by samuel samson

Created on: August 18, 2008   Last Updated: April 26, 2010

Improving your home can be an exciting, fulfilling, and totally rewarding experience. Or it can be frustrating, tearful, and heart wrenching. In my opinion, your results will depend on your preparation. Of all the improvement projects that can be taken on, the bathroom remodel possibly needs the most planning and up front knowledge as any other room in the house. There are several traps that can be treacherous unless you are on the look-out for them. But, on the positive side, the bathroom remodel can be the most valuable and rewarding project that you take on. Let's run down a list of things you should know before starting a remodel of your bathroom.

First, lay out a plan or general guide for the project. This should include a time line. A time line is crucial, especially if you are living in the house. It's nice to know exactly how long you will have to live an altered life. Also, try to schedule out the times when the services of the bathroom will not be available to the family. This will save many arguments and possibly a divorce. Having a good plan from the beginning can help you keep your sanity.

A realistic budget is as important as anything to the success of your project. By realistic, I mean a good estimate based on what you can afford and what you expect the end result to be. Leg work will be involved in this step. Get out to supply stores and get estimates for what you want to buy. After setting your budget, make it a priority to stick to it.

After your preliminary planning is complete, it's time to move on to the room itself. One of the first things I always check out is the floor. Rotting floors have a way of sneaking up and striking before you know it. The floors can be checked from underneath and also by carefully walking the floor from above. Soft spots or floor buckles are a dead giveaway for water problems. It's important to locate these problems ahead of time so that you can adjust your budget accordingly.

Locate and understand the wiring in your bathroom. Too many times bad accidents happen because of poor or careless wiring. Regardless of who will actually be doing the work, you should make yourself familiar with where everything is going, if only for future reference.

Know where your water shut offs are located. Quick accessibility is of utmost importance. As the project goes along water will be hooked up and disconnected at several times. Keeping an easy track to the shut off can save you a lot of money.

Finally, just keep it all in front of you. By this I mean to take it one step at a time .Fixtures, colors, and materials are only steps in the process, don't get overwhelmed and keep yourself focused on the end product.

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