Ask Mr. Fix it

Use your imagination a envision yourself soaking in a hot, steaming bathroom. The tensions of the day are melting away, as you look upon the classic lines of your renewed bath. Yes, it might seem like a dream now, but with a little research a lot of planning you can make this a reality.

Unless you are yourself a contractor, bathroom renovations require high-priced professional help. Plumbers and tile installers will most likely be a necessity. It can also be relatively incostly, if you don’t mind a Spartan look, clean and plain, but absolutely functional. A newly remodeled bath can be said to pay for itself if you are planning to put your house on the market in the near term

Making the decision somewhat painful is the fact that renovating a bathroom is one of most costly things you can do in your home, when looked at on a per square foot basis. The main reason for this is the high cost of materials, like fixtures and floor and wall tile. Since the room is so small compared to other spaces in your house, costly materials can be used without the fear of busting your budget – and since the room is so private, you need only worry about pleasing yourself with the option of color palette and patterns.

The bathroom is a great place to express your creative side. Since it is so private, you can be as uncustomary as you like with colors, design and textures. It can be decadently costly, or it can be sparse and functional. Most importantly, the room will be whatever you want the room to be.
If you are an individual that likes a lot of options, you will absolutely love renovating a bathroom. Mix and match them to your heart’s content. There is a seemingly endless variety of sinks, tubs, toilets and tiles.

The countertop itself can be as simple as a laminate, or you can pick from among more exotic materials like granite, tile or marble. You can pick a customary self-rimming sink, an undermount, or could be a vessel that sits on top of the countertop like an out of style wash basin. Faucets come in hundreds of design and many different finishes, and can range in price from under $30 to hundreds of dollars.

There is now a dazzling array of sinks – some are undermounted, others self-rimming, and there is a new movement towards the old “wash basin” style, finished inside and out, sitting above the countertop. And don’t forget pedestal sinks, and wall-mounted sinks. Be prepared to be overwhelmed with huge selections, in every color, texture, style and material. Use your imagination on the walls and floors, too. Toilet bowls can be simple and functional – but are you remodeling to be “simple and functional?” No, you are remodeling to express yourself, to bring comfort to your life, to enhance the decoration of your home. Here again you are faced with a myriad of options: one piece or two? Gravity flush or power flush? Plain white or color? The list goes on and on.

Coverings coupled with matching fixtures, enabling you to pick a bathroom right off the shelf – a custom bathroom ready-made! Often, we can get ideas and design assistance at the store where we are purchasing our tile or fixtures. Many ceramic tile and home supply stores have bathroom groupings set up using the latest materials and design, allowing us to purchase a “custom” bathroom right off the shelf! Plan on hiring a designer, a plumber and a tile setter at the least.

Frank Sarntarpia

Tags: landscaping, electrical, remodeling, home repair, home improvement