There are numerous ways to invest in your home going into 2022 that will increase its value while making it more comfortable for you and your family. Each room presents its unique possibilities, or you can tackle the entire house and give it a timely upgrade.
Choosing which renovations are best for your home in Delaware can depend on a variety of factors, including the age and estimated value of your house, how it is used (as a primary, secondary, or rental home), and simply what spaces are unattractive or cause frequent frustration. Different homes may benefit from unique or very specific projects, but in general, kitchens and bathrooms continue to be spaces singled out by realtors and other industry professionals as being valuable renovation areas.
Why Choose a Bathroom Remodel?
As you consider which home improvements to tackle in the coming year, two primary questions may come to mind: How does it cost to remodel bathroom? And, what sort of value will it add?
For bathroom remodeling in Delaware, the cost and time investment are significant. The benefits, however, are also plentiful. From adding storage to improving the room’s efficiency or appearance, the bathroom remodel return on investment (ROI) makes the project worthwhile. You can improve the quality of life for yourself and other household members, make guests more comfortable, and appeal to future homebuyers who will care about water pressure, lighting, storage, layout, and other elements in the bathroom.
Additionally, you can increase the energy efficiency of your home by updating certain features—including showerheads, faucets, and lighting—which will generate savings on energy costs after the project is completed. When remodeling, many families also choose modern solutions to create extra storage space that reduces clutter on countertops and other areas in the bathroom. Others may choose to go the luxury or extra comfort route by installing heated floors or large soaking tubs.
Related: How Long Does it Take to Remodel a Bathroom in Deleware?
How Much Should I Budget for a Bathroom Remodel?
Each bathroom renovation project in Delaware looks different based on a variety of factors, including the size of the space, whether you are changing the entire design style, what features or bathroom components you’re adding, and the materials you select. Although bathroom remodel labor costs don’t fluctuate significantly within a regional market, your price for a contractor may also vary slightly depending on what services are included. Here is a look at the average bathroom remodel cost at three different levels:
Basic-Level Bathroom Remodeling
On average, it costs about $25,000 for a basic-level remodel for a master bathroom and $15,000 for a typical 5″-by-8″ hall bathroom. This level of remodel includes replacing the existing tub and shower base, installing a porcelain tile floor and shower walls, adding custom shower doors, updating electric, and renovating plumbing fixtures and cabinetry. You’re also paying for space planning and layout design and the benefit of having a project manager, in addition to labor and materials.
The scope for a basic-level remodel, however, does not include relocating fixtures or expanding the space at all. Those elements add to the cost of a remodel because they require additional plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work, not to mention potentially knocking down walls or restructuring the floorplan.
Mid-Level Bathroom Remodeling
For a second-tier, or mid-level, bathroom renovation near Wilmington, you’re looking at about $25,000 for a hall bathroom and upwards of $30,000 for a master bath. A remodel of this nature often expands the existing shower base and also provides limited fixture movement, in addition to the features of a basic-level remodel. The remodel typically incorporates granite or quartz into your countertop or shower to go along with porcelain tile flooring and a more upscale vanity. Additionally, for the cost of a mid-level renovation, you can make some electrical and plumbing upgrades.
Upper-Level Bathroom Remodeling
An upper-level remodel is priced from about $30,000 to $45,000, although the cost is significantly more if you’re fully renovating a luxury master bath and adding a plethora of modern amenities. The cost for an upper-level bathroom remodel includes installing a new tub and/or expanding your shower, plus adding a seat and custom doors. Appliances and fixtures may be moved to other locations within the bathroom and you will get electrical changes or updates to accommodate the new layout. Other aspects of the remodel include installing a natural stone floor, shower base, and walls; enhancing the storage space; upgrading the cabinetry; and installing heated flooring
Many projects in Delaware fall between the mid- and upper-level categories. Some other costs to be aware of include permitting fees, upgrading smoke detectors to current code requirements, painting or other wall treatments, and adding decorative light fixtures, mirrors, and bath accessories.
Related: How to Avoid Common Home Improvement Mistakes
Can You Remodel a Bathroom for $5000 in Delaware?
Not everyone is ready to make a major investment into a bathroom remodel, but you can accomplish quite a bit in terms of cosmetic upgrades with a roughly $5,000 budget. For that cost, you can accomplish various tasks, such as removing a wall-mounted cabinet that’s getting in the way, installing an upcycled vanity, redoing the floor, picking a new light fixture and mirror, refinishing your tile work, and adding a fresh coat of paint. With a few budget-friendly ideas, you can significantly spruce up the appearance of your bathroom without breaking the bank. Keep in mind, however, you won’t have much latitude for relocating fixtures and making changes to your floor plan if you’re trying to keep the project at $5,000 or below and it usually requires you have a good range of DIY remodeling skills.
What’s the Most Expensive Part of Bathroom Renovations?
Ultimately, homeowners have more control over the budget than they might realize because the greatest influencing factor when it comes to bathroom remodeling costs is the selections you make in terms of materials, features and finishes. If you choose economy-grade materials and stock fixtures, your cost will be lower. On the flip side, the more custom fixtures and upscale materials you incorporate into the project, the greater your bottom line.
How Much Does Bathroom Remodel Labor Cost?
Labor costs for bathroom remodeling can vary a bit regionally and they typically account for about 40% to 65% of your budget. On average, you should expect to pay about $50 to $75 per hour for labor. A majority of homeowners in Delaware pay about $3,500 per project for their general contractor. Each other professional you end up using—including interior designers, electricians, plumbers, and carpenters—also affects your labor costs.
Unlike materials, however, you don’t have much control to save on labor costs. A majority of reputable construction companies within a given area will charge roughly the same for labor. If they are claiming to be significantly below the industry average, that could be cause for concern. What you can do is hire a trustworthy general contractor who will develop a meticulous, well-thought-out schedule that makes the most of the hours being put in by every crew member and specialized subcontractor (if need be) so they complete your project in an efficient and timely manner.
In the process of selecting a general contractor for your bathroom remodel in Delaware, it’s important to find out their average bathroom remodel cost depending on the size of the space and which services are included.
How Much Value Does a Bathroom Remodel Add?
Within the industry, there is debate about bathroom remodeling ROI and how quickly costs poured into updating the room will be recouped. In general, though, mid-range and upscale bathroom remodels recoup about 50 to 60 percent of their value in the area in 2020, according to Remodeling’s Cost vs. Value Report. Upscale bathroom remodels in the region tend to have a lower ROI than basic or mid-range remodels, but they’re still a worthwhile investment, especially if you live in a more upscale neighborhood and the other spaces in your home compliment a lavish bathroom.
Bathroom remodels, especially bathroom remodels that follow the trends of the time, add value in another way though. Like bedrooms, you spend ample time each day in the bathroom, handling your morning and evening routines, from showering and shaving to dressing and preparing for the day. It’s important that your bathroom be a place that is functional, comfortable, inviting, and perfectly suited to your individual lifestyle. Remodeling provides you an opportunity to transform your bathroom style to your current tastes or address any elements that cause dissatisfaction.
How Much Does It Cost to Remodel Your Bathroom in 2022?
In 2022, inflation and supply problems have impacted costs, raising the cost of home improvements overall. If you’re on a tight budget, there are many things you can do to make your bathroom remodel more affordable. Some examples:
Shop around. Shop for the right contractor, and the right materials. It’s important to remember that the lowest-cost contractors are not necessarily the best contractors for your bathroom remodel. Saving money on the remodel and installation can lead to more money spent down the road, on repairs and updates. Don’t sacrifice quality or functionality in the name of saving money, or you’ll reduce your overall happiness with the work.
Plan ahead. Last-minute work costs more, either because you’ll feel forced to purchase materials at a sub-optimal cost, or because you must pay whatever it costs to get the contractors who are available on short notice. You can save money by planning ahead and giving yourself time to find the right materials and the right contractor at the right price.
Do some of the work yourself. Some work can easily be done by homeowners, thus reducing the overall cost of the remodel. Painting your bathroom is one example of a way to lower your bathroom remodel cost. If you’re going to do some work yourself, it’s important to remember that there is some work that should not be performed by an untrained homeowner. In general, plumbing work and fixture installation should be performed by a trained professional. Coordinate with your contractor to decide what the division of labor will be.
Communicate your budget with your contractor, get advice. Your contractor may be able to make suggestions that will help you control costs. Tell your contractor what your budget is and find out what is realistic for the amount that you’re able to spend.
Know your must-haves versus your nice-to-haves. Have a list of priority items, and a list of items that are not that important. This will make it easier for your contractor to help you craft a remodel that will meet your needs and fit in your budget.
How Do I Estimate the Cost to Remodel Bathroom?
The best way to estimate your bathroom remodel cost is to meet with a qualified contractor. All bathroom remodels are different. Rather than trying to guess how much does a bathroom remodel cost, talk to two or three contractors in your area. This will help you determine what is a reasonable cost for your upcoming home improvement.
Remodeling Your Delaware Bathroom
Whether you have already pinpointed specific items to include in your upcoming bathroom remodel or you want new ideas for how to improve the aesthetic and function of the space, don’t hesitate to contact Bromwell Construction Company. With many years of experience serving homeowners in Wilmington and the surrounding area, we possess valuable insight on home improvements and how a bathroom remodel can benefit you. If you live in Wilmington, North Wilmington, Greenville, Hockessin, Brandywine, Pike Creek, Newark, Bear, New Castle, Middletown or in any of the surrounding communities, call today.
