Despite occupying a relatively small percentage of your home’s total square footage, bathrooms play a significant role in the overall ambiance of a home. These high-traffic areas are utilized on a daily basis, so outmoded and overused spaces will eventually stand out (and not in a good way). Moreover, the fact that they are “wet” areas indicates that they undergo significant wear and strain.
Fortunately, a bathroom remodel is a relatively straightforward endeavor, particularly if you can communicate your requirements to your bathroom renovation contractor effectively. Here is the information you need to begin the planning process, including how to create your own bathroom renovation checklist.
Here at GreatBuildz, we speak with clients every day who are planning a bathroom remodel in Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura & San Diego Counties. GreatBuildz is a free service that connects homeowners with reliable, pre-screened remodel contractors, then provides ongoing project support to ensure a stress-free experience.
How To Start Planning Your Orange County, CA Bathroom Renovation
First off, it’s very important to have in mind the scale of your renovation project – by this, we mean if you’re solely planning to renovate your bathroom or want to improve other parts of your home as well. If you’re thinking about remodeling multiple rooms in your home, we recommend reading this article: Home Remodeling Guide For Orange County. If the bathroom is your main renovation focus, then keep reading below for tips and guidance.
Creating a bathroom renovation checklist is one of the most essential steps you can take during the planning phase, regardless of the size of your bathroom. This inventory includes tangible items such as the vanity, shower tiles, and lighting, in addition to labor and utility-related items such as demolition, construction, pipes, and electrical.
By identifying and listing all of your desires and needs, you will be able to request comprehensive, easily comparable bathroom remodeling contractor proposals that detail the entire scope of work. You will also have a better understanding of how to plan the budget for your bathroom renovation. We designed a free, printable bathroom remodeling checklist template to help you get started. You can eliminate the items that are unnecessary for your project and add notes that are specific to your objectives. The greater the level of specificity, the better.
Download Your Free Bathroom Renovation ChecklistWhat should my bathroom renovation checklist include?
Every bathroom renovation will be different, depending on the space you’re working with, the goals of your project, and the overall budget that you have in mind.
These are some of the most common items to include on a checklist:
Structural Changes
It is always simplest to maintain the same floor plan, but sometimes a change is necessary. Plan for demolition, rough construction, new plumbing, new ventilation, and new electrical if you intend to add or remove walls and alter the locations of your shower, sink, and toilet. If you are relocating or replacing your vanity, shower, or toilet, you will need to consider new infrastructure and ventilation solutions.
Shower/bathtub
The shower is the primary focal point of the restroom. A prefabricated fiberglass shower enclosure or tub/shower combo is available to homeowners on a tight budget who are remodeling their bathrooms. Those who prefer a more upscale appearance typically opt for tiled walls and a freestanding tub in their bathroom renovation checklist.
Vanity
You have two primary options for vanities in your bathroom renovation checklist: prefabricated units and custom-made pieces. Some prefabricated vanities include a countertop, but in most cases, you will need to purchase a countertop and a faucet separately.
Countertops
Countertops are available in prefabricated or custom cuts. The most commonly used bathroom countertop materials are laminate, natural stone, ceramic or porcelain tile, and solid surfaces. A showroom representative can assist you in making the optimal selection based on your preferences, requirements, and budget.
Toilet
Will you be replacing the commode in your home? There are various designs available, such as one-piece, two-piece, and all-in-one. A variety of additional features, such as hands-free flushes, commode attachments, heated seats, automatic overflow protection, and self-cleaning mechanisms, are also available. Choosing the proper commode can be a significant improvement to your bathroom.
Flooring
The flooring options you choose for your bathroom will depend on your overall preferences as well as your budget for the project. You may consider going with a timeless look using ceramic tile or you may prefer a more budget-friendly option like vinyl or linoleum.
Some less common, but great bathroom flooring options are using bamboo or cork flooring. Cork is a great choice if you’re selecting environmentally friendly options and bamboo is not only a sustainable choice, but also can be more cost-effective than other options listed here.
Fixtures and accessories
Then consider a catch-all category that includes everything from flooring to faucets to light fixtures. You have numerous options for each of these items, and your contractor can advise you on the most durable and cost-effective options.
Utilities
Even minor projects may necessitate utility updates, such as the installation of new or extra electrical receptacles and HVAC registers.
Painting and Finishing Touches
Your contractor’s crew will complete final tasks such as painting, touch-ups, hanging shelves, and towel bars, and checklist corrections at the conclusion of the renovation.
Related: Home and Bathroom Additions Guide For Orange County
What are the costs, procedures, and timeline for a bathroom renovation checklist?
When it comes to renovating a bathroom, there are a few important topics you should understand before starting your project. One of the most common questions is “How much will a bathroom remodel cost?”. You should also understand the steps that go into the project, as well as the expected timeline from start to finish.
How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Orange County?
Expect to pay approximately $25,000 to remodel a smaller or secondary bathroom in Orange County, and $40,000+ for a larger master bathroom. Your costs will depend on the location, size, and scope of the renovation, as well as the materials you select.
Download Your Free Bathroom Renovation ChecklistProcess and Timeline of a Bathroom Remodel
Before engaging a professional, we suggest that you start brainstorming a basic scope of work for your project – the more prepared you are before meeting with contractors or designers, the more productive those meetings will be. After completing your bathroom renovation checklist, if it is a more extensive remodel, you will hire a designer, architect, or bathroom remodeling contractor to create plans. This expert will then submit the plans to the city’s building department for review.
This required phase ensures that your project adheres to all applicable building codes in Orange County. During this approval period — which can last anywhere from two weeks to several months, depending on the backlog of projects — you can share your plans with local OC bathroom contractors and request estimates.
If you’re planning a straightforward bathroom renovation (i.e., you’re not relocating any walls or fixtures), you can likely skip the plans phase and proceed directly to obtaining bids from contractors.
When evaluating proposals, it is essential to examine not only the amount quoted but also the services provided. In certain instances, a contractor may provide you with a significantly reduced estimate, but leave you responsible for costs covered by other contractors, effectively nullifying the apparent savings. This is why establishing expectations through a detailed bathroom renovation checklist is so essential; it makes it simpler to compare apples to apples.
Depending on the scale and intricacy of the project, most bathroom renovations require between three and six weeks to complete.
Related: How To Add a Bathroom To Your Garage
How to locate the most qualified bathroom remodeler for your home
At GreatBuildz, we make it simple to connect with the finest bathroom contractors in Southern California. Whether you’re renovating in Orange County, Ventura County, or elsewhere in the Greater Los Angeles Area, we’ll put you in touch with the appropriate contractors.
Doesn’t matter if you’re just at square one or have already completed your bathroom renovation checklist – simply give us a call and describe your project, timeline, and budget to us. Our contractor concierge team will then match you with three local specialists who have been pre-screened and who specialize in the type of task you have described. Every contractor in our network undergoes an in-person interview, licensing and insurance verification, and reference checks, so you can rest assured that your home is in good hands.
Not sure how to find a remodeling contractor in Southern California? Let GreatBuildz help streamline your bathroom renovation experience—we’ll connect you with screened and dependable bathroom remodel contractors in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura, and San Diego. We’ll also give you project support so you can turn your inspiration into reality.
Call now (818.317.3567) to chat with a real person about your next renovation project or visit our website for more information: www.greatbuildz.com
