Introduction
The bathroom is one of the rooms of your home you are likely to spend the most time in, or at least to visit the most frequently. Despite that, many homeowners overlook the importance of making this space a nice and well-designed one. If you are starting to wonder about remodeling your bathroom, then we are here to help. Below, you will find a simple step-by-step guide to DIY bathroom remodeling, as well as some selected top DIY tips.
How Much Does it Cost to Remodel Your Bathroom?
The cost of remodeling a bathroom can vary significantly depending on what level of remodeling you are doing. A surface-level remodel is likely to cost you around $10,000, while a full-scale remodel involving moving plumbing layouts could cost up to around $25,000.
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However, a lot of those costs come from labor prices. A DIY bathroom remodel can save you on labor costs, freeing that money up for materials and design.
Planning Your Bathroom Remodel
The most important part of a DIY bathroom remodel is the planning phase. Make sure you choose a design that is both one you are really happy with and one that falls comfortably within your DIY skill set and abilities. Consider important features like color schemes, fixtures, functional storage spaces, and where all the pipes in the room are located before you start.
Tools
Before you get started on your remodel, you will want to get some essential tools together. You will need:
- Safety mask
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Caulking gun
- Silicone sealant
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- Spackle knife
- Spackle
- Stud finder
- Power drill
- Pry bar
- Bucket
- Chisel
- Adjustable wrench
- Flathead screwdriver
- Hacksaw
- Utility knife
- Chalk line
- Extension cord
We would also recommend trying to have access to a cordless drill and a wet-dry shop vac if you can borrow them from somewhere, as they are likely to make the project a bit easier.
Step 1: Remove Old Fixtures
Before you start adding anything, you will want to remove whatever old fixtures you are looking to replace. That means fixtures, piping, tiles, and potentially even drywall. The first part of this process is shutting off the water. Do not do anything to any of the pipes until you have shut the water off completely, or things could go horribly wrong, and you might get very wet!
Step 2: Install New Baths or Showers First
When you are ready to start installing new features for your bathroom, you should start with the largest ones: the bath and/or shower. Getting this out of the way first is important, as you will want all the empty space you can get in order to move large components around without risking damage to your new fittings.
Step 3: Lay the Flooring
Once you have dealt with the largest parts of the bathroom, it is time to lay the new floor. Start by prepping the subfloor carefully, and then you can start to install flooring. Tile is the most popular option for decorating most bathrooms, but laminate or vinyl can be much more affordable. These are not as durable as tile, but they are easier to lay and much cheaper, two qualities that make them very DIY friendly.
If you are using tile, we would recommend grabbing a mason’s chalk and using that to mark reference lines perpendicular to your walls, giving you a guide to help you ensure that you lay your tiles in neat, straight lines.
Step 4: The Walls
Once you are happy with the floor and it has all set firmly in place, your next step should be the walls. This can be one of the most time-consuming steps of the process, as you will have to cut your new drywall to fit around the largest fittings and plumbing in the room. Take your time, and measure carefully for a tight fit.
Once you have got the drywall nailed in place, coat the tub wall area with a waterproofing membrane of some sort to protect it from water damage. When you are happy with the structure, it is time to add some color. Painting your walls can be a quick and easy process, but choosing the paint is an important step. We would recommend a semi-gloss paint of some sort, as a semi-gloss finish is much more resistant to mold and mildew than a matt finish and can be wiped clean more easily.
Step 5: Cabinets and Vanities
When you have done the walls and floor, you can start on the furnishings. Install the vanity first, including the sink system. Once you have got the drains and pipes properly hooked up, you can move on to the cabinets, mirrors, and whatever trim you want around your shower or bathtub.
Step 6: Lighting
Updating your bathroom lighting can be time-consuming. If your chosen new lighting requires any rewiring, you should call in a professional electrician to help you! Take your time and ensure all of your lighting is properly and safely installed.
Step 7: Time for Toilets!
The final stage of your bathroom installation should be the plumbing. This is because it is important to avoid chipping the toilet while you install other features of the bathroom. A chipped or cracked toilet can let down an entire bathroom!
Conclusion
A DIY bathroom renovation does not have to be a complicated project. Take your time with it, and do not be afraid to call in professional tradespeople to help you out if you decide that some of it is too complex to tackle on your own!
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