Should you have ever purchased an aging property or inhabited the same dwelling over a lengthy period, you're aware of the dreadful state an old bathroom can reach. The concept of a thorough overhaul or even a minor refreshment acts as a genuine uplift to one's spirits – that is until you begin to calculate the expenditures involved.

Redoing your bathroom can be costly. Angie’s List reports that the average American expenditure for bathroom renovations is around $9,600. Yet, with strategic planning, it's possible to save a substantial amount of money on a completely renovated bathroom. Below are simple methods to reduce expenses and economize during your bathroom remodel.

Buy from Big Home Improvement Stores

New floor tiles, lighting fixtures, and fixtures are always expensive regardless of your shopping destination, however, substantial savings can be had at large retailers such as Home Depot – provided you are aware of how to discover the best deals.

For instance, at Home Depot, a price tag ending in .06 indicates that the item has not reached its lowest price point yet. This means the product is slated for a price reduction in six weeks. If the price concludes with .03, it implies the item will be discontinued after three weeks. Furthermore, paint consistently sees markdowns during holiday weekends.

Moreover, each Home Depot worker is empowered to offer a reduction of as much as $50 if justified. For example, if the sink fixture you are interested in is the sole remaining one in the inventory, inquire if the salesperson can reduce its price.

Accessorize Instead of Rebuild

If your major bathroom components remain in fine condition, significant savings can be achieved by merely swapping out the accessories instead of renovating the whole bathroom.

Apply a vibrant new coat to your walls. Invest in a coordinating shower curtain and rug. Switch up the towels and window treatments. It's astonishing how many budget-friendly vanity items are available at various stores. Frequent dollar stores for purchasing containers, organizers for drawers, and candles.

Should you possess empty wall areas, consider mounting shelves with an industrial-chic feel. Rather than large, obtrusive floor or wall-mounted cabinets, utilizing open shelves in a compact bathroom can give the appearance of more room. Opt for wire baskets to organize attractive soaps, lotions, or towels. Wicker baskets that come with covers work perfectly for private belongings. Adding a quaint tin pail featuring a potted plant brings a cozy accent. Making these minor adjustments can significantly enhance your decor.

Find Substitutes for Tile

Tile is among the priciest components in a bathroom renovation. Typically, installation costs average around $25 per square foot. If it's feasible to forgo tile on certain areas, explore these economical substitute options:

• Wood laminate
• Finished concrete
• Rubber leather
• Ceramilite tile panels
• Waterproof wood panels
• Board and batten
• Bead board
• Washable wallpaper

Another strategy is to select a tile design you prefer and share images of it on Craigslist. Others might have surplus they wish to sell. Also, consider checking eBay. Purchase as much as possible at drastically reduced prices to renovate your bathroom without paying the full amount.

Add Pricey Additions by Faking It

If replacing your cabinetry is out of your budget, simply mimic the effect. Utilizing stains and wood dyes, you can revamp old, dull cabinets into ones with vibrant, luxurious colors that appear extremely expensive. This allows you to attain a "new" appearance without the need to dismantle any cabinets or spend on new ones.

You can enhance any bathroom by adding a framed mirror too. These are usually costly, however, here is an entertaining solution if you own a standard builder's mirror: trim crown molding to fit. Just attach the "frame" made from crown molding directly to the wall surrounding your current mirror.

Buy Secondhand Materials

Excess building supplies, including plumbing elements, cabinetry, and countertop surfaces, are sold again for much less than their initial price. Consider visiting recycling hubs such as the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. They accept only high-quality, gently used items, so you might even find products that are unopened and brand new in their packaging.

Search for the following items:

• Sinks and tubs
• Toilets or toilet seats
• Faucets and showerheads
• Light fixtures
• Hinges and drawer pulls
• Towel racks
• Tile and vinyl floor coverings
• Paint, stain and painting supplies

Thrift shops receive fresh donations daily, so always make sure to revisit frequently.

Similarly, to economize on granite or different countertop substances, request to view the remnants initially. Should your vanity be relatively short, it’s likely that the granite supplier has available remnants at a reduced price that are sufficiently sizable.

Don’t Relocate the Plumbing

The allure of modifying the layout of a toilet or bathtub for extra room is strong, yet it's wise to avoid such substantial renovation changes. Should there be a need to alter the current plumbing, anticipate costs close to $5,000 for a "basic" modification.

Ultimately, when undertaking major modifications, consider engaging a local contractor. You might think it's simple to follow an online video guide and redo your shower tiling, but it's not worth the headache. DIY tasks don't actually cut costs if they end up needing to be dismantled and corrected. A seasoned expert can assist in planning, adhering to your financial plan, and steering clear of expensive mistakes.

Contractors possess access to assets that might not have occurred to you. They are capable of sourcing components and tackling any unexpected electrical or plumbing issues that might emerge. Employing a contractor will prevent numerous troubles regardless of your renovation's extent or scale. Moreover, locating one nearby is straightforward.

As with any decision, staying informed with the newest studies is wise. It’s advisable to evaluate a minimum of three to four alternatives prior to concluding. An online search often provides the fastest, most comprehensive method to uncover all the advantages and disadvantages that should be considered.