Most Common Mistakes People Make When Trying To Remodel a Bathroom

If you have a Pinterest board that's exclusively filled with ideas for your next dream bathroom, you need to read this. You also need to read this if you're rearing to go on a stellar new bathroom upgrade.

Imagining and planning a bathroom remodel is an exciting spot to be in. You're probably teeming with ideas and expectations about how beautiful it will look and how great it will feel to basque underneath your new waterfall showerhead.

Before you dive headfirst into building your spa-like oasis, take a minute to read and understand some of the most common bathroom remodeling mistakes people make while doing their bathroom renovation project.

Breaking the Budget With Bathroom Design

This one might not be a surprise. People tend to go way over budget on a bathroom remodel. Bathroom remodels in Portland cost, on average, anywhere from $8,000-$75,000! That is a very wide range.

Bathrooms are unique spaces because, more than other rooms in the house, everything must be cohesive for it to look put together. The bathroom fixtures, flooring, tub, toilet, shower walls, bathroom vanity, all the fixtures, and even the light switches and grout lines need to mesh well together. There is so much crammed into such a small space. No wonder people get carried away!

Before you get too carried away with visions of Carrara marble and Restoration Hardware lighting, take some time to do your research and create a realistic budget for yourself. And, if you're not handy, be sure to account for the cost of labor in your budget as well.

How To Make a Budget and Get Exactly What You Want

If you need help creating a budget, contact a local remodeler and ask them for a quote or a project bid. That way, you can get a preliminary understanding of what costs are expected to be for your vision.

If you plan on doing things yourself, you'll have to do a lot of measuring and researching to find out all the material costs, as well as decide on things like fixtures and lighting. Spreadsheets are super helpful for this!

Again, it's recommended that you use a seasoned bathroom renovator, but if you're going to go the DIY route, here are a few quick tips:

• Don't skimp and get cheap plumbing fixtures.
• Ensure you allow for proper ventilation. You need a quality bathroom fan to get proper ventilation for your shower and for odors, especially if you have a small bathroom.
• Don't spring for the steam shower if it means cheapening out on attractive toiletries or quality general lighting. If you're on a budget, prioritize all-around quality instead of splurging on one luxury and compromising on equally important aspects of your bathroom remodeling project.

How to Stay On Budget With Your Bathroom Remodel

Hiring a professional company with interior designers at the ready will help save you money in the long run because they know the consequences of deviating from the budget and they know how to keep you on track.

Plus, if you can't find an affordable design on your own, they'll know exactly where to find what you're looking for to give you your perfect bathroom.

If you plan on doing everything yourself, make sure you don't switch up the plan too much along the way, at least not without logging it and keeping track of expenses. If you don't do this, you're guaranteed to get way off track. That leads us to our next common mistake.

Poor Planning

This mistake is closely related to breaking the budget. People often dive into a bathroom remodel without any real plan or idea of what they want. This can lead to many wasted hours, products, and dollars down the line.

It's important to have a firm idea of the look you're going for before starting anything. If you haven't done so already, do your research, browse Pinterest and Houzz for ideas, and get inspired!

Then, take those ideas to a bathroom renovation company like RUPP Family Builders to get the job done right and on time. They've been around the block once or twice. You can trust them wholeheartedly with any bathroom renovation project.

Their friendly staff, experienced contractors, and interior designers will help make a good plan for you, and they'll be there every step of the way.

Remember, you only want to do one bathroom remodel, not one plus a bonus fix-it job.

Failing to Waterproof

Another common mistake people make when remodeling a bathroom, especially when doing it themselves, is that they fail to seal all their edges properly.

Failing to waterproof the edges of your sink, shower, vanity, toilet, tub, and plumbing fixtures is hazardous because water will find its way through the flooring, walls, and furniture, and cause all sorts of damage over time. This damage can include rotting, mold, and staining.

Not only will it ruin your remodel, but it can also lead to some costly repairs in the future.

It seems like an obvious thing to avoid now that you're aware, but remodeling a bathroom gets tiring. When people are tired, they skip steps or don't take the proper precautions because they're so eager to be done with the project.

Don't be one of those people who gives up at the end. Either do it right the first time or hire a professional team to do it for you.

There Is Such a Thing as Too Bold

Since all of the elements of a bathroom are dependent on each other for a singular, cohesive look, people sometimes get carried away with "theming" their bathroom something wacky.

Haven't you ever walked into a bathroom that's painted bright pink? Or wallpapered with a crazy weird pattern? Or seen someone with a carpeted toilet seat and a blue bathtub?

A Customized Bathroom Renovation Is Okay

Now, this isn't anyone telling you not to make your bathroom unique to you and your needs. This is a gentle reminder that you can have a perfectly distinctive bathroom and still keep it classy.

A pop of color or a fun tile pattern is encouraged, but try to think ahead for when styles change or if you might want to sell. Think about your future self and potential future buyers.

Quick tip: Potential buyers often feel more discouraged at the prospect of redoing eccentric master bathrooms over smaller bathrooms. They have trouble picturing themselves in odd or unusual spaces that are supposed to be a relaxing sanctuary.

There is such a thing as going too bold with your bathroom. If you want to avoid doing that, here are a few tips:

• Stick with neutral colors for the tiles, flooring, and walls.
• Avoid oversized or overly bright light fixtures.
• Don't go too dark, or the space will feel cramped.
• Get a quality vanity and vanity countertop.

This is another reason to use a remodeling company that employs the assistance of interior designers. They can help you decide on all sorts of bathroom designs that will make your entire bathroom a functional space and a sufficient space for your needs. They can help you bring your vision to life while also keeping you grounded.

Final Thoughts

Although they often take place in a small space, bathroom remodeling costs can add up really quickly if you aren't careful.

The design process can be challenging since everything needs to go together in order for the space to look nice.

Plus, the projects that take place in a bathroom generally require a lot more skilled labor than most of us are qualified for. There's plumbing, electrical, tiling, waterproofing, and ventilation systems. It's not a project you want to do over, and it's definitely not one most people can afford to screw up.

Calling a professional team is the best way to avoid mistakes and headaches. Companies like RUPP Family Builders have been in the bathroom reno business for many years. They can help you from start to finish to give you the beautiful, relaxing, and clean space you deserve.