FOR many homeowners, nothing beats the convenience of having an ensuite bathroom in a master bedroom.
Whether it's a basic three-or four-piece configuration, or a luxurious spa-like bathroom with features such as a steam shower, ensuites are all the rage.
Along with adding convenience to a home, a quality ensuite can increase a home's resale value, says renovator Joe Cowie.
According to the Appraisal Institute of Canada, a bathroom renovation, whether of an existing bathroom or adding an ensuite, can provide a return of 75 to 100 per cent of the money spent, says Cowie.
That means if you spend $25,000 on an ensuite, you could be adding up to $25,000 to the value of your home, he says.
In terms of convenience, an ensuite can be made even more useful by adding a second door into a hallway, thereby creating an additional common bathroom.
"From a convenience factor, for every dollar they put in, essentially they're getting two dollars back in terms of convenience."
Cowie says ensuites were not common in non-estate homes built up until around the 1970s. Even when builders started adding them, they tended to be smaller "powder rooms," with just a sink and toilet.
A popular renovation for that vintage of home is to expand a powder room into a full ensuite, he adds.
For larger estate homes that have original ensuites, the trend is to renovate the ensuite and equip it with the latest appliances and luxury fixtures.
Cowie says popular choices include steam showers -- including ones with multiple seats intended to be used as group saunas -- body sprays, high-end jetted tubs and even full music and video systems.
There are several ways to add an ensuite to a home, says contractor Wayne Lozier.
Since many home floor plans have back-to-back closets, simply taking out a closet or closets can add enough space for a basic ensuite.
Another option is using part of an adjoining bedroom, or even an entire bedroom, which can provide the space for an ensuite and a walk-in closet.
There are logistics, such as plumbing, that need to be factored in when deciding where or even if an ensuite can be added.
Lozier recommends getting homeowners to have the contractors, as well as a plumber and an electrician, see the home's layout and whether it is feasible to an ensuite, he says.
Cowie says the planning and design stage might take four to six weeks and construction itself up to six weeks, including the various approvals along the way.
A simple three-piece ensuite might start at about $15,000, with the average around $25,000, and up to $50,000 or more for high-end designs, says Cowie.
While many do-it-yourselfers can successfully complete a bathroom renovation, Lozier suggests adding an ensuite is a more difficult challenge.
He says adding plumbing and electrical fixtures can create safety issues if not done properly, so homeowners need to follow all the proper procedures and permit processes if they intend to do the job themselves.
-- Postmedia News
