Bathroom Remodeling: 3 Simple Rules For Budgeting

Master bathroom with garden tub

Want to turn your boring bathroom into a glamorous spa retreat?

Knowing how to budget is key to getting the job done right—without going broke.

Here are 3 simple rules you should follow.

Rule 1: Budget based on home value

Consumer Reports gives a good rule of thumb for total remodeling cost: it should based on 5%-10% of your home’s value.

So, if your home is worth $200,000, then the remodel will probably cost about $10,000 to $20,000.

According to the 2014 Cost vs Value report, the average bathroom remodel in Atlanta, Georgia costs $15,941.

The resale value is $11,674, which means you recoup about 73.2% of the cost.

Rule 2: Split the budget appropriately

According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), your bathroom remodel budget should be portioned out like this:

  • Labor: 20%
  • Cabinetry and hardware: 16%
  • Fixtures: 15 %
  • Faucets and plumbing: 14%
  • Floor: 9%
  • Countertop: 7%
  • Walls and ceiling: 5%
  • Lighting and ventilation: 5%
  • Doors and windows: 4%
  • Design fees: 4%
  • Other: 1%

So, let’s assume your remodel budget is $15,000. You may split your budget like this.

  • Labor: $3,000
  • Cabinetry and hardware: $2,400
  • Fixtures: $2,250
  • Faucets and plumbing: $2,100
  • Floor: $1,350
  • Countertop: $1,050
  • Walls and ceiling: $750
  • Lighting and ventilation: $750
  • Doors and windows: $600
  • Design fees: $600
  • Other: $15

Rule 3: Find good labor

Imagine you go to a restaurant where they use the finest ingredients, but the food tastes frightful. All it takes is a crummy chef to screw up a prime meal.

Similarly, all it takes is inept plumbers to ruin an entire bathroom remodel (though there’s way more money on the line than a simple meal).

That is why you shouldn’t skimp on good labor. It’s no wonder why the largest percentage of the budget is allotted there—to ensure the job is done right.

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