The more information you have before you begin your Chicago bathroom remodel, the more efficient the design and build process goes. Sure, we’re the experts – and we’re happy to lead the way - but we prefer to co-create stunning bathrooms with our clients so you feel a part of the team.
To that end, we’re providing answers to 4 of the most common bathroom remodeling questions we get during consultations, online contact forms and phone calls. By reviewing these answers ahead of time, and reading hyperlinked resources, you’ll be ahead of the curve when you schedule your first bathroom design consultation.
1. How much does a Chicago bathroom remodel cost?
We wish we could shake the Magic 8 Ball and give you an exact dollar amount. Instead, that blue-tinged-triangle would read, “Reply hazy, try again,” or, “Cannot predict now,” and, that’s the truth.
In fact, we recommend you read, What Costs Go Into a Chicago Bathroom Remodel, which we wrote specifically to address this #1 bathroom remodeling question.
Until we know exactly what you want in terms of fixtures and finishes, have completed your demo work and placed all the orders – there’s a big fat ? mark in the total cost line. There are unexpected factors that can turn up and wreak havoc on a budget, so we play it honest and safe.
What we can share, however, are national averages; according to homeadvisor.com, the average cost to remodel a bathroom is $10,250, with higher-end bathrooms coming in around $25,000 (luxury bathrooms cost even more).
2. How should we create our remodeling budget?
So there’s the total budget – and then there’s The Detailed Budget. You know you should reserve between $10,250 and $25,000, but that’s a big spread; and how is that budget doled out?
Ultimately, things like custom cabinets, tile and high-end plumbing fixtures take up the majority of the budget.
We recommend reading, 5 Top Areas That Break the Budget in a Chicago Bathroom Remodel, so you know what to prepare for. Your prospective remodelers will give you cheat sheets about how to categorize your budget – and don’t forget to reserve at least 10% to 15% of that budget for “emergencies” to help cushion the blow if you’re the victims of unexpected events.
3. Does our bathroom layout have to stay the same?
Most often, this question is asked via a statement: (insert slightly disappointed voice) “Well, our bathroom is laid out like this, so we’re going to have to…”
The great news is that your bathroom layout does not necessarily have to remain the same at all, especially if you have room to expand a wall here or there into perimeter outdoor space or there’s room to knock into an adjacent closet. Let us take a look and we might have some clever ideas that will make your bathroom more functional and accessible.
Read, The Dos and Don’ts of Having Your Bathroom Remodeled, to expand your horizons around what’s possible.
4. How do we choose the best Chicago bathroom remodeler?
At the very least, you should interview at least three different firms. Sure, you may end up using the one you thought you would initially, but you’ll glean “free” insight at each consultation, and consultations help you get a more personal feel for who’s-who and what’s-what.
Then, there are the “business” priorities. Your design-build team should:
- Be licensed, bonded and insured
- Have a bathroom design portfolio that resonates with your taste/style
- Be timely with their responses/communication/design/build schedule
- Offer the design-build combo, rather than being “just a remodeler”
- Offer you recent client references so you get an insider’s perspective
There are also personal aspects of the process; you’re going to work closely with these people and you’re paying them good money to design and build a bathroom you’ll use and love for years to come. If you don’t feel comfortable with them or you have reservations around trustworthiness or craftsmanship, you should confidently select someone else.
The team at Kitchens & Baths Unlimited would love to be considered as “one of the three” for your bathroom design consult. Contact us and our friendly and knowledgeable team will show you why we’ve remained one of Chicagoland’s premier kitchen and bathroom remodelers for more than 40 years.
