Bathroom remodeling is a complex project that involves multiple steps and adequate preparation. Therefore, it’s important to develop and maintain effective communication with your contractor and subcontractors. One of the first things you should do before beginning a bathroom renovation is to create a vision for your project. Once you have this idea in mind, there are four important questions you should ask regarding the remodel.

As with any other home project, setting a budget is essential partly because this will help you determine what materials you can afford for your desired remodeling design. According to realtor.com, the average bathroom remodel costs $20,420. Of course, this figure often varies depending on several factors, including the type of space being remodeled (e.g. small guest bathroom vs. master bath). According to The Home Depot, a powder room remodel may cost as little as $5,000, while you may end up spending upwards of $30,000 for a master bathroom remodel. Also, your estimated budget does not need to be exact. If you prefer, you may simply establish a range for your budget.

Per realtor.com, the average bathroom is 40 square feet. Depending on your and your family’s specific needs, this may seem either too small or too large. If you wish to increase your bathroom’s size, you will likely need to create new space in closets, move walls, or downsize adjacent rooms. Aside from more space for attending to daily needs, one benefit of a sophisticated remodel that leads to a larger bathroom is that it may add significant value to your home. (According to Zillow, the national average return on investment for an upscale bathroom remodel is 56.2%). The most notable drawback of this type of remodel, however, is that it takes substantially longer to complete.

The answer to this question depends on several factors, including who will primarily be using your bathroom. If you have any young children or elderly individuals in your home who would use the bathroom, it may be unwise to choose a slippery material, such as standard tile. Instead, you can try installing ceramic or porcelain tile, carpet, or non-slip vinyl floors.

It’s also important to note that certain types of floors, such as wood and carpet, are especially vulnerable to mold. If you are interested in eco-friendly flooring, bamboo, cork, and linoleum are generally sound choices. It also may be a good idea to select your flooring based on color, as you may wish to ensure that the floor matches other parts of the bathroom, such as the walls.

You should consider whether you need ample storage room in your bathroom for items such as blow-dryers, tissues, and cleaning supplies. If so, you will need to ensure that the cabinets under your sink are large enough to fit all these products. If you are remodeling a master bathroom, you may consider building a small unit with shelves or drawers. A bathroom that multiple people will use may also benefit from having multiple towel hooks or bars, as well as several small shelves in the corner of the shower for shampoo and conditioner.

Other questions you may consider asking yourself before remodeling a bathroom include:

• Do I want to change any fixtures (e.g. electrical outlet)?
• Do I wish to install a new tub or toilet?
• How much will the renovation affect my home life (i.e. duration of bathroom remodel)?

Reach out to the experienced professionals at Monumental Contractors for more information on the bathroom remodeling process and how to plan for this type of project. We are a family-owned-and-operated contracting company that is dedicated to serving the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Area. We strive to uphold our core values of integrity, quality, respect, and accountability in every project we undertake.

The team at Monumental will always be able to complete your remodel in a timely manner while staying within your budget. With us, the bathroom remodeling process always follows the same steps. It begins with an initial consultation with one of our design and construction professionals, so that we may understand your vision for the project. Once the design agreement has been signed, we will gather all of your selections for the project (paint colors, vanities, lights, flooring, special permits, etc.).

After this comes a pre-construction meeting to discuss timeline and logistics. The construction phase may then begin and a quality check will be performed afterward. The process concludes with a final walk-through inspection. Call Monumental Contractors today at (703) 552-9626 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.