5 Steps to Plan a Stress-Free Calgary Bathroom Renovation

Your bathroom should be a place of relaxation and rejuvenation—your own personal spa, an oasis of calm in a hectic world. Unfortunately, most bathrooms don't really live up to those lofty ideals. If your bathroom is outdated, malfunctioning, not suited to the needs of your household or just plain ugly, there's a solution that can drastically change both the room and how you feel about it: a bathroom renovation project from an experienced Calgary handyman team.

But before you get started on the demolition process, you need a solid bathroom renovation plan. Coming up with a plan for your dream bathroom space can be a big challenge, but it's also a lot of fun. This is your chance to really infuse your Calgary home with your own personal style and taste to transform your current space into the room you've always wanted it to be. Our Calgary bathroom renovation guide covers five steps that will help you avoid stress throughout the entire project, plus the answers to some commonly asked questions.

When you have a pretty good idea of what you want your new bathroom renovation to look like, call in the team of bathroom experts at Mr. Handyman of Calgary South. We are a locally owned and operated, family-run business in Calgary with decades of experience in repair and remodeling trades. We know exactly what to do to make your bathroom renovation painless and deliver results that meet—or exceed—your expectations for top-quality workmanship and customer service from a Calgary handyman.

1. Plan for the Future

The very first thing you should do is take some time to think about what you want and need right now, but also what you'll want and need a few years down the road. That may seem obvious, but it's very easy to get distracted while flipping through glossy, airbrushed photos of modern bathroom designs and forget what your household really needs to make a bathroom renovation work for your Calgary home.

For example, you may not need accessible bathroom fixtures right now, but if you are approaching your golden years and plan to age in place, or you may have a family member with disabilities living with you in the future, it makes sense to consider features that will make life easier for someone with reduced mobility. That could include a barrier-free shower, a walk-in bathtub or even grab bars and other assistive features.

Or, maybe you're a carefree couple who both prefer to take showers—but you want to have kids in the next few years. In that case, you want to make sure you keep at least one bathtub in the house. Toddlers are slippery, and bathing them in a shower is not for the faint of heart. By considering those future needs, you can create a renovation plan that will stand the test of time and serve your family well for years to come.

Are Bathroom Renovations Worth It?

Absolutely. Remodels make your home more comfortable, livable, appealing and perfectly suited to your household, which is priceless. Your bathroom should be a place that you enjoy going to relax and refresh yourself, not a dingy little room that you don't like and can't wait to leave.

If you are thinking of selling your Calgary house in the next couple of years, there's another factor that makes bathroom renovations worth it: an increase in property value. Newly remodeled bathrooms and kitchens are high on the wish list for most prospective buyers, so a renovation can go a long way towards convincing them to seal the deal and help you get a return on your investment.

If raising property value is part of your plan for your Calgary bathroom renovation, it's a good idea to choose neutral finishes such as white tile that will help potential buyers imagine themselves living there. If that feels a little too bland for your taste, remember you can always spice it up with brightly colored textiles and artwork.

2. List Everything You'll Need

Next up, sit down and make a list of every last thing you will need for your bathroom renovations. You may think you know exactly what you'll need, but sitting down to make a list can be an eye-opening experience. It also makes it a lot easier to plan an accurate budget. You'll be glad you took the time to do it when you're enjoying your new, perfectly-appointed room with everything you need and want in place.

Your list will, of course, vary depending on what you are planning on doing with your Calgary bathroom renovation, but it may include items and materials such as:

Drywall
Windows
Paint
Wall tile and floor tile
Lighting fixtures
Ventilation
Toilet
Bathroom vanity
Mirror
Sink(s)
Shower head
Glass shower doors
Bathroom cabinets and other types of storage space
Medicine cabinet
Towel rack
Toilet paper holder
Waste basket
Towels, bath mat and other textiles
Plants, artwork and décor

Should I Change the Layout During My Bathroom Renovation?

Changing your bathroom layout is an option, though it warrants some careful consideration. You will naturally be limited by the square footage and shape of the existing area, and bathrooms tend to follow a few tried-and-true layouts that are designed to maximize space in what is typically a pretty small room. It is also considerably more costly to relocate plumbing fixtures such as toilets and sinks instead of simply replacing the old fixtures with new ones in the same spots, so if you don't mind your current floor plan and want to keep the budget under control, it makes sense to keep the layout as-is.

But if the current layout just isn't working for you, it's time for a change. Grab a pencil and make a rough sketch of how you want the floor plan to look. It doesn't have to be an artistic masterpiece—just seeing your thoughts sketched out in front of you is a huge help when it comes to identifying potential trouble areas. It also helps your Calgary remodeling team understand exactly what you want so everyone's on the same page.

3. Cushion Your Budget

When you're working out your budget, you know you need to account for the costs of labour and materials. But once you've got everything worked out and you know the overall financial plan for the entire project, you should consider adding a "cushion" of about 20% or 30% more than you think you'll need to spend. Bathroom renovations (along with other types of remodel projects) have a way of going over budget due to unforeseen expenses.

Your Calgary handyman may remove your old flooring material and discover water damage to the floor joists that needs to be repaired, or you could be planning to keep your old fixtures, only to find out they are on their last legs and should be replaced. Including some extra funds in your budget will allow you to deal with unexpected costs stress-free and remain on budget. If you don't end up using it, you can always put it into a kitchen renovation fund!

How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost in Calgary?

On average, Canadians spend about $10,000 for a bathroom renovation. However, it's not necessarily that helpful to know the average spend for your Calgary bathroom renovation cost analysis, because there's so much variation in what people choose to pay, ranging from a couple thousand dollars to over $30,000. It's more important to focus on what you need and want to get out of the project and go from there.

Remember, you don't necessarily have to gut the entire room and start from scratch. Smaller projects such as converting a bathtub to a walk-in shower can make a big impact on your room without breaking the bank.

4. Choose the Perfect Materials

One of the most difficult parts of the entire process is choosing the right materials for your home, from tile and fixtures to countertops and décor. If you've already started browsing through the options, you've probably noticed there's a staggering variety of choices available for renovation materials in Calgary. That can feel overwhelming at first, but there are a few questions you can ask yourself to help narrow it down, such as:

What style am I going for? (For example, rustic, old-fashioned, elegant, modern, minimalist, bohemian, etc.)
What is my colour scheme? (When in doubt, choose a primary colour for about 60% of the room, a complementary secondary colour for about 30% of the room, and a contrasting accent color for the remaining 10% or so.)
What's most important to me, appearance or durability and performance? (It's not always a trade-off between the two, but knowing your own priorities can make the selection process much easier.)

If you are concerned about staying on budget, finishing materials are a good place to do some cost-slashing. This isn't about choosing shoddy, poor quality finishes—of course you want to use beautiful, durable, high-quality materials—but there's a lot of possibilities to scale the budget up or down.

For example, you may love the look of a marble countertop, but natural stone is expensive and can be easily stained or chipped. A quartz countertop doesn't scream “luxury!” like marble does, but it's attractive, durable, low maintenance and comparatively inexpensive.

What Kind of Tile is Best for Bathroom Renovations?

Speaking of a wide variety of options, there are so many tiles to choose from. Because there's such a robust selection of sizes, shapes, colors, patterns, textures and styles available, and a new tile installation can really dominate the appearance of a room, this is a great opportunity to make a strong design statement.

When it comes to choosing the best type of tile for a bathroom, it helps to consider the location and purpose of the tile. Glass is too delicate for the floor, but even a small accent strip makes a striking design element that adds depth when it is included on the wall in the shower or bathroom backsplash. Porcelain or ceramic tile are by far the most popular choices for floors and walls alike because they are extremely durable, virtually maintenance-free and come in a huge array of design options, so you're sure to find one that exudes the look you're going for.

5. Indulge a Little—Or a Lot

Finally, make sure you indulge by adding in at least one luxury feature or amenity you've always wanted to have in your bathroom. It doesn't necessarily have to be a costly item, just something that will put the crowning touches on the whole bathroom and make you really excited to get in there and start enjoying the space. Making room for something that is more of a “want” than a “need” will increase your satisfaction with the project and help transform your bathroom into the best room in your house.

How Can I Take My Calgary Bathroom Renovation to the Next Level?

Need some inspiration? Here are a few ideas for luxury bathroom renovation additions that will get you thinking about the perfect amenity for your room:

Heated floors so you don't have to step on chilly tile in the morning, and the whole room gets even heating
Unique décor such as hanging plants or themed decorative elements
A wall-mounted television for the ultimate indulgence—watching TV in the bathtub
A seated vanity table with a lighted mirror for applying cosmetics

Ready to Transform Your Calgary Home With Bathroom Renovations? Mr. Handyman Can Help!

Whether you are in Lake Bonavista, Quarry Park, Mahogany or another nearby community, you can trust the professionals at Mr. Handyman of Calgary South to deliver the highest standards of craftsmanship for your Calgary renovations, as well as customer care that goes above and beyond.

Pick up the phone and give us a call today to schedule a convenient appointment time, or to chat with our knowledgeable customer service staff and find out more about all the ways we can transform your Calgary home for the better.