Sometime in the next few months, I hope to remodel our master bathroom on a budget. I’m aiming to spend around $5,000, less than half the national average for a small renovation of the loo. We’ve got to get going on our projects because the clock is ticking as we look toward moving to Plum Prairie Ranch in about five years.
I’ve been planning this project so long that the original mosaic tile went out of stock at Floor and Decor more than three years ago. My second choice disappeared about two years ago. I want to hurry and complete the project before my third choice goes bye-bye.
More than two years ago I began tearing the wallpaper off the walls. Wallpaper is evil. Also, our bathroom is carpeted. What moron in the 1990s thought this was a great idea?
The timing of the project depends on the Fix-it Farmer’s schedule because he will provide the muscle and most of the power tool know how. We both have completed minor plumbing repairs (and one that we started and then made an emergency call to a plumber on Sunday night before the first day of school). Good times.
Budget bathroom remodeling ideas
Sticking to a budget during a renovation can be challenging. For the two years I’ve been dreaming about this project, I’ve kept a spreadsheet of costs for the vanities, tile, plumbing, hardware, lighting and toilet. I’ve also added hundreds of dollars for exciting items like wallboard, mortar and grout. It’s also smart to have a 10 to 20 percent contingency allowance for items you forgot or problems that arise.
We should have most of the tools we need. Shawn has most common power tools. Several years ago, we tiled the girls’ bathroom. For that project, we bought an inexpensive tile saw, which will come in handy on this project.
I’ve spent a lot of time in recent weeks looking at other bloggers’ bathroom remodels, especially those who did most of the work themselves. I especially appreciated the ones that included a detailed breakdown of the cost AND time involved. Here are a handful I found helpful.
Great ideas from talented bloggers
John and Sherry from Young House Love include how long each part of the project took, a detailed budget and a list of tools. They are soooo encouraging. This post is several years old, and at the time, this was their first bathroom reno. Looking at the hours per project helps me calibrate my expectations.
Tasha at Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body reveals her gorgeous remodel here. Along with her detailed budget, she mentions a few jobs she hired out. AND she tells what it cost her for the professional services.
I’m super impressed with Kristi at Addicted 2 Decorating for her beautiful budget bathroom remodel. She did nearly all the work all by herself, including some complex building projects (vanity, wainscoting, tiling, wooden countertop, ceiling treatment). She’s a rock star in my book. I would like to do wainscoting in my bathroom and trim out my mirrors in a similar fashion.
Finally, Rachel at Maison de Pax shows off her lovely reno and discusses where to save and where to splurge. She reminds us the best way to save is to do much of the labor ourselves. I plan to splurge on a frameless shower door and granite counters. I will save on bargain hunting for the vanities and keeping the major pieces in the same location.
This will not be my dream bathroom because we’re on a budget and this house I’m now viewing as a “flip.” What improvements can we make to give us the biggest bang for our bucks? Even so, I’m excited to have a much-improved master bath. No carpet allowed.
Do you have any remodeling ambitions? What project do you want to tackle next?