If you’re thinking about remodeling your Pasadena bathroom, you must understand the complexity behind such a project. From faucets to pipes and lighting fixtures to shower types, there’s a lot that goes into a major bathroom remodel. Yet many people fail to think about the scope of their bathroom remodel before jumping in.
When you’re ready to hire a professional plumbing contractor in Pasadena and turn your bathroom into nothing short of a relaxing spa, check out this handy homeowner’s guide first. We’ve collected everything you need to know about bathroom remodel plumbing, whether you’re a homeowner, builder, or contractor.
How to Start a Bathroom Remodel Plumbing Project
1. Assess Your Needs and Budget
The first thing you want to do before you jump headfirst into a bathroom remodeling project is to assess your bathroom needs. In other words, you need to know what you want to change so that when you do your research and hire your plumbing contractor in Pasadena, you have a plan to follow.
Some of the things you might want to do include:
- Change faucets
- Add new cabinets
- Replace or add an exhaust fan
- Improve the bathtub or shower
- Move the toilet to a new location
- Change the lighting fixtures
In addition, you need to know how much money you’re willing to spend on the project. It doesn’t matter what you want in your bathroom remodel if you don’t have the money. Even if you use an affordable bathroom contractor, bathroom remodels can be expensive.
Not sure how much it will cost? Let’s crunch some numbers.
According to Fixr, the national average plumbing cost for a bathroom remodel is $5,302. That said, the cost of a remodel can range from $2,000-$10,000 with a minimum cost of $751 and a maximum cost of $15,914.
Of course, your situation will be unique. The size of your bathroom, your specific needs, and your budget will all play a role in how much your remodel will cost.
2. Get the Right Building Permits and Inspections
Whenever you perform a major project like bathroom remodel plumbing, you must follow all the code regulations. This means getting a building permit for the plumbing work, as well as an overall construction permit for general remodeling work in Pasadena.
You’ll also need to have the bathroom inspected by the city inspector. This will usually happen twice. The first is when the plumbing pipes have been installed and are still visible. The second is when the project is finished to make sure everything is in working order.
Luckily, if you use the right Pasadena, MD plumbing contractor this will all be taken care of for you.
3. Determine If You Need to Relocate Plumbing Fixtures
If you need to relocate any plumbing fixtures, such as the toilet, you’re going to need to add extra time and money to your project. This is because when you relocate plumbing fixtures, you’ll likely need to refit the existing pipes. In addition to this, when you refit pipes, you’ll need to make sure the foundation of your home isn’t being altered. This could lead to costly repairs in the future that no one wants to deal with.
Lastly, depending on the fixtures you’re moving, you might need to move or change the vents. This may require your bathroom contractor to remove walls to properly position the vent in your newly renovated bathroom.
4. Check on Pipe Replacements
At the beginning of your project, it’s a good idea to check and see whether you need to replace any old pipes. Old water supply and drain pipes may be worn and need new materials. For example, pipes made from galvanized steel or cast iron tend to corrode over time and might need to be exchanged.
If you happen to have copper piping in your bathroom, you might need to replace those too. Over time, copper pipes develop pinhole leaks, making them a common plumbing problem that needs to be fixed as soon as possible.
It is advisable that you test your copper piping for leaks before deciding to keep them. This is to prevent costly repairs in the future. One of the best things you can use as a piping replacement is PEX tubing. It’s flexible, easy to install, and much less expensive than copper piping.
5. Think About Overall Design
Of course, there are a lot of accessories that go into a bathroom remodel. However, there are also design considerations to make when you’re doing a bathroom plumbing remodel in your Pasadena home. For example, the pipes behind the sink and fixtures can either be exposed or hidden in your bathroom.
When it comes to deciding on the layout of your pipes, it’s also crucial you decide whether you’re going to replace the sink or not. Keep in mind, sinks have the potential to be very expensive. And if you want the plumbing to be hidden, your contractor may have to cut, remove, and replace drywall. This will also likely require new pipes, whether you need them or not.
Hiding the pipes will make your bathroom look cleaner and more modern. And if you use a reliable contractor, hiding them shouldn’t be a problem. That said, this will be an added cost to your project that isn’t a necessity.
6. Pick Out a Bathtub or Shower
Bathtubs tend to make bathrooms look luxurious and spa-like. Showers ooze a modern feel and can be very classy. No matter which option you choose, should changing the tub or shower be on your to-do list, you’re going to need to do some research.
Bathtub
If you want to add a bathtub to your bathroom, remember that you’ll have to front the money for the tub itself as well as the bath drain and vents. If you’re not sure about where to place the bathtub, consult your plumbing expert. They will be able to identify the perfect place for your tub and help you determine the costs related to installing it.
Shower
If you decide to go with a shower in your bathroom remodel, know that you have two options:
- Stand-Alone Shower. Stand-alone showers are a great option for any bathroom. However, if you want to have a curbless one, make sure to add a little more to the timeline and budget of your project. Because they need a sloped shower base, your bathroom’s flooring will need to be removed so the shower can be attached to it. If you don’t hire a good contractor to do this for you, you will end up with water all over your bathroom floor when someone takes a shower.
- Shower/Tub Combo. If you want to opt for a shower/tub combination, there are endless options. To start, you can choose between pedestal, rectangular, or oval tubs. You can even go the extra mile and add extra showerheads, a ceiling showerhead, heated flooring, or beautifully designed faucets and handles. You might even want to add a tile backsplash or specialty lighting to make your new shower/tub combo stand out.
7. Consider Updating Plumbing Fixtures
If your budget is on the smaller side, you can still get a great bathroom remodel by focusing on the little things. For instance, you can change out outdated faucets, showerheads, toilets, and lighting fixtures.
In addition, you can go the eco-friendly route and save on both your water usage and bill with fixtures such as:
- Dual flushing toilet
- LED lighting
- Low flow showerheads and faucets
Final Thoughts
Are you in need of an experienced Pasadena, MD plumbing contractor? Then contact us today and see how we can help you with your bathroom plumbing remodel.
At Chesapeake Plumbing, Inc., we employ friendly, experienced, and licensed technicians that are ready to help you with all your residential and commercial plumbing needs.
Whether you’re just looking to spruce up an existing bathroom to make it look fresher and more modern, or want to do an entire bathroom plumbing makeover, we have what you need to get the job done on time and for the right price. We even offer free estimates on all plumbing projects so we can discuss your needs, budget, and overall design goals.
