Qualis  transforms  homes  in  Maryland  with  high  quality  construction  and  handyman  services.    Licensed  and  insured:  301-­‐440-­‐7992.    “Quality  means  doing  it  right  when  no  one  is  looking.”  -­‐  Henry  Ford  

 How Much Will Your Bathroom Remodel Cost? 3 Insider Secrets to Getting the Right Price

   The  bathroom  is  the  room  most  homeowners  in  Bowie  want  to  update  when  they  call  me  for  an  estimate.    The  first  question  is  “How  much  will  it  cost?”    Your  pink  tub  or  old  tile  is  driving  you  crazy.    But  you’re  worried  that  the  cost  will  be  more  than  you  want  to  spend.    Insider Secret #1: Know the top 3 areas that add to cost when remodeling your bathroom. Then decide how much you want to spend in each place.  Here  are  the  3  areas  in  the  bathroom  that  add  most  of  the  cost,  and  the  price  points  to  choose  from:    Cost Driver #1: The Tub/Shower Area The  most  labor-­‐intensive  thing  to  replace  is  the  tub.  This  area  can  add  the  most  to  the  cost  of  your  remodel.    

Upscale:  Replace  your  tub  with  one  of  a  different  size,  or  with  a  shower  and  tempered  glass.  You  get  the  biggest  change,  but  it’s  also  the  most  expensive.    A  plumber  needs  to  re-­‐position  the  drain  and  faucets.  You  have  a  larger  area  

 

Qualis  transforms  homes  in  Maryland  with  high  quality  construction  and  handyman  services.    Licensed  and  insured:  301-­‐440-­‐7992.    “Quality  means  doing  it  right  when  no  one  is  looking.”  -­‐  Henry  Ford  

for  tile.    A  tempered  glass  enclosure  looks  great  when  professionally  installed.    Mid-­‐Range:    Replace  your  old  tub  with  a  new  one  of  the  same  size.    This  also  keeps  the  plumbing  and  tile  areas  the  same.    You  can  go  for  tempered  glass  doors  with  a  tub,  or  use  a  shower  curtain.    Economy:  Refinish  your  existing  tub.    This  may  sound  unusual  but  it’s  worth  checking  out.    A  new  epoxy  glaze  lets  you  change  the  color.  You  save  hundreds  of  dollars.    Instead  of  replacing  a  tub  -­‐  about  $1,200  with  labor  -­‐refinishing  runs  $450-­‐$600  for  most  tubs.      

 Cost Driver #2: The Sink and Vanity The  sink  area  is  the  second  most  costly  area  to  update.    Sink,  vanity  and  counter  tops  set  your  price  –  here  are  the  options:    

Upscale:  If  you  have  the  space  and  a  great  design,  granite  slabs  and  custom  sink  bowls  and  faucets  are  luxurious.  

 Mid-­‐Range:    Large  granite  tiles  give  you  the  look  of  stone  with  lower  cost,  because  they  are  set  like  tile.    Another  option  is  solid  surface  counters  using  quartz  or  man-­‐made  materials.    Economy:  You  can  choose  not  to  have  a  counter  top.    A  new  vanity  and  sink  alone  can  add  the  style  and  function  you  want.    Showrooms  at  Home  Depot,  Lowes,  and  elsewhere  give  you  a  great  selection  at  different  price  points.  

 Cost Driver #3: Tile Tile  can  add  a  lot  or  a  little  to  your  overall  cost,  depending  on  what  you  choose:    

Upscale:  If  you’re  set  on  a  designer  look,  you  may  need  an  expensive  tile.    Glass,  metallic  and  stone  tile  may  cost  around  $20  per  square  foot  for  average  material.    Designer  tile  adds  your  personal  flair  to  your  overall  look.    Mid-­‐Range:  Accent  tiles  can  help  you  avoid  spending  more  than  you  want.  Get  ideas  from  store  displays  or  online.  Ceramic  tile  is  usually  more  affordable  than  porcelain,  stone  or  glass.    Economy:  Keeping  your  tile  neutral  saves  your  budget.    When  homeowners  aren’t  sure  what  to  pick,  I  recommend  neutral  color  ceramic  tile.  I’ve  seen  

 

Qualis  transforms  homes  in  Maryland  with  high  quality  construction  and  handyman  services.    Licensed  and  insured:  301-­‐440-­‐7992.    “Quality  means  doing  it  right  when  no  one  is  looking.”  -­‐  Henry  Ford  

great  results  with  tiles  priced  under  $1.00  per  square.    You  can  use  paint,  towels,  or  other  accents  for  color,  if  you  have  a  good  solid  background  with  tile.    

Choosing  the  right  price  point  for  the  most  expensive  parts  of  the  job  is  the  first  secret  to  getting  bathroom  remodel  estimate  you  can  live  with.        Insider Secret #2: The cost isn’t set in stone. Advice from the right remodeler gives you more cost control than you might expect.        You  can  use  your  free  consultation  with  a  professional  remodeler  to  help  plan  your  budget.    A  good  remodeler  will  tell  you  about  options  for  material  and  labor  to  get  the  look  you  want  for  the  right  price.    Insider Secret #3: Avoid paying retail.        A  good  professional  contractor  has  helpful  business  connections.    For  example,  my  company,  Qualis  Construction,  can  often  get  contractor  discounts  on  certain  materials.    When  you  choose  a  contractor  who’s  got  great  professional  contacts  and  passes  on  the  savings,  you  get  an  even  better  price  on  your  project.    Use these 3 Secrets to Get Your Best Bathroom Remodel  Ready  to  remodel  your  blast  from  the  past?    First  know  where  your  money  goes.  Then,  when  you  choose  a  bathroom  remodeler  with  quality  workmanship  and  cost-­‐saving  suggestions,  you  get  the  best  possible  results  for  your  budget.    About the Author  Brandon  Sewell  lives  and  works  in  Bowie,  MD  where  he  owns  and  operates  Qualis  Construction.    He  enjoys  home  remodeling,  family  life,  running,  and  going  to  football  games  in  Washington,  DC.