The smallest room in the house can cost big bucks to renovate: $40,000 or even $50,000 isn't beyond the pale for a new, high-end bathroom. But it doesn't have to be that way, according to the experts.
By knowing what you want, budgeting carefully, and working with the right suppliers and contractors, you can have a lovely loo for $10,000 to $15,000 -- even less if you're really frugal or willing to do some of the work yourself.
Here are some tips from the Internet and three renovation and kitchen/bath companies that will renovate to suit your budget.
Starting Out
Online guides, including Rona's Renovate the Bathroom (www.rona.ca/renovation/renovate-bathroom-renovation) are useful in helping set priorities and becoming familiar with materials and basic renovation processes.
Be aware, however, that we're often unrealistic in our price expectations, warns renovator Jimmy Georgitsos "Maybe the person did a renovation in 1998, and the quote was $6,900. Now, the average is $18,000 to $30,000.
"It's a small room, but it's very labour-intensive," says Georgitsos. "There's gutting, heating and ventilation, plumbing, electricity, the tile guy: all the trades are involved."
As an option to a complete renovation, Georgitsos suggests a makeover -- say, a new vanity, toilet, tile around the tub and a fresh coat of paint. That could cost as little as $3,000.
Budget blowers
"I like this. And this. And this." The inability to just say "no" to some things ranks among the top budget-busters for bathroom renos, says renovator Robert Wright.
Whirlpool tubs, $1,000 to $3,000 and more, are a good example. "Unless there are health considerations, most people stop using them after six months. I've got one in my house; I don't think I've used it twice in 10 years."
Custom anything -- from showers with big railheads to cherry cabinetry -- can also break the bank, say those in the know. "And for lights, try Home Depot," says Wright. "I've lost track of how many luxury homes I've visited that were outfitted with attractive lights from big box stores that cost less than $25."
Money savers
Watch for special offers from reputable renovators, suggests bath and kitchen renovator Brian Mallett. "We had a promotion in the fall where we replaced the toilet and all the other fixtures, installed a new vanity, did ceramic tile on the walls and floor, and had the room professionally painted. We charged $12,900 for everything, labour and materials."
Mallett says that ceiling heat lamps at about $125 are a good substitute for radiant floor heating, which can run $2,000 and more.
He says his store is now stocking good quality bamboo and birch vanities from Asia. They come as a package with ceramic countertop and china basins. Five years ago, they would have retailed at $3,000 or more; now, they start at $1,000.
False economies
Trying to save by reusing taps and faucets is probably penny wise, but pound-foolish. Unless the originals were high-end, you could wind up just yanking them again a couple of years down the road when they hit their best-before date.
If you are considering refinishing rather than replacing a favourite old tub, you're better to hire a professional at $300 to $600 than attempting it with a DIY paint brush or roller-type kit.
And don't even think about that economy model toilet, says Wright. "If you're not spending $200 or so, you'll probably wind up with a piece of junk that won't flush properly."
Toilet replacement is usually an easy job for the handyperson. Just make sure to check the floor for rot before installing the new one.
Affordable products and ideas
Look for Duravit's sleek Ketho collection of bathroom vanities. At $800 to $1,000, the wall-mounted vanities feature a generous drawer and porcelain top with built-in sink.
Wright likes TrafficMaster Allure tiles. They're available at Home Depot for less than $50 for 24 square feet.
"They stand up amazingly well, and anyone can put them down." They can be used over almost any surface because they stick to each other, not the existing floor.
Even a new shower curtain, set of towels or mirror can add inexpensive pizzazz to a tired loo.
Check out the bathroom section at www.handycanadian.com. It's a contractor-promoting site, but it brims with good, inexpensive reno tips. The newsletter series on the Citadel Renovations site is another gold mine on all things reno.
DIY
Given a little research and lots of time, many DIYers could renovate their own bathrooms, says Mallett. If you don't feel comfortable taking on the whole project, he suggests cutting costs by doing what you can: some of the tear-out, painting or installing window casing.
Home Depot and others are also happy to provide advice to the do-it-yourself-er. "If you can swing a hammer, we can probably guide you along," says Mallett.
-- Postmedia News
