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Bathroom Remodeling

Avoid Mistakes With This Bathroom Remodel Checklist

Even the smallest bathroom contains several different specialized work areas where skilled labor is necessary and requires coordination between more than a few departments. Because of this, we’ve put together a bathroom remodel checklist to ensure your next project goes smoothly.

Without a doubt, there’s a lot going on that can easily lead to costly and time-consuming misunderstandings, confusion, and mistakes. Your sanity and pocket book benefit from following a checklist throughout the renovation process.

A bathroom remodel checklist helps keep you on track and your project moving forward by putting tasks in order, reminding you of important benchmarks, and reducing the possibility of unforeseen obstacles.

Finding a Bathroom Remodel Checklist To Suit Your Needs

Checklists aren’t “one size fits all;” each renovation and homeowner has different requirements and desires so it makes sense that you’ll want a checklist tailored just for you.

You can develop your own or find a template.

Creating your own bathroom remodel checklist is a good option if you have a plan in your head that you want to stick to, know what to expect throughout the process, or just need simple self reminders.

You can create something that is as formal or as informal as you want; there are no rules that dictate you must use your computer’s spreadsheet application or make a color-coded timeline. But you can if you want.

This checklist is just for you, so do what works for you.

If you’re not sure where to start, want an easy solution, or need something extremely detailed then you may want to look for a pre-made template. Many variations are available online for free; most allow some editing all you can remove or add things as needed.

General Guidelines That Work

Although checklists are tools tailored to suit the needs of individual homeowners, they do have one thing in common: all projects follow the same basic timeline. This makes it possible to share some guidelines that will work whether you’re creating your own checklist or using one that was pre-made.

Six Months Before Start

  • Research local building codes to find out what permits are required for your project.
  • Gather inspirational photos, drawings, and other ideas. Store them in one easily accessible location.

Four Months Before Start

  • Make a detailed budget that separates areas such as labor, materials, and permits.
  • Create an accurate floorplan of your bathroom that will be used to show designers or sales personnel.
  • Research what tools, materials, and training you’ll need to complete each aspect of the remodel.

Three Months Before Start

  • Finalize budget and design ideas. After this point, no changes should be made to the color scheme or choice of appliances.
  • Create a model or diorama of the finished project to see how all the finishes, colors, and materials will look together.
  • Begin placing orders for custom or specialty items.

One Month Until Start

  • Make a contingency plan for the time that your bathroom will be out of service. Think of how you and your family will bathe, relieve themselves, and get ready for school or work.
  • Decide how the work area will be arranged. Devise a storage area for tools, equipment, and materials; create an entrance and exit to the work area that doesn’t interfere with operating the rest of the home.
  • Confirm appointments with technicians and other laborers.
  • Schedule appropriate waste containers, and initial inspections.
  • Verify delivery of large items such as cabinetry, bathtubs, mirrors, or countertops.
  • Finalize applicable financing for the project.

One Week Until Start

  • Take “before” photos of the space.
  • Set up temporary bathroom facilities on the premises.
  • Remove items from the existing bathroom including shower curtains, contents of the medicine cabinet, anything stored under the sink, and decorations.
  • Inform family members and neighbors about the possibility of loud noises, frequent guests, and extra debris in the area.
  • Set up protective gear for nearby rooms, flooring, and air vents.

Work Starts- Demolition

  • Remove and dispose of anything that is being replaced including drywall, flooring, and cabinetry.
  • This usually takes 1 to 3 days but can take longer if the bathroom is large or difficult to access.

Roughing In Construction

  • Roughing in of electrical and plumbing.
  • Install bathtub, exhaust fan, toilet, and new vents as needed.
  • This may take 3 to 5 days to complete depending on whether extensive repairs need to be made or if the floorplan is being altered.
  • Schedule inspection for electrical and plumbing work before installing drywall, flooring, or other covering that prevents the inspector from accessing the work.
  • Inspections can take up to a few weeks to complete and will have to be rescheduled if the inspector can’t access a portion of the site, or requires changes.

Continued Construction

  • Install insulation and drywall.
  • Drywall requires several days to complete. At least one day must pass between each step in the drywall process.
  • Install cabinetry, countertops, and other large fixtures.
  • Allow several days for installing large fixtures due to on-site adjustments.

Final Construction

  • Apply drywall texture. Allow a few days for this process as more than one application may be necessary and drying time is required between each layer.
  • Apply primer to the bare walls then paint with the preferred color.
  • Install decorative light fixtures, vent covers, towel racks, shower rails, and toilet paper holders.

 Completion

  • Complete final walk-through to find any items that were missed or damaged during the renovation. Small things are commonly found during the walk-through like touch-up paint, or accessories.
  • Thoroughly clean the area to remove residual dust.
  • Contact applicable manufacturers to initiate warranties.
  • Verify that appropriate inspection were completed and passed.

Final Thoughts

Remodeling your home’s bathroom is a major project no matter how big or small the space is. The renovation requires specialized skills in different areas such as carpentry, plumbing, and painting.

Because there is so much involved it’s very easy for costly, time-consuming mistakes to happen. Developing a bathroom remodel checklist to track important aspects of the bathroom project is a good way to minimize stress, keep the renovation progressing smoothly, and avoid frustrating mistakes.

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