Growing Pains in Your Bathroom Remodel

Bathroom Remodeling Jan 3

A bathroom remodel can bring your home up to date and leave you with a gleaming room of designer fixtures. The journey to this spa-like experience in your home is a different story.One of the biggest worries our clients have is something we refer to as “the Backup Plan.” A bathroom remodel can take between four and six weeks, and this area of your home will be out of commission for that time. Here’s how you can survive the remodeling process and deal with life during the renovation.

Ask to Help With Scheduling

A bathroom remodel has many different components, and not all of them require your room to be out of commission. Planning for the large projects can help everything run as smoothly as possible. For example, ask workers to attempt larger projects after your family goes to work and school.If you have only one bathroom, a remodel can present an obvious logistical problem. Minimize the commotion of a remodel by asking to help plan the schedule. You can easily use Kurtis Digital scheduler to facilitate this. It ensures you stay in the loop about all the comings and goings during your remodel. Know when contractors and inspectors will be in your home – and when they’ll be out – so your life isn’t in a state of constant disruption.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

Make sure your general contractor or project manager has the best contact numbers for you or anyone else who makes decisions in the household. Relying on texts or voicemails back and forth can lead to a game of “telephone,” where your requests aren’t well understood or even received in a timely fashion. The more up-to-date communication you have with your team, the more you can set realistic expectations and plan for bathroom downtime.

Make Contingency Plans for Children and Pets

Workers will be frequently entering and exiting your home throughout the construction process. It’s essential to keep your pets and small children safe from heavy equipment and slamming doors.Consider creating a separate area for your pets during the day, and be sure to keep your children out of the construction zone.

Ask Your Team About a Makeshift Bath

If you use the bathroom for daily use, ask your contractor or a builder to set up a temporary bathroom. This is possible by setting up a temporary fiberglass shower unit that leads directly into your basement drain. A contractor can also set up a temporary toilet. While this may run you about $500, it’s worth it in the long run because you don’t need to run to the neighbor’s house or the gym every time you want to use the bathroom.

Create a Traffic Area

Renovation inevitably brings dust, dirt, and grime into your home. Fortunately, you can minimize the mess by designating traffic areas for workers. By creating a path that’s both easy and accessible, you can protect your flooring while giving workers room they need to enter and exit your home.If weather permits, your workers can also put a fan in the window to create a backdraft and encourage dust-filled air outside, which will help minimize the dust that settles in your home.

Clear Storage Areas

Occasionally, your contractors will need access to the garage, basement, or other areas to work on the plumbing or electricity. You can ease the process by making sure all storage areas are relatively clean prior to the beginning of work.

Rely on Others for Help

Lastly, know that your bathroom may be out of commission for long periods of time and a temporary bathroom may not be a good long-term solution. Don’t be afraid to rely on your neighbors, friends, and family throughout the renovation process. By following these tips, you can minimize the stress of your renovation – and you’ll be enjoying your newly updated bathroom and luxury features before you know it. We are ready to help you plan the bathroom of your dreams.  Make an appointment with a Kurtis Bathroom Designer today or call us at 1.KURTIS.1.