You’ve finally decided to move forward with your bathroom remodel in Burlington. Now, the only thing left to figure out is where to start. As one would expect with the degree of plumbing involved, bathroom remodels can be one of the more complex home remodelling projects. That means there’s a good deal that can go wrong. In this article, we’ll review the three major mistakes that many homeowners make when starting a bathroom remodel. Here’s what you need to know:

Not hiring a professional contractor

This, by far, is the most common and impactful mistake homeowners make when remodelling their bathroom. To get the most value out of your master bathroom remodel, it needs to be done right. Even seemingly minor mistakes can derail the whole project or—worse—lead to the need for expensive rework.

Take the shower, for instance. Sloping the shower floor so that all water drains effectively takes precise measurements and requires specialized tools. When you hire a less-than-qualified contractor or try to take on this work yourself, you’re putting the entire shower at risk. A shower that doesn’t drain correctly will likely need to be reworked at a later point.

To ensure that you’re getting the best possible person to work on your project, look for a renovation contractor who:

  • Has experience remodelling bathrooms and the tools to get the job done right.
  • Has prior experience with building codes in your area.
  • Is bonded and insured to protect your home from damage.

In general, bringing a professional into the picture is always a good idea. Call a renovation professional in Burlington to learn more about the services they offer.

To find the right remodelling contractor, check referrals from your neighbours, friends, family, and other businesses. Their recommendations can point you to local, trusted professionals with a proven track record of high-quality work. You’ll often find that other homeowners who have worked with a great contractor will be more than happy to share their information and even let you see that contractor’s work for yourself.

Building a bathroom, one piece at a time

Another common mistake homeowners make is planning out different parts of the bathroom remodel—flooring, vanity, sink, shower, tub, etc.—independently of one another. The result is that the final pieces may not fit together as planned. For example, homeowners will make the mistake of buying flooring without thinking about their vanity cabinet color or vanity countertop options. The floors then don’t match the style used in the rest of the bathroom.

Sometimes, this issue goes far beyond how something looks. A rookie mistake made by many homeowners is picking out a new toilet and thinking that their bathroom is a “one-size-fits-all” setup. In most cases, it’s not, and the new toilet may not fit the space or the existing pipes.

Yet again, this is one of the distinct advantages of hiring an experienced contractor. They’ve been there and done that. They know how to plan a bathroom project holistically, and will be likely to take things into consideration that few homeowners even think about, such as adding more ventilation to the bathroom or updating the electrical outlets.

Spending too much on your bathroom remodel

You need to be real with yourself: are you building your dream bathroom, complete with a jacuzzi tub? Or—like most people—are you limited by budget and need to get the most possible return-on-investment out of the project? If you’re in the latter camp, you need to be strategic about which upgrades you prioritize over others. In general, you can limit your costs when you:

  • Leave the layout: Moving any plumbing in the bathroom can quickly escalate costs. In general, aim to leave the sinks, toilet, shower, and tub in their current location.
  • Upgrade the shower, not the tub: Many homes no longer have bathtubs, as most Americans shower—not bathe—on a daily basis. If your budget is limited, embrace this reality by putting your money into upgrading the shower.
  • Choose utility over luxury: Your bathroom vanity doesn’t necessarily need marble countertops. Quartz and granite are probably a better fit and still look great. Make similar choices with your shower and floor tile.

At first glance, a bathroom remodel might seem like a daunting project. There’s so much to consider and plan for. However, when you work with a bathroom renovation professional, you’ll have an expert in your corner who can help walk you through the process and provide you with advice on what you should do. For more guidance on what not to do, be sure to check out this infographic in connection with ABC Cooling, Heating & Plumbing in Hayward, CA. It contains even more plumbing mistakes you should avoid during your renovation: