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We have been conditioned that when it comes to large expenses shopping around is the best thing to do. Compare prices, gather information, and make informed decisions. While this works for things like buying a house or a car this does not work for a general contractor. There really is only one rule when it comes to hiring a contractor:

Don’t shop based on price.

Comparing prices between contractors is fine, but it shouldn’t be your focus. The problem is that things like cars, no matter where you look, will be generally the same. You can count on the cars of the same make and model to be held to the same standards and in the same price range based on wear, tear, and mileage. All you want is the best deal for the car in the best condition.

General Contractors don’t work this way. 

Pricing a home remodel should look more like shopping for a tattoo than a car.

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Think about it: if you are shopping for a tattoo are you going to choose the artist who can do it the cheapest? Do you choose the one who can finish the fastest? Do you choose the most expensive? 

Probably none of these – instead, you’ll choose the one who is most effective. You’ll probably choose the one that you connect with the most. After all, you’re going to spend a lot of time with them while they work on your tattoo. Plus, you’re going to see the results of their work every single day. You should trust them to do work this important.

While the work they do follows strict guidelines and procedures – their personality is going to show through in every aspect of how they work in your home. From concept, to showroom selections, to final touch ups: they’re going to spend a lot of time with you during the course of your project. Whether that’s a few weeks or a few months.

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Budgets are important, but is the goal of renovating your home to spend the least amount of money?

Or is the goal to have a remodeled space that you love?

Remember in the end your remodel can only be two of these things: fast, cheap and good.

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Deciding to update any space in your home can be a daunting task no matter where you want to start, but a bathroom remodel can be a great beginner project if you’re looking to spruce up your space.

Let’s talk about the budget: we’re going to break it down into 3 different kinds of bathroom renovation budgets that you’re going to find yourself working in.

Kinds of Bathroom Remodels:

  1. Basic Bathroom

With the basic bathroom remodel you’ll have something like a tub/shower combo, your toilet, and a vanity. That’s about it. If you’re in an older house: you’re probably looking to have your bathroom refreshed. If you did everything in this bathroom yourself (DIY): you’re probably looking around $3000, maybe less. Let’s take a look at where that comes from:

This doesn’t include paint, trim, a new fan, or any of the other small things that tend to pop up. It also assumes you’re getting the cheapest products you can find. Of course, this also means you’re installing everything. If you go the DIY/Budget route: keep your process simple. That means stay away from tile: get a basic acrylic wall system, a pre-built vanity from a major retailer, and maybe some vinyl plank flooring or laminate vinyl sheet.

These are all things that will keep your cost and your risk at a minimum.

  1. Semi-Custom

Now you’re getting into the world of tile. Tile is versatile: it can be your shower, your floors, and your walls: if you like. You might still pick out a pre-built cabinet or vanity system. You might DIY some of this bathroom remodel, but your budget will fluctuate wildly the moment you bring in a contractor. With a semi-custom bathroom, you’re anywhere from $5,000 – $20,000.

That’s quite a leap, I know! However, the moment you bring in a reputable contractor: your budget is going to soar. Provided that your contractor is in good standing, insured, and reputable: you’ve really stepped into the $20K range for a full bathroom. That is mitigated by a higher budget and maintaining lower risk. Since now, all the risk is on your contractor.

  1. Top End

You’ve just stepped into the world of a step-in shower, heated tile, a steam generator, jetted tub, double vanity, double shower heads, etc. The list goes on and on. Here your budget is going to be anywhere from $30,000 and up to as much as you want to spend. At this price point, the limit is up to your imagination. Gold plated toilet and all.

Saving Money $$$

When you first start considering a bathroom renovation, of course we all want to save money. The truth is there is a bottom line and it all comes down to you. The best way to save money on your bathroom renovation is to step in and do some of the work yourself. Just know that if you want to save money by doing work yourself, you absorb the risk. It’s a delicate balance!

If you are considering splitting some of the work between DIY and a contractor: there are two important questions you need to consider. One, “Do I have the time to invest into doing this myself?” and “Do I have the skills needed to maintain the value of the project?” These are very serious questions that you need to consider. Take your time to look into the construction process to understand the amount of work that goes in, then consider those two questions again.

It will serve you well in the long run to educate yourself as best you can before you start any project in your home.

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After 20 years in the renovation and home remodel business, one of the things we have found that most people struggle with during our initial consultations is managing expectations. Everyone wants the most popular trends in bathrooms, kitchens or finished basements. From shaker cabinets and the most popular quartz counter tops to the big bar or the gaming room downstairs. Here is a little insight on home remodeling projects that you want to keep in mind while you interview contractors.

When it comes to managing expectations there are three main areas that impact the quote for your project:

1.Budget
2.Time
3.Quality

The Remodel Sliders

Imagine you’ve got these three areas on sliders that are all linked together. Each one moving in response to the others. Let’s take a look:

sliders for budget, time, and quality in a home remodel

If you raise the quality slider: the project takes longer to complete, and your overall budget increases.

However, if you lower the budget: something the other sliders will move as well. Perhaps you’ll lose in the quality of the materials? Maybe you rush the time frame? Maybe you have to cut corners. That means the finished product is diminished.

Maybe you can stretch out the timing of your project: making it last years instead of months? That’s a matter of how much your time is worth then! Most people don’t want their home to be a construction zone for years, but for you: maybe it’ll work out!

Another consideration: the moment any other factor drops into these sliders – the way they interact can change wildly. Want to change the layout of your kitchen, rather than just update the cabinets? The budget and time sliders are going to affect one another way more, while the quality slider stays consistent.

Want to remove the tray ceiling to your master bedroom? The quality and time sliders will affect one another more than the budget in this particular instance.

Need a new countertop in your bathroom, but don’t mind the cabinets? The budget and quality sliders might go up without moving the time slider at all.

Remodel the HGTV Effect

Managing expectations will be your key to success when it comes to your next home renovation. Taking the time to educate yourself on the construction process, the work and effort that goes into it is just as important as the vision board for your dream kitchen.

In this day and age, we all love an amazing transformation: from Flip Flop to the Property Brothers we’ve seen what’s possible with a home remodel. Even social media provides all kinds of inspirations to those of us dreaming about our perfect home. The effect we’ve seen though is this: like everything else we see on television and social media – it goes through a fast paced edit and beauty filter. It looks great, but doesn’t reflect reality. The fact is: home remodels take time and can cost a lot of money! So, managing the expectations of your renovation are very important.

Every decision you make has an effect. Getting the best possible work, for the lowest possible cost, in the quickest time frame possible is simply not realistic in the remodel world. It is a balancing act instead. If your budget is a problem: you’ll have to decide where to make compromises.

Of course, it requires a lot of consideration in regards to the value of your home, your neighborhood, your lifestyle, your income, and all of those responsible decision making factors. Whether you are doing it all DIY or hiring a professional contractor: we encourage you to do a little research on the construction process and exactly what your budget and time constraints are.

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