Beautifyyour bath

This is one of the busiest times of the year for buying a home. It’s also one of the busiest for do-it-yourselfers who have decided to remodel a room, usually a kitchen or bathroom.

According to a study released last month by Liberty Mutual Insurance, 31 percent of Americans will take on a home renovation this year. And within that 31 percent, seven in 10 will do at least some of the work themselves.

HomeAdvisor.com has published a True Cost Guide Report listing kitchen-specific and bathroom-specific stats and other remodeling costs. The average kitchen remodel is $20,000 with homeowners spending $9,000 to $35,000.The average national cost of remodeling a bathroom is $9,000 with homeowners spending anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000.

But that’s the entire bathroom. Are you just thinking of just replacing fixtures such as bathtub, toilet or sink? Know that installing a new sink can cost $200 to $6,500 and new toilets run from $150 to $800. Installing a new bathtub costs $400 to $7,500, and while you’re at it, why not do the flooring; that ranges from $800 to $7,000.

Ouch!

But before grabbing that sledgehammer and screwdriver, take some advice from Liberty Mutual Insurance’s “New Beginnings” expert, HGTV handyman Chip Wade from “Elbow Room” and “Ellen’s Design Challenge.”

“Getting started is often the hardest part, but don’t let your fears or lack of resources hold you back,” Wade said. “It’s easier than you think. My first piece of advice is to make a list, not with everything on it, but one that has achievable deadlines.

“For example, organize by week or month. Then set a budget and add an additional 15 to 20 percent so there is a cushion when those unexpected costs occur.”

That cushion could come in handy as Wade suggests paying for an architect or interior design consultant who can give helpful opinions and advice for the project.

“When gathering information, do your research and talk with a reputable source,” he said. “If you’ve decided to take on a home project by yourself, that doesn’t mean you have to go it entirely alone. Be honest and evaluate your skill level and how much time you’ll be able to commit to the project. If you’re working full time, will you be able to spend evenings and weekends on the project?

“Also, become familiar with building codes and regulations before starting. It all comes down to scope and being realistic. If it’s going to take you more than a month to complete any task, hire it out.”

And that’s where Jan Moffitt and her husband, Mike, come into the picture. They own Granite Transformations, a company that specializes in the remodeling of bathrooms and kitchens. But they don’t remodel with the traditional stone, granite or marble. They feature a product called Classified Engineered Stone.

“Classified Engineered Stone is made from a composite of granite or quartz and recycled glass,” Jan Moffitt said. “And because it’s a man-made product, it is thinner than natural stone, which allows us to install over existing solid surfaces, including shower walls and countertops. By using the engineered stone, there is less of a mess. It has a lifetime warranty and doesn’t require any maintenance (no sealing, no polishing) necessary with natural stone. It’s also more durable and less likely to chip or crack because it has a mix of an epoxy resin that bonds the granite or quartz and recycled glass.”

According to Jan Moffitt, her customers are unable to notice that the installation was laid over an existing surface. And she is finding that as homes age, more master bathrooms are being remodeled rather than kitchens.

“Jobs are completed in a shorter period of time because there’s no demolition or major upheaval,” she said. “We come to the house, measure, create a template and then cut and fabricate everything in our shop. We schedule a return time to prep the room, lay the material down, make sure it fits, glue it all down, trim and fit everything, and we’re done.

“A kitchen can be done in one to two days and maybe one day longer in the bathroom depending on the total project and what we’re doing. However, it’s definitely less time than in traditional remodels and even quicker than someone who wants to do it themselves.”

If someone wants to remodel the bathroom and is looking for a current trend, that trend is to remove the entire tub to expand the shower.

“We’re seeing a lot of this, especially among the aging population but also with younger families,” Moffitt said. “For older people, it’s a safety issue as they are having more difficulty getting into and out of their tub-shower. Some say a home should have a tub for good resale value, but people across all age and economic groups are thinking water conservation and safety. So we’re pulling out tubs and installing walk-in showers.”

Showers can be expanded by as much as 6 feet with the remaining space being used for a linen cabinet or building a seating area to dress. This type of remodel usually takes longer as new water barrier walls must be built and drains may have to be moved.

“I know a shower with a large Roman tub next to it looks lovely,” Moffitt said, “but tubs aren’t being used and they are difficult to clean.”