If you are itching to get rid of that 1970s-style bathroom, you can easily complete a bathroom remodel yourself. You may want to use a handyman if the project goes beyond the basics. Basic bathroom remodeling projects might include new flooring, new toilet and new wall coverings. Extensive bathroom remodeling might include changing the tile, tub/shower and the sink.
Before You Start
Plan the bathroom remodel before you start. There may be things you don’t feel comfortable doing because of the complexity of the job, and you’ll have to hire a professional handyman. When you plan ahead, you can schedule the handyman or other professional at the proper time so you’re not out of a bathroom for too long. You can also determine the cost of everything to ensure it meets your budget.
Flooring and Walls
If you plan on changing the flooring and the wall covering, you will have to remove the toilet. You can get away with leaving the sink in place. Remove all light fixtures, mirrors and outlet covers from the walls. You can paint or add other wall coverings before or after you remove the flooring, but not after you put new flooring. It will make it easier if you don’t have to clean spilled paint or glue from the new floor.
Allow the paint to dry or the wallpaper paste to set according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Remove the flooring if you have not done so. Make sure the subfloor is clean and level before you lay the new floor. Once you lay the new floor, allow it to set according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You can then reinstall the toilet.
Fixtures
You can change out the sink or the whole cabinet if you choose. If you are just changing the sink bowl, make sure you measure the hole in the basin before you purchase a new bowl. If you are replacing the toilet, consider a low-flush toilet to help with water conservation.
Changing the tub/shower could be as easy as removing the old fiberglass shell and installing a new one, or it could be as physically demanding as removing old tile. Once the tile has been removed, you can prep the walls for new tile or install a fiberglass tub and shower enclosure.
If you like the design of your cabinets but they look worn out, you can refinish them if they are wood. If they are made of pressboard, you can try to refinish them, but it’s usually easier to replace them, especially if part of the cabinet is swollen because of a water leak.
Tools
At a minimum, you will need a pipe wrench, hammer and screwdrivers for your bathroom remodel. If you are installing tile, you’ll need a tile saw to cut the tiles to the appropriate size. If you are replacing old copper pipes with PVC pipes, you will need PVC glue, but if you are replacing copper with copper, you will need a soldering gun.
If you are painting the walls, you will need a paint tray, brushes, rollers and plastic to cover anything that has not been removed. Painter’s tape will help you from getting paint on the sink, crown molding and baseboards.
You can have fun with your bathroom remodel if you plan it out and schedule professionals at the proper time should you not want to attempt certain parts of the remodeling job.
Bryan Grayson writes about home improvement, bathroom remodels, and more.
