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Common Mistakes People Make When DIY’Ing a Bathroom Remodel

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DIY bathroom renovations are not for the faint of heart. Almost everything in the bathroom has a mechanical aspect to it, and there are also plumbing, space, and ventilation issues to consider. 

Whether you use a professional or are making relatively straightforward DIY tweaks, like replacing a toilet or changing out a vanity for one that’s the same size, it’s good to know what lies ahead. To help you avoid some basic errors that could prove to be costly, Patriot Custom Construction has put together a list of the most common mistakes people make when DIY’ing a bathroom remodel.

1. Not knowing your existing plumbing

Plumbing location is paramount! Major remodeling of a bathroom often includes expanding the shower or replacing the vanity. Knowing where your plumbing is currently, what type of plumbing lines you have, and where they are going to need to be ultimately for a vanity or shower is a very important aspect of the project. Therefore, when selecting a vanity, make sure you know if the plumbing is coming out of the walls or the floors. Also, determine if you will be able to center the drain for the shower based on the existing layout of the floor joists. All of these aspects are important when designing the layout and choosing the materials for your project!

2. Being unaware of what to focus your budget on

Focus the budget on the areas of the project that matter most to you! Oftentimes people overlook costs that add up, such as the mosaic floor on the shower or designs such as banners with glass tiles. These items can cost between $30 to $50 a square foot and have a dramatic impact on your project cost. If the design is your goal, then excellent, focus on the focal point, the wow factor that you will see as soon as you walk in the room.

However, if your goal is experience and comfort, make sure not to overlook quality showerheads and valves or a large niche that helps to keep the shower looking clean even when it’s being used and not just staged for a photo. Select cheaper tiles that function and look great, too, and spend the budget where you deem appropriate.

As with any large investment in life, when starting a bathroom remodel, it is very important to know your underlying goals or desired outcome, the life expectancy of your use, and your ROI on the project. Determine if the ROI is quantified in hours of comfort and pleasure from use or profit from a future sale. All of these elements should be considered, and once you do, you will know what you want to invest in for your project and what you don’t!

3. Not choosing to work with a reputable contractor

Remember, reputation comes before price when selecting a contractor. Far too often, clients initiate the bathroom remodels without:

a. Deciding what they are willing to invest into, the project, or the extent of the project they would like to take on.

b. Finding a contractor that they trust.

Solving both of these equations based on random interviews or quotes is not recommended. There is an enormous amount of information available online these days. Do your research, learn the market, and the anticipated cost to complete the project by a qualified licensed contractor, and then look for the company you feel you connect with and trust the most.

To avoid other mistakes during DIY bathroom remodels, reach out to the experts at Patriot Custom Construction. We are a local, family-owned company that prides itself on holding our business to the same guiding principles as our family. We believe in honesty, integrity, accountability, and loyalty. We proudly work with each and every one of our customers to help them achieve their version of the American dream. We offer services like roofing, siding, painting, decks and screen porches, new construction and land acquisition, interior remodeling, water, and fire restoration, and home additions. We serve clients across Raleigh, Wake Forest, Cary, Knightdale, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Clayton, Garner, Wendell, and the surrounding areas. For a complete list of our services, please click here. If you have any questions about marketing, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us here.

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