All homeowners think of remodeling their bathrooms at some point. Of all the home improvement projects, a bathroom remodel is the most popular one. The question you should be asking yourself is, why do you want to remodel your bathroom?

If you’re planning to live in the house for a long time, it is worth it to remodel your bathroom with the upgrades that you want. Keep in mind, adding a new bath may be less expensive than remodeling your old one. Large and master bathroom renovations rack up the cost and are usually better for high-end projects.

If you want to sell your home, focus on getting back the return on your investment if you do remodel the bathroom and other areas. Have a professional inspector check on the structural issues first.

Identifying and addressing major issues is better than cosmetic upgrades. Remember, no one is going to care about your premium bathroom tiles if the roof is leaking or there’s water in the basement.

According to Consumer Affairs, the national average for a bathroom remodel in the US is USD 10,000. The average in Las Vegas is a bit higher at USD 11,000.

The cost of the remodel depends on a few factors including the size of the bathroom, the type of materials used in the renovation, and whether the type of bathroom accessories is pre-made or custom-made. If the bathroom remodeling involves a change in the layout and demolition is needed, expect the cost to go up as well.

Like any home remodeling project, the time it takes to renovate your bathroom depends on the scope of the project. Do you have a small or large bathroom? Is it a full bath? Is it going to be a simple makeover or a complete overhaul?

Every bathroom is different but here is a general timeline of what to expect with an average bathroom remodel in Las Vegas.

• Consultation and Design – 1 to 4 weeks
• Sourcing materials – 1 to 8 weeks
• Construction – 2 to 5 weeks

Keep in mind that reality TV shows about home renovations are hardly realistic when it comes to timelines. Designing your ideal bathroom may take longer than you’re expecting. Waiting for materials to arrive also takes time especially if some of your materials need to be custom-made or are coming from overseas. Always expect the unexpected.

Outdated bathrooms, or not having enough bathrooms, turn off a lot of potential buyers. If you want to sell your house, updating bathroom features, or adding a new bathroom makes the house more appealing and saleable.

According to Remodeling, homeowners spend a little more than USD 20,000 on midrange bathroom renovation projects. When they can sell their home, they also recoup up to 67.2% of the renovation cost. For high-end renovations costing up to nearly USD 65,000, homeowners can recoup up to 60.2% of what they spend.

Remodeling your bathroom can be exciting. While it’s only a small space compared to other spaces in your home, it is one that you use a lot.

One way to ensure the success of this project is to hire a professional contractor, which seems like a daunting task in itself. But if you manage to choose the right one, you can be sure of nothing but the best result. So, how do you find a good contractor?

• Have a clear plan in mind of what you want to achieve. While you can work out the final design with your contractor, it would be easier if you had an idea of what you want and they would just help you reach that goal and advise you on areas of improvement.
• Ask for referrals. Ask family, friends, co-workers if they know contractors and had positive experiences with them.
• “Shop around.” Don’t just go with the first contractor you meet no matter how much you might like them.
• Check their credentials. Make sure they are licensed and certified at what they do.
• You should also ask for proof of insurance. They should have personal liability, compensation for workers, and damage to property insurances.
• Find out what projects they have worked on within the year. Consider previous renovation projects that they have done.
• Ask for a written proposal, estimates, and timelines.
• Read the fine print before signing any legal contracts.

In recent years, walk-in showers have been increasing in popularity. It is high on people’s wish lists for their bathroom makeovers. Walk-in showers typically offer a very clean, streamlined look while also creating the illusion of space.

When it comes to maintenance, style, and accessibility, walk-in showers are very good. They are easy to clean, suit almost any style and size of a bathroom, and are easier to get into especially for members of the household who have mobility issues. If you don’t use your bathtub a lot, a walk-in shower is a better option for you.

Tubs

There are pros and cons to each of the materials used commonly in tubs. Ultimately, the choice is yours because you know your needs and preferences better than anyone. To make the choice easy for you, you may refer to the table below when choosing a tub.

Material           

Acrylic

            Pros – Affordable, lightweight, durable, non-porous, repairable surface

            Cons – More expensive than fiberglass, must be properly reinforced during installation, abrasive cleaners can scratch the surface

Cast Polymer

            Pros – Affordable, easy to clean, stain-resistant

            Cons – Brittle, prone to cracks when gel coat wears off

Enameled Cast Iron

            Pros – Very durable, chip and scratch-resistant, classic, excellent heat retention

            Very heavy

Fiberglass (FRP)

            Pros – Lightweight, easy to install, inexpensive, easy to clean, great for shower-tub combo

            Cons – Not as durable as the others, the finish fades easily, the surface may crack

Porcelain Enameled Steel

            Pros – Affordable, lightweight, durable, easy to clean

            Cons – Noisy if not insulated, loses heat quickly, chips and rusts with poor care

Showers

The best shower is the one that meets your needs. You may refer to the guide below for the best materials used in showers, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each material.  

Material

Acrylic

            Pros – Durable, easy to install and clean, lightweight, resistant to dents and cracks

            Cons – Not DIY-friendly, not suitable for customization

Ceramic Tiles

            Pros – Affordable, easy to install, water-resistant

            Cons – Not resistant to mold and mildew

Fiberglass

            Pros – Effective and inexpensive to install, has density options for insulation, no need for grout

            Cons – Likely cancer-causing, doesn’t seal tightly along with ceilings and walls

Glass Tiles

            Pros – Easy to clean, resistant to mold and mildew, waterproof, eco-friendly

            Cons – Expensive, not DIY-friendly

Natural Stone

            Pros – Classic, hard-wearing, improves with age

            Cons – Heavy, expensive

Not everyone has a big master bathroom or a full bath. Just because you have a small bathroom doesn’t mean you can’t make it beautiful and luxurious. When doing a small bathroom makeover, here are some things you can do to get that luxe feel.

• Add windows and skylights to bring more natural light into the bathroom.
• Use monochromatic colors and uniform tiles for continuity.
• Add a walk-in shower. If you’re going to add a glass partition, skip the metal frame and use all glass.
• When replacing fixtures, match all the hardware in terms of the finish and the style.
• Definitely add a vanity.

If you’re ready to start making your dream bathroom a reality, congratulations! You already have plans in mind and you’re ready to hire a contractor. Now, what?

• When you check the contractor’s website, or if you speak with a representative, check if they specialize in bathroom remodeling and are not a general contractor. A general contractor may be able to do the job well, but not as good as a specialist can.
• You want to look for a bathroom remodeling specialist that also distributes bathroom remodeling products. They can offer them at much better rates than a contractor who has to buy the products from a distributor.
• Choose a contractor who can deliver ahead of their schedule. You can do this by checking how well their previous projects went or maybe even check previous customers for testimonials.

For all your bathroom renovation projects, call or visit Bathroom Remodel Las Vegas for a complimentary initial consultation.