Fact: Home renovations cost a lot of money. Fact: Home renovations can recoup a lot of money at resale. Fact: You don’t have to completely gut your home to create a fresh new look for your home, though it isn’t the worst idea anyone’s ever had…
When it comes to renovations, you want to be sure that the upgrades you’re making service your daily life as much as they increase the overall value of your home. Bathroom renovations are neck and neck with Kitchen renovations in both popularity and return value. So what kind of reno do you attempt with your bathroom and will it be worth it?
Renovation vs. Remodel
First and foremost, you’ll need to decide what actually needs doing. If there’s an issue of space or the layout is funky, or the toilet goes out in a beautifully vintage bathroom, then you might be looking at jumping into a renovation. If, however, you just want a simple facelift for your private escape, then remodeling a few of the cosmetics will do you just fine. What’s the difference? Just that. Renovations are major home improvements that often result in wiping the slate completely clean and starting over from scratch. Remodeling is less expensive and comes down to visual aesthetics, but there’s still a lot you can do with a remodel.
The Return
When it comes to choosing what to “fix” in your bathroom, function should be the top priority in decision making. Older houses tend to have quirky little layouts or designs. There’s nothing wrong with a beautifully tiled house from the 50s. But if something in that decadent retro restroom goes awry, you might have to scrap the whole thing and start new. At then end of the day, however, you can expect a full return for a minor bathroom remodel.
Minor remodels include new faucet, fixtures, or handles/knobs. New floors and a new mirror can also keep you within the minor remodel range. Instead of replacing the cabinets, give them a fresh coat of paint or update their facing. As for storage, you’ll want enough space to accommodate all the essential toiletries, but you don’t need to go bananas adding extra storage, unless you’re working on a new Master Bathroom Suite.
With full renovations, you can still get back a pretty penny. On average, major bathroom renovations will bring back about 86% – 88% of the initial investment. With this you can install floor to ceiling tile, new sink, toilet, tub, and cabinets. If you’re replacing the major fixtures in your bathroom, take this opportunity to install a low-flow toilet and energy efficient faucets.
Worth It?
Definitely. Whether you go big or small, the bathroom is a place that is used by everyone all the time. Increasing the function and aesthetic in this room will reap major benefits. Bathrooms are being thought of more and more as a place to get away from the rest of the busy world. Nothing helps melt away stress like a nice long soak in the tub. Adding spa elements to enhance that feeling of escape and relaxation are becoming increasingly popular. Whatever you decide to do, if your bathroom needs a little love, there’s no need to hesitate.