How to Complete a Master Bathroom Remodel On Time & On Budget

If you’re envisioning an amazing master bathroom remodel, you’ll need to plan accordingly. Considering time and budget is key, but don’t worry, here are some detailed steps to guide you.

Completely remodeling a room in your house is exciting – new décor, new furniture, maybe even a new layout. But that time is also extremely stressful – extra people in the house, loud noises, unexpected repairs, plus time and budgetary concerns. Conducting a master bathroom remodel is especially taxing since it requires expertise in several vocations – plumbing, electrical, and carpentry. Plus it’s usually your primary restroom.

Keeping the project on time and on budget goes a long way towards feeling like the outcome is a success.

So whether you’re conquering the work yourself or having a professional knock it out for you, follow these guidelines to help keep you on track.

Steps for a Successful Master Bathroom Remodel

There are many reasons to remodel your master bathroom – to expand storage space, upgrade outdated fixtures and appliances, create a more relaxing space, or make it more accessible to seniors.

Regardless of why you are looking to remodel, there are seven steps to follow to complete your master bathroom remodel on time and under budget:

These 7 steps may seem like common sense, but they can make all the difference between a successful master bathroom remodel, and a flop.

1. Complete a Thorough Inspection

The number one reason that a project falls behind and/or exceeds its budget is unforeseen structural issues.

While neither you nor a contractor can see through walls, you can still examine the area before beginning work to identify hidden problems. You could find out that you need an additional circuit and more amperage for your new tankless water heater. Or maybe you learn that low water pressure will affect the flow for the new rainhead shower head you purchased.

Make sure that plumbing and electrical systems are updated to handle modern equipment. And don’t forget to inspect for things like mold that can be hiding behind walls.

2. Get It In Writing

Whenever possible get all agreements, conversations, and other important facts in writing for all parties involved.

If you’re using a contractor for your master bathroom remodel, then they’ll provide you with a quote before starting work. It will state a price and materials, but it’s not a bad idea to discuss a timeline of when work will be done.

Keep track of inspection dates, and delivery dates. You don’t want to delay having work done because someone forgot they had to be home to sign for a delivery of important materials.

If you’re doing the work on your own, you’ll be responsible for navigating the permitting and inspection process yourself. Keep copious notes when contacting your local building department about their requirements and expectations. This will come in handy if you receive conflicting information or need to look back at something.

3. Purchase Local Products

Today it’s easier than ever to purchase whatever you need with just a few clicks of the mouse, but it’s a good idea to shop locally. Many remodels are delayed by problems with the shipping process; those are eliminated by purchasing from stores close to home.

It’s possible to buy floor tile, furnishings, and even toilets online. But damaged goods from out of state shipments can’t be easily or quickly replaced. If the shipment is delayed at the warehouse, or in the delivery facility, the only resolutions are to wait or purchase new materials from some place close by. Neither option is appealing.

4. Manage Your Expectations

You have to match your expectations to your specific budgetary and time constraints. For example, the more work that needs to be done, the more time and money you can expect to spend.

Obviously, a project that includes changing the bathroom’s overall layout will take longer and be more expensive than just replacing a toilet and repainting the walls. But other nuances can impact your timeline and budget, too.

For example, a bathroom that requires things like extensive plumbing repairs, electrical upgrades, or mold remediation will easily extend your initial timeline and budget.

Other factors influence the time it takes to complete a job. A complete master bathroom remodel consists of several steps, each takes time to complete. Permits may take weeks to secure, and you may have to repeat inspections. Specialty materials could be backordered. Custom products such as cabinetry increase your budget and timeline.

5. Don’t Make Last Minute Changes

Once you have a plan, make sure you stick to it. Sometimes you can get away with small changes that don’t impact the overall timeline and budget, but not very often.

As you’re gazing at your new room come together you may get sparks of creativity; you may decide that a new set of mirrors and a door would be perfect with the new toilet and shower stall. It can be tempting to add seemingly small things like this to the project. But each change adds time and money to the project.

Last minute changes also increase the chance that you’ll encounter unforeseen circumstances. When replacing that door, you may find that you need to rework the threshold or rebuild the frame.

6. Expect the Unexpected

Despite your best intentions and forethought, your master bathroom remodel can go awry. Very rarely do large projects such as full remodels go perfectly smoothly. It wouldn’t be unheard of to run into a problem while replacing the bathroom’s drywall. You could find mold, which requires a professional. Or you could find damaged insulation and rodent droppings that must be dealt with.

Either way, you’re buying unexpected materials and completing extra work.

But that doesn’t have to blow your budget and schedule. A good rule of thumb is to “plan” an extra five to twenty percent to your expected timeframe and budget.

7. When in Doubt, Hire a Contractor

In most cases, the safest, easiest way to remodel your master bathroom on time and within budget is by hiring a professional.

A master bathroom remodel is complex; they require knowledge of several different specialties, scheduling multiple teams, managing simultaneous deliveries, and negotiating your local building department.

Reputable contractors are accustomed to the challenges presented during these complex projects. Most firms are ready to assist you in all stages of planning, design, and completion.

Hiring a contractor is beneficial in other ways as well. Many offer warranties and guarantee the quality of their work. And you’ll know the job was done right the first time.

Conclusion

There’s no feeling like stepping into a freshly remodeled master bathroom. But that sort of complete master bathroom remodel can be complicated and stressful for most homeowners.

You can reduce aggravation by keeping the project on time and within budget. The tips explained above will help you do just that.