Bathroom Renovations 101: Steps, Cost and What To Do First

Is your bathroom seriously dated? Is the layout awkward and unnatural? If so, it may be time to invest in a bathroom renovation. Whether you’re just moving into your home or preparing to put it on the market, there can be a significant upside to remodeling or renovating your bathroom. Refreshing your master bathroom, guest bath or powder room could even increase your home’s value and pay off in a higher listing price down the road. However, before you enlist professional help, it’s important to know the basics of what goes into a bathroom renovation project.

Here are 4 things you should know before starting your bathroom renovation.

1. set a realistic bathroom renovation budget

At our Chicago interior design firm, MOOD Design + Build, average bathroom renovation cost for a small bathroom or powder room/half bath tends to be between $7,000 to $8,000, and the average bathroom renovation cost for a full bathroom is usually $18,000 to $25,000. Master bathroom renovations are typically $40,000 and up. 

Of course, how much you spend on your bathroom renovation ultimately depends on your personal tastes and budget. More customized features (like custom-made light fixtures, tubs or showers) will naturally increase the pricing for materials as well as for installation.

2. know your bathroom renovation project scope & timeline

The big question on everyone’s mind is “how long does it take to renovate a bathroom?” It’s important to take into consideration that the scope of your bathroom renovation project will determine your timeline. There’s more than meets the eye when planning a bathroom renovation. A simple bathroom design refresh is more cosmetic in nature and will take less time, while a full bathroom renovation or remodel can take several weeks. Here’s a little bathroom renovation checklist to help you determine what type of project you are tackling:

Small bathroom design refresh: Approximately 30 days

• Replace vanity or faucet

• Update shower plumbing

• Replace vanity wall sconces and light fixtures

• Wallpaper, paint, or add new decorative finishes

• Add extra, decorative storage

Full bathroom renovation or remodel: 6-12 weeks (sometimes longer depending on customization). A full bathroom renovation could require mechanical, plumbing, and cosmetic work.

• Possibly move plumbing, electrical, etc.

• Enlarge the space and/or move walls

• Replace bathroom floor tile (field and decorative)

• Upgrade tub or shower

• Add heated floors or specialized shower features

• Incorporate seamless glass and other luxury features

3. choose the right interior design team to execute your bathroom renovation project

The key to any successful home renovation is hiring the right team. When assembling your team or hiring a contractor, there are several things to keep in mind. You want to look for a team of expert designers with years of experience. Look at the interior design firm’s online portfolio to get an idea of their past work. Does your bathroom renovation project scope seem comparable? Do you like their overall aesthetic? Be sure to find a design-build firm that can work within your budget and timeframe, while maintaining quality and exceeding expectations.

Reach out to the professionals and ask a little bit more about their design/renovation process. Is it collaborative? What does their intake form or conversation entail? If they mention a detailed onboarding process, odds are, they’re customer service-oriented and can execute within a wide range of design styles. Ultimately, it’s important to make sure that the interior design firm is enthusiastic about your space and your ideas.

4. create a bathroom renovation checklist/wishlist!

Now, for the fun part! Start dreaming, and create a bathroom renovation checklist of your must-haves. Go down the Pinterest rabbit hole, get bathroom design ideas and find inspiration to help you determine what your top priorities for your bathroom are, then, turn those ideas into a streamlined wishlist. Do you absolutely need marble countertops? Or is a steam shower calling your name? Creating a list in order of importance will help you allocate your budget accordingly during the bathroom renovation process.