How-to videos proliferate on the Internet, and you can theoretically do anything if you have some DIY skills and follow the detailed instructions. While this might be an exciting prospect for many because of the anticipated sense of accomplishment, not to mention the cost savings, there may not be the successful conclusion you expect for some projects.
Bathroom remodeling is particularly problematic. Minor upgrades such as replacing faucets or putting in a vanity might be doable for some people, but anything major such as replacing a bathtub, putting in a new toilet, or re-configuring the layout might be much more than any amateur can handle.
The scope is typically extensive and requires considerable skills. Instead of the flush of success and money in your pocket, you might end up with disaster and shelling out more money to fix it than what you would have paid if you had professionals do it in the first place.
Outlay
Bathroom remodeling is expensive, and you can theoretically cut it down to half by doing it yourself instead of getting a remodeler to do it for you. However, you should consider the cost of your time working on a bathroom that you can use to make money in your job or business.
You also have to know what and where to buy the materials you need, and that is not as easy as you might think. Additionally, you probably have to buy or rent at least some of the tools you need. Unless all of these things come together for you, your project will probably fail, and you would have wasted all that money only to pay a pro do it for you in the end.
Time
A major bathroom remodel takes longer than you might think. Remodeling contractors get it done within a relatively short time because they usually have a team of specialists working for them in concert. What would take a professional team a week to do will probably take you, working alone and without the level of skill of these specialists, at least a month.
This is a big problem, especially if you have just one bathroom in the home, because you need a working bathroom on a daily basis. If you have just the one bathroom, forget about doing amateur night. Hire a pro and avoid major upsets in the home.
Even if you have another bathroom, you will usually need to cut off the water supply some of the time while work is ongoing. If there are several people in the home, having just one working bathroom can be a major inconvenience.
Even if you have another bathroom, it can be a serious inconvenience to have one out of commission, especially if you need to shut off the water supply to the house for the duration. Get a professional contractor to do your bathroom remodel, and you can enjoy the benefits within a short amount of time.
Skill
You need to have an extensive skill set to do a bathroom remodel. You need to know something about masonry, plumbing, electrical work, and construction. This is unlikely, unless you are actually in the building and construction business. A bathroom remodel is probably going to give you problems in some way.
For example, a major bathroom remodel typically involves doing something radical with the flooring. If you plan to replace the floor, you first have to tear the old ones out. This is difficult and dirty work, and much harder than most people think. You need to end up with a somewhat even surface, and you need to have some knowledge about subfloors to make sure it is in good condition.
If you do manage to do a good job with demolition, you now have to prepare your tiles. Assuming you are putting in ceramic or porcelain tiles, you need to know how to mix mortar in correct proportions so it will set properly. If you are putting in granite tiles, you will use epoxy, and that can be tricky if you do not know how to handle it.
You then have to set the tiles evenly and with the right slope for proper drainage. If you do not, you will end up with uneven floors with water puddles. You also have to know how long you need to cure the adhesive before you either put in grout, or safely put weight on the tiles.
Floors are difficult; walls are even more so because you have to deal with gravity. The first time a tile falls is about the same time you realize you made a big mistake trying to handle bathroom remodeling yourself.
Conclusion
DIY videos are very useful, and you will certainly be able to do some projects with much success. Bathroom remodeling is not one of them. If you are planning a major bathroom remodel, resign yourself to handing it over to professional contractors.
However, you can still save quite a bit of money by purchasing major elements such as bathroom vanities, countertops, faucets, and sinks from a reliable supplier. Cabinet Land Kitchen and Beyond offers free consultation services and quotes, so you can have the benefit of our expertise without spending a dime.
We are a local company with a showroom located in Schaumburg, Illinois. We work only with the best brands at the best prices such as cabinets compared to our competitors such as Advance Cabinets and Handsome Cabinets.
Our service in Chicago land and surrounding cities. We have the expertise and resources to provide the products needed for virtually any type of bathroom remodeling – ON TIME and ON BUDGET with top quality craftsmanship that will exceed your expectations.
Visit or call us today to see how we can help you in your bathroom remodeling project!
