How to Remodel a Bathroom on a Budget

Remodeling a bathroom can be incredibly expensive. We had absolutely no idea what we were doing when we attempted to remodel our bathroom for the first time. I feel that I have a good understanding that time is money, so I am usually willing to pay someone else to do the work that comes in remodeling for me. I already know that it’s not a strength of mine, and I am comfortable handing the reins off to the experts. I realized this was not going to be a possibility when we got our first estimate back for our bathroom remodel. Luckily, we had an awesome contractor who helped educate us on what we could do to make the work more affordable. In the end, we were able to get the bathroom we wanted – perhaps a little unconventionally. I wanted to share my top five tips for saving money while doing your bathroom remodel.

Make a Plan

Making a plan is incredibly important for your bathroom remodel – and it will help you from needlessly spending money on things you don’t need. For example, if you want to remodel with the top bathroom tile trends 2019, that’s okay – but you need to have a plan. If you know how much money you have to spend, you will be more strategic with your spending.

Don’t Move the Plumbing

This is one of those things you will want to think hard on if you are even considering moving the plumbing. If you think you could deal with leaving it where it is – go ahead and do this. I know that the bathroom setup is sometimes the whole reason someone wants to remodel, so this may not be a possibility in your situation. You could easily save between five and ten thousand dollars on your bathroom remodel by doing it this way.

Don’t Replace the Whole Toilet

We know that sometimes replacing the toilet is more about saving money long-term (switching out your current toilet for something water-efficient). In these cases, it makes a lot of sense to replace the toilet. If replacement is mostly for aesthetic reasons, consider replacing the toilet seat and lid instead of the whole unit. Not only will you save money on the base cost, but you won’t be paying installation fees for your brand new toilet.

Consider Buying Used

You can find used or old tile, bathroom cabinets and vanity’s at your local flea market. Remember, vintage is in right now, so if you can find something in decent shape for a low cost, it may be worth purchasing. You can always upgrade to something different later, but many people love the vintage classic look of older well-kept furniture.

Limit Your Tile

Tile is expensive all-around. You will pay a lot to purchase and have it installed, regardless of how good of a deal you get. It’s definitely hard work, and not something I would recommend trying to do yourself. When deciding on tile, limit the amount that you use and focus on areas like the floor. You can also use less tile for style. Use an accent tile for your walls, and something nicer on your flooring.

Overall, remodeling a bathroom will be expensive, but these were some of the shortcuts we took to have a cheaper remodel. Good luck!

Matt is a home decor blogger who enjoys helping families transform their home.