A bathroom can be one of the most challenging areas in a home to upgrade. It takes careful planning and precise execution to complete a contractor bathroom remodel since most fixtures are permanent and are connected to water or electricity, which must be disconnected or diverted before any sort of construction can begin.
As a result of these added challenges, completing a bathroom remodel from start to finish can often take longer than similar upgrades in other areas of the home. Exactly how long it will take depends on the details of the individual bathroom and the homeowner’s specific vision for it.
In this article, we’ll discuss each step of the remodeling process and how much time you can expect your contractor to spend on each stage.
Step 1: Find the Right Contractor
Before you can begin any sort of remodeling project, you will need to find a contractor that you trust to do the job for you. To find a contractor, you can post the job on an online construction worker job board, ask friends and family for referrals, or begin contacting individual companies yourself to ask for quotes.
Regardless of how you choose to begin your search, there will be plenty of firms hoping to get the job, and many of them will say anything in the hopes that you will hire them. Many will offer to get the job done quickly, but it’s important to remember that speed isn’t the only factor to consider when remodeling a bathroom. A good contractor will take the time necessary to do the job right and work closely with you during the entire process.
It may be to your benefit to work with a company that employs both designers and contractors, such as JMG Contracting in Phoenix. You’ll have an entire team ready to walk you through every step from the design phase through the completion of the project.
Step 2: Planning
The planning phase is, in many ways, the most important step in the remodeling process since it establishes your overall vision for the project. The amount of time you spend on planning depends on you, as some homeowners will go in knowing exactly what they want and how to execute it, while others will spend a good deal of time trying to work out the particulars. In either case, it’s impossible to give an accurate estimate of how long the planning phase will take. You’ll just have to take the time you need.
One of the first decisions you must make during the planning process is what the scope of the remodel will be. Will you opt for a relatively minor cosmetic remodel that leaves existing fixtures in place and makes use of some of the elements that are already present? Or are you interested in something a bit more extensive?
Some remodels may go as far as to move fixtures such as sinks, showers, and toilets. You may choose to rewire lights and other electrical elements or even alter the layout of the room entirely by removing existing walls and replacing them with new ones elsewhere.
Once you’ve determined exactly how big of a project the remodel will be, you can then begin to make decisions with regard to the materials that will be used for your project. This is the fun part. Your contractor will help you to choose the perfect materials. If you work with a company like JMG, you’ll have the option to visit the wholesale markets.
Step 3: The Construction Phase
The majority of the time spent on your contractor bathroom remodel will be in the actual construction phase. This can take several weeks or even as long as a month, depending on the scope of the project and the size of the bathroom.
The construction phase actually begins with demolition. If it’s a full remodel, your original bathroom will be torn down to its component parts, meaning that plumbing and electricity will be diverted, fixtures will be removed, and sometimes walls may be knocked down. Depending on the remodel you have requested, sometimes ceilings and floors may even be altered to change the feel of a room entirely. In most cases, this part takes one or two days for your contractor to complete.
Once the old bathroom has been removed, construction on the new one can begin. In most cases, fixtures such as sinks, toilets, and showers are added first, with the rest of the bathroom being established around them. This allows the plumbing and electricity to be diverted safely without interfering with newly constructed ceilings, walls, or floors. You will be looking at another four days or so of work to remove, replace, or redirect existing fixtures in the bathroom.
After the fixtures have been installed, other elements are constructed around these. For example, many homeowners nowadays choose to upgrade to a walk-in shower. For this, new walls may need to be established to create a larger shower. A tile floor can then be constructed between these walls, and so on.
Note that tiling and flooring are actually among the most time-consuming steps in the overall bathroom remodel, often taking over a week to perform. This is in part due to the amount of time it takes for the materials to set or dry.
Step 4: Painting and Decorating
Once the permanent fixtures have been fully established in the bathroom, the process of decorating can start. This usually begins with painting, which, while extensive, is usually relatively fast. Most bathrooms can be painted completely in a day or two.
After the paint has dried, elements that are both functional and decorative, such as cabinets, can be installed. These won’t be permanent fixtures; they can be removed if necessary. Elements like these may be constructed by your contractors, or they may sometimes be outsourced. It may be worth doing some research to decide what types of cabinets fit your vision best. Homes & Gardens offers some advice on cabinets, including potentially purchasing vintage cabinets to add some timeless style to your newly remodeled bathroom. The actual installation process should only take a day or two to complete.
When the contractor has completed its work, you get to add the finishing touches. This is where you bring in the coordinating accessories, hang artwork, and place utility décor. Then comes the best part: you get to enjoy your new bathroom!
As the exact timeline for a contractor bathroom remodel can vary, add this to the list of questions you ask when you meet with your contractor early on. A company with plenty of experience will be able to provide you with an accurate estimate of how long the work will take. If you’re in the Phoenix area, reach out to JMG Contracting and explore your options.
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