topic Re: Bathroom Design in Among Friends

Bathroom Design

drizzellla — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 01:37:11 GMT

We have been talking about getting our bathroom remodeled. The bathroom is orginial with the 50 year old house. Must say because it is mostly tile, it is in good shape. The sink was replaced about 5 years ago and the tub fixtures were replaced about 2 years ago.

It is the ONLY bathroom in the house. My husband wants the tub removed and just have a shower, toilet and sink. I keep thinking to have a tub/shower combination.

I also woud rather deal with tile because it seems to hold up better tha newer materials I have encountered. Guess that is why we are still in the talking stage. When we finally agree - things will start happening.

Re: Bathroom Design

Abrowneyegirl — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 02:06:39 GMT

Before you get too caught up in what you want -you may want to spend some time and learn what is feasible to do in an older home and your budget. It would save a lot of headache.

Talk to some contractors first to give you some direction and clarity.

We are planning a SMALL remodel a bathroom in our new home and not one bid came in under $28,000.

Between the $$$$, dirt and headache- I really do not want to be bothered.

HGTV makes it look so easy

Re: Bathroom Design

RedTop — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 02:09:42 GMT

We updated bathrooms in 2007; our main purpose was to get rid of the harvest gold colored fiberglass shower unit and one piece tub shower unit the house was literally built around.

While I am content with the bathrooms as they are now, I now wish we had left out the tub in the main bath and gone with an awesome super size tiled shower with a solid tile bench. The 4 adults in this house take showers every day. I haven't taken a tub bath in 3 years and it's been 5+ years for my husband.

I am thankful we chose raised toilets and kept the oversized shower in the master bath, as both came in very handy during my recovery from knee surgery.

With only one bath, I would be thinking of a classic, timeless design and what will work well for you as you age in that house.

Best wishes to you!

Re: Bathroom Design

Nonametoday — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 02:15:23 GMT

@RedTop wrote:
We updated bathrooms in 2007; our main purpose was to get rid of the harvest gold colored fiberglass shower unit and one piece tub shower unit the house was literally built around.

While I am content with the bathrooms as they are now, I now wish we had left out the tub in the main bath and gone with an awesome super size tiled shower with a solid tile bench. The 4 adults in this house take showers every day. I haven't taken a tub bath in 3 years and it's been 5+ years for my husband.

I am thankful we chose raised toilets and kept the oversized shower in the master bath, as both came in very handy during my recovery from knee surgery.

With only one bath, I would be thinking of a classic, timeless design and what will work well for you as you age in that house.

Best wishes to you!

Don't know your age or the age of people moving into your neighborhood should you decide to sell, but a selling point for young people with children is a bath/shower combination. However, if you are older and love the walk-in shower (which is what I love) and you don't care about who buys it or who is interested, you might look at a walk-in shower with a seat. My house is 25 years old and the baths have been all been gutted as well as kitchen and redone. There are so, so many options out there. Just get busy doing your homework and talking contractors. I did my own contract work and thereby got by cheaper. I hired subcontractors and shopped for my own lighting, mirrors, appliances, limestone, slate, granite and marble.

Re: Bathroom Design

Janey2 — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 02:20:30 GMT

Much of the bathroom cost depends on the cost of the tile you choose. Tile costs vary greatly. If and when you sell your house will you able to sell without a tub? Get estimates, then decide. I just did a very small bathroom and the estimates were all over the place.

Re: Bathroom Design

drizzellla — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 02:27:42 GMT

mememe - I know what you mean. When we first bought the house, we had the kitchen gutted and remodeled, all the windows replaced, and a new driveway. We later had a new roof and siding replaced. It went smoothly. The contractors were great and did a good job.

Fast forward to 2017 - tried to get the cement along the front of the house replaced. Called contractor got a quote $10,000. Ouch, called another Contractor, he came out gave a quote $3,600. Called and said we would like him to do the work. Never heard from him, called a couple more times and also emailed. Never heard from him.

Called another Contractor got a quote $3,000. We said we would like him to do the job. He called back a week or so later. Set up time - never showed up. We called he said his wife had a baby, he would come next week. Finally showed up and had trouble with machine taking out old cement. Left and came back next day and disappeared again. Finally day 3 got the job done. It is a just OK job.

We asked him for a quote to replace the cement pad under trash cans. Never heard from him again.

I do not have confidence in contractors like I used to. Our neighbor is having a second and third floor added to their house. The Architect messed up and the builder is trying to fix the problem.

Re: Bathroom Design

Mistreatedbycs — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 02:45:40 GMT

@drizzellla I would seriously consider getting a plumber in to look at what you have. In my mom's house I sold, I couldn't replace the tile unless I practically went to the brick of the house. Years ago, they built houses different than how they do it now.

So, without spending 10's of thousands, I opted to refinish the tub and also, the same people came in and painted all the tile. They filled in the small pieces of tile that were cracked and sprayed it all. Couldn't do much with tile floor since it was actually set in concrete.

Added a shower in the tub and the entire bathroom was fresh and updated as much as it could be.

I don't think your husband knows how expensive of a project that is.

I just redid a small bathroom down to the studs and it was $12,000 and that was replacing the tub, adding a wall shower, toilet, tile floor, new fixtures, exhaust fan and vanity/sink.

Re: Bathroom Design

candys mine — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 10:53:42 GMT

If you decide to put in the tub and even if you don't, consider putting the studs in the wall to accomidate senior wall handle bars to get in and out of the tub. With my senior parents that was very helpful. Even if you don't want to put a bar up now it would be easy to to put one in later. Getting over the rise of the tub became a production for them.

Re: Bathroom Design

drizzellla — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 12:14:50 GMT

Thanks, Ladies. Oh, we know how much $$$ this project will probably cost. That is why we keep putting it off. The bathroom is gray tile with a touch of pink in the tile floor. It is a pale pink so we have gray carpet and cover much of the pink. The tub is pink but we have glass doors so it blocks much of the tub. And we replaced the sink with a gray sink. The wallpaper is beautiful. It was imported from England. It is mostly silver, gray and a touch of pink.

Taking out the tub would work out well for us. I never took a tub bath in this house. I think my husband did two times.

But as was said, if a younger family moved in, they would probably want to tub for the kids. We have no plans on moving but I am sure the house will be hard to sell because it does have only one bathroom. Many people are adding on to their houses and adding one or two additional bathrooms.

Thanks for your replies. Guess it is time to talk to a plumber and get his input.

Re: Bathroom Design

Peaches McPhee — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 20:25:14 GMT

My recommendation is to leave the tub in, for re-sale value. If there is no tub, you immediately reduce the number of potential interested buyers.

Re: Bathroom Design

Katcat1 — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 09:29:45 GMT

@drizzellla, A tub is a good thing to have in your one bathroom especially if one day you decide to sell. Have you ever seen the white subway tile? It is used a lot on Fixer Upper. A really nice look.

Re: Bathroom Design

ID2 — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 11:17:04 GMT

Leave the tub!! Its a HUGE selling feature for famiilies. Sure, you have no intention of selling but, you never know when you do, you'll be pretty mad that your house (with only one bathroom) doesn't even have a tub.

Re: Bathroom Design

drizzellla — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 16:39:56 GMT

KatCat1 and ID2 - that is what I keep saying. That you need a tub. Funny I grew up in a house with 4 bathrooms When we bought this house, I thought it was no big deal it only had one bathroom. Well, through the years it has become a big deal, especially since my brothers and their families and numerous members of my husband's family are frequently staying here.

My husband's brother lives about 4 miles from us and has 5 bedrooms and 3 baths - yet no one ever stays at his house. Oh well, a story for another day.

Thanks, I think I am sticking to the shower/tub. But my husband says by the time we sell the house the new owners will probably want to remodel the bathroom anyway. But many times people don't have $$$ for remodeling after buying a house.

Re: Bathroom Design

ScrapHappy — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 18:08:20 GMT

I am nearing the end of my third bathroom remodel (all were taken down to the studs). Started with the master, did a secondary and now finishing up a jack and jill. I've learned A LOT along the way. I would not remove the tub. For resale purposes (whenever that will be), is a must. I don't think people (when buying a house) really want to put a whole lot of work into it. Maybe little projects but not remodels. I live in a nice neighborhood with excellent schools, it's desirable. The houses that are updated sell. The ones that have not, are on the market a lot longer. I've learned that ceramic and porcelain are the most popular tiles and easiest to maintain. In one bathroom I went with a larger size white subway tile which makes the smaller size bathroom look larger. It took me over 8 months to choose a contractor. At first I was looking for an all in one type thing. They handle everything but found materials limiting and their was a price to pay for that. Usually the bids you'll get is for labor only. I recommend you choose your materials (sink, mirror, lighting, tile, faucets, etc.) and bring it home yourself or have it delivered. And YOU handle the payments for that. Contractors usually up charge for that. When we started all this it was just to do master bathroom. It was a must do because the tub and shower leaked. But my husband talked me into updating the others (they needed it). My husband sayd he wants it done, to enjoy it while we live here. I'm glad we did it. Turned out so nice and I'm looking forward to many years of enjoying the new bathrooms. Good luck to you.

Re: Bathroom Design

Abrowneyegirl — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 12:49:53 GMT

@drizzellla I know what you mean!

I had 10 contractors THRILLED to do the job,....... until it came time to putting a bid in writing.

3 gave me verbal bids of $25,000-$45,000 ????? That's not a bid it is a guess!

5 never got back to us

and 2 actually gave us a bid.

(((((Groan!!!!)))))

We called a concrete company about a project, their out going message said "please leave a message IF your budget is AT LEAST $$$ and you can wait 6 months" as that is who far they are scheduled. !!!!!!!

Re: Bathroom Design

Shaunac — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 15:02:41 GMT

I would never get rid of the tub. That is downgrading and removing an amenity.

I remodeled a very small bathroom for $18k five years ago. Down to the studs, new toilet, vanity, mirror, tub, tile flooring. This price did not include a ventilation fan as I had new windows installed a few years prior to the remodel.

A year later I remodeled the other bathroom, but did not use the contractor, but did use the same worker. That lessened my cost, but my tub, because it is unusually small cost $1200 compared to my other new tub at $400.

I would go to houzz dot com to look at designs. You could spend hours looking at everything on that site.

Re: Bathroom Design

drizzellla — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 15:32:28 GMT

@scraphappy wrote:
I am nearing the end of my third bathroom remodel (all were taken down to the studs). Started with the master, did a secondary and now finishing up a jack and jill. I've learned A LOT along the way. I would not remove the tub. For resale purposes (whenever that will be), is a must. I don't think people (when buying a house) really want to put a whole lot of work into it. Maybe little projects but not remodels. I live in a nice neighborhood with excellent schools, it's desirable. The houses that are updated sell. The ones that have not, are on the market a lot longer. I've learned that ceramic and porcelain are the most popular tiles and easiest to maintain. In one bathroom I went with a larger size white subway tile which makes the smaller size bathroom look larger. It took me over 8 months to choose a contractor. At first I was looking for an all in one type thing. They handle everything but found materials limiting and their was a price to pay for that. Usually the bids you'll get is for labor only. I recommend you choose your materials (sink, mirror, lighting, tile, faucets, etc.) and bring it home yourself or have it delivered. And YOU handle the payments for that. Contractors usually up charge for that. When we started all this it was just to do master bathroom. It was a must do because the tub and shower leaked. But my husband talked me into updating the others (they needed it). My husband sayd he wants it done, to enjoy it while we live here. I'm glad we did it. Turned out so nice and I'm looking forward to many years of enjoying the new bathrooms. Good luck to you.

I think that is why the bathroom still looks so nice - it is 75% porcelain tile. It is so easy to clean and the tile still looks like it is new (except the tub is losing its shine so the dirt can be noticeable). That is what I want for the remodel - lots of porcelain tile.

The guy who redid our kitchen was THE BEST. I feel like asking him if he would also do my bathroom.

Re: Bathroom Design

toria — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 15:37:09 GMT

Yes I agree about leaving the tub in. The real estate agent told us that every house should have at least one bathroom with a tub for resale value. Some people like to take tub baths and its important for families with children. We have two and a half bathrooms and one has a tub. Our master only has a shower. I have not taken an actual bath in over 25 years.

Re: Bathroom Design

Abrowneyegirl — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 16:13:11 GMT

I say It is your money do what is best for you and enjoy it!!!

The next owners can put a tub in if THEY want one. If the house had NO bathrooms than that is a problem. People split hairs over everything......

Re: Bathroom Design

RedTop — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 00:39:16 GMT

The improvements we've done to this house have been and will continue to be done to accommodate the 4 of us who live here. I don't even think in terms of anyone but us ever living in this house.

My house is built on what was once my grandfathers 200+ acre farm. My family has lived on this land since the early 1940's; my daughters are in their 30's, my nephew in his 20's, and they are the 4th generation to live here. We're all quite settled here, with no plans to leave this area.