Does your bath need a simple coat of paint, some colorful accessories, and a new
faucet to bring it into the twenty-first century? Or is it completely outdated
or seriously nonfunctional? Is it unsafe because there are no anti-scalding
valves? Is there mold or mildew damage or evidence of leaks? Major concerns
like these may demand a partial or complete renovation rather than just a few
cosmetic touches.
When attempting a bath renovation, ask yourself these important questions: What
don’t you like about the room? What doesn’t work? Do you really need to replace all the fixtures? Do you need to move them
to different locations in order to improve traffic flow? Is the existing bath
too small? Where can you find extra square footage to add? What do you want the
room to become—an updated but basic, functional bathroom or a sumptuous spa-like indulgence?
And, most importantly, what is your budget for this project?
The answers to these questions will help you decide whether you want to and are
able to do the entire project yourself or will have to employ professionals,
such as plumbers, electricians, and designers, to complete the project
successfully. Should you decide to tackle this project on your own, direction
and support are available in magazines and online. Web sites such as
www.hgtv.com, www.diynetwork.com, and www.thisoldhouse.com offer tons of
technical and design information. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) provides a complete Bath Planner that you can download
free at www.nkba.org. This full-color brochure presents the basics of bath
remodeling, several educational pointers, and a variety of photos to help you
choose your style and design.
If you decide to hire professionals to complete the entire project or to handle
some of the aspects that you aren’t comfortable doing yourself, remember to do some research before signing any
contracts. Find plumbers, builders, or electricians through referrals from
friends, neighbors, relatives, and business associates. Interview three
contractors for each specialty and ask a lot of relevant questions, including
how long the project will take, when it will start, and how they will handle
any problems that might come up during construction.
Request that each contractor provide a complete and detailed quote in writing
with a payment structure and timing. Confirm that they hold all the required
state and local licenses necessary and ask whether they have any designations
from professional organizations such as the NKBA or the National Association of
Home Builders. Check that they have insurance and verify that the policy is in
effect the entire length of your project. Request to see some of each
contractor’s finished projects. Once you have decided whom you will hire, get all the
details in writing.
Important Considerations
During the construction process, keep in mind these important construction
points:
• A powder room needs at least sixteen square feet to be serviceable and a full
bath about thirty-six to forty square feet.
• Green board, as opposed to traditional drywall, is necessary in areas that are
exposed to water, such as the walls surrounding a shower or a tub, but it can
be advantageous in the entire full bath because it doesn’t absorb steam or humidity.
• Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are required by code to protect
electric receptacles in areas that may be wet. These circuit “breakers” stop the flow of electricity, which can prevent a potentially fatal shock from
an electric appliance.
• Low-flow toilets are required by law in all new and remodeled bathrooms. These
toilets use only 1.6 gallons of water per flush (GPF), helping the environment
and saving you money.
• Proper ventilation to the outside is important to eliminate problems with mold and mildew in a full bath. A ducted exhaust fan is
rated by how many cubic feet of air per minute it moves. To find out how large
a fan you need, divide the cubic footage of the room by 7.5.
• If you install a grab bar in the shower or tub, make sure you bolt it directly to the studs for stability and security.
As featured in
Your Home and Lifestyle
Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
All measurements are approximate.
Copyright 2011 Network Communications Inc.
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