If you’ve been thinking about remodeling your bathroom, you might be unsure of where to start. There are a lot of decisions to make with a bathroom renovation, from style to budget to materials. You will also have to make a choice about timing: when do you want the project to be completed?
For many homeowners, winter is the best time to do a bathroom remodel. Typically, contractors have greater availability during this time, compared to spring and summer (peak construction season). Of course, there are other factors that may come into play as well, such as your own schedule and your willingness to have workers in and out of your house during the cold winter months.
At Carl Deputy and Son Builders, we offer premium quality new home construction and renovations to homeowners throughout Kent and Sussex Counties in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. We work with you to help you not only design the perfect bathroom for your needs, but to schedule it at a time that works for you. Reach out today to schedule a consultation with our Delaware bathroom renovation team.
Have questions about building a home or making home renovations? Sometimes talking directly to an expert is easier than reading a post. Speak with a builder at Carl Deputy & Son Builders > (302) 284-3041
Why Remodel Your Bathroom?
If you live in an older home, you might be considering a bathroom remodel or renovation. Depending on your choices, a bathroom remodel can cost anywhere from $15,000 to over $50,000. A remodel can be an incredibly smart investment both in terms of the value of your home and its livability.
High ROI
First, a bathroom remodel can be a smart financial move. For a midrange bathroom renovation, the return on investment (ROI) is 80% (which means that you’ll get 80% of what you spent on the project back in terms of home value). Upscale remodels and remodels for accessibility have a lower return on investment, but you will still see an ROI of 42 to 61% for these projects.
In other words, the money that you put into a bathroom renovation can increase the value of your home considerably. In fact, bathroom renovations are one of the best remodeling projects that you can do in terms of ROI. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to remodel your bathroom, this fact may help you make the decision.
Updated Structural Systems
Second, a bathroom remodel may actually be necessary to fix existing problems. Particularly in old houses, your bathroom might have issues, like old, leaky pipes, water damage, or even mold and mildew growth. A bathroom renovation can replace outdated plumbing and electrical work and any damaged components of your bathroom.
At the same time, you can make your bathroom more energy efficient. You can choose fixtures like low-flow toilets, and high efficiency faucets, and shower heads to reduce water flow. You can also add insulation in your walls and/or around your pipes to save money on your heating and/or cooling bills.
Better Space Utilization
Third, a bathroom renovation can help you optimize your space and add functionality. Many older homes have smaller bathrooms or an inefficient use of space. They often lack storage space and other modern conveniences, like a larger vanity or double sink.
With a bathroom remodel, you can reconfigure the room to meet your needs. If you don’t need a bathtub, for example, you might choose to install a walk-in shower instead. You could have a corner sink installed to gain some square footage or add built-in storage shelves. A great design team can analyze your space and determine the best way to lay out your bathroom to meet your needs and ensure a smooth flow throughout the room.
Improved Safety
Fourth, a bathroom remodel can be a great way to add safety features and make your bathroom more accessible. Even if you don’t want to do a full universal design remodel, you can still remodel your bathroom to make it safer for older people, kids, and/or people with disabilities. You can add features like a walk-in tub, a low-threshold shower, grab bars, slip-free surfaces, or a wider doorway to make your bathroom much safer for everyone in your family.
Enhanced Appearance
Fifth, and perhaps most importantly for many people, a bathroom remodel can make your bathroom into a beautiful space. You can replace outdated features, like a stained tub or peeling wallpaper, with new, modern choices. No matter what choices you make when it comes to things like tiles or hardware, you can create a bathroom that suits your style. Even in a smaller bathroom, this can make a huge difference and make your home life more enjoyable.
When to Remodel Your Bathroom Based on Your Needs
If you have made the decision to remodel your bathroom, the next question is when to do it. Depending on whether you are doing a full gut renovation or more of a “facelift,” a remodel can take weeks or even months to complete. If you don’t need to remodel your bathroom immediately, you should take some time to think about when it makes the most sense to do so.
A bathroom renovation can take place at any time of the year, unlike other types of construction projects. This means that you can technically schedule it at any time of the year. Of course, there are some benefits and drawbacks to doing a bathroom renovation during different seasons.
Winter
During winter, there is lower demand for construction work. This means that contractors often have more availability and can tackle your project. Winter construction projects can also mean lower costs, as less demand means material costs may be lower.
Spring
This season is popular for construction work due to the nicer weather. Homeowners often start tackling their Spring cleaning lists, which can drive demand for home improvements. This can mean that contractors have less availability compared to other times of the year. It may also mean higher costs given the increased demand.
Summer
The summer is the peak season for construction because contractors can do outdoor work, such as replacing a roof or adding a deck to a house. This can make it more difficult to schedule interior bathroom work around your contractor’s other jobs. Increased overall demand for both labor and materials may also mean higher costs.
Fall
As the weather begins to cool off, both pricing and demand for construction may decrease. This may mean greater contractor availability as well as lower costs compared to spring and summer.
Why Winter Is The Most Popular Time For Bathroom Remodeling
Overall, winter is often the best time of year to do a bathroom remodel project. In most cases, it will be much easier to schedule a contractor during this time, which is typically their “off-season.” You’re also less likely to land on a waitlist if you are willing to have the project done during the winter.
A winter bathroom remodel also means that your contractor is less likely to be dividing their time between different jobs. This can reduce delays in construction and ensure that your project is finished as quickly as possible. Lower demand for construction also means that it’s less likely that materials will be out of stock, so you won’t have to wait as long for the necessary supplies. Because of the lower demand, you might even find that some construction materials are discounted.
Less construction during the winter also means that it is often easier to get permits. Local government agencies that issue building and construction permits are less busy during the winter compared to the spring and summer. As a result, you might find that you’ll get the necessary permits more quickly compared to the summer months.
There is one drawback to doing a bathroom renovation during the winter – especially in a state like Delaware, where there is a strong likelihood of cold and snow. Your house can get colder when walls are taken down, insulation is removed, or workers are going in and out of the house getting materials and supplies. Of course, the change in temperature will be pretty negligible (if there is one at all), and the benefits far outweigh the minor inconvenience.
There are a lot of different considerations to weigh when deciding when to time your bathroom remodel. For budgetary and scheduling reasons, winter is often the best season for the project. However, you may have your own reasons why it simply makes more sense to get the work done during a different time of year. If you are considering a bathroom renovation in Delaware, give us a call to schedule a consultation and talk about the best timing for your remodeling project.
Remodel Your Bathroom With Carl Deputy And Son Builders
Whether you want to get started in winter, summer, spring, or fall, a bathroom renovation can be a smart way to add value to your house and to make it better for you and your family. A bathroom remodel can be a cost-effective way to make your house both more beautiful and more livable. If you are in Kent or Sussex Counties in Delaware and are interested in a bathroom remodel, we can help.
Since 1986, Carl Deputy and Son Builders has constructed new homes and renovated existing homes in Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. We pride ourselves on both outstanding craftsmanship and customer service. To learn more or to schedule a consultation with a member of our team, give us a call at 302-284-3041 or fill out our online contact form.
