A bathroom is a small room with a lot going on: water, tile, lighting, ventilation and fixtures, all in a tight space. Decisions made early shape everything that follows, so it pays to answer a few questions before demolition day.
1. What is not working today?
Start with the problems, not the finishes. A shower that is hard to clean, a vanity with no storage, poor lighting at the mirror or a fan that does not clear steam are all easier to fix when they are part of the plan from the start.
2. Shower, tub or both?
This is often the biggest decision in a bathroom remodel. Many homeowners replace a tub they rarely use with a walk-in shower. If you are thinking about it, consider who uses the bathroom now and who might use it later.
3. Is everything staying where it is?
Keeping the toilet, sink and shower in their current spots keeps the plumbing simpler. Moving them is possible, but it adds work behind the walls and under the floor. Decide early, because it changes the scope of the whole project.
4. What tile, and where?
Tile sets the look of the room. Think about where it goes (floor, shower walls, a wainscot or a full wall), the size and the pattern. A diagonal layout or an accent row needs to be planned before setting, not decided halfway through.
5. What happens behind the walls?
The parts you will never see matter most in a bathroom. When a shower is taken down to the framing, the walls can be prepared properly with backer board before new tile goes up. On one recent DR Gates bathroom job, the old shower came out down to the framing, new backer board went in, and then diagonal tile with black accents, a corner bench and a glass panel.
6. What is your timing?
If this is your only bathroom, plan for how your household will manage while it is out of use. Share your timing when you talk through the plan so the schedule is clear before work begins.
Ready to plan yours?
DR Gates Remodeling handles shower and complete bathroom remodels in Scottsdale and McDowell Mountain Ranch, from demolition through the final walkthrough. Send a quote request or call (480) 231-6401.