6 Things You Should Know Before Starting a Bathroom Remodel, According to Reddit
Even with its small size, as compared to other spaces in your home, a bathroom can pack a formidable bunch in the renovation department. Its plethora of easily breakable materials — floor tiles, wall tiles, mirrors — are intertwined with the complications of plumbing and electrical, and they all exist within the confines of a few hundred square feet (if you’re lucky). Tackling an overhaul in this space can be a very big undertaking, and for some DIYers (or even homeowners looking to hire pros for the job), truly understanding that doesn’t come until after the process has already started.
Don’t get me wrong — bathrooms can be fun to redo, which is why you should still attempt it if the idea has been on your mind. After all, the possibilities for printed wallpaper, patterned tiles, and one-of-a-kind accessories make it an ideal space to stretch your creativity. It’s just a good idea to go into the process with as many realistic expectations as exciting design choices.
Recently, one Reddit user who was about to take on their own bathroom redo asked the Home Improvement subreddit for “tips or things they wish they’d known” before their own bathroom remodels. The commenters’ knowledgeable replies spanned everything from style to function, and these six in particular stood out as ones to remember. The smart tips can potentially make the difference between “job well done” and “better luck next time” — so if you’re working toward your own bathroom reno, it’s time to take notes.
Take your expected timeline and budget, and expand both.
As is the case with pretty much every type of home renovation, the expectation for how long the project will take and how much it will cost almost never matches up with reality.
One commenter frankly noted that “it will take longer than you expect,” but another put the timeline into context. “Supply chains, plumbing, electrical, and tile will surprise you,” says user u/UnilateralWithdrawl. “Add ten percent more time and 20 percent more cost for every decade older than 1990.”
To prepare for this, the Redditors suggested creating a contingency plan for your project. Be as flexible as you can with certain design choices, and make sure all of your supplies are in hand before starting to work. And if you’re hiring professionals at any point in the process, keep communication clear — and know exactly what needs to be accomplished. It’s easy to let a budget and timeline get out of hand if you’re not on the same page.
“As others have said though, don’t pay them the last amount due until you are 100 percent satisfied with the work,” says user u/Spikedjuicebox. “I personally think it’s fair to pay for work as it’s being completed, as long as you are satisfied with the work so far.”
Add an outlet by the toilet — just in case.
As both high-tech and low-tech bidets become more popular in America, so too are renovations that anticipate them. User u/efects recommended putting an outlet near a toilet for this if-you-don’t-know-now-you-know addition, and others agreed. “Yes, everyone, please do this even if you don’t want one now,” says user u/Shibabao. “The electric ones are so nice: [a] warmed seat and instant hot water.”
Make sure your shower is properly waterproofed.
Water is tricky: It can leak for years before it becomes a noticeable problem, and at the point of discovery it’s usually an expensive fix. So it’s no wonder that many Redditors advised checking for water damage before doing any work — one even said to take the room down to the studs to do so — and double-checking that the shower is waterproofed well. It’s a job that’s probably best handled by a professional.
“Make absolutely sure that the person you hire is going to waterproof the shower properly,” says another user. “Many contractors cut corners, or just avoid this all together, and it’s absolutely critical to have a waterproof shower enclosure before you set any tile.”
Tiling is an art form, so treat it as such.
Aside from the conversation around choosing the right tile — some said to go bold, while others recommended going timeless — many Redditors agreed that installing tile correctly requires skill. You don’t want to see any seams in your shower pan, on the walls, or along the floor, and that can be an easy mistake to make without know-how (yours or a professional’s).
“I don’t know your level of experience, but if you have never tiled before, I’d recommend using whole tiles rather than tiles that have a ton of small spaces that grout needs to fill,” says user u/SpicyTostada. “I made this mistake my first time tiling, and although I did it, it was much harder than I anticipated and was very intricate.”
You’ll want lighting in a place you won’t expect.
Everyone knows that good lighting alongside a vanity is a must (and so is planning for any electrical that’s needed in order to get the look you’d like). But user u/jesmasco had one thing to add about lighting that can be easily forgotten: You want it above your bathtub or shower, too.
“I don’t know why there’s a trend to have a ton of lights in the vanity, but nothing in other areas,” they said. “I [installed] a six-inch LED recessed light right above the shower; it’s a blessing.”
Heated flooring is a luxury that’s worth the splurge.
If you’re planning to rip out and replace the flooring in your bathroom, the topic of installing radiant heat may come up as a detail that would be nice to have. While it can be expensive, at least in comparison to other aspects of this room, lots of Redditors said that it was worth it to add the feature while it was an option (since a later add would mean opening up the floors all over again). “The benefit is quickly realized when stepping on cold tile,” says user u/decaturbob.