How to Renovate or Remodel Your Bathroom on a Budget

Renovating or remodelling a bathroom can be an exciting but expensive endeavour. However, there are several cost-cutting measures you can take when updating and improving your bathroom, some of which I have listed below:

Maintain the Footprint

First and foremost, when permitted, try to maintain the bones of the room and keep the footprint the same. Try and refrain from changing the location of the bathtub, shower, toilet and sink and any light fixtures and outlets. By doing this you will be saving on plumbing and electrical costs along with permits and possibly the need for an inspection.

Retain Existing Materials

Another way to save money is by retaining your existing materials, such as your bathtub, vanity, toilet etc. Some of the costly purchases for a bathroom include new items such as a bathtub, so if you are able to, keep your old items and refurbish them rather than replace them.

Refurbish Your Existing Material

Refurbishing existing items can make them look new and fresh, while saving you money. You can refurbish your existing tub by refinishing or relining it to get rid of minor cracks and yellowing surfaces. You can also spot fix the tub to remove nicks and gouges and get rid of paint that is peeling.

If your sink has cracks in the porcelain, you can repair those with a porcelain repair kit that you can purchase at local hardware stores. If you do not like the look of your current cabinets, consider sanding them and painting or staining them, which can make them look new.

If you have tile floors, rather than replacing them, you can refurbish them by cleaning and replacing the grout.

Update the Hardware

If you want to update your sink, rather than replacing it entirely, just replace the faucet. A new faucet can completely change the look of the sink.

You can change the look of your cabinets by replacing the hardware with new ones and, if necessary, you can replace the doors while keeping the existing boxes to save money.

Choose the Less Expensive Route

If you do not have cabinets or do not like the look of your current ones, consider replacing them with open shelving, which is much cheaper than cabinetry. If you are set on having cabinets in your bathroom, choose stock over custom cabinets as these are less expensive.

If you want to update your shower, install a prefabricated shower rather than tile and choose a shower curtain rather than a glass shower door as both these options are the more inexpensive route.

Flooring

If you want to change your flooring try peel-and-stick tile, vinyl, luxury vinyl or laminate flooring as these options tend to be cheaper than traditional tile.

Countertops

If you need to change your countertops look into laminate or ceramic as these can be made to look like natural stone but are much cheaper than granite.

Paint the Interior

Another easy way to update your bathroom is by painting the interior. If you have time, wait to find deals on paint at local hardware stores.

Purchase Second-Hand

If you are looking for bathroom materials and items, always try second-hand first. The restore is a great place to start as they tend to offer home renovation items at a much lower cost than purchasing new ones in stores. Another option is to browse Marketplace and other local ads for individuals who are selling items that they no longer need.

Get Creative

One of the more interesting and creative ways I have seen others update their bathroom, is by refurbishing an old dresser and using it as a vanity. Several of my clients have purchased dressers on Marketplace, and updated them by sanding and painting them and then installing them into their bathroom.

Whatever you decide to do with your bathroom, Bear Carpentry Ltd. can help. We have remodelled and renovated many bathrooms and are always looking for ways to save our clients money. If you are interested in updating your bathroom, contact us for a free estimate.