Costly Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes

A bathroom renovation is one of the most popular home remodeling projects for homeowners every year, and for good reason. Bathrooms are one of the biggest selling points of a home, and even minor improvements can yield high returns when it’s time to list your home for sale.

Furthermore, bathroom remodeling gives homeowners a chance to update the aesthetics, showcase personal style, and ultimately to have the dream shower they’ve always wanted.

However, despite the many benefits of bathroom remodeling and the popularity of this household project, it can also be an intimidating project for many homeowners. The reason for this is simple: a lot of things can go wrong in a renovation. It’s true that mistakes can happen, but when these mistakes are costly, a decision to remodel a bathroom can turn into a high-stress problem.

Ignoring Ventilation

Don't forget about this often-overlooked feature: an appropriately sized bathroom exhaust fan. Without proper ventilation, humidity gets trapped in the enclosed space. Over time, this moist environment becomes the perfect home for mold and mildew, and allows paint, grout, and metal to deteriorate. Whether you already have a fan or add one in your renovation, make sure to vacuum the vent clean of construction dust and debris before switching the fan on in your updated space.

Improper Spacing

If your plan for your bathroom renovation focuses on looks rather than function, that's a big problem. Leave the decorating for later and think about the layout and spacing first. If you're breaking down walls and moving plumbing fixtures, you'll not only want to make sure the new layout satisfies building codes for minimal spacing guidelines, but also be certain that the placement of fixtures and furnishings allows for comfortable everyday use.

Choosing the Wrong Materials

Bathrooms undergo some serious stress—from high moisture levels to quick temperature shifts. To prevent warped or mildewed floors, walls, or vanities, you'll want to choose materials designed specifically for the bathroom. When you're spending lots of money to redo your space, it's important to know that your wallpaper can survive high humidity and your wood vanity will stand the test of time. 

Being Unrealistic About a Budget

Be honest about the budget. If you have only a limited amount of money to work with, stick to what you can afford. If you overspend, you'll have to cut corners somewhere and won't be pleased with the results. Extra costs do arise, however, so err on the safe side by budgeting an extra 15 to 20 percent for unexpected expenditures.

Overlooking Small Mistakes

Small glitches in a new tile job or a gap in a bathroom vanity might seem minor, but even the smallest errors will become eyesores down the line. As your renovation progresses, always fix mistakes, even the smallest ones. Don't persuade yourself to overlook work that's been done wrong—if you notice it now, you'll see it every time you use the space.

At Sea Triton, we’re Brevard County’s number one choice for high-quality home remodeling. We’ve been helping homeowners enhance their homes with beautiful bathroom renovations and have seen first-hand what happens when bad contractors and DIY projects go wrong. The key to a successful result lies in the experience and professionalism of your contractor, and in avoiding these most common mistakes homeowners make when starting a bathroom renovation.