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Since the bathroom is one of the most commonly used areas of your home, it is understandable why you want to upgrade the space from replacing the bath to buying elegant 1200mm vanity units. However, a bathroom renovation tends to be expensive, especially if you don’t plan ahead. However, your bathroom remodel does not have to be out of control with the right strategies in place. Since this is usually a smaller space, there are cost-saving measures you can implement. Check out these seven pointers to help you save money:
Retain the Existing layout and Size
Adding space and rearranging the bathroom means moving buried pipes. This option can be really expensive, especially if you touch drain lines and toilet sewer pipes. If the size of your existing bathroom accommodates your needs, stick with the existing layout. Moving objects can become a money pit with costs imploding as you go, so weigh the benefits versus the actual costs with your contractor. Besides, you can have a successful bathroom renovation without changing the layout and size.
Keep Loading-Bearing Walls in Place
These walls do an important structural function as they hold up the 2nd floor or the roof. However, moving these load-bearing walls is a massive and major change that can affect the structure. If you truly want to expand the size, make sure that you do not touch load-bearing walls and stick with interior walls instead. These walls that run parallel to ceiling joists are often non-load-bearing. Therefore, they can be moved with moderate cost and the least effort.
Retain Walls that Are in Good Shape
Due to high moisture levels found in the bathroom, you must check first if you’ve got a mold or mildew problem. If that’s the case, then you need a total replacement. If you don’t have these issues, consider retaining the wall. Remember, the more walls are opened up, the more walls to close, and the larger the bill of your contractor because you need more materials and labor. If any section is in good shape, consider keeping it. Usually, those behind the showers and tubs are the ones that need replacing.
Refinish Where Possible
If you remove and replace existing tubs, shower bases, sinks, and plumbing fixtures, the costs can really add up. You may have to pay for both demolition and installation. Ask yourself if the changes you want to make are within your budget. If they are truly unattractive but still operable, you may have options of refinishing. However, if you are completely dead set on changing, consider more affordable options. For example, you can find 1200mm vanity units that are ready-made and can be quickly installed. Choosing any one of them will cut on the intricacies of bathroom renovation and save you on labor costs.
Consider a Prefab Shower and Bath
Finally, tearing out your shower base and replacing the surrounding areas with customized tiles can be very expensive. In fact, this can easily rack up thousands and is one of the most expensive bathroom improvements. If you really want to save well on costs, consider a prefabricated and one-piece shower enclosure. It is so much cheaper than redoing the tiles because tile setters bill a lot. Besides, prefab options are easier to install and can be done in hours, while tiling work can take a week or more.
