How to Budget for Your New Jersey Bathroom Renovation

There is a distinct possibility of breaking the bank during any home improvement project, and bathroom remodeling is no exception. The sad truth is that it will be even more expensive in some areas than others, and New Jersey happens to be on the higher end of that scale. However, once you have priced out the cost for your perfect space, you will be able to see which corners can be cut to keep your project within budget

An upscale remodel in Summit, New Jersey, includes an addition of eight square feet, a window addition, moving plumbing and fixtures, newer high-end fixtures, a 4x6-foot tiled shower, stone countertops with double sinks, as well as a number of other amenities. A remodel like that can cost upwards of $26,000 and will give about a 93% return in resale. A mid-range remodel, by definition, involves replacing the toilet, a tub with a tile surround, a countertop with a double sink and vanity, recessed medicine cabinet, ceramic tile floor, and vinyl wallpaper. This kind of renovation can cost about $10,499 and will give you about 102% in resale. There are, of course, remodel options that are far less expensive as well. When it comes to cost, remodeling is all about compromise. If you don't have a budget upwards of $10,000, make separate lists of what you want and need and work on a budget from there.

It is recommended to use a contractor, but it is not uncommon for people to take on the remodel themselves or contract out the work independently. If you are contracting out on your own, make sure you obtain the proper permits your area requires and that you will be able to oversee the work. To save money, you may want to take care of demolition on your own. It can even become a party where friends can help you knock down the bathroom. You can demolish on your own and let a general contractor take over the project from there. 

Along the same lines are labor costs. Keep in mind that it is unlikely to find one professional who will be willing or able to remodel the whole room, so there will be different labor costs for plumbing, electric, tiling, etc. You may want to keep that in mind when designing the remodel. Keeping fixtures and lights in the same places will keep costs down so no one has to come in and rework all the room's plumbing and electric. Putting in a new window will also add greatly to the cost of your new Summit bathroom. A general contractor will be able to help you figure out what your limits are to moving fixtures without bumping up the labor costs too high.

Moving fixtures can be one of the biggest costs to bathroom renovations, but you can't forget about the prices of the fixtures themselves. Compromises on fixtures are a prime way to manage your budget. If you are dead set on getting the best sink out there, consider a standard $125 toilet instead of the one you liked that was $1,250, or vice versa.

Tiling is another highly underestimated expense. The tiles themselves can definitely get expensive, but there is also a lot of labor involved in the installation. Limiting the amount of tile in the room can really help keep your budget in check. If you've fallen in love with an incredibly expensive tile, consider using that as an accent rather than as the main tile.

Stone countertops are certainly considered to be the best right now, but they can get incredibly expensive, simply because of how quickly the square footage can add up. A single sink won't use up very much stone. If you absolutely need two, consider pedestal sinks. A standard side cabinet or end table can be refinished and topped off with leftover stone or marble pieces to allow for that extra storage you lose with pedestal sinks.

If you are ready to hire a contractor in Summit, NJ, here is an example of a bathroom renovated in Summit by M&M Construction Specialist. Give us a call for more information on pricing and setting up an appointment.