There are numerous ways to invest in your home going into 2024 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 with a whole home remodel.
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 the most valuable renovation areas for ROI and improved experience.
As you consider which home improvements to tackle in the coming year, two primary questions may come to mind: How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom? And what sort of value will it add?
For professional 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 functional 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?
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 or relocating, 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:
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, high-end materials, 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.
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 $40,000 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 elevate 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.
An upscale remodel currently averages about $78,000 in our region, although the result is a fully redesigned luxury master bath and a plethora of modern amenities. The cost for an upscale bathroom remodel includes installing a new tub and/or expanding your shower, plus adding a seat and custom doors. Plumbing fixtures may be moved to other locations within the bathroom to accommodate the new layout. Other aspects of the extensive 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, updating to current code requirements, painting other areas, adding additional millwork, or extra wall treatment and fixtures.
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 if you have robust DIY skills. 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.
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 they 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.
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 alone. 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 every crew member and specialized subcontractor (if need be) works so they complete your project in an efficient and timely manner.
Within the industry, there is debate about bathroom remodeling ROI and how quickly costs poured into updating the room will be recouped. Generally, staying in your home for a few years after your remodel will allow your home to appreciate in value and increase the proportionate return on your upgrade. Mid-range bathroom remodels recoup about 50 to 60 percent of their value in the area, 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. 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 is 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.
Here are the best ways to create value during your bathroom remodel while respecting your budget.
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, and 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.
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 a bathroom remodel costs, talk to two or three reputable contractors in your area. This will help you determine what is a reasonable cost for your upcoming home improvement.
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 into 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, reach out today.