How to prepare for a bathroom renovation

Any kind of remodel project requires patience and flexibility on the homeowner's part. Since the bathroom is such a vital part of your home, a bathroom renovation takes a special level of preparation. Billy Coen, 10 day kitchen and 5 day bathroom specialist at Alure Home Improvements, explained what you need to do before the remodel.

Bathroom usage
If there are multiple bathrooms in your home, it makes the project slightly less impactful. While the improvements are being made to one, your family can use the other – until the water is shut off. Coen noted that the water shutoffs typically need to be replaced during a remodel, which means sinks, toilets and baths will be out of commission for about two hours. Work with your contractor to determine the best time for this so it causes minimal inconvenience. 

Dust and other messes
When replacing flooring and installing new fixtures, there's bound to be a certain level of mess. Prepare for this by removing everything from the bathroom – especially pictures and other breakables that are nailed to the wall. It could also be helpful to set up a staging area in the garage or basement. Put plastic on surrounding furniture, and lay some down on the floor leading up to the bathroom. Dust travels through the air and can settle all over your home, so it's best to be overly cautious when preparing for the project.

Keep a positive attitude during a remodel.

Good attitude
When doing any kind of renovation in your home, it's important not to lose sight of why you wanted it in the first place. Whether you wanted an updated design, a more functional space or a better resale value, the benefits of a home improvement project are worth the days or weeks of work.

"It is best to approach the renovation with a zen-like attitude," said Coen. "The great thing about working with a reputable contractor is that they take most of the stress out of it."

Bathroom remodels can take anywhere from five days to three weeks, depending on the size of the room and scope of the project. That amount of time is minor in comparison to the years of enjoyment you'll get out of the finished product. For this reason, Coen compares the project to a pregnancy.

"The whole family is excited about the baby and when the time comes to [have him or her], the mom may be thinking, 'What did I get myself into?'" he said. "There is no turning back when the renovation has started, much like when the baby is on its way. In the end, when all the commotion is over, you can look back and say you love your new bathroom."