If you’re considering remodeling a bathroom, you probably already know that it will be a big undertaking. With a little bit of research and patience, you can learn how to do the majority of the remodel yourself! Simply follow the guide below.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Remodeling Your Bathroom
Step 1: Plan & Budget
This is the most important step when remodeling a bathroom (or any part of your home). Before you purchase items or start pulling up tile, you should make a clear list of all elements you need as well as how much the total remodel will cost. While figuring out how much your selected sink, tub, and toilet will cost, getting a clear picture of how much you will need to pay any hired help can be a little more difficult.
If you choose to do the entire remodel yourself, be aware of your own skill set and what you’re physically capable of doing. While some aspects of a bathroom remodel are simple (like painting the walls), others are far more challenging (like installing new plumbing or reworking electrical wiring). If you’re second-guessing your ability to do some of the more intricate work, it may be better to hire a professional to take care of these things for you. While hiring someone will up the cost of the remodel, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Finally, consider how long the remodel will take. If you have more than one bathroom in your home, you can likely live without the one you’re remodeling for a little while. However, if you only have one bathroom, you’ll need to get the remodel done quickly. This is where it may be beneficial to bring in professionals for the steps you aren’t confident in – they can likely do it faster due to their experience.
Step 2: Demolition
It can be tempting to go into your old bathroom with a sledgehammer and just start swinging, but the demolition stage should always be controlled and methodical. Even though the professional home renovators on TV look like they’re tearing everything out in a frenzy, remember: you (likely) aren’t a professional, and they have to make the show interesting.
The most important thing to keep in mind while in the demolition phase is to not damage any of the electric or plumbing features. Turn off the water supply and electric to make the process easier and safer. Carefully remove the toilet, vanity, and tub with the help of friends. Once everything is out, inspect for mold, mildew, or water damage. Remove the lighting fixtures (make sure the electric is turned off), towel rack, and other accessories.
Finally, remove tile, backer board, drywall, linoleum, or other materials from the walls and floors. Make sure to inspect for water damage along the way.
Step 3: Plumbing & Electrical Rough-In
This is one of the most complicated steps in the bathroom remodel process. If the new toilet, tub, and vanity have the same plumbing setup as the old elements, all you may need to do is replace the toilet flange, install the new shower pan or tub, and replace the controls for the shower head. If you’re installing a dual sink or dual shower heads when you previously had one, however, you will need to make modifications and install a water line extension.
A similar concept also applies to the electrical rough-in. If you haven’t worked with home wiring before, we highly recommend you call an electrician for this step. This is especially true if you need to install new outlets or add new hookups.
Step 4: Close the Walls
If you took down your previous walls, now is the time to put them back up. In the shower/tub area, install a moisture-resistant board to prevent mold and mildew growth. In all other areas, put up drywall.
Step 5: Paint
Painting is one of the easiest steps when remodeling your bathroom. We recommend painting before the toilet, vanity, and tub/shower are put in to make the process easier. When choosing a paint, make sure that it’s made to stand up to moisture/humidity. Many paint stores can help you with this selection.
Step 6: Install Tile/Flooring
When tiling, we recommend starting with the walls and working your way down. Begin with the shower/tub area (if you’re going to have tile there). If you chose another type of flooring for your bathroom, install that after the walls have been completed. Make sure that the color of the grout you have chosen goes well with the overall color scheme of your bathroom!
Step 7: Install Lights, Exhaust Fan, and Shower Door (if necessary)
Hook up the lights, install the exhaust fan, and put in the shower door if it’s separate from the rest of the shower unit.
Step 8: Install Vanity, Sink, & Toilet
Hook up the plumbing to the sink and the toilet. While this might be one of the simplest steps in the bathroom remodel process, make sure to follow the guides that come with your new plumbing features. There are also a variety of tutorials available on the internet that are applicable to the majority of toilets and sinks. Once all are installed, make sure to check the water flow and fix any leaks.
Step 9: Finish with Accessories
Once all the hard work is done, now you get to have fun and decorate your bathroom! Accessories include towel racks, shelves, other storage options, and art.
Get Bathroom Remodel Necessities at Keidel
If you’re feeling inspired and want to remodel your bathroom, Keidel carries the plumbing and lighting fixtures to help you create the bathroom of your dreams. Stop by our showroom today and get started on your bathroom remodel!