Some homeowners are surprised to learn that the money they spend on remodeling their bathroom pays some of the biggest dividends when it’s time to see the house. But just because you get a good return on your investment, that doesn’t mean you want to spend more than you should.
So how can you keep your remodeling budget under control so that you’re not flushing your money down the proverbial toilet? Here are a couple of areas to look at.
Set realistic expectations. It’s easy to get carried away with a new bathroom design. But you should design your bath to accommodate the way you really live. When your done, will your new bath fit the style of the rest of your house (or at least your master bedroom)? Focus on the functional aspects first. If you and your spouse do daily battle over the sink—install a double sink. If lighting is the big issue, focus on that. Spas and tubs with jet sprays are fun, luxury appointments, but will you really use it? If so, that’s great. If not, do you really want to pay for it?
Look at your materials. As strange as it may sound, sometimes when you spend more, you save more. It’s easy to think of high-end materials such as granite and marble as being luxury items. But they can actually save you money in the long run. Marble or granite simply lasts longer than most of the man-made materials on the market. Depending on how long you plan to stay in your home, you may never have to replace a bathroom that uses these materials. That’s significant. There’s simply no denying—quality lasts longer and looks better.
Don’t forget the “back end”. This may sound counterintuitive, but if you do decide to put in a large, jetted tub you may want to purchase a separate water heater that’s dedicated to that tub. It is an extra expense up front, but it can keep you from over-taxing your existing water heater and having to replace it later.
Some luxuries are worth it. One indulgence you might want to look at (if you’re putting in a new stone or tile floor) is an electric warming system beneath your floor. If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping out onto a nice warm floor, the time to install it is when you’re putting in a floor anyway. Visit http://www.warmlyyours.com/ for more information.