We design and specify bathrooms ranging in price from several thousand dollars to more than $100,000. We can work with almost any realistic budget to create a dream bath. The following suggestions will help you maximize the value of your renovation dollars and help assure you get the return that you expect and deserve.
Work with a showroom professional. Okay, that may sound a bit self-serving, but there are thousands of good reasons why it is in your best interest to do so. Most significantly, decorative plumbing and hardware sales professionals know how to maximize the use of space, and space in most bathrooms is at a premium. How many baths have you seen where fixtures, tubs, shower stalls, vanities, etc. are out of proportion?
One way we help control costs is to use the existing plumbing and electrical configuration, if at all possible. Needing to relocate pipes, waste and supplies, vents, power lines, and so on, can add significantly to the budget. If it makes sense, we recommend keeping as much of the existing infrastructure in place as possible. However, there are times when the ability to maximize the space and deliver spa-like experiences that our clients crave, requires reconfiguring what’s behind the walls and underneath the floor.
If you rely on a professional showroom or hire another party to renovate your bath, make sure there is a detailed work scope that explains what is to be done, timelines and contractual conditions for performance and payment schedules. Never undertake a renovation project without a signed contract. Once you agree to a plan, stick to it. Budgets are often broken by changing your mind during the renovation.
Our designers know how to design a bath that plays to our clients’ preferences. For instance, we had a client with an existing large jetted tub that they wanted to install in their new bath. We asked how often the tub was used and by whom? Our client responded that in the six years since they moved into their home, the tub was only used once. We politely asked our client why they would want to install a major fixture in their new master bath that they had never used in the past and likely would never use in the future. It was an “ah ha” moment for our client. Instead, they opted for a double shower with multiple showerheads and body sprays that allows for two working adults to shower at the same time as they prepare for the day. Not only was the shower more functional, it delivers a great experience every day.
Determine priorities and budgets. Avoid the temptation to be pennywise and dollar foolish when selecting faucets, because they often set the tone for the entire bath. Shower systems, soaking tubs and steam systems offer health, wellness and stress reducing benefits that our clients in also have found to be investment worthy. Lighting can make or break how your new bath looks, feels and functions. Another fixture where cutting budgets is not advisable is your toilet. Our showroom professional can provide guidance where costs can be minimized and where you will receive the biggest return on your investment that allows you to create a bathroom of your dreams. Let us show you how to get the most bang from your renovation budget. Give us a call at (215) 454-2258 or visit our showroom at 127 S Easton Rd. Glenside, PA 19038.