We share latest trend & tips for Bathroom Renovations here

A bathroom is an area very intensely used over time; hence it is a prime candidate for transformation & renovation. Bathroom renovations tend to be pricey even though it can add significant value to the resale price of a property. Nevertheless, it is crucial for homeowners to plan the renovation project well. Since almost two-thirds of bathroom renovation projects go over the budget, many homeowners will be benefited from more accurate planning & budgeting.
In this helpful guide, we enrich you with strategies and tips for planning your bathroom renovation budget making sure that you will not face any surprise hit at the end.

Who will do the work?

The first step is to determine who is doing the labour? Will you be DIYing the project ? or hiring subcontractors for different phases of it? If not having a bathroom renovation companywho manages the project start to end?
When you hire a renovation company , they will handle all aspects of the project keeping everything moving forward & most of the time subcontracting specific elements of the work. They will use the total price; you pay to cover subcontracting labour, materials and any related cost. Some renovations companies cover the designing services as well.
Alternatively, you may choose to hire subcontractors of your choice, but the management of the project will be your responsibility. If you are not time poor, organisational skills & knowledge, this option can save some money for you. You need to account for the labour cost of subcontractors that you hire.

The average rate of trades ;

Bathroom Designers - $60-$100 per hour
Plumbers - $100-$150 per hour
Electricians - $70-$100 per hour
Carpenters - $40-$80 per hour
Tile Installers - $35per square meter
Handyman - $40-$90 per hour


Whether you are hiring a bathroom renovation company or multiple contractors, you need to work out the payment arrangement with them. In addition to getting the best price quote for the project, they may ask for progress payments, deposits.
It is vital to for both parties to arrange payment plan & terms of payment in advance: The contractors should be assured that they receive the funds when due and they will need to plan the cash flow to make sure that they can purchase materials and pay labour on time.


DIY

If you can do some of the work on bathroom remodelling project yourself, you will be able to save some expenses. A homeowner who is handy may be able to handle most of small to mid-range bathroom remodel. If you are not so skilled at bathroom installation work, you can still save money at the tear-out stage of your bathroom renovation project. However, DIY is not entirely out of cost, because you may need to buy or rent equipment, tools and materials which otherwise contractors already have with them.

What's the Scope?

Next, you need to figure out the intensity of your bathroom transformation work, if it is a facelift of your small bathroom or complete transformation of the master bathroom suite. It will determine the size and allocation of your budget.

Unexpected Costs?

Unexpected costs are the most common culprit of a blown up budget. The tear-out phase of renovation can be the riskiest time for unforeseen expenses because once walls and floors get opened up, you will discover hidden damages such as moulds and water damages which can cost you between $ 500- $3000 to repair it.
Even if you are lucky enough to escape without any hidden damages, you may still need to replace some elements that you thought in good condition initially . for instance if your wiring and plumbing were done many years ago, you may need to update it to keep up with the safety standards.It is better to be safe than sorry, so assuming that you will have unexpected expenses, account them into your budget. It can vary between 10% to 20% of the additional cost.

Material Costs

Buying materials on your own can save some money because contractors may charge a commision for purchasing for you. While you can buy individual pieces like mirror, vanity, lighting and hardware, it is advisable you purchasing the item such as dry walls, insulation through the contractor because it requires some professional knowledge.

Below, we give you a list of standard bathroom materials ;

• Tile
  
• Counter tops
  
• Cabinetry/Vanity
  
• Sinks
  
• Hardware & Accessories
  
• Showers & Tubs
  
• Lighting
  

There is a vast range of variation in prices depending on your taste and requirements. So do your research online or shop around for both high-end shops as well as popular options in IKEA or Bunnings.

Budget Allocation

The budget allocation vary vastly depending on your design choices and priorities, But if you are looking for some standard guideline you can reference below;

• Design - 4%
  
• Labor - 20%
  
• Flooring - 9%
  
• Walls & Ceilings - 5%
  
• Doors & Windows - 4%
  
• Faucets & Plumbing - 14%
  
• Counter tops - 7%
  
• Cabinetry & Hardware - 16%
  
• Fixtures - 15%
  
• Lighting & ventilation - 5%
  
• Other - 1%
  

If you have a luxurious design plan, do not expect to build it within a small budget. Evaluate your expectation and be realistic about what it is going to cost you. Also, time is money, and you should always expect delays in the renovation project. It is better to be prepared for any delays, and if you can not stay in your house, you have to have a plan. Finally, you have to resist “scope creep”i.e. making changes or additions in mid-construction which is always going to cost more. So resist the temptation to keep tacking on “ just one more thing.”