Increase Your Home’s Value With The Right Bathroom Renovation

Bathroom renovation

Can you increase your home’s value with a bathroom renovation? It is well known in the real estate industry that kitchens and baths sell a home. Homebuyers are looking for homes that need little updating to suit their decorating tastes. A bathroom renovation will indeed increase the value of your home. 

Appraisers will consider the condition of the bathrooms when they are valuing the home for the lender. Normal wear and tear is more evident in the bathroom of the home. Moisture is a contributing cause of the wear and tear in the bathroom due to the use of hot water. 

Let’s look at some reasons you may choose to remodel your bathroom.

  • Safety is always the number one reason to do any home repair or renovation. For example, if your bathroom has slippery or cracked tiles, water damage, mold, damaged wallboards, or water leaks, you will want to make corrections.
  • Updating an outdated bathroom can not only be for aesthetic purposes but also for energy efficiency. The bath may have been a state-of-the-art masterpiece when installed, but modern fixtures and building materials can make a big difference in energy savings.
  • Additional storage is another reason to update a bathroom. A pedestal sink may look beautiful, but it does not provide any storage for personal care products. If you live in a small space, you may need to utilize any available space to create storage.
  • Changing family needs can be a good reason to invest in a bathroom renovation. For instance, if your family grew over the years, you might need to adjust to accommodate more family members, such as a double vanity instead of a single vanity. If you have aging family members, you may need to update to a walk-in shower, add a bench in an existing shower or upgrade to a comfort height toilet.
  • Plumbing issues could also be a cause for a bathroom renovation. Plumbing fixtures and pipes can deteriorate over time and need to be upgraded.
  • Your current bathroom may not suit your style. Even if you built the home yourself, your decorating tastes could change over time. If you purchased the house, you inherited someone else’s style. Now could be the time to create the bathroom of your dreams.
  • Your bathroom is the most used room in your home. Create a safe and comfortable space for you and your household members to enjoy daily.

What should you consider before remodeling your bathroom?

  • Create a realistic budget. Decide how much money you have to spend on your bathroom renovation. Then, determine what you will be able to do with that budget. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of labor you may need to hire.
  • Determine how long the project will take. If you are using contractors, understand how much time will be needed to complete the job.
  • Create a plan for bathroom use while under construction. Do you have another bathroom you can use in the home? If not, discuss with your contractor what you will and will not be able to use during construction and create a plan for showering and toilet usage.
  • Change what wasn’t working in the existing bath. Now is the time to change what wasn’t working for you. Specifically, do you need more storage, a more oversized countertop, etc.?
  • Determine the overall look you would like. Then, gather design ideas to create the type of bath you desire. There are plenty of online sites like Houzz where you get ideas for your new bath design.
  • Take time to coordinate the fixtures. Whether you will do a budget or a luxury update, coordinating the fixtures will make a significant difference in the finished product.
  • Decide on the finishes you’d prefer. Many decisions will need to be made like tile, walls, floors, faucets, towel bars, and more to create a cohesive look.
  • The type of lighting. There is a variety of lighting options, from budget to high-end. First, consider the purpose of the lighting. For instance, if you apply your makeup in the bathroom, you will want bright task lighting.

Types of Bathroom Renovations

The remodeling industry breaks down bathroom renovations into categories—mid-range, upscale and universal design.

A mid-range bathroom renovation includes:

  • Ceramic tile flooring
  • Standard white toilet
  • Solid surface vanity
  • Medicine cabinet with light
  • Tub with ceramic tile shower surround
  • Cost approximately $20,000

An upscale bathroom renovation includes:

  • In-floor heating
  • Heated towel bars
  • Recessed shower cubby for products
  • Body spray fixtures
  • Frameless shower doors
  • Freestanding bathtub
  • Commode closet
  • Cost can be up to 3 times that of a standard remodel

A universal designed bathroom renovation includes:

  • Space to accommodate the turning radius of a wheelchair
  • Zero step entry shower
  • Slip-resistant floors
  • Hand-held shower head
  • Shower seat
  • Grab bars
  • Comfort height toilets
  • Roll under sinks to accommodate wheelchairs
  • Costs can run $30,000 to $40,000

You can always do a budget remodel as well. Be careful that you purchase quality products, however. Subpar products can cost you more in the long run if you have to replace them sooner.

Remodeling Magazine estimates that midrange bathroom remodels in the Middle Atlantic region of the US will generate a 57.4 return on your investment. A universally designed bathroom accommodates the needs of people of any ability, height, or age, whether they are seated, standing, or using a wheelchair. You may recognize a 58.2% return for a universally designed bathroom. And an upscale bathroom remodel will yield a 53% return.

How can you save expenses on your bathroom renovation?

  • Don’t move the plumbing. The cost to move a sink, tub, or toilet can get expensive. Relocating these fixtures can cost upwards of $5,000 each.
  • Frame a builder-grade wall mirror to update the look. Not replacing that massive wall mirror will save you money, but you can update it with a simple frame. The frame can also hide any wear around the edges that occurs over time.
  • Don’t replace all the fixtures. You can make a toilet look better by just replacing the seat and lid. You may consider painting a tub instead of replacing it.
  • Check out salvage and resale stores like Habitat For Humanity Restore. They sell new and used items, including building materials. Also, check out Craigslist, Online Marketplaces, and E-bay.
  • Utilize materials like board and batten or beadboard instead of tile to save some expense and still achieve a high-end look.
  • Use paint to create interest. Utilizing color can bring out aspects of your tile that you have not realized.
  • Repurpose cabinetry. A fresh coat of paint or refinishing cabinets can cut down on the expense of your renovation. In addition, you can upgrade the countertops to make an impact.

Whether you are doing a budget renovation or a high-end renovation, you need to plan your budget and allow for a contingency carefully. You never know what you will find when you start tearing things apart. Unexpected expenses can occur even with the most thoroughly thought-through plans.

If you were to over-improve your bathroom, you might not recognize the return on investment you expect. You may be surprised to know it is possible to over-improve your home. Check out this previous blog post to read more about it.

Once your bathroom renovation is complete, you can enjoy the rewards of your efforts. But, of course, enjoying a soak in the tub or a steamy shower will probably be first on your list after all the hard work is complete.

If you are hiring contractors to do the job, check their references before signing a contract. You can also check to see if the contractor is licensed here at the New York State Attorney General’s website.


Contact me, Charles D’Alessandro, your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent with Fillmore Real Estate. As a Brooklyn real estate agent with over 30 years of experience, I have seen many good and bad bathroom renovations. I’d be happy to discuss your plans to prevent over-improving for your neighborhood.  I can be reached by phone at (718) 253-9500 ext. 1901 or by email at [email protected].


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