Creating a bathroom that works for you and your family can make all the difference, but it should never come at the expense of your savings or causing debt. Believe it or not, it is completely possible to complete a bathroom renovation or new build without breaking the bank.
So, stop putting off your dream bathroom! Let’s dive into our top six budget-friendly solutions to keep your bathroom renovation or build affordable and stress-free.
1. Set a Realistic Budget
If you want to ensure a budget-friendly renovation or build, the first step is to set your budget! The most important part is making sure it is realistic. We understand not wanting to drain your bank account, but unfortunately no reno is free.
First, decide how much you can reasonably afford to spend. Next, factor in the expected cost of fixtures, fittings and other materials, as well as the costs of professional plumbing services to install them.
Finally, leave yourself a little wiggle room for any unexpected expenses, ‘cause let’s be real, when renovating or building pesky surprises will always pop up and having a little cushioning will save a lot of stress when they do.
2. Prioritise Needs vs Luxuries
When you get your dream in your mind, everything may feel like a priority or a necessity, but if you’re on a tight budget you need to be a bit choosy.
The best way to weed out the wishes from the needs is to make a list. Your essentials will be things like:
- A decent sized shower with good water pressure
- A vanity with sufficient storage space
- A functional sink
- A good-quality toilet
- Good lighting
- An exhaust fan to prevent mould.
Now, we know you want your dream bathroom to have more than that, but the point is, once you’ve factored those things in you can see what else your budget allows. That’s when you can consider the luxuries of a fancy bathtub with jets or an extra large shower with multiple showerheads.
3. Select Cost-Effective Materials & Fixtures
The most common place people blow their budget is on opulent fixtures and building materials. We get wanting the best, but if you are on a budget you may have to shop around a little.
Most plumbing supply stores will have a wide variety of options to choose from. Do your homework; get online and search for affordable options and visit a few stores and keep track of sales. You never know the bargains you may score.
The more you save on some fixtures and materials, the more you can splurge on other luxuries. So, taking a little extra time to find the most cost-effective options will pay off.
4. Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances
Expenses don’t just stop after the bathroom is up and running. There are still water bills and electricity bills to make your dream bathroom function. With the wrong fixtures, these costs can mount up quickly, blowing out that budget you so carefully created.
To avoid this, look for appliances and fixtures with high energy efficiency ratings. Consider low-flow showerheads and taps, dual flush toilets and energy efficient lighting and fans. By keeping these costs down you can protect your hard earned savings in the long run.
5. Minor Renovations to Save Money
Obviously, this tip only works if you have an existing bathroom, but if you do then consider what you can reuse. When working on a budget, it’s all about reduce, reuse, recycle. Consider your existing space and fixtures and decide if the whole room needs gutting or if you could save a few things.
Sometimes you can enhance the whole aesthetic just by replacing the toilet or vanity or adding a lick of fresh paint. These minor renos can breathe new life into your space without the massive price tag.
6. Consider DIYs vs Professional Services
Now, if you know your way around a tool box you may be able to tackle some aspect yourself. If you’re comfortable with tools and trust that you can do it right, you can save a lot of dough by DIY-ing it.
However, know your limits! Repairs from doing it wrong can cost more than doing it professionally to start with, and we don’t just mean financially. Electrical work and plumbing work can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing.
So, if you are not confident, be safe. Investing in a little help from professional bathroom remodelers or builders can save you a lot of stress and money, making it a worthwhile investment.
Ensure a Budget-Friendly Bathroom Renovation or New Build
Stop putting off your dreams! Bring your dream bathroom into reality without worrying about blowing all your savings. Following these six simple tips will help you keep your bathroom renovation or build on track and reduce stress.
Don’t forget, if you need a little help, just ask! Our experienced plumbers and bathroom remodelers at Mario’s Plumbing and Gas can help upgrade or build your bathroom in the safest and most cost effective way.
