
Ultimate Guide to Bathroom Renovations in Ottawa
Are you thinking about renovating your bathrooms in Ottawa? Renovating a bathroom is a considerable investment, so it’s worth doing it right. That’s why we’ve created the ultimate guide to bathroom renovations in Ottawa. The last thing you want is to spend thousands on a subpar renovation that looks worse than the original. Yet, that can easily happen if you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s why it’s worth doing a little research before getting started. Luckily, we’ve compiled everything you need to know in this handy guide. Read on to learn what it takes to set up a successful bathroom renovation in Ottawa. Start with the Basics: Create a Wishlist Before you do anything, you need to determine what you want out of your bathroom renovation. You may know that you want renovations but haven’t pinpointed the exact modifications you wish to make. Now is the time to do that, and you can do so with this questionnaire: What do you not like about your bathroom the most? Which modification takes precedent over the rest? (i.e., installing a new shower to get rid of mold is more important than a new sink) Is the layout of your bathroom convenient, or could you make some changes? (i.e., new shelving or layout to make the most efficient use of space) Do you like your current color scheme, or would you like to change it? What would your dream bathroom look like? Does your bathroom have accessibility issues? (i.e., an elderly resident has trouble standing in the shower) How many people use your bathroom, and do they have enough space? Do you want a portion of your bathroom to be private? What aesthetic changes would you enjoy the most? (i.e., new tile, vanity, color scheme, etc.) These questions will help you narrow things down in terms of renovations. From there, make a list of the modifications that you want the most. That will help you during the next step, which is determining your budget. Be Realistic With Your Budget This step is easy to screw up, even if it doesn’t seem that way. You’ll want to create a realistic budget within a specific ‘sweet spot.’ You want to pay enough to get quality work done, but you don’t want to go broke in the process. At the same time, going with cheap contractors is never a good idea. Consider how much money you have available. You’ll want at least $15,000 – $20,000 available for the renovation to achieve desirable results. That’s the average price range for a single bathroom renovation, considering you don’t want to change the layout or plumbing. Once you know how much money you have, it’s time to start comparing prices for the job. Here are some tips for discovering how much your project will cost: Check out online trade shows and slideshows. Renovation companies often have trade shows/slideshows available for their products. They’re a great place to start researching how much your renovation project will cost. Try to find at least 5 to view the Ottawa area to see how much the prices differ. Flip through renovation magazines and websites. There are plenty of publications out there that list bathroom renovation products. You can use them to determine how much sinks, toilets, showers, and new tile will cost. Get quotes from contractors. Next, you’ll want to contact local contractors in Ottawa. As with the slideshow, reach out to at least five contractors and more if you can. The idea is to compare their quotes not only against each other but against your prior research. Since you’ve done some digging and know how much the components will cost – you’ll have a better idea of what contractors should charge. Taking those steps will help you find contractors that charge realistic rates. Of course, price isn’t everything when finding a contractor. You’ll also want to look closely at their reputation and past work. Try to find an online gallery containing photos of their completed projects. Also, find several websites listing reviews of their services. The ideal contractor charges fair prices and has an impeccable reputation. Plan for the Unexpected Our final budgeting tip is to leave a little wiggle room in it. Provide yourself with a 10-20% cushion just in case you run over budget. Why’s that? It’s because it’s very common to spend at least a little more than what you planned on renovations. You may find that you want to add extra fixtures and finishes during the process. You can add them without any headaches if you have that budget cushion. You’ll especially need a budget cushion if you’re making significant changes to your layout. When the contractors begin tearing down walls – they may find mold or need to do expensive drywall repairs. That’s why it’s always a good idea to add that 10-20% cushion just in case something pops up. An Overview of Bathroom Renovation Fixtures and Finishes You can do and change a lot with a bathroom renovation. Many components go into renovating a bathroom. There are various fixtures, finishes, vanities, cabinets, and more. Here’s a look at the elements you can change with a renovation. Cabinetry & Vanities (Storage Options) First, you’ll need to decide what to do with your storage. Does your bathroom have enough room to store all your toiletries and accessories? If not, you’ll want to add additional cabinetry or a vanity. A vanity should have storage areas for makeup, towels, and a mirror. Cabinetry is ideal for storing toiletries and grooming items. You can choose from framed or unframed cabinets. Also, it’s possible to hide the hardware and fixes for a more contemporary look. Next, take a look at the feasibility of your layout. Is there anything inconvenient that you want to change? An example would be that you have to walk to the other side of the bathroom to get your hair straightener. That’s an inconvenience, and renovating can remedy it. Ask your contractor to install a shelf,










