Home improvement projects are expensive, and we all want to save on costs when updating our homes. Note that the average cost of a bathroom remodel is around $10,000, depending on the scope of your project. Although it may be costly to create the bathroom of your dreams, it is not impossible. If you are looking to transform the bathroom in your San Antonio home without breaking the bank, here are a few tips for a successful bathroom makeover on a budget.

1. Plan Ahead

A successful bathroom remodeling always begins with adequate planning. When working on a budget, you want to cut costs without ruining the aesthetics and functionality of your space. To do this, create a plan of the project, which includes detailing work to be done, and the costs of the materials and services you will need for the project. When planning your makeover, you should have the following details in mind.

• The bathroom’s color scheme
• New fixtures
• The location of plumbing pipes and electrical wiring
• Storage for free deliveries

List the things you want to do in the order of importance to help you know what to focus on and what you can compromise. For example, you may need a new bathtub but don’t care much about the handles on your storage cabinets. Create a budget and include miscellaneous costs and emergency funds for unforeseen expenses.

2. Keep the Layout

Remodeling usually involves changing your bathroom’s structure, size, and shape. But, you don’t have to change your bathroom’s layout when remodeling as it is easier and more cost-effective to renovate. Usually, the project may include shifting the bathroom’s plumbing, electrical wiring, bathtub and toilet, and load-bearing walls. Unfortunately, the changes are costly as they may involve getting building permits which are an added expense.

Instead of doing a complete remodel and changing the layout, keep the plumbing, wirings, and load-bearing walls in place. You can spruce up the walls, flooring, bathroom lighting, storage, fixtures, and accessories without moving anything from where it is. If you need to make structural or layout changes, keep them to a minimum to reduce your labor costs.

3. Do It Yourself

Most of your bathroom budget will go to labor costs and what better way to save a few dollars than going the DIY route to make your bathroom look good. Even without the expertise and experience, you can still accomplish some tasks to keep your costs down. Also, you can always look up sites like YouTube to help you learn a few skills in the home improvement sector, so you don’t have to rely on others for everything.

If you are confident in your home improvement skills, you can take up tasks like painting, tiling, and placing bathroom lights. You can also demolish existing fixtures and replace the showerhead. However, jobs like moving the bathtub or changing electrical wiring require the expertise of a professional, as doing them yourself can lead to costly damages and even deadly accidents.

4. Repaint Instead of Retiling

Tiles are almost mandatory in bathrooms, and they can be expensive depending on the material you choose. However, you can skip the need to retile and instead use paint to give them a fresh breath of life if your tiles are still in good condition. Painting can do wonders for your bathroom space as it is highly versatile when you use it creatively.

You can change the appearance of your walls and tiles and give your bathroom the illusion of a bigger space with brighter and warmer paint. If your tiles are in good condition and the grout has stains, a grout pen can help you renew them. If you must retile, opt for larger tiles to cut down on costs.

5. Reuse What You Have and Shop for Bargains

Just because you are refreshing your bathroom with a new look doesn’t mean everything should be new. Find items in your existing bathroom that are in good condition and reuse them to avoid paying for new materials. Aside from reusing, hit the flea market and find the materials you need at a bargain. Shop around and compare prices from different vendors before settling to buy, and you will be surprised how much you can save.

Also, you can find second-hand materials on platforms like eBay and Craigslist from people disposing of surplus after completing their projects. Doing so saves you the need to buy entire sets or packages of materials such as a whole set of tiles when you only need a piece. Home improvement stores may also have items that were either returned or at a discount that you can use.

6. Perform a Staged Remodel

You don’t have to complete the whole bathroom remodel at one go when you are low on cash. A staged remodel is an excellent option as it involves transforming your bathroom in phases or stages instead of the entire space at once. For your staged remodel to work, you need to have your priorities in check. You can decide to renovate the most crucial aspects of the bathroom first or begin with areas that align with your budget at the given time.

A staged remodel allows you to learn along the way if it is your first time, which helps you make better decisions for the remaining areas. It also eases the pressure of completing the entire project at once, thus giving you room for flexibility. Since most contractors expect and prefer handling a project from start to finish within a specific period, you need to inform them to ensure you are on the same page.

7. Use Cheaper Materials

The materials you choose for your bathroom are among the highest determiners of how much you can spend. When you are on a budget, you can’t afford to splurge on every detail of your bathroom. Choose essential bathroom features to spend on, like the bathtub or vanity mirror, and consider cheaper alternatives for other areas.

For example, if you want marble in your bathroom, don’t cover your entire space with it. A more cost-effective approach is to use it as an accent to create a dramatic effect. Other affordable alternatives include choosing vinyl over tile for flooring, stock fixtures in place of custom pieces, and quartz countertops instead of marble or granite.

8. Work With a Professional

Although it may seem counterproductive if you are looking to save on costs, working with a professional will save you money in the long run. You avoid common remodeling mistakes when you have an interior designer guiding you, which reduces the possibility of costly repairs in the future.

A professional will help you plan your project, provide advice with budgeting and help you with the appropriate materials for your bathroom that will last you long. They will also use the right processes during installation, sealing, and proofing. Instead of looking at it as an expense, view it as an investment that gives you value for your money and saves you unnecessary costs in the future.

The bathroom is one of the most intimate areas in your San Antonio home that needs to be as comfortable, appealing, and relaxing as possible. With the above tips, you can refresh your bathroom and add value to your home without spending much.