The 5 Most Common Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes
Are you considering remodeling your bathroom or replacing your old bathtub in Minneapolis St. Paul?
Remodeling any part of your home can be a trying experience, but when you consider all of the things affected by a bathroom remodel, the task can seem daunting. In addition, the home improvement industry doesn’t exactly have a stellar record. Home improvement complaints to the Better Business Bureau and the Minnesota Attorney’s General Office ranks as one of the highest Minnesota industries in regards to formal complaints.
But the good news is, you can easily protect yourself, and your family, by being aware of the 6 biggest mistakes homeowners make when having their bathroom remodeled, or their old bathtub replaced.
Mistake # 1 — Doing it yourself
Can you do it yourself—maybe, if you have the experience, tools and skills to do it properly…then yes you could probably do it yourself. But, chances are, if you’re reading this report, then there’s a good chance you’re not exactly one of those people. And besides, even though the bathroom is relatively small, all of the skills you need to build a house all come together in a bathroom—electrical, plumbing, construction, flooring, wall covering, not to mention design, all part of a bathroom remodel.
Unexpected expenses invariably pop up, and if you accidently damage one thing, that can lead to another item having to be fixed—and paid for!
Can you fix it yourself…of course you can, just like you can fix your car’s engine, re-roof your house, re-carpet your living room, or a myriad of other home improvement projects that some homeowners tackle. But before you take on the job of remodeling your bathroom, or replacing your bathtub, make sure you understand all of the different elements you’ll need to know…or at least become a quick expert on!
Mistake # 2 – Failing to anticipate time and chaos
When remodeling your bathroom, remember all of the elements of a home seem to come together in a bathroom. A full bathroom remodel affects many systems, including electrical, plumbing, flooring, tile, wall covering, lighting, cabinets…just to name a few.
Your stress levels build up as the job which you were thinking was going to take a week, is going on its third week, with no end in site. When a bathroom remodel drags on and on, and your family is tired of sharing one bathroom, you’re often ready to pull your hair out…or you’ll at least wonder why you started this project in the first place!
Mistake # 3 – Choosing inferior products
With the economy being what it’s been over the past year or two, saving money is not only a good idea…it’s often the only option.
But that doesn’t mean to save money on your bathroom remodel you need to accept inferior products. Your choice of products for your bathroom, perhaps more than anywhere else in your home, will determine how happy you will be with the changes. Inferior products may result in a lack of protection and ultimate water damage that can cost you more in the long run. This is no exaggeration, and far more common than you may think.
A slow unseen water leak can cause catastrophic problems, ranging from weakening the structural integrity of your home, to the dramatic health problems caused by mold.
Mistake # 4 – Failing to get a written bid
Remember our reference in the beginning of this article regarding complaints to the BBB regarding home contractors? The final bill is one of the biggest causes of complaints regarding bathroom remodels.
A properly written bid is one of the biggest protections you have!
Sometimes a contractor will come to your house and evaluate your problem and tell you it will be “X dollars” for the repair. Even if he or she seems like the most trustworthy person in the world, get the proposal in writing. Never hire a contractor without a written proposal.
Make sure that basic terms are contained within the written bid/proposal. At the very least, the proposal should have the following terms and conditions:
1. Total price
2. Specific description of work to be performed
3. Time within which the work will be completed
4. Warranty(s)
If the contractor doesn’t leave you with a written bid, then choose another contractor—it’s that simple!
Mistake # 5 – Hiring the wrong contractor
If you’ve lived in your home for more then a few years, then you’ve probably hired the wrong contractor…and it probably ended up being one of the most frustrating experiences you’ve had…and probably one of the most expensive.
The following list makes up a large portion of the lawsuits that are filed each year against bathroom projects that have gone wrong:
o Over billing
o Misrepresentation
o Lack of communication
o Not completing all of the work
o Not around when they were needed
o Shoddy workmanship
These are just a few of the complaints that the BBB and Attorney General’s Office receive regarding bathroom remodels.
When the time comes to choose a contractor, how will you distinguish between a certified, experienced contractor and a corner-cutting swindler? A little research and some probing questions can help you make the right decision and save you time and money.
