Renovate For Quality of Life: Getting The Best Return From A Bathroom Remodel

Upgrading a bathroom is a big decision for a homeowner. Not only is it a significant financial investment, but doing the work can be a major inconvenience for a family. However, putting the time and resources into a well-designed bathroom remodel can add real value to your home, as well as improve your quality of life. In the Madison area, a $19,000 bathroom remodel yields a 69% return on investment, according to Remodeling 2017 Cost vs Value Report. This, of course depends on a number of variables including changes to the floor plan and which neighborhood or town in Greater Madison your home is located in. Speak with an expert at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel for more information. Before putting the work and the financial resources into a bathroom remodel, homeowners should consider how the work they are doing can both meet their needs and yield the highest return on investment.

Choose the right bathroom to remodel

Before homeowners start shopping for tile, they should consider whether the upgrade makes sense. Remodeling a powder room might be top of your list, but unless you are expanding it into a full bath, adding luxury items in a powder room won't add much value to the home. Instead, look to the bathrooms that are used the most. Is the master bath too small? A remodel and redesign can yield more floor space while also adding a few upscale touches. Is the guest bathroom terribly dated and dingy? Getting rid of the pink tile and adding traditional features, like all wood cabinets and stone floors, will get you more bang for your buck.

Pay attention to design

Home Improvement Design Build Remodeling Madison Wisconsin-15.jpg — How do you want your bathroom to feel? Tile design, flooring, paint, and fixtures all influence the design and feel of your bathroom.

Hiring a contractor with a good eye for design will get a homeowner closer to their dream bathroom and result in a higher return on investment. Someone with knowledge of different materials and their costs, in addition to construction, plumbing, and zoning requirements, has the skills to find ways to make a homeowner's vision fit within their budget, whether it's using a more affordable material or finding that item worth the splurge. A contractor with great design skills can also work within the space they have, adding a wall-mounted sink or shifting the location of the vanity and tub to yield a more efficient and aesthetically pleasing room.

Splurge on a few high-end items

If a homeowner has a limited budget, think about keeping the basics basic - moderately-priced vanity, toilet, and tile - while spending a little extra on a high-end item. Radiant heat floor mats is a great feature, especially during cold Wisconsin winters, and is something a home buyer will certainly remember. Items like a walk-in shower or a free standing tub are also memorable and can add a real wow factor to the project.

Skip the whirlpool tub

master suite bathroom design build remodel construction madison wi-2.jpg — Large showers provide the everyday function that most homeowners desire.

While it might be tempting to add a large whirlpool tub to a master bath, remember that most people don't have time for a bath and this large and bulky feature goes largely unused in most homes. Consider a luxurious walk-in shower with floor-to-ceiling stone and high-end fixtures, or a shorter tub that opens up more floor space, making the room appear bigger.

The real estate market today does not demand for a jetted tub to be included in a master bathroom suite. In fact, more often than not, people are removing them where the existing shower is sub-standard size. Don't install a jetted tub or air tub just because you think you need to have one. A bathroom without a whirlpool is OK to have if you have a great shower. But if you have a bathroom with a sub-standard shower, it is often detrimental to home sale.

Master Bath Soaking Tub Bathroom Remodel.jpg — This one-of-a-kind home received a one-of-a-kind bathroom remodel to fit within its timber frame structure. The clients had space for an amazing shower and a jetted tub, and were dedicated to the jetted tub lifestyle.

...Unless you personally love it.

If you personally love your whirlpool, then you are truly the right person to have one in your bathroom. This simple advice comes in to play: Remodel first for yourself, and second considering resale. It's unlikely that having a whirlpool or air tub in your bathroom will ever hurt your chances of resale, as long as the rest of the bathroom is well done and has a good shower in it. So if you want a whirlpool and will use it, by all means, include it!

Consider a master suite remodel

The vast majority of homes in Wisconsin are over 30 years old and in some regions, the average home age is over 50! In older homes, it's less likely to find modern amenities and large master baths. Homes with small bathrooms or only one full bath will see a larger increase in value by investing in an addition with a large bathroom, instead of remodeling the home's small, single bath. Building a master suite addition gives a home an additional bedroom, an additional bathroom, and a special retreat for the homeowners. According to the Remodel 2017 Cost vs Value Report, a $119,000 master suite addition adds and an average of $84,000 to the home's value. That's a 70% return on investment!

Pick something you love

For homeowners looking for a long-term investment, remodeling a dingy old bathroom not only yields a higher home value, it improves quality of life. Modern Americans spend a significant amount of time in the bathroom. Choosing materials and colors you love, and making it a warm and welcoming space will add value, not only to the home, but to your lifestyle.

This article was updated by Abe Degnan on 2/14/2018.

About Degnan Design Build Remodel
Since 1981 Degnan Design Build Remodel has provided home improvement and construction services to customers throughout Greater Madison, Wisconsin. Our goal is to WOW you with a "Designed For Your Life" solution using a process that will transform your home into a beautiful living space, delivered on time, and on budget. We are known for our communication, respectfulness, and a commitment to our customers and our community. Contact us to speak with one of our designers about your home improvement project.

An Above the Garage Master Suite Addition Remodeling Project

We recently completed an addition for our clients, John and Amy, a professional couple with young children living in the Blooming Meadows neighborhood in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

Their home featured three bedrooms on the second floor. The existing master bedroom was outdated and impractical for modern living, and with three young children, two needed to share one of the two remaining bedrooms, and all three kids shared the second-floor bathroom. Another problem the family needed addressed was that John needed a private home office, and the one they currently had was a shared space that did not work well for his job.

Let's take a look at our creative solution for this young family!

A New Private Bathroom for the Adults!

One of the major elements on John and Amy's wish list was a private bathroom space just for them. They wanted plenty of space to get ready in the morning, away from the kids, and we delivered! The bathroom features a handcrafted Amish custom double vanity with a tower cabinet in alder wood, stained Carbon Gray. The contrasting Linnstone Quartz Calcutta pattern countertop brightens the space and ties in visually with the elegant tile work in the spacious walk-in shower. We added custom alder wood framed mirrors stained in the same Carbon Gray as the cabinets to complete the vanity. Over each of the mirrors, we installed Quoizel 2 light vanity fixtures to provide plenty of warm light.

In the shower, the 21st Century Tile 12x24 floor-to-ceiling tiles in Tivoli Silver give the room a bright and modern feel, and the low entry shower makes entering the shower safe and easy for the couple. We included a helpful niche in the shower for shampoo and other toiletries and, for contrast, used a beautiful hexagon mosaic accent tile. The glass doors give the space an open feel, making it bright and inviting. The Arbor Hills luxury vinyl plank flooring in timber adds a warm feel, giving the room a natural look with the benefit of waterproof LVP.

The Result

The final result of this second-floor master suite addition is a home that fits John, Amy, and the kid's needs and lifestyle perfectly. John now has the perfect private office space. Since John and Amy now have their private master suite, and each of the kids has their own bedroom giving them their own space to grow as they grow, their home is more comfortable and functional. And on the exterior, you can't even tell there's been an addition!

Are you considering an addition or other home improvement project? Let us help you design the perfect finished space! If you live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. We can take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions.