Let’s talk about bathroom remodels. If you’ve ever embarked on a bathroom remodeling project, you know it can certainly be quite complex. Whether you’re just looking to replace a couple fixtures or tear down walls and start from scratch, the possibilities really are endless. Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, we’ve been honored to have had the opportunity to work on remodels of all sizes. With this experience, it’s safe to say that one common theme throughout is the importance of purchasing quality brands. In other words, if you want the bathroom remodel to truly hold up and result in a solid return on your investment, try to avoid going with brands you have never heard of. Stick to the industry leaders, like Delta, Moen, American Standard, Kohler and so on. Following this simple rule will automatically put you in great shape!
Are you considering a bathroom remodel? Over the course of this blog, we’ll discuss five different components you should always keep in mind with any renovation project. We tried to focus on the most cost-effective moves, so some may be directly plumbing-related and others not so much. Before getting into that though, we would first like to give a quick hello to anyone that may be visiting our blog for the first time. Stine-Nichols Plumbing is a plumbing business located in North Kansas City, MO, and we offer residential, commercial and new construction plumbing services. If you’re ever interested in getting a free estimate for a project, you’re always welcome to give us a call at (816) 348-3481 to learn more.
That all being said, back to the topic at hand: bathroom remodeling!
Set a Budget
While our first point isn’t directly related to something tangible, it is undoubtedly one of the most important components to consider when starting any renovation project. This is particularly true if you’re planning on hiring a local contractor to complete the remodel. Obviously, the more extensive the improvements, the quicker the bill can start to add up. With that in mind, consider the changes that you consider are must-haves, as well as which ones could be optional. After that’s done, proceed to compile a few estimates from local companies. Not only will this ensure you’re getting a fair price, but it could even lead to some design ideas you hadn’t previously considered. Long story short, setting a budget from the very beginning will give you a baseline number to work off of and help ensure the project doesn’t turn into an ever-ending money pit.
Consider Smaller Changes First
While it’s definitely fun to plan extensive remodels and implement a fresh new layout, you would be surprised just how much of an impact can be made by smaller upgrades. Think of ones like installing modern-looking faucets, a new toilet or even new vanities. Take faucets for example. What do your current bathroom faucets look like? Are they fairly bland two-handle faucets that you would see in plenty of other bathrooms? If so, you’re definitely not alone. Luckily, the faucet industry as a whole has been one that’s evolved quite a bit over the years. While most homeowners opt to have the cool technological-based features (voice-activated, for example) on their kitchen faucets, that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with the bathroom faucets. All of the major faucet companies have various bathroom faucet styles, types, finishes and so on. To sum it up, you’ll have no trouble finding something that fits the aesthetic of your bathroom!
Upgrade the Lighting
Even though this is a plumbing blog, there are plenty of elements tied to a bathroom remodel that don’t necessarily have a plumbing connection and lighting is a perfect example of that. It may come as a surprise at first, but there really are quite a few different types of lighting to consider in a bathroom remodel. The ceiling lights are clearly the most logical place to start. However, once that’s complete, consider some of the other light fixtures out there. Wall sconces have grown increasingly popular and serve as a perfect tool for providing light over the vanities. Looking for something more luxurious? Although it will be dependent on the size of the bathroom, you can’t argue that chandeliers could create quite the luxury bathroom setting and also add a seemingly classical theme. In any case, having adequate lighting installed in the bathroom is automatically going to make the entire room look that much better. Whether it be any of the options above or some of the others, such as pendant lights or LED lighting, this is an invaluable piece to any bathroom remodeling project.
Have You Thought of Including a Freestanding Tub?
In planning your dream bathroom, have you thought about including a specific piece that could truly be the focal point. If not, one that you should definitely consider is a freestanding tub. Over the last handful of years, we’ve definitely noticed an uptick in the popularity of freestanding tubs. In fact, we actually covered freestanding tubs in more detail on a recent blog post. Click HERE if you would like to check it out. However, for the sake of this blog post, we’ll touch on a few of the most important attributes of freestanding tubs. For one, there’s a wide array of different sizes, styles and designs to pick from. This will not only help from an aesthetic perspective, but also ensure you can find something that fits within your bathroom. Another major advantage behind freestanding tubs is the fact that they can be installed just about anywhere. You’ll still need the plumbing pipes run to them, but you nonetheless will have flexibility in where the tub resides. How about the impact it has on your tile? For most bathroom remodels, the tile selection is a big decision and one that has a major impact on the bathroom’s look. Well…if you really want to show off that beautiful tile, then a freestanding tub is an example of a fixture that’ll allow more of it to be seen.
Interested in an estimate for a freestanding tub installation? No matter if it’s part of a complete bathroom remodel or you’re just wanting to add a tub by itself, our team at Stine-Nichols is here to help! Fill out the form HERE and a member of our team will be in touch with more information.
Safety First
As we start to wrap up this blog, our final point that we wanted to discuss is the importance of safety with any home improvement project. In fact, this is a major reason why we often recommend leaving the bigger repairs or renovations to a licensed contractor. This will help ensure that you’re not only satisfied with the finished product, but also that no one gets hurt in the process. As always, remember to do your due diligence prior to hiring a contractor. Make sure they’re licensed, bonded and insured. Check out reviews online and look for examples of their work on social media. These probably will sound like no-brainers, but considering a complete bathroom remodel can be a significant investment, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Bathroom Remodeling Services in Kansas City
As you likely know, plumbing is an important piece of any bathroom remodel. From water lines and drain lines to the individual fixtures and so on, there are many areas in which it is intertwined. We hope you enjoyed this blog post that highlighted a few tips and tricks for your own remodeling efforts, as well as an inside look at one of our favorite components, the freestanding bath tub! For those that are interested in learning more about the remodeling services available at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (816) 348-3481. Whether that be as small as just installing a new faucet or as complex as starting from rough-in stages, we would be happy to help!