Poor ventilation
When remodeling bathroom, it’s easy to assume that a cracked window will provide enough ventilation to prevent mold and mildew. This simply isn’t always the case. Many homeowners choose to spend the extra money needed to install an exhaust fan, ensuring adequate ventilation that to keep the air fresh and protect the fixtures and building materials in the bathroom itself. Also, consider using a mold resistant oil based paint for added protection.
Overcrowding
When you’re spending good money to redo your bathroom, there’s a temptation to try to squeeze in too much. Whether it’s a separate bath and shower or double wash basins, think twice before you add in bathroom elements that weren’t there before. Take careful measurements and get an expert’s opinion if you’re committed to new additions. There’s nothing worse than a cramped and crowded bathroom, especially after the time and money you’ve invested.
Going trendy
Bathroom remodels are an investment that you want to last, not one that you plan on repeating every few years. For this reason, it’s worth skipping the trends and sticking to bankable renovations. Avoid highly stylized fixtures and decorative tiles and opt for a cleaner more classic look. You can always change the style of your bathroom with bright towels or wall art, but you’ll likely regret installing trendy elements that make the room look dated a few years down the road.
Choosing low quality materials
Bathrooms get a lot of use — perhaps more use than any other room in the house. That said, it makes sense to renovate your bathroom with high quality materials that will last. Don’t opt for discount fixtures or tiles that are likely to show wear and tear in a year or two. If you aren’t sure where to save and where to splurge, consult with a specialist for advice on where quality matters the most.
Finding a Reliable Bathroom Renovation Contractor
Your first line of defense against a botched bathroom renovation is hiring a reliable and experienced contractor. When possible, choose a contractor that specializes in bathrooms. Even 25 years of renovation experience might not be enough if those years only included 3 remodeled bathrooms.
If you don’t have any friends or family with contractor recommendations, conduct some research online, looking at ratings and reviews. When it comes time to narrow down your list, ask to see recently completed jobs so that you can inspect the quality of a contractor’s work first hand. It may be a little more time intensive, but conducting a thorough search for a bathroom contractor will help ensure that your job is done perfectly with no major problems along the way.
