With Bathroom Renovations, Don’t Let Your Money Go Down the Drain

Remodeling the bathroom can be more work than simply painting walls, installing new products, and changing cabinetry. Many homeowners try to do the work themselves, but they tend not to realize how large the project is, or find problems with their house. James Adams, owner of Adams’ Remodeling, agrees, saying that he has seen old plumbing that needs to be replaced and wet and moldy studs. Adams says that it is important to replace all old plumbing and materials during a renovation. “The best thing to do is to replace everything new while you’re there,” says Adams. “Don’t do it halfway and don’t take shortcuts.” Terri Marcus, an interior designer, prepares homeowners for what-if situations, considering anything that could go wrong. Marcus works with her clients by collecting general information about them, such as who will be using the bathroom, whether it will be used for adults or children, and what the client is looking for overall. She then asks about their favorite books, favorite movies, where they go on vacation, and what hobbies they have. She also asks what the family does together. Marcus then streamlines the process by choosing a few colors and fixtures based on the information she has received and takes a few samples to the client, which lowers the amount of time it takes to make a decision. For those people that want to hire help to renovate, Marcus encourages asking friends who they would recommend and looking through interior design registries, since there are some people who do not meet the qualifications and do not have criminal background checks. She also urges homeowners to ask for references and to interview multiple designers. Adams suggests checking with the Better Business Bureau before hiring a contractor. Finally, contractors should buy materials because they know what they need. If the markup is more than 30 percent, the price should be negotiated, or the homeowner should find another contractor. | Read More