American homeowners spend roughly $400 billion each year on renovations, remodels, and repairs. Considering the cost of a big project like a bathroom remodel, you might be wondering if you should DIY the job or hire the pros.
The answer depends on the size of your room and what you want to update or repair. Budget is another factor that you have to consider when deciding to do it yourself or not.
While you can tackle certain parts of the job yourself, you should leave some work to the professionals. Keep reading to find out what you should know before you start your DIY bathroom renovation.
Cost of the Job
When it comes to the cost of a remodel, hiring professionals is more expensive than a DIY job. Cost and budget are two of the most common reasons why many homeowners opt to do the work themselves.
Depending on where you live, hiring a contractor for even small bathrooms can add up to $20,000 or more. And if you want to add in luxury features or an extra window or two, you might not have the budget to cover the cost.
So what about a DIY bathroom remodel?
You still pay for the cost of materials when you do it yourself, but you save on the labor costs. Whether this is worth it or not depends on how much money you have for your remodel.
Remember, even if you save some cash now, you might run into big problems later if you make any mistakes. Consider your own skill level and know when to hire someone else.
How Much Time the Project Takes
Believe it or not, tackling a project yourself takes longer to complete than leaving the job to the professionals.
Many homeowners procrastinate on their DIY projects because they don’t have enough time or energy at the end of the day. After all, daily commitments like work and family come first.
If you fall into this category, you’re not alone. About 32 percent of homeowners put off DIY projects for twelve months or more.
If your to-do list is long already, you might want to skip a DIY job and hire the pros instead. This way, you’ll have the job completed in no time.
What to Know Before Starting
From the plumbing and electrical work to the tile, a do it yourself bathroom remodel is a lot of work. Before you dive in, make sure you know what to watch out for and how to prevent any disasters. After all, if you want to avoid these DIY mistakes you should leave delicate work to the pros.
Electrical Work
When it comes to electrical work, the first step is to consider layout and design. For example, do you know whether you want recessed lighting, sconces, or pendant lighting? Depending on the size and style of your bathroom, some light styles look better than others.
Other factors to consider are where the light switch goes and how many outlets you need. You want the bathroom to be practical as well as beautiful.
There are benefits to hiring an electrician especially since you can injure yourself if you try to attempt installation on your own.
Improperly installed electrical work can cause fires as well. Many insurance companies may not provide coverage if the cause of the damage was DIY electrical work.
Countertops and Vanities
Whether you should DIY this part of the job depends on the room size and the materials used. If you measure the space beforehand and buy cheaper materials or get a vanity unit, you can install it by yourself.
Some high-end countertop materials may require the help of a contractor. Granite, marble, and quartz are heavy and expensive materials that need special tools you may not have on hand. However, if you don’t need unusual cutouts and you have the tools, a countertop is a manageable DIY project.
Flooring and Tile
Depending on the type of flooring, you may be able to DIY this part of your bathroom renovation. Laminate flooring or luxury vinyl flooring is inexpensive and simple to install yourself.
However, you should leave floor tile work to the professionals. On the surface, tile work might look easy, but sometimes underlying factors impact the job. For example, you want a flat surface for your tile but what if your floor isn’t level?
If you still want to install your tile floor yourself, make sure you follow these five tips first.
One area where you can do the work yourself is the backsplash. Tile backsplashes can transform the look of your bathroom and they’re easy to install. Before you jump in, do your research and find more info about tile styles and colors.
Plumbing and Sink Installation
When it comes to your sink installation, you may need to move the plumbing lines. Always leave this type of work to a plumber. Homeowners that DIY their plumbing tend to make small mistakes like over tightening the fittings.
If you’re still set on doing a DIY job and you don’t need to move your plumbing lines, you can install your own sink. Remember to do your research first and know what you’re doing to avoid making common mistakes.
Tub or Shower Installation
When installing a new tub or shower, leave this work to the pros. If you don’t install your shower or tub correctly you could have leaks that damage the sub-floor.
However, if you’re buying a pre-fab tub or shower kit you can opt to DIY the installation. Kits include everything you need and many homeowners put it together themselves.
Should You Tackle a DIY Bathroom Renovation?
Are you ready to take on bathroom remodeling for yourself?
In the end, there are certain tasks you can handle on your own and some work you should leave for the contractors.
Painting, trim work, and even tile work are easy tasks for a first-time DIY bathroom renovation. But to avoid costly problems, you should leave plumbing and electrical work to the pros. When in doubt, hire a professional if you can afford it.
Once the remodel is complete, you can focus on the finishing touches. Check out our bathroom decor ideas for inspiration.