As the 2020 coronavirus pandemic continues and homes continue to function as schools, offices, and living spaces, you might have noticed problem areas in your home. After all, families are spending more time than usual around each other. Maybe kitchen counter space is limited, living room organization has broken down, or there have been debates over places where homework and work can get done.

Maybe your bathroom has also become an area of tension. Since schedules have shifted and more family members may be home during the day, it’s more important than ever that your bathroom or bathrooms work well for your family. You might have tried some re-organizing or small updates, but you’ve noticed that your bathroom just isn’t functioning as well as it could.

Maybe outdated colors are dragging your bathroom into another era and making it an unpleasant place to be. Or, maybe that outdated color comes with fixtures that have seen better days—like a tub or tile that’s been chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged over time. Or maybe the space just isn’t working for your family and you know that you’d like to make big changes to the layout of the bathroom.

This article is here to help! We’ll lay out some big considerations for a bathroom remodel and bathroom remodeling ideas, including some common questions, some cost-saving tips, and some big things to look out for.

What kind of renovation do I want to do?

The more changes you make, the higher your costs—remember that plumbing work can easily rack up and result in a major price tag. But also keep in mind that bathroom renovations bring more happiness than any other home project—that means that homeowners get more joy from the function, beauty, and results that come from a bathroom remodel than they do from the renovation of any other room. A bathroom remodel also recoups a lot of its costs during resale—a mid-scale remodel will recoup about 67% of costs

But also keep in mind that more doesn’t necessarily equal better. A high-end remodel with all the bells and whistles will only recoup about 60% of costs. And keep in mind that changing the footprint of the bathroom quickly racks up costs—if you want to move the tub across the room, the demolition and plumbing work, along with work on the floor and walls, will rack up the costs quickly. So if there are no problems with the current layout of the bathroom, you might limit the scale of your renovation to smaller changes.

What are the most important things to update?

Whether you’re thinking about selling or whether that’s a long way off, functionality is key in a remodel. Repairing any damage—whether that’s to the floor under the tile, to the plumbing, or even something like cracks around the bathtub drain or overflow valve areas—should be among the first concerns.

Think about low-maintenance and durable countertops and flooring—porcelain or ceramic tiles or natural stone are common choices, though not the only options you have available. Storage—like adding cabinets—and updating lighting can also be impactful changes. A double vanity can be another big-value update. Buyers (and your wallet) will appreciate energy-efficient and modern fixtures.

Keep in mind that potential future buyers might be scared off by wild design choices—that neon green tile might be right up your alley, but a bit much for others. But remember that you’ll be spending a lot of time in this space, and it should be something you like—fun-shaped tiles or a statement wall can be a great way to mix up traditional tiled walls, especially in a bathroom geared towards kids. Pick features that you’ll get good use from and enjoy using for a very long time—and remember to budget wisely and plan for surprises. It’s better to have money left at the end of the project!

What if there’s damage to my existing fixtures?

While it might seem that you need to replace a damaged bathtub, that’s often not the case: bathtub chip repair is possible! Porcelain, steel, cast iron, fiberglass, acrylic, or cultured marble shower and tub damage can be repaired during a process called reglazing or refinishing.

In this process, the top coating is stripped away and replaced by a new high-gloss coating, and professionals can repair cracks or chips. This process can also update an outdated color to any color of your choice—whether that’s a clean-looking bright white or a trendy statement color. Refinishing can also be a great option for tile or sinks—damage or wear can easily be repaired and made to look like new.  

How much does it cost to refinish a bathtub?

While the exact cost of a project will depend on the circumstances, the good news is that if you refinish shower, tub, or tile areas, the cost is a fraction of the price of replacement. Reglazing spares you not only the cost of a new fixture, but the costs of demolition, removal, plumbing, and installation. These costs rack up quickly, especially if you’re changing the location, size, or shape of the tub or the footprint of the shower.

The reglazing process also only takes a few hours, plus a few more hours for the new coating to set. This means that your bathroom isn’t out of commission for days or even weeks at a time (and, during social distancing, gives you the added benefit of limiting the number of people coming in and out of your house, and limiting the amount of time they’ll be there).

Where can I find bathtub reglazing near me? The Tub Pros serves the greater Memphis area of the Mid-South. Our factory-certified technicians are trained in every step of the process, and equipped to keep your home and family safe! Our tub, tile, shower, sink, and countertop refinishing can get your space looking and functioning great again, while preventing long-term damage to fixtures. Ready to get started? Give us a call at (901) 871-8827 or use our convenient online form today!

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