What You Need to Know Before Getting an Estimate: Bathroom Edition

Bathroom remodels can feel like a daunting task even if you are hiring a contractor to complete the project. There are so many decisions to make and it's hard to know where to start.

These are some questions you should be ready to answer before your contractor ever shows up at your door. Being better prepared helps reduce anxiety from the start and keeps you and your contractor on the same page.

What to Prepare Before Your Contractor Gives a Bathroom Estimate

Flooring

Flooring is where we will start. The first question is if you are looking to have LVP (Luxury Vinyl Planks) or tile installed?

You do not need the specific kind of LVP or tile picked out yet, but knowing which you prefer will be a determining factor in labor and material costs.

If you do decide to go with LVP flooring we strongly recommend getting flooring that is 100% waterproof. This will save you heartache in the future since bathrooms inevitably get wet (especially when children are involved).

Showers and Tubs

Showers and tubs are the next challenge to tackle.

Do you want a fiberglass shower pan and fiberglass shower walls?

Shower inserts have come a long way in recent years, the era of grandma's yellow tub inserts is long gone. This is a great way to get a luxury look at a cheaper rate. They are durable with no grout to ever worry about getting dirty. They are also faster on the install side which will cut down costs. *Do note that shower/tub bases are sold separately.

Do you prefer a tiled shower base and tiled shower walls?

If you are looking for a custom-size shower, this is the way to go. You do not need the type of tile or shower insert picked out at this stage, just deciding what kind of shower you want will suffice. It will also help your contractor give you an accurate estimate.

Another important thing to decide is what faucet finish you want (Bronze, Nickel, Chrome, Brass, or Black). Deciding this will set the stage for you to pick what you want for vanity and bathroom accents.

Now think about how to enclose your shower. Would you like a shower curtain, or do you want a glass shower door? Or if your shower allows for it, you have the option of a stationary glass partition.

Vanities

Vanities come in all shapes, sizes, and price points. Having an idea of what style can help contractors during the estimation process (like wanting a double sink which would need extra plumbing work).

Would you like a vanity that is up on legs or does your desired vanity sit flush to the floor? This will affect flooring, baseboard, and shoe molding.

Do you want a free-floating vanity?

It is important to let us know if this is the route you want so we can plan installation accordingly.

We assume your faucet(s) would match your shower faucet finishes but if not let your contractor know so they can make a note. This will mitigate later confusion.

Toilets

Toilets are not necessary to have decided at this time. They are pretty standard across the board. The only thing we would need to know is if you want an electrical plug near the toilet for a bidet.

Bathroom Accessories

This includes towel bars, toilet paper holders, vanity mirrors, vanity lights, shower curtain rods, and hooks. This does not have to be picked out at the time of the estimate, just something to keep in mind.

There are many more steps to a bathroom remodel but this will get you on your way to the bathroom you always dreamed of. Give Landry Renovations and Repair a call today to start your estimate process.