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How much should you budget for your bathroom budget?
Whether you're looking to improve your personal property, increase your rental return on an investment property or even top up the value of a property before you sell, then you'll probably be considering a bathroom renovation. But first, before you undertake any work, you'll want to understand how much a bathroom renovation costs in Vancouver.
In 2018, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) released the kitchens and bathroom renovation report. Their survey found that the average cost of a bathroom renovation in Canada was $17,522. This isn't much more than the cost of a new bathroom installation in a brand new home, which according to the HIA comes in at an average of $16,430.
The average bathroom renovations cost outlined above, however, can be really deceiving. How much your bathroom renovation is going to cost you comes down to many factors and variables, and because of this, the true cost of a bathroom renovation will fluctuate depending on your style, needs and circumstances.
As a rule of thumb, a budget bathroom renovation in a small bathroom can be as low as $5000 while a major renovation in a larger bathroom can cost $25,000 or more.
If you're looking to change a few cosmetic things in your bathroom (like fixtures, drawer and cupboard knobs etc) before putting it on the market, it could cost even less. However, keep in mind that a bathroom renovation (along with kitchens) is one of the most effective ways to increase the value of your property.
So how much does it cost to renovate a bathroom, you ask? Let's find out and discuss some of the factors influencing cost below.
What determines the cost of a bathroom renovation?
Some of the major reasons why one bathroom might cost $7,500 - $11,000 to renovate while another bathroom renovation might cost $18,000 - $26,000 include:
Whether you need to undertake structural work or not
The cost of floor tiles, wall tiles, fittings etc - are you going down a high end or budget route?
Additions such as a skylights or new windows
The size of the bathroom - is it an ensuite or a large family bathroom?
Whether you’re moving plumbing and fixtures
Whether you’re installing a new bathroom altogether
Luxury elements like underfloor heating
Revamping your bathroom lighting and how much electrical work you need
Because the above bathroom remodelling is generally divided into some rough categories, generally speaking:
A budget renovation costs between $5,000 and $15,000
A standard renovation costs between $15,000 and $25,000
A premium or luxury renovation costs over $25,000
Bathroom renovation tips and considerations
Before you start, you'll want to make sure you have a plan. Do your research and ensure that any trades you need are hired in a systemic manner - this means you should have an idea of when you'll need a plumber, when you'll need a waterproofer, when you'll need a cabinet maker and so on. Of course here at Zaphandy we can do all of this for you.
When you start speaking to contractors and bathroom designers about your project, ask them for their advice and recommendations when it comes to setting up your renovation roadmap and timeline. If you have an overarching idea of how long each job will realistically take, your project will run a lot more smoothly.
Handy bathroom renovation tips
If you're looking for flooring that is easy to maintain..
If you're after the kind of flooring that is easy to look after, opt for porcelain or glazed tiling options. Avoid porous materials like natural stone and limestone. If they aren't properly sealed, they'll absorb every substance under the sun and end up becoming stained and unsightly.
If you're after 'non-slip' flooring for your bathroom...
If you're undertaking a bathroom renovation in a home with young children or people with mobility issues it'll be important to invest in non-slip flooring. Choose tiling with textured surfaces, matte finishes and glazes that contain sand.
This will help to create a bit more 'grip' when walking across their surface. Another option is to go for smaller tiles with plenty of grout lines.
Don't underestimate the importance of ventilation
Moisture is your bathroom's worst enemy. Doesn't sound right, does it? But if you want to avoid stains, mould and unsightly mildew, you'll want to make sure that whoever you hire to take on your bathroom renovation pays attention to air flow. Make sure that your vent fan is working, and that it's the appropriate size for the space.
How much should you spend on a bathroom renovation?
As a general rule, you want to do renovations that are in proportion to the value of your home and will add twice their cost to the value. If you go overboard on your renovations, you may be spending too much and may put buyers off. Some buyers may not want that $3,000 freestanding bathtub in the middle of the room.
If you're stuck for ideas, a real-estate home stylist or interior designer may be able to tell you what needs to be renovated in your bathroom. A good home stylist or interior designer knows the local market and can help you design a bathroom that will appeal to the widest possible market without making you overspend.