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November 30, 2005
Small Bathroom Renovation
A friend of mine recently hired a local handyman to renovate her bathroom on the cheap. He took measurements, they went to Home Depot together to pick out furniture, tile and fixtures, and he installed them. I was surprised how good the result was and how inexpensive, compared to hiring a professional bathroom remodeler. Obviously there are a lot of plusses and minuses, but since budget is critical right now, it is tempting. Has anyone had experience doing this? Where could I look for a good selection of bathroom furniture besides Home Depot if I wanted to try and do this? I guess I’m most hesitant about my own ability to “design” it and know what the possibilities are.
Comments
product web sites like american standard and kohler have design programs to help consumers. Go to Barnes and Noble magazine section and read kitchen and bath issues. Go to high end showrooms and steal ideas that can be duplicated using less expensive materials. The reason handymen can bid out a job cheaper is that they don't have a NYC home improvement license, don't have liability insurance, or overhead like workers compensation. That doesn't mean they won't do a good job. It's just more risk from your side. Remember, Jack of all trades, master of none.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 1, 2005 1:17 AM
It's a practical approach to take, particularly if you are working with a small budget and doing mostly cosmetic work (i.e. not moving the waste line, etc.). Not everyone has 10-20K to spend on a bathroom reno. For well under 5K you could get a very attractive updated bathroom done by a handyman.
Home Expo, Lowe's and Home Depot offer design services and decent to very nice fixtures. My brother- and sister-in-law just renovated their kitchen with marble countertops, new appliances, stock cabinets and lovely fixtures. They used a designer from Lowe's and their handyman installed everything for less than 1/3 of what a kitchen designer wanted to charge.
A handyman may require closer supervision and it would really help if you know/learn a bit about construction. Our relatives downloaded lots of installation info and had the guy read it. He actually had to install the cabinets twice, but did so at no addtional charge and the end result is fantastic.
Sure there may be a slight risk insurance-wise (although if there was significant water damage or something like that, your homeowners policy would probably cover it - call them first).
I say go for it, especially since your friend got such a good result. Buy lots of magazines for design idea and get help from an in-store design service and you'll be fine.
Posted by: clinton hillbilly at December 1, 2005 11:31 AM
I have to agree with what clinton and anon posted above especially going to Barnes & Noble, etc. to check out the magazines and books. Lowe's and Home Depot have a magazine selection also with some great suggestions.
I am in the process of renovating my whole house in much the same way. Most of the people working on my house come after their full time job and on the weekends, I have purchased all my material through Home Depot, Lowes and a great place for recessed lighting and electrical supplies called Cash & Carry on Flushing. I have found that sheetrock, plywood, etc. is usually a couple bucks cheaper at lumber yards than Home Depot, etc. (Dykes, Modern Way Lumber, etc.). My only other peice of advice to you is this - however long they tell you it will take to finish the job - double it. Otherwise good luck!
Posted by: stacey0768 at December 1, 2005 12:41 PM
If you like modern lines, Ikea has some very simple and VERY inexpensive sinks and such that are worth a look. We got our bathroom sink from Ikea, and it consitently gets compliments from guests.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 2, 2005 10:55 AM
If you like modern style, definitely check out Ikea. I think Ikea's best (not all) designs are far superior to comparable styles at HD / Lowes.
Look at the sink that comes with the Vattern vanity. Looks great and a lot like high-end models that cost multiples of it. I'm planning on buying one soon. Also, their best overhead / track lights look like exceptional values.
Posted by: Anon2 at December 2, 2005 1:42 PM
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