Bathrooms tend to be one of the most outdated portions of a home. Fixtures like the tub, shower, and sink can wear down fast over the years, taking on an unpleasant yellow tint. Design trends move even quicker, and in the blink of an eye, your flooring and tile can look out of style.
Every homeowner in Massachusetts dreams of bathroom remodeling, but cost is always a main concern. Many elements contribute to remodeling prices, but fortunately, you have control over the complexity of your renovation. Here’s a detailed look at the factors that influence final costs.
Bathtubs and Showers Range in Pricing
A bathtub or shower can account for a large portion of remodeling costs. Luckily for homeowners, there is a wide range of options. For example, you can select a more economical tub or shower to save costs. These products might lack high-end finishes and contours, but they’ll still be a refreshing upgrade. Larger budgets can consider premium showers and bathtubs for better texture, style, and functionality.
When working with your Massachusetts bathroom remodeling company, you’ll want to determine what’s important to you. Some things to consider include:
- Custom or Standard Sizing: Can you select a new shower or tub that fits right into the existing footprint, or are you going to need something custom?
- Mildew-Resistant Surfaces: Would you enjoy a bathing fixture that’s non-porous, making it easier to clean and maintain? According to the EPA, frequent bathroom cleaning is one of the best ways to mitigate mold.
- Spa-Like Features: Does standard functionality suffice, or are you interested in more of a spa-like experience? Jetted tubs and rainfall showers are two options.
Standard vs. Luxury Accessories
The accessories you choose can affect the cost of your bathtub or shower replacement. Elements like specialty showerheads, tub jets, built-in seating, high-end faucets, and luxury hardware can all increase your final project pricing. These choices are often “add-ons,” so you have discretion over them.
Tip: High-efficiency shower fixtures, thermostatic shutoff valves, and faucet aerators are often available at no cost through Mass Save for eligible homeowners. This can help you reduce some of your bathroom remodeling expenses.
Updated Materials Make a Difference
Regardless of the components you want to add or subtract to your bathroom, you have better options for materials on your fixtures.
Older materials usually included porcelain or fiberglass, which chip and stain easily. Shower tile grout gets grubby very quickly in humid bathrooms and has to be strenuously cleaned very often. Newer materials for bath and shower are made of easy-to-clean high-tech polymer, which is infused with Microban®, an antimicrobial agent that inhibits mold, mildew, and surface bacteria from forming in the first place.
The high-tech polymer is also an insulation improvement on older materials – with a higher thermal rating, it retains heat better.
Design Choices Make a Big Impact
Design elements can have a surprisingly big impact on bathroom remodeling costs in Massachusetts. The price difference between standard and luxury building materials (flooring, backsplashes, tile, etc.) is often much wider than that of bathtubs and showers. You’ll want to pay special attention to this when remodeling your bathroom. It’s easy for luxury finishes to increase project costs.
For some homeowners, this isn’t a concern. They’d much rather have a stone shower surround than a vinyl one. For those on a budget, however, luxury products can make a renovation feel unattainable. But the reality is that even lower-budget remodels can come out stunning with intentional design choices.
Do Bathroom Conversions Increase Bathroom Remodeling Costs?
Some homeowners remodel their bathroom so that they can choose an alternative bathing fixture. For example, a family may not find a tub practical, so they’d rather replace it with a walk-in shower. This type of installation is called a bathroom conversion.
In many cases, a bathtub-to-shower or shower-to-bathtub conversion will increase bathroom remodeling costs. Sometimes, there is additional plumbing or framing involved that requires extra labor.
What If Accessible Fixtures Are Required?
People who are elderly or disabled often require accessible bathtubs and showers. Examples of these types of fixtures include walk-in bathtubs and barrier-free showers. These products are more expensive than standard options.
There is often specific design work involved, and alterations are sometimes needed to accommodate transfer space. This can also increase the cost of your bathroom renovations. However, the additional safety that they provide is priceless to these homeowners.
Bathroom Remodeling is Right for All Budgets
There is plenty of flexibility when you schedule a bathroom remodel, so you have control over your remodeling costs. The best way to get an accurate quote is to book an in-home appointment and design consultation.
At Neeeco, we’re proud to be the trusted bathroom remodeling company in Massachusetts. Thousands of households across the state have relied on us for their installations. We’re locally owned and operated, licensed, and insured. Our three-step bathroom remodeling process will seamlessly take you from consultation to design to final installation.