Dreaming Of A New Bathroom?

Are you considering a bathroom update?  Maybe you are tired of the dated look and fixtures that were popular when your home was built years and years ago, or you want to make your bathroom more functional and practical, or you want a spa-like retreat where you can relax and unwind.  Sometimes our clients remodel because they have a leak, and walls need to be torn out for the repair, so why not upgrade the bath at the same time.  Or maybe you are putting your house on the market soon, and you know that updated bathrooms have one of the highest returns on investment (93%) when the house sells. Regardless of your situation, many of us want a new bathroom, but we don't know where to start.  We have compiled a list of the most common questions our clients have about bathroom remodels to assist you in planning the bathroom you've been waiting for.  Hope this helps!    1.What are some of the bathroom design trends? Large tile.  We rarely see the traditional 4" x 4" bathroom tiles used anymore.  Look for tiles at least 12 x 12 or 13 x 13.  Rectangular shapes (for example 12 x 24) are being used on the walls, sometimes installed vertically, sometimes horizontally.  Texture and shade variation is also very much on trend. For color, neutrals are the top color schemes used in bathrooms: whites, off-whites, beiges and bones. Grays and then browns are next in popularity. Sepia tones (reddish brown) and golds are also popular. Large, walk-in showers are very desirable. They can have a rainfall showerhead that is mounted into the ceiling over the center of the shower. They may also include multiple body jets spaced along each side wall. Spa-themed bathrooms with whirlpool or soaking tubs. Some issues to consider when choosing a whirlpool tub for your spa bathroom include how many jets you want, what space the tub needs to fit into, and that these types of bathtubs are about five to ten times more expensive than a traditional tub. If you have room, it's nice to put the whirlpool in a small, recessed alcove or on a raised platform to separate it from the rest of the bathroom. Larger vanities with double sinks.  A standard double vanity is sixty inches long; we are seeing more clients make space for a seventy-two inch vanity.   If you're willing to spend a little extra for custom work, you can have any length (and shape) that you want. If you have to share your retreat, you may want a toilet that is separated by a half-wall, or even its own tiny room. Today's lighting options include chandeliers instead of standard overhead light fixtures, wall sconces, can lights installed in the ceiling with dimmer switches, and an overhead light source in the shower. Plenty of cabinet space and shelving. Plumbing fixtures that are practical as well as beautiful. Brushed stainless steel and nickel fixtures blend in with almost any type of decorating, and are subdued enough to avoid drawing attention. 2. How do I know what I want my bathroom to look like?    This is either the fun or the agonizing part of the process.  We recommend websites like Pinterest and Houzz where you can see literally thousands of pictures of bathrooms.  You can create boards and idea books of the bathrooms that you like.  Vendor websites, new subdivision model homes, and manufacturer showrooms (Ferguson, PDI, etc.) are also great sources for ideas.  We are here to assist you every step of the way, however, most of the design decisions are truly personal preference.  And remember a picture is worth a thousand words----if we can see it, we can help you find it! Click below to see our favorite designs!                3.What types of tiles can I use in my bathroom remodel? Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most popular type of bathroom tile. Most are economical, durable and come in an enormous variety of colors and styles.  There are many choices of   floor tile, coordinating or contrasting wall tile, and borders and mosaics.Natural stone (travertine, marble, etc.) is also a popular choice (but expensive!)  as a bathroom tile. While marble has always been a favorite for creating a distinctive vanity top, many home owners are now using stone tiles on their bathroom floors and walls, creating a sumptuous home spa look in the bathroom.  Be aware that natural stone requires special maintenance products and periodic sealing.    4.How long will the job take? Bathroom remodels can take as little as one week and as long as three weeks.  The complexity of the tear out, installation details and size of the bathroom are all things that effect the range of time you can expect your bathroom makeover to take.   5.Will I be able to use my bathroom during the remodel? No, the bathroom should be considered off limits for the entire time of the installation. 6.I want to have my tub removed and have a bigger shower.  What do you think about that? This is definitely a trend we are seeing.  Some people feel that a shower is easier and safer to get into and out of as we age.  Bathroom designers and realtors tend to agree that removing the bathtub is acceptable as long as there is at least one tub remaining in the home.  A prospective home buyer usually wants a bathtub somewhere in the house.  7.What is the process? An Enhance Design Consultant will meet with you in the showroom to discuss the scope of your project.   We will assist you in our Design Center with tile selection and will schedule appointments for you to visit our vendor partners for fixture and hardware selection.  Next an Estimator will come to your home and your quotation will be prepared.  Once all the details are finalized you are well on the way to making your dream bathroom a reality! 8.What is a frameless shower door? A frameless shower enclosure is made up of 3/8" to 1/2" tempered and polished safety glass. This glass has greater strength and does not require heavy metal framing around it. Expect to pay $1,300--$2,000 for your frameless glass door. 9.What is the cost of a shower niche and bench? Shower benches range from about $325-400.  A shower niche can range from $150-200. 10. I want my shower to have a flat entrance.  Is that possible? Yes.  It is called a curbless shower.  A curbless shower is one that has a consistently level entrance, with no lip or change in elevation from the outside to the inside. There are some installation details that must be taken into consideration for a curbless shower that will add to the cost of your project. 11. How much does a bathroom remodel cost?         In 2012 a major bathroom remodel cost an average of $26,052.  An industry             average price   per square foot for a professionally done bathroom remodel                 ranges $175 to $225 per square foot on the low end and over $600 per square           foot for a luxury bathroom. For a 5 x 8 bathroom (40 square feet) that is a         range of $7,000 to $24,000.    Why such a big range?  Because there are many components to a bathroom remodel, and each item has a wide range in quality and price.   For example, a toilet can cost $100 or over $5,000, tub prices range between $125 to over $10,000, and even something "simple" like shower heads vary from $5 to $10,000.  12. How much is the shower here in your showroom? The shower in our Design Center as you see it is approximately $3500 to $4000 installed.  This includes the porcelain tile, decorative border, "river rock" shower floor, shower niche, backer board, new pan and liner, and the required waterproofing.  (This design does not feature a glass door.) 13 . What do I need to purchase? Normally our clients provide the fixtures (toilet, tub) and hardware (showerheads, faucets, and drains), mirrors, medicine cabinets, towel bars, and toilet paper holders.  Other items that you may choose to provide are the vanity, sinks, and storage cabinets or shelves.   We can provide the countertop and sinks if not included with your vanity.  Enhance provides the installation labor, as well plumbing, electrical, shower doors, and painting.  This list is not totally encompassing, but should give you a good idea of what else you will need to shop for.  (Note:  we cannot begin the demolition of your bathroom until all of the materials that you are providing are on the job site.) 14.What can I expect different items to cost? The NKBA breaks down bathroom remodeling costs like this: ·  Installation: 20% ·  Cabinetry and hardware: 16% ·  Fixtures: 15% ·  Faucets and plumbing: 14% ·  Flooring: 9% ·  Countertops: 7% ·  Walls and ceilings: 5% ·  Lighting and ventilation: 5% ·  Design fees: 4% ·  Doors and windows: 4% ·  Other: 1% These figures are guidelines, not rules, and each project is different. Using these percentages and a bathroom remodel budget of $20,000 you will spend by category: Installation (labor) $4000 Cabinetry and hardware $3200 Fixtures $3000 Faucets and plumbing $2800 Flooring $1800 Countertops $1400 Lighting and ventilation $1000 Walls and ceilings $1000 All other $1800 Also set aside a minimum of 10% of the budget as a contingency fund (in case of unforeseen structural problems, for example.)