The Ultimate Guide to a 10-Day Bathroom Makeover

INTRODUCTION

Remodeling a bathroom doesn’t have to be scary or frustrating. In fact, once you have a plan and know what materials to use it becomes a lot easier.

And today, more so than ever before, materials and tools make updating a bathroom a reality for anybody.

This Guide shares 3 simple strategies for a successful DIY bathroom makeover in 10 days:

1. The Bathroom Makeover Action Plan 2. The Best Materials & Tools Checklist 3. The Budget Worksheets

The Bathroom Makeover Action Plan teaches you how to maximize your time and remodel a bathroom in 4 weekends.

The Best Materials Checklist shows you what materials make renovation straight forward and bulletproof, even for beginners.

The Budget Worksheets keep your checkbook and credit cards in good shape while your transform your dated bathroom into a dream experience. I hope this guide helps you with your makeover.

Jeff Patterson Founder, Home Repair Tutor

The Bathroom Makeover Action Plan

Follow this plan and you’ll be on your way to updating your bathroom from something that belongs in Golden Girls to your dream space.

Here’s our 4 Weekend Plan:

Day 1 = Demo, Cap Water Lines and Wire Temporary Lights

Day 2 = Add Fan & Can Lights, Tub and Tub Water Supply Lines Day 3 = Insulate, Waterproof Panels, Drywall and DITRA

Day 4 = Drywall, Plan Tub Tile Layout and Main Wall Tiles

Day 5 = Drywall, Tile Tub Plumbing Wall

Day 6 = Prime Drywall, Tile Last Tub Wall and Plan Floor Tile

Day 7 = Paint Ceiling and Tile Floor

Day 8 = Grout Tub Surround, Cut Baseboards & Paint, Shower Valve Trim, Tub Spout, Shower Head, Paint Walls, Grout Floor

Day 9 = Vanity Light, Mirror, Vanity & Faucet, Towel Bars, Toilet Paper Holder, Toilet, Baseboards and Caulk Tub

Day 10 = Wrap up any details like paint smudges or drywall dings

The Best Materials & Tools Checklist

The Bathroom Makeover Action Plan might take you longer than 4 weekends days. Hey, life gets in the way sometimes, e.g. work, kids, fantasy football. But if you’re not afraid of working hard then your dream bathroom is within reach.

If you don’t mind doing some of the steps at night you could possibly finish your bathroom makeover in less than 4 weekends. It’s totally up to you. Plus, knowing the right tools and materials can seriously cut down on the time it takes to do the renovation.

In an effort to keep things simple we’ll outline what materials to use on each day. Then explain the ‘Why’ behind the decisions.

Day 1 = Cap water lines with SharkBite fittings.

SharkBites simply push onto copper, cpvc, or PEX and don’t require any soldering.

Day 2 = Panasonic or Broan Exhaust Fans, Kohler or American Standard Tubs, Delta Mixing Valves.

These are the major brands that we use and rarely have any issues.

Day 3 = Roxul Insulation, KERDI-BOARD or Wedi Waterproofing Panels, Purple Board Drywall, DITRA Membrane for tile floors.

Roxul is virtually fireproof and is resistant to mold growth. KERDI-BOARD and Wedi are easy to use foam boards and make waterproofing easy. Purple board is mold & mildew resistant. DITRA stops tile from cracking and can make subfloors 100% waterproof.

Day 4 = Large Format Tile, Horseshoe Shims, Tuscan SeamClips, LaserJamb, Bosch Laser Level, Carpet Knife, Ishii Tile Cutter, DeWALT Tile Saw, Angle Grinder with DeWALT XP4 wheel, Ardex X 77 Thin-Set.

Large format tiles require less grout and easier installation. Horseshoe shims and SeamClips keep grout joints even. Combining the LaserJamb with a laser level is like peanut butter and jelly…they just belong with each other and make tiling so much easier.

Carpet knives are perfect for removing thin-set from in between grout joints. The Ishii tile cutter, angle grinder with XP4 blade and tile wet saw are the only three tools you need to cut tiles.

Ardex X77 thin-set is widely regarded as one of the best thin-sets for hanging vertical tile as it has outstanding bonding strength.

Day 5 = Angle Grinder with XP4 Blade.

DeWALT’s XP4 blade will cut through the hardest tile. It’s great when combined with a powerful angle grinder.

Day 6 = KILZ Primer, Schluter Rondec profiles

KILZ latex or oil based primer will cover stains or prime bare drywall in no time. Rondec is a modern alternative to pencil trim or bullnose tile.

Day 7 = Sherwin Williams Paint

Frankly, we’ve tried other paints and none have worked as good as Sherwin Williams.

Day 8 = Bostik QuartzLock 2 Grout, Mapei FlexColor CQ Grout, Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA Grout

QuartzLock and FlexColor CQ are pre-mixed, stain resistant, don’t require sealing and are easy to use.

Ultracolor Plus FA is an all-purpose grout for pretty much any type of tile.

Day 9 = American Standard Toilets (VorMax, Cadet 3, Champion, etc.), Faucet (American Standard, Delta, Kohler, Moen)

American Standard toilets have been around for decades. Anyone can install one and they’re super easy to setup.

When it comes to faucets you can’t go wrong with the above companies. They offer warranties on their faucets and parts.

The Budget Worksheets

It’s pretty easy to blow your budget out of the water on a bathroom makeover.

These 3 budget worksheets will give you a general overview of what it will take to get the bathroom of your dreams.

Bathtub

Item Cost Estimate

Bathtub $300-$1000 $500

Bathtub Plumbing $20-$60 $50

Mixing Valve $40-$75 $60

Shower Head Kit $150-$400 $275

Exhaust Fan $50-$250 $150

Copper or PEX Pipes $50 $50

Shutoff Valves $15-$20 $20

Waterproofing Boards $75-$400 $300

Thin-Set $60-$90 $90

Trowels $15-$30 $30

Tile ($3 to $9 per square foot) $300-$500 $400

Grout (Quality Pre-Mixed) $30-$90 $90

Margin Trowl $5-$10 $5

Rubber Float $12 $12

5 Gallon Buckets and Sponges $10 $10

Total Cost Estimate $2042

Curbless Shower

Item Cost Estimate

Shower Pan $800-1200 $1000

Shower Plumbing $20-$60 $50

Shower Door or Glass $500-$1000 $800

Mixing Valve $40-$75 $60

Shower Head Kit $150-$400 $275

Exhaust Fan $50-$250 $150

Copper or PEX Pipes $50 $50

Shutoff Valves $15-$20 $20

Waterproofing Boards $75-$400 $300

Thin-Set $60-$90 $90

Trowels $15-$30 $30

Tile ($3 to $9 per square foot) $300-$500 $400

Grout (Quality Pre-Mixed) $30-$90 $90

Margin Trowl $5-$10 $5

Rubber Float $12 $12

5 Gallon Buckets and Sponges $10 $10

Total Cost Estimate $3342

Tile Floor Installation

Item Cost Estimate

New Subfloor (Optional) $60-90 $50

DITRA $90-$175 $90

Unmodified Thin-Set $30-$60 $45

Modified Thin-Set $30-$60 $45

KERDI-BAND $30-$5 $30

KERDI-FIX $25 $25

DITRA Trowel $25 $25

Square Notched Trowel $15 $15

Tile ($3 to $9 per square foot) $150-$500 $250

Grout (Quality Pre-Mixed) $60-$80 $80

Margin Trowel $5-$10 $5

Rubber Float $12 $12

5 Gallon Buckets and Sponges $10 $10

Toilet (Optional) $150-$400 $250

Total Cost Estimate $932