Maybe you’ve looked at remodeling magazines and come to the conclusion you don’t have the space or budget to achieve the bathroom remodeling design of your dreams. So – how do you get a high style small bathroom on a budget? I’d recommend you use these 5 tips to get you on your way:
Use the Internet – Undoubtedly the greatest research tool ever invented is the Internet. While you can make yourself a little nuts with research consider focusing your time on either the most costly elements of your small bathroom project and the most unique items (the ones you’re not likely to find in your local market). This process might not only save you big bucks, but you’ll also be able to source products that can make your bathroom the coolest home on the block.
Find remnants to save money and add style – The great thing about having a small bathroom is you don’t need large sections of different building materials. For example I had a couple in Cleveland Ohio who purchased a unique granite countertop for a bathroom vanity that was actually a left over piece from a larger project the granite supplier sold 6 months earlier. Saving money and looking cool – now that’s the ticket!
Less bling – simple design and function – Create a small bathroom which is cool, neat, calming and functional. Use a small vanity, pedestal sink or mirrors to visually open up the small space. Consider adding safety, increased function, and cool design by converting a tub into a in shower. This can actually be done now in a space as small as 60” x 32” and it’s even possible to create a glass block walk in shower for more light and an open feeling for this space. Use colors that are calming. Put candles into the space for a resort spa experience, but don’t put the candles close to the blinds.
Use elbow grease and quality craftsman – A wise person knows what they don’t know. Look at the project and your skill set. If you’re good at tearing things down and tile work do the demo and tile work yourself. For higher skilled work – plumbing, electrical and finished trim work like cabinetry and crown moldings – it may be best to hire a professional contractor.
When choosing a bathroom remodeling contractor – insist on quality work – There is a latin phrase – “caveat emptor” – which means “let the buyer beware.” Choosing the cheapest contractor might be just that – you’ll get cheap low quality work. Look for contractors who are positively rated on services like Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau.
Do you have a good or bad experience with small bathroom remodeling you’d like to share? Can I assist you with your project?
President of Innovate Building Solutions a nationwide supplier and regional (Cleveland and Columbus) remodeling contractors. Some of our product lines include glass counters, floors, backsplashes, glass blocks and grout free shower and tub wall panels
Comments (3)
Dee
Do not hire out of the newspaper. Ask frendis, family, people you work with who they have had do similar jobs and ask if they are happy with the results. A satisfied customer is your best advertisement. Check with any associations that might be in your area. Do you have a building supply store (local owned and operated) that you buy things from? Ask them for referrals; they know who is good and who isn’t.I’ve heard really mixed reviews about installers for Home Depot and Lowe’s. Some people are happy and some are majorly pissed off.Get 3-5 estimates for the job. Immediately toss out the high and the low. Which contractor did you connect with the best? Have the best communication? Which asked questions about what YOU wanted? Which suggested things that might need to be done for building code reasons or safety reasons?Compare the estimates completely. Look for someone using a lot more materials than others. Look for using a lot less materials. Either is a warning sign. And be sure to ask if they are insured and bonded. Any reputable contractor will be. Make sure they are; if they aren’t and you didn’t investigate and something happens, you could be held liable for hiring an uninsured contractor.I could give you a long list of contractor horror stories just from my experiences. We’re putting a new roof on later this summer and the gentleman who is doing it has done numerous roofs for people we know or have had contact with and comes highly recommended. And when he was here for the estimate, he asked questions, made suggestions, looked you square in the eye when he talked to you. And if I asked a question, he answered me, not my husband. I can’t tell you how that drives me right up the wall! I will not hire anyone who does that because they are discounting me.
admin
Elaine,
I think we may have talked before about your glass block shower. I’m sure you can incorporate heat lamps inside your shower space to keep a walk in shower warmer. If you want some additional technical advice on this I’ve got a very good construction guy in my company named John you could talk to as well.
Mike Foti
Elaine
I’m interested in a glass block shower. My bedroom design is very open with a cathedral ceiling so I’m concerned about getting too cold while showering. I’d like some guidance on providing heat in the shower without installing a steam unit.
Are there ‘heat lamps’ or some other method you recommend or have seen in past projects?
Dee
Do not hire out of the newspaper. Ask frendis, family, people you work with who they have had do similar jobs and ask if they are happy with the results. A satisfied customer is your best advertisement. Check with any associations that might be in your area. Do you have a building supply store (local owned and operated) that you buy things from? Ask them for referrals; they know who is good and who isn’t.I’ve heard really mixed reviews about installers for Home Depot and Lowe’s. Some people are happy and some are majorly pissed off.Get 3-5 estimates for the job. Immediately toss out the high and the low. Which contractor did you connect with the best? Have the best communication? Which asked questions about what YOU wanted? Which suggested things that might need to be done for building code reasons or safety reasons?Compare the estimates completely. Look for someone using a lot more materials than others. Look for using a lot less materials. Either is a warning sign. And be sure to ask if they are insured and bonded. Any reputable contractor will be. Make sure they are; if they aren’t and you didn’t investigate and something happens, you could be held liable for hiring an uninsured contractor.I could give you a long list of contractor horror stories just from my experiences. We’re putting a new roof on later this summer and the gentleman who is doing it has done numerous roofs for people we know or have had contact with and comes highly recommended. And when he was here for the estimate, he asked questions, made suggestions, looked you square in the eye when he talked to you. And if I asked a question, he answered me, not my husband. I can’t tell you how that drives me right up the wall! I will not hire anyone who does that because they are discounting me.
admin
Elaine,
I think we may have talked before about your glass block shower. I’m sure you can incorporate heat lamps inside your shower space to keep a walk in shower warmer. If you want some additional technical advice on this I’ve got a very good construction guy in my company named John you could talk to as well.
Mike Foti
Elaine
I’m interested in a glass block shower. My bedroom design is very open with a cathedral ceiling so I’m concerned about getting too cold while showering. I’d like some guidance on providing heat in the shower without installing a steam unit.
Are there ‘heat lamps’ or some other method you recommend or have seen in past projects?
Thanks!!