What you need to know before you renovate your bathroom

Renovating your bathroom is a great way to increase the resale value of your home. Here are a few things you need to know before you decide whether or not to start remodelling.

If you're not sure how to get started, protect yourself and your home by hiring a contractor certified by a construction association.

You can also undertake the renovations yourself if you're confident in your ability to get work done safely. Here are some bathroom renovations tips to help set you on the right track.

• Draw up a clear plan of the room to remodel, and make it to scale. This will be a great reference not only for you, but also for your subcontractors.
• Estimate the approximate total cost of your renovation before you begin your work. This includes quotes from workers, for materials, new fixtures (bath, shower, toilet, and faucets), furniture, decor and lighting.
• Ask for at least two or three quotes from different workers.
• Shop around for your bathroom fixtures. You'd be surprised how much you can save.
• Prepare yourself for surprises and extra expenses along the way, especially if you decide to open up the space and remove walls.
• Do not touch a load bearing wall without first consulting with an expert.

• Plan to protect your floors by covering them all the way to the entrance of the bathroom.
• Rent a disposal bin to dump waste materials. Use this opportunity to clean and rid your house of any unwanted junk that has accumulated over time.
• Consider eliminating some of your current problems, such as poor lighting, or lack of ventilation and storage.
• Deciding to open up the space by removing a wall before remodelling can avoid major costs. Imagine you buy a large bath tub, only to realize there is just one place to install it and the existing plumbing cannot be relocated.
• Never do the plumbing or electrical work yourself. This handiwork must be completed by experts for both safety and insurance purposes. You can rest easy knowing the work is guaranteed.
• Install dimmer switches to adjust the light intensity.
• Take this opportunity to reconsider your heating method (whether it's through floor heating or forced air). This can enhance your comfort and increase the resale value of your home.

• Opt for silicone or epoxy based grout for moisture proofing.
• Use specialized gypsum drywall for the bathroom to prevent mould.
• It is best to prime the walls with an alkyd primer and finish with a layer of latex paint, especially for kitchens and bathrooms.
• Allow a clearance of six inches around all fixtures and features to facilitate maintenance.
• A silicone seal finish is a must to prevent water seepage around the bath, sink, and toilet and even around points of contact between the walls and counters and cabinets.
• It is recommended to install a central lighting source for the bathroom as well as separate spot lights above the sink, bath, and shower and above a washer/dryer duo.