Installing the tiles in the bathroom is an easy task. In fact, it is the easiest task in the entire bathroom remodel project. The materials that you would need are gloves, goggles, sponge, level, tiles, spacers, spreader, grout, pencil and tape measure and a cutter. Once you have all of these materials ready with you, follow the below mentioned steps:

Check the Area

Before you actually begin installing the tiles for your bathroom remodel, you would first have to check he area where you want to install them. Clean the area and dry the surface so that the installation can be done properly. Remove all the wallpapers and old tiles carefully.

Work On the Layout

Once you have cleaned the area, you would then need to check if you have the right number of tiles and see how you would be laying them out. This would also give you an idea of how the tiles would look when the project is completed. Use a tape measure to record the inches where you might need to cut a few tiles at the edges.

Cut Your Tiles

In the next step you would have to cut the tiles accurately according to the measurements. Double check all the measurements before you actually cut the tiles since accuracy is very important. If you are not too confident about this part of the job, ask someone else to help you.

The Installation

The next step would be to actually begin the installation process. Start by putting in spacers. You can spread some adhesive on the wall or the floor and lay the tile over the area. Use the sponge to remove the excess adhesive. Continue to do this until the entire area has been tiled. Once done, allow the adhesive to set overnight.

Fill the Gaps

Once you have completed laying all the tiles and the adhesive has set, you would then have to add the grout. Mix grout as per the instructions given by the manufacturer and put on your gloves. Begin by removing the spacers and then spread the grout in the gaps in between the tiles. Be careful not to make a mess. Wipe away the excess grout with a sponge. Once you have finished applying the grout you would have to allow it to harden for two to three days.
Installing bathroom tiles for your bathroom remodel project is extremely easy.

Estimating the Costs

If you are planning a bathroom remodel, the first step would be to set up a budget for the project. Without estimation and a budget, things can be a little difficult to carry forward. Given below is the guide on how you can estimate the cost of adding a bathroom to your home:

The Basic Decision

The first thing that you would have to decide is where you want your new bathroom to be. If your new bathroom is going to be built in the existing square footage, the cost would be less.

The Plan

The next thing to do is to measure the entire space and then draw up a detailed plan. If you need a full bathroom, you would need enough space for a sink, toilet and a tub. If you have more space, you can think about adding a whirlpool. If the space is small, just go for a walk in shower, sink and toilet.

Getting the Estimates

Once you have the plan ready with you, you can then contact local contractors to give you estimates for your bathroom remodel plan. You would need to call a plumber for installing the drains and pipes and electrician for the power. If you are planning to do the work yourself, you can save some money.

The Cost of the Fixtures

Check the local hardware stores and online websites to get an idea about the type of fixtures that you want. Pick the ones you like and write down their cost. You would need fixtures like a countertop, cabinet, pedestal, lighting, sink fixtures, mirror, faucet and shower head, towel racks, medicine cabinet etc. for the bathroom so list down the cost of all of these necessities. Write down the price of the flooring as per the square footage.

Add Up Your Expenses

Once you have all the details ready with you, you can then add the price for all the accessories and the fixtures. Add the cost of the professional help that you would be getting for electricity and plumbing and you would be able to have an approximate estimation of the cost of the bathroom remodel project.

Estimating the cost of a bathroom remodel or adding up a new bathroom to your home is not a difficult thing if you remember to add up all the tiny costs. In most cases, we tend to neglect the cost of the accessories and fixtures which gives us a wrong figure. Take all the necessary things into consideration and you would have a close figure for the cost of your bathroom remodel.

Saving Money

There are several people who do not realize that even with bathroom remodel they can actually save some money. Any remodel can turn into an expensive and complex job if you are not careful. However, there are a few things which can help you reduce the overall cost. Given below are a few tips which can help you save cost on your bathroom remodel.

Getting the Right Contractor

If you would be getting a contractor to do the job for you then this would be the first place where you can save money. Do your research well and find a local contractor who specializes in bathroom remodels. Even though good contractors might charge you a higher amount, they would actually be able to save a good amount for you on the overall cost without compromising on the quality. You can have a look at their earlier work to get a better idea about their work.

The Labor Cost

The biggest cost for any remodeling job is the labor cost. In bathroom remodels, the cost of getting a plumber can be quite high so ensure that you compare the cost of different professionals before you assign the job to someone. Ensure that the plumber is licensed and is appropriate for the job.

Cost Saving On Fixtures

Another great way to save some cost is to purchase all of your fixtures at once. You would be able to get a good discount at any store if you purchase your fixtures in bulk. Also, some stores would offer you a wholesale price if you purchase a good number of fixtures from them. You would also be able to save some money if you buy fixtures which are made from alternative or composite materials. These are functional as well as inexpensive and would help you save a lot.

Keep the Changes Minimal

Another way to save money on bathroom remodel is to keep the project within the current layout of your bathroom. If you knock out the walls or try to change the layout of the bathroom, the project would cost you higher and it would also take longer to accomplish. You would still be able to get good results if you use the available space wisely and make use of smart lighting and color schemes to make the room appear larger.

It does not take a large budget to get the right look for your bathroom, it can be accomplished even on a tight budget.

Do Not Neglect Your Bathrooms

Bathrooms are often the most neglected rooms of a house. Even though a bathroom is a personal retreat for relaxation, it is often the last place to be redesigned in the house. With a bathroom remodel you would be able to add more space to the room, get a beautiful and elegant look and create a sense of serenity and luxury.

Do Bathrooms Add Value to a Home?

With the state of the real estate market today, a bathroom remodel can actually help you increase the value of your property. By adding another bathroom to your home, you can actually increase your home’s value significantly. According to CNN Money, you can in fact, add 20% value to your home. Adding a new bathroom to your home can especially be useful if you have only one or two bathrooms in your house, if the number of bathrooms is quite less than the bedrooms and if a particular floor in the house does not have any bathrooms.

If you are planning to sell your house in the near future, then adding a new bathroom in the right place would give you a good investment return and also add to the functionality to your house.

Remodeling Your Bathroom

Today, most houses have multiple bathrooms. When considering bathroom remodeling, you would have to think of adding functionality and beauty to the space if you actually want to increase the value of your house. The bathrooms for the guests, for example, should be different than the master bathroom. The master bathroom should be considerably large and if it isn’t you can think about adding more space by expanding your current master bathroom.

Adding Small but Useful Touches

For good results and better value in your bathrooms you will have to think of several things when considering a bathroom remodel. Only choose fixtures and items which are high quality and which would last for a long time. Only good quality fixtures would add value to your space. Consider the design elements with care. You can replace the cabinets to something which is a little more functional to change the look.

If you are into themes then you can also design your bathroom remodel according to various themes like tropical, Mediterranean, geometrical, antique, oriental, modern or traditional. There are plenty of things which you can do in your bathroom designs. With just a little creativity, a bathroom remodel can fetch you results that you had never thought of. Not only will it make your bathroom more pleasurable and comforting for you, but it would also fetch you a higher price when you sell your property.

Finding the Right Contractor

It is very important to find the right contractor for the job since it would make the experience less hectic and more fruitful. Given below are a few tips and suggestions on how to go about it.

Get a Licensed Contractor

Ensure that your contractor has a license. You can get the contractors license number and check it for legitimacy. There are several contractors who would give you a fake license number so its best to check before you assign the job.

Check References

Ask the contactor for references of people for whom he/she had carried out a bathroom remodel project. Call up those people with whom the contractor has done business before. You can ask them a few questions about the contractors quality of job, the promptness, whether the job was done on time, the satisfaction level etc. The answers to these questions would give you an idea on how the contractor works. You would want a contractor who is committed, reliable and finishes the project on schedule.

The Right Attitude Counts

For lengthy and important projects like a bathroom remodel, you would want a contractor who has a pleasant attitude. Note if the contractor is positive about the job, whether he is ready to provide you with what you want, if he is bossy and irritable, whether or not he takes suggestions in a positive light etc. The attitude of the contractor would tell you a lot about the person.

The Crew

Whether or not the contractor has a crew which is large enough for your bathroom remodel assignment is also important. Contractors who only have one or two people to help would take longer to finish the project and you would want the work to be done fast if you are paying by the hour.

Memberships with Associations

There are several associations and professional bureaus for contractors like the NAHB which is an association for home builders and the Better Business Bureau. If the contractor is a member of any such professional associations, it would show that he takes the job seriously. Through these associations you would also come to know if any clients have filed complaints against him in the past.

With the right contractor, your bathroom remodel project would be finished on schedule and would be done in a professional manner and hence it is important to choose a contractor wisely.