Bathroom Renovations: 6 Most Popular Features & Typical Timelines
What features may or may not appear in a bathroom renovation and how long does a project really take? The answers are up to you! Many of our clients want their master bathroom to be an oasis, a place to retreat, relax, and feel pampered after a long day...
Others want their bathroom to be a comfortable space to get ready in the morning, with a great shower, closet access from the bathroom, good lighting at the vanity, and space for both husband and wife to use at the same time without elbowing each other or monopolizing the sink. (I’m looking at you, Steve!)
In either case, choosing materials that are both beautiful to look at as well as practical is important. Today I want to share 6 of the most popular features we see in updated Florida bathrooms, as well as give you some estimates for typical project timelines.
Outfitted with inspiration and information, you’ll be ready to get that beautiful bathroom up and running as soon as possible when life returns to normal. :)
6 Popular Features in Bathroom Renovations
1. Say Goodbye to Jacuzzi Tubs
I know you’ve seen them before — those monstrous Jacuzzi tubs with jets sitting perpetually untouched and hogging prime real estate. The solution?
In most cases, our clients replace the tub with a large shower and no tub is put back into their room. If another bathroom in the home has a tub, this is acceptable, as there is still tub access if needed. Another option is to replace the old tub with a beautiful soaking tub. This often creates a focal point in the room and usually has a considerably smaller footprint than its predecessor.
Before
After (from our Portfolio)
2. RaisE Vanity Counters to 34” Heights
I don’t know if people have gotten taller over the last few decades, but countertops are certainly getting a boost. The old height of 28” countertops is much more comfortable and updated at a height of 34.”
Does 6” really matter? Completely. It makes for a much more comfortable place to use the sink and is better for your back not to be bending awkwardly every morning and evening. The added space also provides room for an extra drawer for storage. Very much requested—especially by the husbands! Besides, no one ever said No to more storage.
3. RemovE Vanity Seating
If your house was built in the 80s, it’s likely that you have a “makeup area” built into the vanity. There’s typically a lower countertop area that a stool can fit under for sitting in front of the mirror. I’m sure you’ve seen it before!
These days, most of us ladies prefer to stand and make use of the better lighting angle from over the vanity. This also frees up more space for that golden amenity… you guessed it, MORE storage.
4. ReplacE Older Pipes with PVC
This is a fix you’re not likely to see but is no less important to make. Many homes have older pipes, such as cast iron, that can wear over time and cause problems down the road. Which, especially if you’re investing in a remodel, you certainly don’t want to deal with.
If cast iron is present, this is removed and replaced with PVC. Valves are also updated for the shower, tub fixtures, and vanity faucets.
5. Install Heated Flooring
This one is a personal favorite of mine and our clients’ favorite addition in almost all of the bathrooms we renovate. And I can easily see why. It’s like a cozy electric blanket under the floor tile, it’s controlled with a thermostat, and it uses very little energy. It feels AMAZING walking on a warm floor in the winter. Truly a guilty pleasure.
Note: If you’re interested in this feature, it’s important to add it when renovating, as it is incorporated into the floor preparations before tile is installed. So speak up early!
6. bask in a Steam Shower
If your new shower is enclosed—either with glass or with walls—then adding a steam unit will create a sauna within your bathroom. The unit is housed in a cabinet or closet and the steam travels through pipes installed in the walls of the shower.
Tiling the entire interior is important with the steam unit to contain the moisture. It’s actually not too expensive to add if planned ahead with the installation of the tile. Plus, steam is healthy for respiration, circulation, keeping skin healthy and hydrated, reducing inflammation, and more!
What’s the general timeline for a bathroom renovation?
Like kitchen renovation timelines, the timeline for a bathroom renovation largely depends on two things:
The “lead times” (how long you have to wait) for the materials you need
The scope of the work being done
Let’s look at each…
Lead Times: How long are you waiting for materials?
Preparation is key for a smooth project, and it’s often smart to wait for most, if not all, of your materials to arrive before starting the renovation and installation. Your lead times will depend on how quickly you make selections (for features like tile, countertops, hardware, etc.) and the availability of those selections. For example, imported tile or custom cabinetry will take longer.
Short Lead Times: 3-4 weeks
Longer Lead Times: 8-10 weeks
Scope: Are you moving walls or plumbing?
Now that you have made your selections and received them, the actual demolition and assembly of your space. If you’re moving walls, changing the floor plan, and/or moving plumbing, naturally, it’s going to take a bit more time than simply removing and installing new features.
Not moving walls or plumbing: 4-5 weeks
Yes, moving walls and/or plumbing: 6-8 weeks
Add It Up: What’s the total timeline?
So, if you add these together, you are looking at an estimated timeline of...
Not moving walls or plumbing: 2 - 3 months
Yes, moving walls and/or plumbing: 2.5 - 4 months
And at the end of those months, you will have a timeless bathroom design that brings you peace for years to come!
If you’re planning to renovate your bathroom as soon as life returns to normal, there is plenty you can do right now to prepare! Start a wish list right away. It is good to have ideas so you can act when ready and not spend too much time researching your aesthetic.
You can also start reaching out to professionals whose aesthetic fits well with yours. (As a GC and interior design firm, we can design and manage your entire project in-house.) But whoever you choose, there’s nothing like having a team ready and a good plan in place to get the ball rolling!
Wishing you safety, wellness, and big dreams for a home you’ll love.
Sarah