Remodeling projects almost always involve either kitchens or bathrooms. In most homes, while furniture and furnishings in the living areas and bedrooms are changed infrequently, the structure, lighting and floor plan seldom undergo renovation. Kitchens and bathrooms, on the other hand, are regularly overhauled from the sub-floor to the ceiling. Bathrooms are the most often to be redone, primarily because a complete kitchen makeover is a major expense while a bathroom can be transformed in a fraction of the time, for a fraction of the cost.
There are many reasons to redo a bathroom. Sometimes a newly purchased house can be made instantly into a home simply by personalizing a bath. Changes in family size often dictate changes, as do changes in the age of the primary user. Teenagers can balk at using decorations and utensils designed for pre-preschoolers, for example. As homeowners age, it may become necessary to include changes to accommodate them, such as higher toilet seats, panic bars, and even changing from bath tubs or tub/shower combination to shower only, with easy access. This also occurs when a parent or parents move in with their children. All of these reasons and more dictate remodeling.
Few homeowners have either the time or the skills necessary to complete a remodeling project. Fortunately, Bathroom Remodelers can easily be found in every city. One source which has gained credibility is Angie’s List; a crowd-sourced website that lists and rates local businesses in most cities. Long-term residents are likely to know reputable companies as well, and recommendations from friends and neighbors can usually be trusted, particularly those who have used the recommended business.
There is a wide disparity in cost from one contractor to another, and it pays to shop carefully and get more than one estimate. Some companies prefer that the customer selects and purchase fixtures themselves as cost savings while others recommend brands carried in their inventory. One company in Maryland, American Bath Inc recommends websites and showrooms for their clients to browse and has done away with its own showroom completely as a cost savings feature. In any case, most contractors will furnish a complete listing of fixtures, furnishings, labor and markup as a part of their estimate, and will even guarantee their price within a range, normally 10 percent.
