The Carpenters Workshop » Bathrooms

Cost of a Bathtub Replacement

The Carpenter — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:00:08 +0000

Cost of a Bathtub Replacement

Bathtub replacement can be quite a costly endeavor and before you start calling the different local contractors for quotations or applying for a loan, you can take a look at the alternatives as well. Quite a few companies offer bathtub restoration (compare bathtub replacement quotes here) which is likely to cost you just a few hundred dollars, compared to the few thousand that you are likely to spend on removing your old bathtub and replacing it with a new one. Resurfacing can be done on-place and without the need to tear down walls or break the tiles in your bathroom and can repair damage and scratches to your bathtub and make it look like brand new for years to come.

However, when necessary, bathtub replacement should be done wisely since, as we have already mentioned, it is going to cost a few thousand dollars. The exact cost will vary from one region to another and the only way to get an accurate estimate of the full cost is to follow the golden rule and get three different estimates. Even if you are replacing your older bathtub with a new one with exactly the same dimension, this still isn’t a simple task – piping has to be disconnected, sections of the walls might have to be torn down, and the toilet and the cabinets might have to be removed as well. And this is why this complicated task to be left to the professionals – keep in mind that a professional team of contractors might need anywhere from two-three days to more than a week to get all this work done and if you try to go the DIY route, you are likely to need twice as much time. And unless you are demolition expert and a qualified plumber, you are also likely to make quite a few mistakes, which can be pricey to repair.

The total cost of the project depends on good number of factors and apart from labor, the cost of the bathtub itself will make a significant difference as well – steel and fiberglass bathtubs are more affordable than cast iron, but not as durable and don’t retain heat that well. Water jet and jet-air tubs are quite trendy right now, but some of the models can cost as much as five thousand dollars and more and the quality and the type of the fittings that you choose will also have an impact on final cost as well.

You might be able to save some money by purchasing the fixing and the tiles yourself and also doing some of the preparation work if at all possible. However, unless you are well qualified and have the necessary expertise, let the professionals do all the work; it doesn’t hurt to ask them for discounts on material and labor though and with some careful planning and a lot of common sense, you will get your old bathtub out of the way and replace it with a brand new one without having to pay more than you need to.

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Cost of a Bathroom Remodel

The Carpenter — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:09:28 +0000

Cost of a Bathroom Remodel

Thinking of remodeling your bathroom? The good news is that a fully renovated, modern bathroom is a really strong selling point for prospective buyers, and will make you the envy of all of your friends if you aren’t planning on moving. The bad news is that of all the rooms, bathrooms are among the most expensive to remodel.

The exact amount you spend depends on a lot of variables, like what needs to be done, the current condition of the bathroom, the area you live, the specific fixtures, tiles, vanities, toilets, shower encasing, etc that you choose, and how much your contractor is charging you.

The bulk of a bathroom remodeling cost is going to be the labor. That’s why it’s important to compare contractor quotes to see where you can save money on the remodel (by the way… you can compare four local quotes here… it’s free and you don’t need a credit card). You can also try doing the job yourself, and can save a lot of money by doing so, but you want to be sure you know what you’re doing before you try anything advanced like re-routing plumbing for example.

Bathroom fixtures can really contribute to the cost as well, but you can get these at a discount. At your local store you can try to find what you are looking for in the clearance section, or perhaps in the scratch and dent section if you aren’t too fussy. If rummaging through the clearance bin isn’t your thing you can really save a lot of money buying fixtures online where sites like eFaucets.com that offer steep discounts over big box stores plus free shipping on your order.

You might be able to save some money as well if you supply your own fixtures and tiles, as opposed to having your contractor order them for you. Contractors usually mark up products just a little bit (or a lot depending on which contractor you choose) for the convenience of them ordering it. Before you buy your own fixtures though be sure the contractor knows you are doing so. They may have suggestions on brands or models of fixtures to be sure the project goes smoothly and to prevent any delays in the bathroom remodel.

A bathroom remodel can be a very expensive project but it can be a very worthwhile job as well, really adding a lot to your home’s value (not to mention the aesthetic value of having a nice new bathroom). Shop around for a good quote, look for a good deal on bathroom fixtures and do things by yourself if you can, and you will save a bundle on your next bathroom remodeling job.

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Remodeling a Small Bathroom

The Carpenter — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:11:50 +0000

Remodeling a Small Bathroom

When we think of a custom bathroom design we often think of fancy tiles, dual headed showers, candles and wide open flowing spaces. So what happens to your plans when you are remodeling a small bathroom? Well if you do thinks right you can have a bathroom with many nice features and of course, a smaller price tag.

Before you start with your remodeling project, you need to plan accordingly. Don’t just start buying things and making plans, get a carpenter or architect to draw up a floor plan that maximizes all available space. Maximizing cabinet space, large mirrors and pleasing earth tones can make a small space feel much larger than it is, which should be the primary goal with any small bathroom remodel project.

One important thing to remember is you can’t crowd the bathroom with too many large items, and ideally you shouldn’t have any large items at all. You can maximize space with pedestal sinks instead of large vanities, movable storage cabinets, and other free standing bathroom accessories. Be sure to make use of corners with corner cabinets or corner sinks. Typically corners represent unused space anyway so if you can find a way to use it your bathroom will only be larger.

Another great way to maximize space is to install just a shower rather than a shower and tub combination. Showers make much better use of space and if you don’t need a bathtub you really shouldn’t take up the necessary space. As much as people think they want a tub in their remodeled bathroom, it’s typically not used as often as planned.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly you need to select a toilet. We all want the fanciest toilets around, but this is another place to save space. If there is a toilet in the bathroom originally and it isn’t in a horrible location you may want to take notes and use a similar size with your new one. You should also buy one with a smaller tank to conserve space.

Lastly, any chance you can get to move things out of the bathroom, do it. The bathroom shouldn’t be a dressing area or a place to hang things or store things. The more you can minimize miscellaneous items lying around the cleaner and larger your bathroom will appear.

Bottom line, remodeling a small bathroom isn’t easy but with enough care you can get everything you want in more with half the space and half the cost.