Erie PA Bathroom Remodeling & Renovation Services
Your bathroom should be a warm and comforting place that serves as your sanctuary from the outside world. Since you start and end each day in your bathroom, you deserve a cozy space that you look forward to spending time in. Bathroom remodels and renovations can increase your home’s value and snag high returns when you resell your property.
Most homeowners in Erie and any other location in PA would go for bathroom remodeling to upgrade their outdated bathroom, increase storage space, and add comfort and functionality to their home. Ranging from simple makeovers to major overhauls, bathroom remodels and renovations are done by contractors who can fix existing problems and freshen up your space.
You can get the bathroom you deserve by hiring an experienced and reliable bathroom remodeling contractor who will help you navigate the process.
Bathroom Remodeling: Everything You Need to Know
Any homeowner wants a great bathroom that speaks for their hobbies and personal style. Aside from aesthetics and functionality, a bathroom must deliver the comfort we need and become a calming oasis to rest after the day’s work. Renovations of any kind are not a walk in the park. In fact, bathroom remodeling is no small undertaking because it is a huge investment in terms of time, money, and effort.
Before sprucing up your bathroom and hiring a bathroom remodeler, you need to consider several aspects, such as the budget, design, and scope. You should also set specific goals and ask yourself, “why do you want to remodel your bathroom?”
To guide you better, we have compiled all the considerations you need to check before starting your bathroom remodel. Keep reading these best tips and advice from the experts to get prepared for a successful bathroom remodel.
Bathroom Remodeling Topics
How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost?
If you are considering remodeling your bathroom, one of the primary things you need to learn is how much it costs. Establishing a budget before you begin work will help you allocate your resources and avoid unnecessary costs. With proper budgeting, you can ensure that every penny is well spent and accounted for.
Homeowners spend on average $125 per square foot or around $10,500 in their bathroom remodels. If you are working on a smaller budget, you don’t have to remodel your bathroom all at once. You can still update some features inside your small or medium-sized bathroom, which can cost between $4,000 to $7,000.
A bathroom remodels overall cost will vary with the following factors:
- Existing Layout
- Construction Area or Zone
- Prices of Materials and Fixtures
- Labor and Permit Costs per State or City
Bathroom Material Costs
To give you an idea where your money goes, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) created a guideline in allocating your budget for a remodel:
Installation: 20%
Cabinetry and Hardware: 16%
Fixtures: 15%
Faucets and Plumbing: 14%
Flooring: 9%
Countertops: 7%
Walls and Ceilings: 5%
Design Fees: 4%
Doors and Windows: 4%
Others: 1%
Labor Costs
When evaluating how much your upgraded bathroom will cost, you need to remember that labor accounts for 40 to 60 percent of the total budget. On average, you will have to pay $50 to $75 per hour for labor. So, it would be best if you find a contractor who does not overcharge and provides excellent service. You may also ask them for an estimate that includes the breakdown of labor and material costs.
Estimated Breakdown for Bathroom Labor Costs
General Contractor Fees: $350 – $450 per day
Plumbing Costs: $1,200 – $2,200 per project
Interior Design Fees: $120 – $520 per project
Electrical Fees: $55 – $105 per hour
Drywall Installation Fees: $35 – $55 per hour
Estimated Bathroom Renovation Costs Per Area
15 square foot: $1,600 – $2,350
24 square foot: $2,500 – $3,700
36 square foot: $3,800 – $5,500
45 square foot: $5,600 – $6,800
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How Long Does It Take To Do a Bathroom Remodel?
A bathroom remodel and renovation will usually take two weeks to three months from start to finish. At Erie Bathroom Remodeling, we want you to help you understand each stage of a bathroom remodel. We’ve broken down the phases of a bathroom remodeling project to provide you with an idea of the timeline and how long the process will go.
- Design and Planning
- Demolition
- Electrical and Plumbing
- Flooring and Tile Finishing
- Wall and Ceiling Works
- Waterproofing
- Refinishing and Painting
- Fixtures and Vanities
During this pre-construction phase, the budget planning and selection of materials are done, which usually takes around one to two weeks. This stage depends on you and your contractor’s planning abilities and attention to detail.
This stage usually takes around 4-5 days or up to one week. The demolition or tear-out phase involves examining the materials and structure of your bathroom space, removing everything that needs to be upgraded, and installing support beams. If there are mold issues or minor water leaks, they can be uncovered and addressed before the plumbing work starts.
Also known as the rough-in process, this phase involves the plumbing and electrical works right after the demo. Your contractor needs to start working with your plumbing fixtures and electrical wirings depending on your new bathroom layout. The estimated period is 3-4 days or one week if the work is not too complex.
This involves the installation of new flooring boards and tiles. The bathroom floor renovations will last for one week, while the tile installation and grouting are completed after 3-4 days of work. Once done, your bathroom will have a fresh and updated look!
Installing new drywall on walls and ceilings can be done within 2-3 days. During this step, your bathroom remodeling contractor will attach the panels, tape the sheets, and add frames and braces for new fixtures. Your contractor must have the necessary tools and materials to finish the project on time and within budget.
One of the most crucial steps in bathroom remodeling is the waterproofing phase. This involves applying 2-3 coats on your wall sheets with a 24-hour drying and curing time. Usually takes around 3-4 days to complete, this drying process is needed to allow the waterproofing membrane to cure and avoid any water egress issues.
To freshen things up, you may now start refinishing and painting your vanity cabinets, walls, and ceilings. Your contractor can quickly finish this stage within 2-3 days.
You can now move on to the final step, which involves installing fixtures and vanities with countertops and faucets. Accessories like towel bars, mirrors, and cabinets are also installed at this final stage that can be completed within 1-2 days.
A final walk-through will be done after all the phases to ensure everything is as it should be.
What is the Most Cost-Effective Way to Redo a Bathroom?
You can spend as little as $1,500 up to $15,000 on a basic bathroom remodel. On the other hand, a high-end bathroom remodel costs around $25,000, which is expensive at face value.
No matter what the scale of your project, the amount you spend is always within your control. To help you save money on your bathroom remodel, we’ve listed some cost-saving tips you might want to try out:
- Be a Smart Shopper
You can try shopping around and picking out the materials yourself. This way, you can discover different materials, compare brands, and find the right products for your bathroom remodel. When you buy your vanities, tubs/showers, and flooring materials yourself, your contractor won’t charge you for material handling and storage.
- Don’t Replace Your Tiles
If your tiles are dirty but still in good shape, you can simply refinish them through topcoats and clear finishes. Tile refinishing is a much cheaper option for replacing them completely. You may also replace the grout or buy grout cleaners to bring those old tiles back to life.
- Keep Your Old Tub and Refinish It
An old tub or shower with signs of wear and tear can still be professionally resurfaced. You can buy ready-to-use cleaners to remove yellow stains and refinish your bathtub. Make your tub look new again without having to spend a fortune.
- Refinish Vanity Cabinets Instead of Replacing Them
Before buying new vanity cabinets and accessories, ask yourself if these items really need to be replaced. You have the options to refinish and reface them with paint or a new coating for a more upgraded look. Rather than buying expensive materials, you can try applying paint or wood finish topcoats to save more money.
- Handle Minor Aspects of Your Bathroom Remodel
You can save money on your remodel cost by doing what you can yourself. Since labor costs account for almost half of the budget, you can opt to take on simpler tasks like painting vanity cabinets, hanging mirrors, and installing prefab showerheads.
But always remember to only do work you are comfortable handling yourself since there are complicated tasks that should only be done by the experts.
How to Renovate a Small Bathroom
Bathroom remodeling and renovation can be very tricky, especially if you have a small space in your home. If you are stuck with a small bathroom but don’t have the time or budget for a complete remodel, there are simple bathroom remodeling and renovation hacks that can help create the illusion of space. You can try these quick and easy design and space-saving tips to help you make the most of your tiny area without costing too much or knocking down any walls:
- Ensure your wall and floor tiles match to create a feeling of more space
- Use mirrors and reflective surfaces to broaden the size of your bathroom
- Install larger tiles to create an illusion of a wider space
- Pick white and neutral colors for a bigger and more inviting room
- Place an open-shelf vanity cabinet and stackable baskets
- Install a corner sink and a wall-mounted faucet to save much space.
- Install towel bar behind your bathroom door
- Use geometric patterns to make your space larger
- Choose sliding or pocket doors instead of the standard ones
- Add a small indoor plant to liven up the room and open up space
Finding the Right Contractor to Remodel Your Bathroom
When finding a professional to do the job, you need to do plenty of research and check their track record. A bad contractor can turn your dream bathroom into a total nightmare, so make sure that you know the essential features and characteristics of a good bathroom modeler.
You can consider these 6 simple tips in choosing the right company for your bathroom remodel:
- Ask recommendations from neighbors, relatives, and friends if they know any excellent bathroom contractors
- Always look for an established and reputable company
- Talk to different bathroom remodeling companies and get written estimates from them
- Verify references, contracting licenses, and other credentials
- Ask for proof of insurance, property damage coverage, and licensure before signing any contracts
- Visit their website and look for their project portfolio
- Pin down the timeline and ask if the project will be handled by a project manager and a team
Ready to Get Started?
Reach out to Erie Bathroom Remodeling today and get a free quote from our remodeling experts! Our team is always ready to discuss your project ideas and help you achieve the bathroom you’ve always dreamed of. Let’s transform your bathroom into a relaxing retreat and sanctuary!