By Suzana Mikolova 
The bathroom is one of the first places homeowners want to remodel, but determining your bathroom remodel cost can be easier said than done. Up until relatively recently, the bathroom was a place people were more likely to sneak off to or get in and out as quickly as possible, but today’s modern bathrooms are places of luxury and relaxation, even in modest or small bathrooms. This has led to the bathroom being the top choice for modification and upgrades, but there are other reasons homeowners are turning to bathroom remodeling, including the high potential return on investment, the low comparative cost for the remodel and the level of enjoyment and appreciation a good bathroom design will offer. Talk with a bathroom remodeling and design professional early on in your planning stage and take advantage of in-person advice to create your perfect bathroom remodel.
The right bathroom remodel cost and benefit for you
A quick search on the internet will show you that estimated bathroom remodel costs can vary widely, usually from a low of $4,000 to a high of $15,000, which is a huge variance. There are so many factors that contribute to the cost of any remodel that it’s impossible to get an accurate estimate, or even a close ballpark at times, without a detailed list of desired materials and a personal consultation. For example, a small guest bathroom could cost just a few thousand dollars to replace the floor, vanity, countertop and lighting with most of the work done yourself, or you could end up spending several thousand dollars on granite, custom designs and expanding the size of the bathroom into an adjoining closet. While labor plays a huge part in determining your bathroom remodeling cost, so do the materials you want, making a bit of compromise likely if not absolutely necessary. It’s also important to take into consideration the time involved with your ideal bathroom remodel, which will help determine your cost versus benefit ratio.
Budget bathroom remodeling
Because bathrooms are the smallest room in the house the cost of a remodel will be much less than one for a kitchen or master bedroom, but because the bathroom is the second most frequented room in the house the need for a good layout and design is crucial. These two factors contribute to the reason bathroom remodels recover nearly all of the cost when the home is sold. Doing much of the work yourself is a great way to get even more value out of your bathroom remodel and keep costs down, and most homeowners can do the demolition themselves and buy their own materials from discount shops to better control their bathroom remodeling costs. Understand, however, that this method requires a good amount of foresight, planning and education, and if your time is very valuable (like if you have young children or only one day a week free) it might be worth the time and frustration to hire a general contractor and have it done quickly and correctly.
Design your perfect bathroom on any budget
Think about what is most important to you in a bathroom remodel: imagine your most perfect design as if the cost was unimportant, and go from there. If you’ve always dreamed of having a jet bathtub it’s OK to splurge a little and save on the less demanding areas. By knowing what you want ahead of time, and having a list of must-haves and a list of areas you can compromise on, you’ll be able to better budget your bathroom remodel and save yourself from potential heartbreak after realizing you can’t afford a material you’ve fallen in love with. Talking with a professional at this point can be highly beneficial because you’ll learn where you should be spending a little extra and where you should be saving. Don’t skimp on the necessities of your bathroom or you’ll end up not enjoying the finished product and not getting a decent return on your investment. For example, get a great low-flow toilet that won’t give you any hassle or frustration down the road, and the extra money you spend will be recovered in your water bill.
It’s good to know that many modifications that seem like luxurious upgrades can actually help you save money in the long run, such as installing radiant floor heating and environmentally friendly faucets and fixtures. Even if green bathroom remodeling isn’t high on your list of priorities, it’s something that should be considered, especially if you might sell your home in the future, as buyers are increasingly looking for eco friendly products and conveniences. The good news here is that although some green bathroom materials are slightly more expensive than their traditional counterparts, the majority cost about the same and most will contribute to overall household savings.