Overview
Adding a bathroom to your house will not only make it more livable, the new bathroom will add to its value as well. You can either pay a contractor to do the job for you at a considerable cost, or you can do the job yourself with the following suggestions and save a small fortune.
Step 1
Draw on a piece of graph paper the bathroom of your dreams. Pay close attention to the size of the bathroom and the correct proportions. Give thought also to how the new bathroom will be used. For instance, if it is a guest bath, it will not have to contain a shower. However, if you are adding a master bath, and you have the space, consider having both a tub and a shower to add a touch of elegance.
Step 2
Make a list of materials to build your bathroom. If this is the first major home remodeling job you have undertaken, seek the help of a professional at a building supply company to complete your list. Such a person at a building supply company like Lowe's or Home Depot has years of experience in helping so-called "weekend carpenters." The job will be much easier if you have all the materials on hand before you start.
Step 3
Decide what utilities your bathroom will contain. If you are building a guest bath, you'll only need to shop for a toilet, sink and cabinet. However, if you have designed a master bathroom, you will need to buy a shower and possibly a tub, commode, sink, cabinet and whatever other amenities you want. It is strongly recommended that you buy all of these items at the same time, paying close attention to how well they match. Also, since some items may need to be ordered, allowing plenty of time is always a good idea.
Step 4
Consider hiring a plumber to install the utilities in your new bathroom, particularly if the plumbing has to be rerouted to accommodate the area that you have chosen. All too often, an amateur plumber can make mistakes with the installation that will result in costly repairs. Remember the saying, "You can pay a plumber now, or you can pay him later."
Step 5
Paint or wallpaper the walls to create the right atmosphere for your new bathroom. Then add pictures to reinforce the theme of the bathroom, along with towels and other items. Paying close attention to the aesthetics of your new bathroom will pay great dividends when you decide to sell your house.
Step 6
Choose the floor covering that you plan to lay after the utilities have been installed. With a bit of reading, you will find this an easy job to do. For example, if you choose to have a linoleum floor, buying it in squares instead of sheets will produce a fine-looking floor. Or you can choose tiles that first will need to be cut, then installed with grout to secure them.
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