Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Remodeling Your Bathroom

Whether you need a quick tub update or a complete bathroom remodel, there are some design mistakes that add time, money, and stress(!) to your renovation. Here are seven common bathroom remodeling errors you can avoid, keeping your home renovation project moving smoothly.

Mistake #1: Starting Without a Plan

When it comes to any home remodeling project—planning is everything. But because bathrooms are often the smallest rooms in the home, preparation is particularly important to prevent costly bathroom design mistakes.

Bathroom remodeling happens in stages. And if you don’t plan ahead, you can encounter unnecessary delays. For example, if the materials aren’t available for the plumbing, the electrical projects will have to wait. Working without a timeline can disrupt the workflow and delay your bathroom remodel by days or even weeks.

The Solution: Hire Re‑Bath who provides start-to-finish bathroom remodeling services. From the in-home consultation and custom bathroom design to removal and installation, our team handles every aspect of your bathroom remodel. And because bathrooms are all we do, we have the skills and experience to manage your project efficiently.

Mistake #2: Not Allowing Proper Clearance

Proper measurements and a functional layout are essential to ensure your space flows properly. Your bathroom layout should allow for easy navigation and convenient access to storage, outlets, and light switches. Showers, tubs, and vanities that are too big for the space can impede foot traffic and overwhelm the room, or they may prevent you from opening and closing doors and drawers. And if you or a loved one uses a wheelchair or walker, you’ll need additional clearance to move and turn, so consider a shower or tub with wider doors to accommodate these mobility aids.

The Solution: If you’ve never tackled an extensive home renovation project, leave the details to a professional bathroom design consultant. Because they have experience managing projects of all sizes and scales, they can recommend bathtubs, showers, and vanities that are ideally suited for the proportions of the room. Re‑Bath offers a free, in-home design consultation where we’ll measure your space and discuss what is right for your bathroom, and your budget.

Mistake #3: Choosing Impractical Materials

As one of the most-used rooms in the house, bathrooms undergo considerable wear and tear, including exposure to high moisture and frequent temperature changes. It is important to select durable, water-resistant materials that are made specifically for bathrooms.

The bathroom is one room where you don’t want to cut corners. Certain fixtures and surfaces may be cheaper upfront but can cost you more in the end if they become damaged or cause a leak.

The Solution: Do your research on practical, bathroom-friendly materials. Look for surfaces that are attractive, non-porous, and easy to clean. Re‑Bath’s proprietary DuraBath™ acrylic and natural stone waterproof wall surrounds resist mold and mildew—and are as easy on the eyes as they are to take care of. And our tub liners are manufactured to fit your tub perfectly, eliminating gaps and cracks. Plus, we don’t use grout to seal our products, offering a seamless look that prevents leaks.

Mistake #4: Forgetting About Storage

It’s fun to pick out tile, vanities, and fixtures—but don’t forget about practical storage solutions. If you don’t incorporate storage into your bathroom remodel design, you’ll end up with cluttered countertops and messy, overstuffed drawers.

The Solution:Storage solutions don’t have to be bulky or take up too much space. Opt for a vanity with plenty of drawer space to keep cosmetics, toiletries, or linens close but out of sight. We offer curated, custom designs by Jenny Marrs, our National Re‑Bath Designer, that provide timeless, yet updated styles—including vanities with plenty of storage space.

There are many budget-friendly, attractive shelving and storage products to store soaps, shampoos, and body washes in the shower or tub area. Or you can build a storage nook right in your shower.

Mistake #5: Hiring Too Many Contractors

There is such a thing as too many contractors for one home remodeling project. Farming out various aspects of your remodel to several different companies can complicate your timeline and add to your budget. Scheduling and communicating with multiple contractors can also be a time-consuming headache.

The Solution:Consider hiring a company that offers top-to-bottom bathroom remodeling solutions. When you work with a company that provides design, removal, and installation, your project is more likely to stay on time and budget. At Re‑Bath, we handle the entire process, from design to done. We assign one dedicated crew to your project, and if an issue arises that is beyond their scope, they notify the consumer immediately and assist them in resolving it quickly and efficiently.

Mistake #6: Using a One-Day Bathroom Remodeling Service

The promise of a quick, efficient bathroom makeover is appealing, and one-day bathroom remodeling services promote their fast turnaround, claiming to minimize hassle and disruption. However, rapid bathroom renovations also have hidden pitfalls and unanticipated risks. Their bathroom remodel costs are often lower than full bathroom remodels, partly because the changes are at surface level. They don’t address underlying issues like unseen water damage or outdated plumbing, and often rely on prefabricated or off-the-shelf products, limiting your choice in materials, styles, and finishes. In addition, the quality of installation is generally substandard. All of this can potentially lead to problems or the need for repairs sooner than expected.

The Solution: Sometimes, the most efficient, cost-effective remodel is a full bathroom remodel. At Re‑Bath, we offer a streamlined bathroom remodeling process, high quality supplies and materials, and an experienced team that enables us to do most renovations in 2-5 days, not weeks.

We start the process with a free, in-home design consultation, where an experienced designer will listen to your wish list, evaluate your space, and help bring the vision to life. They can also bring you ideas, help you sort through the different materials and fixtures, and ensure your new bathroom’s function is as good as its form.

Mistake #7: Overlooking Accessibility Features

A bathroom remodel is an investment—well-designed, high-quality vanities, tubs, toilets, and showers are built to last for years to come. So, when you plan your bathroom refresh, consider how your needs may change in the future. Re‑Bath offers a range of aging and accessibility bathroom features designed to help mature adults and those with limited mobility utilize the bathroom as safely and as independently as possible.

The Solution:While many mobility and accessibility products can be installed as needed, you can also choose Re‑Bath ADA-compliant walk-in bathtubs, low edge shower bases, and built-in seating for comfort and safety from day one. Slip-resistant flooring and