awards, have the lowest cost, or become the largest, we strive to provide our clients with the best service. We believe this is what truly sets us apart. Over the years, we have created many types of additions. From mud-rooms to laundry rooms, to kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and home offices, our team is experienced and skilled in this area of expertise. We take time to ensure that your addition blends well with your existing home so that it looks like the room was never added.

2. Exceptional Service

Building a home addition should be an exciting experience. Each and every client has a vision and a budget that are unique. Our goal is to design with our clients, rather than for them. Our remodeling process begins with a free in-home consultation with one of our remodeling consultants. During this process, we will listen closely to your needs and discuss the vision you have for your new addition. This is a great time for our clients to ask questions and get to know us as a company so they know exactly what to expect. After gathering information from this meeting, our team will invite you to our showroom. Here we can give you an idea of the costs you can expect, and start working on an overall plan. Our clients can get started on this process by simply giving us a call, or stopping by our showroom for a personal consultation.

3. Our Design Process

Our design process is another aspect that has made us stand out to our clients. We utilize innovative 3D design software to provide you with a representation of the project. This allows you to have a realistic idea of what the finished product will look like, and also helps you select materials, finishes and colors that best fit your style and budget. During the project, we strive to keep our clients informed every step of the way. Before beginning the project, we will assign a Project Manager to oversee the entire process. Each work day, this individual will be on-site overseeing the work and answering any questions you have. This is how we achieve high quality craftsmanship in each project we complete. Having a Project Manager on-site helps us build trust with our clients and gives them access to someone from our company any time they have a question or concerns.

4. High Quality Work

Many contractors leave their clients with dirt, muddy footprints and construction dust when a job is done. Our home addition builders do their very best to keep this to a minimum. As your contractor, we will respect your home and your belongings. During the project, your Project Manager will keep you informed each step of the way. This will help to avoid the many things that can come as a surprise to clients when they are not kept in the loop. We will also work one-on-one with you to ensure that our professionals respect your schedule and provide you with a seamless experience.

5. We treat our clients like family

As your Home Addition Contractor, we believe it is our responsibility to be there for you from the start of the project, and beyond completion. At the beginning of the project, we will listen and offer suggestions that meet your budget and plan for your home. Our relationship does not end when your project is completed. Our first priority is to make sure you are completely satisfied. We provide each of our clients with a warranty. The warranty is five years on our workmanship, and ten years on structural items. We will keep in touch with you in the following months and years and promptly lend a helping hand if a problem arises. We also want you to feel comfortable contacting us if any issues arise, or if you have any questions about your new addition. It is the high quality work, and strong relationships with our clients that has lead us to be so successful over the years.

If you have plans of adding an addition to your home, or if you’ve just considered it, we would love to chat with you! The spaces we design represent each of our clients unique style, and we would love to showcase yours! Visit our website; www.gehmanremodeling.com to view some of the work we have completed, and see for yourself why we are the only home additions contractor you need. Our showroom is located in a mid-19th century renovated barn in Harleysville, PA. We would love to sit down and help you reach the goals you have for your home.

Renovating or starting from scratch and building a new bathroom is no minor task! There are a lot of things you’ll want to take into consideration when heading out to design the perfect bathroom for you; From selecting surface materials, fixtures, cabinetry, and deciding on what plumbing and electrical needs your chosen design will require. It’s important that you create a detailed plan and take into consideration how your specific family will use the bathroom, based on their needs before setting out and remodeling your bathroom.

To help you with planning out and designing the perfect bathroom for you and your family, this guide was put together with some tips and suggestions on what works best for the majority of people when designing the best bathroom for them. Contact Gehman Design Remodeling To Learn More!

Where To Begin?

When in just setting out to design the perfect bathroom for you and your family, the first thing you should do is create a wish list of all things you would like in your bathroom, and what you want to get out the limited space you may have. Consider doing some online research beforehand in order to see what new bathroom fixtures and features are available. You might find that there are some new products available that wouldn’t have even crossed your mind if you hadn’t looked first!

After getting a rough idea of what’s available, heading out to a showroom is a good idea so you can get a good look at the different bathroom design features in person. Being able to actually feel the furniture, ceramics, and tiling options available will help ensure you make the right choice for you.

Create A Detailed Plan

After making some decisions on what you want to include in your bathroom, you’ll want to come up with a detailed plan. The first step in this part of the process should be to draft a rough sketch of your chosen space and decide on where you’d like to place the different fixtures and bathroom amenities.

Consider that you’ll want to have ample space to get around your bathroom. A good rule of thumb is to allow at least 30 inches of space in front of the toilet and 40 inches in front of the bathtub or shower.

If you’re doing bathroom renovations or a bathroom redesign, you’ll need to factor in the current positioning of the plumbing in your home. If you don’t plan on redoing the plumbing as part of your bathroom redesign, then this may limit your choices on what bathtubs and shower stalls will work for you.

10 tips for designing a small bathroom

Choose Light Colors

When deciding on a color scheme for your bathroom, it’s best to stick with a lighter color palette. With so many built-in fixtures and features that typically come in lighter shades, it’s easiest to match these with lighter shades of greys, blues, and white. Lighter colors will also act to give your bathroom a feeling of openness, which is a huge plus when most bathrooms are on the smaller side.

Whether Or Not There Is Room For Two Sinks, Consider Going With A Single Sink

Consider sticking with one sink for your bathroom design, even if you think you can squeeze in a second. When one thinks counter space, they’re typically thinking about a kitchen, but having extra counter space in a bathroom is a big plus, and one that many don’t think about until it’s too late! Instead of having 2 sinks, opt for 1 larger sink and take advantage of the extra space with more usable counter space!

Consider Placing A Medicine Cabinet Above The Toilet

Instead of going with the standard built-in medicine cabinet above your bathroom sink, consider having it above the toilet instead. The traditional setup of built-in cabinetry and Johnny cabinet can end up making your bathroom feel smaller than it is, and it limits the wall space you have available to you that could be taken up with a nice big mirror instead! Where a medicine cabinet above the sink acts to make the bathroom feel more closed-in, a large mirror in its place will help open up the room and make it feel much more open. Typically, the space above a toilet is unused, wasted space anyways so it really is the perfect place for your medicine cabinet.

Utilize Mirrors In Order To Create An Open Feeling And Let Light Into All Areas Of The Room

As mentioned previously, a nice big mirror above your sink is a great way to spread the light around your bathroom and will give it the much-needed feeling of openness that a bathroom often lacks.

Consider Using Open Shelving Instead Of Closed Cabinetry

If you have room in your bathroom for storage, consider using open shelving instead of closed up cabinetry. Having a convenient spot for towels, toilet paper, and other bathroom essentials makes using the bathroom much more pleasant. With open shelving, you can have your nice towels visible and easily within reach, and leave the not so pleasant looking bathroom products, such as cleaning products, in the closed up spaces.

Consider Adding A Tub Ledge In Order To Increase Functional Space

If you’ve decided on putting a tub in your bathroom, consider also adding a tub ledge to your bathroom design. The addition of a tub ledge doesn’t really take up much extra space and ends up being especially convenient for keeping things like soaps and shampoos handy and also can be used as a place to sit! Since a tub ledge is typically quite below eye level, it doesn’t really detract from the openness of the room while adding some extra style and usefulness to the room.

Opt For A Standard-Width But Extra-Deep Tub

If you’ve decided on adding a tub to your bathroom, consider going with an extra-deep tub that is standard width. The extra depth is always nice for when you want to lay around and relax in the tub but doesn’t really take up any extra space.

Avoiding Breaking Up Your Bathroom By Using Glass Shower Walls

Consider a glass shower wall over plexiglass or standard wall for your shower. A glass shower wall will act to open up the bathroom even more and lets light get to other areas of the room that might have been left in the dark. Where a wall would end up breaking up what is usually already a small room into an even smaller feeling space, a glass shower wall will make the room much more open and pleasant to be in.

Extend Your Shower Wall Tiling All The Way To The Ceiling

If you’ve decided to go with tile for your shower walls, consider having them extend all the way up to the ceiling. Dividing your bathroom up horizontally can end up breaking up the bathroom, which makes it appear sectioned and smaller than it is. When you have your shower tiling go all the way up to the ceiling, the apparent height of the room is increased and it will distract you from how close the shower walls actually are to you.

Keep Your Color Palette And Design Choices Simple

When designing your bathroom and choosing a color palette, try to keep it simple. Going with only 2 or three different colors will make the cost much more affordable as you don’t have to buy so many different products and it will result in your bathroom feeling more pleasant while avoiding any over-crowded feelings.

Create A Calming Atmosphere Through Smart Design Choices

When designing the perfect bathroom, be sure you’re allowing each fixture and area enough space to be functional. If you decide you want a freestanding tub, but really don’t have space for it, trying to cram it in will likely result in it appearing out of place, and the look of your bathroom will not be so nice. Try to make your bathtub, vanity, or mirror the focal point of the bathroom upon entering, and avoid the toilet being the main attraction, in order to up the visual appeal.

Don’t Install A Bathtub If Your Family Doesn’t Take Baths!

These days, people tend to prefer a nice large shower staff as opposed to a large bathtub. It’s a common worry though when one starts designing their bathroom, that omitting a bathtub will detract from the resale value of the home. This isn’t usually the case any longer, and if you don’t think your family will be taking baths frequently then consider leaving it out of your bathroom design. A spacious and comfortable shower stall will be much more appreciated!

Wrapping Up

Remodeling your bathroom is an exciting home improvement project to undertake. Although bathroom renovations can be costly, making much-needed upgrades to your current bathroom, or starting a new with a completely new build can be a great way to add value to your home.

With so many options available for fixtures, furniture, color schemes, tiling, and flooring, coming to a decision on your final design can be overwhelming. After reading through this guide, designing the perfect bathroom for you and your family should come much easier. By following these tips and suggestion, you’ll end up with a bathroom that you and your family will love for many years to come.

As a homeowner, there are a number of decisions that you need to make when it comes to your home. This could mean things you want to upgrade because they are older and it’s time for a refresh. It could also mean doing a complete renovation because you want to increase the overall value of your home so you can prepare for a potential sell.

When you are looking at different ways to increase the value of your home, you want to look at the different parts of the home that are most often valued highly on the real estate market. For many, this means the kitchen which is one of the most occupied and trafficked parts of your home.

Adding value to your home should start with an upgraded kitchen as potential home buyers value it as one of the highest parts of the home. However, if you find yourself debating whether you should renovate your kitchen because of the costs, you should understand just how important the kitchen it is and how much value you can add if you remodel your kitchen.

The Initial Costs of a Kitchen Renovation

According to a new Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling Magazine, the average cost in 2018 to renovate a 200-square-foot kitchen was around $64,000. This included new appliances, flooring, lighting, laminate countertops, sink and faucet, wood cabinets, and an island.

It could be much higher in terms of costs when the kitchen has a backsplash, granite countertops, and custom features. This could cost individuals upwards of $120,000. And a simple remodel could cost just over $21,000 for new appliances, cabinet and hardware updates, laminate countertops, and new floors.

Knowing how much you want to spend when you remodel your kitchen can help you budget correctly, but it also helps to know just how much value you could add to your home by having Gehman Design Remodeling help you.

Creating a Proper Budget with Kitchen Remodeling Contractors

Before you get started on the renovations, it’s helpful to come up with a checklist that you can use to determine what needs to be replaced, what can stay, and what is a priority in your kitchen. Perhaps some parts are more worn than others, these would jump towards the top of the priority list to replace as they can be problematic when determining the value of your home.

Here are a few things you can remember when remodeling your kitchen:

• Hiring a kitchen design company can be a bit of your budget, but remember they are the experts and their opinions can help you get the most out of your renovations. This company can advise you on which materials work best in your area and how to find the deals on what you need to complete the remodel.
• Keep your budget itemized and start with some of the items that you don’t want to have to replace very often. For instance, include the new appliances and cabinets if you’re going to replace them. These should be things that you plan on keeping for the duration of their life expectancy.
• Don’t go above your budget in order to try and make your home the most expensive in your neighborhood. You don’t have to go above and beyond to add value. Speak with a professional who can give you an idea of what works best based on locality.
• Keep a plan in your budget for some unexpected costs that you may encounter. You never know if you’re going to run into potential issues, so having a backup plan is highly recommended.

Once you have a solid budget in place, you can also look for potential parts of your kitchen where you can save money. This can include a number of things that you can do without additional costs, such as:

• Choose backsplash that works: Backsplash is not an expensive accessory to add and it could do wonders in a kitchen. A good backsplash can turn a good kitchen into a great one.
• Make sure your flooring works: You don’t want to go all out on the floors that are highly trafficked and may need replacing before you want to. Some materials are less expensive and still provide the modern and high-end look you desire.
• Refurbish your appliances: If you can still get some good use out of your appliances and they’re simply fading a bit, give them a bit of life with some paint and love. You’d be surprised how a simple update can make your appliances stand out.
• Don’t replace your cabinets: If they’re in good shape, consider a refinish or paint to help save some of your money. Maybe just give them a quick re-facing and get the new look you desire.

The Benefits of Remodeling or Renovating Your Kitchen

Home buyers are often the first to tell you that a kitchen could be one of the top three selling points when looking for a home. As such, the renovations you perform can ensure that you’re giving your home the added value you desire. In fact, 69% of home buyers said they would have paid more for a home if the appliances were new and 55% said they would have paid more had the countertops been granite.

Whether you plan on selling your home or not should not deter you from renovations to your home–especially to your kitchen. In fact, there’s even value for those who complete a remodel or renovation and stay in the home:

• About 75% of homeowners reported having a greater sense to stay in their home after they have completed a remodeling project.
• Roughly 77% of homeowners say they have a major sense of accomplishment once they have completed their project.
• Nearly 65% of homeowners reported increased enjoyment in their own home after completing their remodel or renovations.

When you consider selling your home, you want to ensure that you are taking every step necessary to improve the overall value for your neighborhood. Having a great kitchen can do wonders for the amount you can recover, and if you’re able to find ways to budget and save, you can see a positive return on the amount you spend on your remodel.

Before you get started, you should speak with highly qualified kitchen remodeling contractors who can give you a good overview of what to expect when you remodel your kitchen. This includes an idea on what materials will work best for your home, what you can expect on costs and timeline, ways you can save in certain areas of your home, and how this project can add value to your home.

Our Montgomery County kitchen remodeling contractors are ready to help you. If you’ve been considering remodeling or renovating your home, we’re here to guide you throughout the entire process so you can make the best choices for you. We have a reputable history of providing the best service and making sure our community gets the solutions they need for all of their home and kitchen remodeling needs.

Contact us today to discuss your remodeling project.