There's no harm starting your bathroom remodel project with a trip to the home centre, but don't bring anything home just yet. “Gather ideas and see what's out there, but know that you'll create a more functional and useful space with a specific plan,” says Marian Barry, a broker-owner with Royal LePage True North Realty in Fort McMurray, Alberta. “And always keep future buyers in mind with any project.”
Start with a wish list—a written itemization of everything in the current bathroom that you want changed. Then, pare back your list to practical items with a focus on budget. While a whirlpool tub would be nice, it might also require circuit and wiring changes or additional floor space, which may not be practical.
Your plan will be largely affected by how much space you have to work with. In older urban homes, bathrooms are often small as they were built in space left over or borrowed from bedrooms. To enlarge your space you may consider renovating to take over a bedroom closet space.
Next, it's time to prioritize your needs. Group your finalized list in order of categories—changes to space, bathroom fixtures, floor and wall materials and cabinetry. It's important to look at the big things before considering smaller details such a faucet style and colours.
Even if you plan to complete the work yourself, with so many decisions to make, enlisting the help of a professional may be advantageous. Consider calling in an architect who can draw the plans for structure, plumbing, electrical and heating and then turn them over to you for implementation. An interior designer can advise on layout, material choices and the overall style of your bathroom. Or, you may simply decide to bring in someone to both design your project and build it for you.
Bathrooms are key selling features of any home. Ensuring that your project has a good plan behind it will help to provide the best return on your investment.
More information is available at www.royallepage.ca.
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