Bathroom remodel adds value to a home but watch cost
Be they half or full, real estate experts concede that bathrooms are the one area of the home that owners definitely will use while they live there, and updated bathrooms are a major considerations in resales.
The focus now is on making bathrooms a soothing environment, akin to a retreat found in high-end hotels. “When you are getting ready in the morning, you want it to be pretty. Like going to a spa,” said Jeff Lichtenstein, owner of Echo Fine Properties in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
So what’s the best way to go about turning a ho-hum shower, sink and toilet room into an attractive space?
Experts recommend sticking to five guidelines.
First, hire a licensed contractor for your bathroom remodel.
It sounds like no big deal to rip out old vanities and fixtures, and install new ones.
But unless you really understand plumbing and electrical, too much can go wrong, said Austin Doherty, owner of Palm Beach Premier Remodeling in Lake Worth Beach, Fla.
Do-it-yourself demolition can accidently damage infrastructure. Leaks can spring from improperly installed plumbing, added Rosario Terrano of Terrano Plumbing and Remodeling in Boca Raton, Fla.
You could have mold behind old tiles in your shower requiring treatment and removal.
Plus, “when you do your own demo, you’re not going to save that much, and it’s a hard job,” added Roy Kisos of Atlantic View Builders in Boynton Beach, Fla.
To ensure an easier process, hire one company that can source work to their preferred subcontractors and more easily coordinate a project.
Second, the best trend is no trend, so go easy on the fancy details.
Experts say the best design is one that is clean, airy and simple. Frameless shower doors give an open feel. Stick to light-colored tiles, countertops and cabinets, too.
Feel fee to steer away from the gray-and-white combo that’s been the rage, said Andrea Aragon, owner of Lapis Designs Consulting in Palm Beach Gardens, as creams and beiges are increasingly popular and pops of color can easily be added with bathroom décor. Natural woods also are making a comeback in the bathroom, Doherty added.
Skip the wallpaper in a room with a shower or bath as the humidity will cause peeling. If you must be fussy, a powder room without a bath or shower can be the place for a busier or bolder design.
In many cases, a contractor will suggest a homeowner order their own materials. In other cases, a contractor or kitchen designer will provide a range of materials from which to choose.
Third, it’s OK to be creative with fixtures.
These days, showers are being redone to add a new shower head and a hand-held faucet. Niches for soaps and shampoos also are popular.
In high-end homes, some showers are replete with a steam shower, massage shower and extras such as digital displays, lights and even music.
Bidets are big right now, too, but they may need an outlet to be installed by an electrician.
So-called smart toilets can come with other bells and whistles including lights, “night lights,” heated seats and remote controls. Prices can reach thousands of dollars, compared to under $1,000 for a standard toilet.
Lighting, mirrors, faucets and cabinet pulls offer creative leeway, gold tones are in now, but the next owner can easily make a change to suit preferences.
Likewise, lighted mirrors and even ones with embedded televisions are in style.
Cabinet styles today often feature flat fronts, pull-out drawers, and exterior self-closing drawers.
You can buy standard towel bars, but a heated towel rack is a simple luxury, especially during colder months. Once again, however, they may require electrical wiring.
Fourth, be realistic about price. How much does it cost to rebuild a bathroom?
Bathroom renovations can range from $15,000 to $20,000 or higher for a redo of a guest bathroom, including labor and materials. Master bathrooms can run more.
But customization and specialized items can quickly drive the price up much higher if you aren’t careful, Aragon said.
For instance, some natural stones for the vanity top, such as marble or quartzite, are pricey. So if cost is an issue, consider a similar-looking stone top in granite.
There’s also engineered quartz, a man-made material using quartz stone. Laminate also is an inexpensive choice, and today there are more color options than ever before.
Fifth, think about the future. Make your bathroom safer.
Homes that have a tub/shower combo in one room should probably keep the tub to make the space more attractive to future owners who may need to bathe children.
But if you’re a little older and plan to stay in your home for several more years, consider adding some modifications to make your bathroom space safer.
Bench seating in showers is a popular option, particularly when paired with a hand-held shower head. Grab bars are also a good safety feature.
Terrano said she also specializes in curbless entry showers that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Alexandra Clough is a business writer and columnist at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at [email protected]. On X (formerly known as Twitter): @acloughpbp. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
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