Smart Investing: Bathroom Remodel
Posted January 26th, 2009 by PaigeWhile homeowners are becoming ever more conservative in their spending with the volatile economy, some see the downturn as a way to take advantage of great deals.
While clearance sales in malls seem to be catching some consumer’s eyes, the deals aren’t just in the retail sector. There are great opportunities to save in the remodeling industry too.
If you’ve been considering a remodel, this might be the perfect time to start. And the perfect project? It could be a bathroom remodel.
According to a recent article in Forbes Magazine, remodeling material costs are down. This is especially true for copper materials, such as the copper piping and plumbing supplies needed for a bathroom remodel.
While you’re saving money on materials, you’ll also be gaining value on your home. In the 2008-09 Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling Magazine showed a bathroom remodel as one of the projects that increased in return on value compared to the 2007-08 report. Just under 71 percent of the cost was recouped with the bathroom remodeling project.
Even in a recession, it’s always good to look for the silver lining.
Tags: building materials, housing crisis
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January 28th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Is there anything I can do to re-do an old vanity in my bathroom to give it a nice makeover without the very expensive costs?
January 30th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Hi Chanel,
There are plenty of ways to re-do an existing vanity. A lot of it will depend on the kind of vanity you have, but here are three tips I recommend.
1. Reface your vanity cabinets: You can reface your vanity by sanding it down and replacing it with a new stain, or simply painting it a new color. New color always helps to update and recreate any room.
2. Install New Lighting: New vanity lighting will aid in the usefulness of your vanity. Add new fixtures that add style, and perhaps a dimmer option so you have multiple lighting options for touching up makeup, or to create a soft atmosphere for a relaxing bath.
3. Change Your Countertops: By changing the surface of your vanity countertop, you can incorporate new materials for a new focal point and a new look. Consider marble, or maybe recycled glass.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I will be selling my house wihtin 6months and have a few costmetic things i would like to do in my hal bath, like a new sink and mirror, however i have an old house with plaster wall, currently with a wall-mounted sink, I am nervous to take the project on and have th replace the entire wall after pulling it out?
Any suggestions?
March 24th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Kara,
I had a friend who just replaced all their plumbing in a older home — needless to say walls were torn apart in many of the rooms.
However, drywall is actually a low maintenace job, as long as the person attempting the project knows what they are doing.
You’ll want to hire a handyman to ensure someone with experience is doing the job, and will do it right. They will need to cut a clean hole around the area that the plumber will need access to to replace the sink. Clean lines and a neat cut will make replacing it afterwards that much easier.
Once the project is finished bring your handyman in to patch the area that was cut through. You may need to repaint the area to match your current color.
Hope this helps!
May 14th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
I was searching blogs for information on bathroom upgrades, read your blog and would like to share the following information about granite counter tops:
Granite counter tops are very affordable for both kitchens and bathrooms. Today, homeowners can go to any Lowe’s Home Improvement Store nationwide, order granite vanity tops for their bathrooms in a wide assortment of popular granite colors custom made by Jackson Stoneworks and they will be delivered in 14-21 days. (www.jacksonstoneworks.com).
Granite Ranked 1st in Cleanability. In a recent study, E. coli bacteria was used as a contaminating agent and Granite ranked 1st in Cleanability. The findings show significant cleanability advantages of natural granite countertops over almost all other commonly found countertop surface materials.
Granite counter tops can provide a lifetime of beauty and pleasure when properly cared for. Learn about stone care recommendations by DuPont at their website www2.dupont.com/Stone_Tech_Professional.
September 9th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I agree with Paiges comment. Start with refacing your cabinets and replacing counter tops. That always makes a old bathroom look great again.
September 30th, 2009 at 7:19 am
Great post , useful info
November 19th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
This blog is right on! NOW is the time to remodel. Especially since a lot of people are upside down in their homes, with real estate being down and all. It seems like the best place to put that money is your home where you can at least enjoy the benefits of it.