Renovation Series
Bathroom Renovation
PART ΙΙ: Costs and Future Value.
The bathroom is one of the most important parts of our home, a place of basic hygiene, relaxation and rejuvenation. That’s why it must meet certain requirements to be as functional, comfortable and stylish as possible.
In the previous article we discussed how you can optimize your bathroom space and upgrade its aesthetic with the appropriate interior design selections. In this article we will share tips on renovation costs and future value.
Future Value
Along with the kitchen, the bathroom is the area that usually shows the most how old and how well or poorly maintained a house is. Renovating your bathroom does not just bring up-to-date the aesthetics, it also ensures a better value for the house, if you were to sell or rent in the future. It also future-proofs your house in case your needs or family situation changes. For example, a double sink could be useful if you live with other people, and an accessible bathroom is the best option in case elders move in. You can check out our article on future-proofing for more insight on this matter.
More on this design here.
Technical is not Technicality
First things first. In the renovation of a bathroom, attention must be paid to the good quality of the technical elements that are installed (such as plumbing, electricals and joints). This can save you large expenses of damage that may occur in the future. It is very important to ensure all you technical elements are in good condition before you proceed to the design and furnishing!
Costs
The cost of a bathroom renovation differs from case to case. The two main scenarios are the full renovation (including rerouting of plumbing, replacing electrical, maybe even structural changes) and the partial renovation (where it is only about the finishes, such as surfaces and equipment). In the partial renovation, the cost will depend most on the brands of the finishes, sanitary equipment and furnishings you will decide on.
When it comes to a full renovation, the cost will depend on more factors, such as the replacement of water and sewage pipes, changes in the electrical installation, the plumbing network and the installation of new tiles. If there is mold, a leak, or any other damages, this will also affect the cost.
The last and most important factor in estimating costs is the total area of the bathroom. Most items will be a function of how large your bathroom is.
Here are some high levels estimates of the most common items in renovating a bathroom:
- Bathroom tiles: low average 20€/sqm | average 40-60€/sqm | high average 80-90 €/sqm
- Bathroom equipment (incl. installation): average 8-10K
- Removal of current bathroom equipment and tiles: average € 1500
- Wall adjustments: € 4500 -5000
- Plumbing adjustments: € 1000 – 1500
- Electrical adjustments: € 1500 – 2000
- Tiling work: floor tiles average 95€/sqm | wall tile average 45€/sqm
- Electrical floor heating (if needed): € 900
Tip: Where it would be good not to make discounts, is the bathroom taps. Low-value tap solutions are not reliable and often malfunction.
TIPS TO SAVE MONEY:
Combine expensive tiles with cheaper tiles. For example by placing expensive tiles on the floor and cheaper ones on the walls.
Wall tiles do not need to go all the way from floor to ceiling – with the exception of the shower – so you could have wall tiles until 120 cm from the wall and then just paint on the upper wall
Shower cubicles are generally more expensive than a walk-in shower
If possible, try to stick with the original bathroom layout so you can save some money on the water/electrical adjustments.
Ask for professional help
Although your interior design taste may be great, the bathroom is one of the rooms you should avoid renovating on your own. You will need professional advice to keep your project under control and within budget, specially when it comes to technical questions and plumbing and electrical installations. From your architect to your contractor, make sure you get the best help you can. This will save you a lot of efforts, money and trouble in the long run.
How to start? It’s easy to get lost and go off-budget. Get a cost estimate so that you have an organised plan from the start, know how much the renovation will cost and, most importantly, where and how the budget will be used.
If you are considering renovating your bathroom and would like some help, get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to help you with any questions you have.
