Bathroom remodels can vary widely in their cost, from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, depending on just how much work you’re doing, the size of your bathroom, the materials you select, and a number of other factors. If you’re remodeling your bathroom, you’re probably wondering just how much of a change you can make on your budget. This article will give you several tips for minimizing the remodeling costs so that you can stretch your budget a little further.
Table of Contents
Refinish the Cabinets
If you’re thinking about replacing the cabinets in your bathroom, it’s worth considering whether that’s really necessary, especially when you factor in the costs. Bathrooms may not have a lot of cabinetry compared to kitchens, but replacing them can still be surprisingly expensive.
In many cases, refinishing your existing cabinets can be a more affordable and straightforward option. Sanding them down, applying a fresh coat of paint or stain, and updating the handles or drawer pulls can give the whole space a more modern look without the need for full replacement.
For those who prefer a professional touch, companies like Harvey George offer bathroom furniture and cabinetry solutions that can be tailored to suit both full renovations and smaller updates. Whether you’re looking for completely new units or just inspiration to refresh what you already have, there are plenty of options available.
Of course, if your cabinets are damaged beyond repair — things like water damage, structural issues, or broken parts — replacing them may still be the more practical solution. But if they’re in decent condition, refinishing them can be a simple, cost-effective way to give your bathroom a fresh look.
Ask for Leftovers
Many contractors hang onto leftover materials from past projects in the hopes of being able to use them in the future. If you know which contractor you’d like to work with, speak to them about what materials they have on hand that you could use for your remodel. They’ll frequently sell you these materials at a much lower cost than normal so that they can avoid having them go to waste.
This is a great way to find quality materials for less money, especially in smaller bathrooms where you don’t need a large amount of each material. Usually, a small stone slab is sufficient for a bathroom counter, and a few dozen tiles can often cover a bathroom. You can even find leftover cabinets that might fit your bathroom’s design, in case you still really want to replace those cabinets instead of refinishing them.
Keep the Layout
By far, the best thing you can do to save money on your bathroom remodel is to keep your major bathroom fixtures right where they are. Even if you’re replacing all those fixtures, installing them in the same location helps you avoid having to repipe the area to match a new layout.
It can be extremely expensive and time-consuming to repipe plumbing in Sacramento, so unless you’re absolutely dying to change up your bathroom’s overall setup, it’s best to just upgrade things and keep the overall blueprint the same. The one exception to this is if your home and its plumbing are quite old; in these cases, it might be a good idea to repipe your home while you’re renovating anyway, so you can redesign that bathroom all you want!