“Should I Stay Or Should I Go?”

When considering whether to buy a new house or renovate your existing one, there are several factors to take into account. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and what is best for you will depend on your personal circumstances, budget, and goals. In this article, we will explore the benefits and drawbacks of each option to help you make an informed decision.

Buying a new house can be an exciting and rewarding experience. You get to start fresh in a brand new home, with modern amenities and up-to-date design features. You also have the opportunity to customize the home to your liking, choosing the layout, finishes, and details that best suit your tastes and needs. Buying a new house can also be a good investment, as property values tend to appreciate over time.

However, buying a new house can also be a costly and time-consuming process. You will need to consider the costs of purchasing the home, which may include a down payment, closing costs, and mortgage payments. You will also need to factor in the cost of moving, which can include hiring a moving company, purchasing new furniture and appliances, and updating your utilities and services.

Renovating your existing home can also be a great option, especially if you already love the location and layout of your house. Renovating can allow you to update and modernize your home, without having to move. You can choose to update specific rooms or features, such as the kitchen or bathroom, or undertake a full-scale renovation to create your dream home. Renovating can also be a good investment, as it can increase the value of your property.

However, renovating your home can also be a complex and expensive process. Depending on the scope of the renovation, you may need to obtain permits, hire contractors, and coordinate with multiple vendors and suppliers. You will also need to consider the disruption to your daily life, as renovations can be noisy and messy, and may require you to temporarily relocate. Additionally, renovations can be unpredictable, with unexpected delays or complications that can add to the cost and time involved.

Ultimately, the decision to buy a new house or renovate your existing one will depend on your specific goals and circumstances. If you are looking for a fresh start in a new location, and have the financial resources to support a move, buying a new house may be the best option for you. If you love your current home and neighborhood and are willing to invest time and money into creating your dream home, renovating may be the best choice.

Regardless of which option you choose, it is important to work with trusted professionals like Cowie Construction who can help guide you through the process. Whether you are working with a real estate agent to find a new home, or a contractor to manage your renovation, make sure to do your research and choose a partner who has experience and expertise in their field. With careful planning and expert guidance, you can make your dream of a new home or a beautifully renovated house a reality

The Cost Of A Bathroom Renovation 2021

The bathroom is arguably the most frequently used room in the home. So, if it’s out-of-date, not functioning properly, or beginning to show signs of wear it may be time to remodel.

There is a wide range of costs associated with remodeling a bathroom, including size, the type of materials, its current condition, and the location. Homeowners spend on average between $15,000 and $25,000 in their bathroom renovation. For example, the average cost of a 100 square foot master bathroom with tile walls and flooring, new fixtures, double vanity, and walk-in shower with separate tub is around $20,000.

Renovation Phases

Most bathroom remodels will include some degree of layout or planning. Small bathrooms can be planned by a contractor, but larger rooms should involve the work of a bathroom designer to help make the most of the space. This service typically costs between $1,400 and $4,000, and in some cases, the costs can be recouped during the renovation, as designers can help you save money in other areas. This phase of the project generally includes not only planning, but also drawings, and the selection of the materials that you want to go into the room. The time frame for this phase can last several weeks depending on layout and what you ultimately want the room to look like.

Following the planning, your bathroom project will involve ordering the new materials, and waiting out the lead times for them to arrive. It is not uncommon to wait up to 12 weeks for some specialty items to arrive.

Once your new materials have arrived, the tear-out begins. This involves removing everything from your bathroom right down to the studs. At this point, if there are issues with water leaks or mold, they can be addressed. It is at this stage that hidden issues are usually uncovered. Keep in mind that issues can dramatically impact your costs, depending on what is found. For example, mold remediation starts at $500 and water damage can cost as much as $2,700.

After the tear out, the plumbing and electrical are updated throughout the room to accommodate your new layout and fixtures. Then new backer board and subflooring are put in, followed by tiling, and finally the installation of fixtures, lights, and accessories. From tearing out to completion is usually a two-to-three-week timeline. Costs for this phase of the project range from $45-$65 for a plumber to $65-$85 an hour for an electrician and $5-$10 a square foot for flooring and tile preparation.

Master Bathroom Or Powder Room?

Often, people confuse the difference between a master bathroom and a powder room. A master bathroom is a large bathroom that is attached to the master bedroom in a house. It is often big and contains a sink, toilet, shower, and bathtub. The bathtub and shower are either together or separate. A powder room is different in that it is a small bathroom only containing a toilet and a sink. Sometimes the name powder room is interchanged with guest bathroom or half baths. Powder rooms do not contain a shower and are usually located on the first floor of a home. The purpose of a powder room is a bathroom for guests to use without feeling as if they are intruding into your home.

How Much Would A Renovation Cost Me?

You can break down the cost of a bathroom renovation into three price brackets:

• Budget cost: $5,000 – $15,000
• Standard cost: $15,000 – $30,000
• Premium cost: $30,000+

As a guideline, expect to spend in the region of:

• $5,000 – $15,000 for a budget or cosmetic renovation of a smaller bathroom using budget materials and fittings.
• $15,000 – $30,000 for an average-sized mid-range bathroom renovation using mid-range materials and fittings.
• $30,000+ for a high end, premium, or luxury bathroom renovation using top of the range materials and fittings.

Let’s take a look at this in more detail, and what you get for your money.

Budget bathroom renovation cost: $5,000 – $15,000

It is possible to do a bathroom renovation on a budget of around $5,000, but this will largely be cosmetic or involve swapping out a few items. Spending up to $15,000 will also involve some compromises, such as keeping all your plumbing and electrics in place. To stay within this budget, you will also need to choose large format porcelain tiles in the $30 per square meter range – which are durable and available in a wide range of colors. If you are installing a new shower you will need to stick to a framed shower screen, as well as a standard back to wall toilet and floor mounted vanity.

Standard bathroom renovation cost: $15,000 – $30,000

Budget $15,000 to $30,000 for your project – which is what most people spend, and you get better materials and fittings. You will have a larger range of stone tiles to choose from in the $50 per square meter range, and could even stretch your budget to more labor-intensive mosaics in the shower cubicle. You could also upgrade to a semi-frameless or frameless shower screen, and choose a larger or fancier freestanding bathtub, and bathroom vanity. In terms of moving services, you can make some changes but not major alterations to plumbing or electrics.

Premium or luxury bathroom renovation cost: $30,000+

Budget $30,000 and more and you are likely to want to completely overhaul your bathroom and make major changes to the layout and services. You may want to install a frameless shower screen, in-wall cistern, and wall hung vanity, as well as a luxurious freestanding bathtub. If you want the best tiles for your walls or floors then look at ranges of porcelain tiles in the $60 per square meter range.

Bathroom and toilet accessories are generally one of the last things on your mind when it comes to building or renovating. Due to this, your bathroom can end up looking unrefined or unfashionable. Uncovering the perfect bathroom accessories for your space can be an intimidating task these days, as a huge range of materials and styles are available to the consumer for a single product. To help in making that selection easier, consider these easy points to ensure you do end up with a dazzling new space!

Bathroom accessories play a vital role in determining the mood, style, and overall look of your bathroom. By selecting the right ones, you can elevate the space and make the bathroom look cozy, chic, glamorous, minimalistic, or however, you want it to look.

Whether they are made of wood, plastic, or stainless-steel, bathroom accessories come in a variety of styles and have different purposes. Here is our guide to choosing the perfect accessories, ranging from inexpensive options to the most stylish ones.

Before choosing your bathroom accessories, there are a few things you need to consider such as:

• Budget: Know your budget. This way you can put a limit for yourself that you will not go over. Look for accessories that are within this budget of yours. Do not bother with the overpriced ones. However, choosing within your limits does not mean that you overlook quality. You can still find quality items within your limits. Do not trade quality away ever.
• Know what you need: Try to avoid bulk buying your accessories. Make a list of the items you need and look for them. Start your list with the essentials and buy them first. After that, you can assess your area and figure out what more you can add to the mixture.
• Do Not fall for “the popular brands are always better”: Indeed, popular brands are popular for a reason. However, that does not mean that they are the only brands that are worthy of your money. Instead of focusing on name brands, focus on the individual items. Look at each item individually and assess whether it suits your needs or not. You might be surprised by what you would find in the end.

Now that you have set your priorities straight. You have compiled a list of what you need, figured out your budget, and know what you will look for. It is time to choose your fit.

Should I choose Fitted or Free-standing bathroom accessories?

No matter what accessory you are getting, all of them come in two main installation options;

1. Fitted Installation.
2. Free-Standing Installation.

Fitted Bathroom accessories

These are the accessories that require installation. However, on the bright side, they are considered more convenient and will last longer with you as the way they are installed makes them less subjected to wear. However, do not be alarmed, the installation process is pretty simple. You will need a drill to make the necessary holes in the tiles that the accessory will be attached to. Fitted bathroom accessories generally can handle more weight than their counterparts especially the drilled-in ones.

Free-Standing accessories

From their name you probably have figured it out. Those are the accessories that you can place on any surface in your bathroom. They are perfect for when you have enough space in your bathroom. However, they will need more regular maintenance and cleaning from you. Since they are movable, they are subjected to wear, so keep that in mind as you would have to replace them at an earlier date than the fitted accessories.

What material should I choose?

It is a no brainer that choosing the material for your bathroom accessories is very important. The fortunate part is that there are different choices on the market that suits every taste and budget there is.

Low-End Plastic bathroom accessories

These are usually the free-standing ones and are a temporary solution. They will most probably come in kits, which can be placed around sinks and bathtubs.

Stainless Steel bathroom accessories

They are on the higher-end, more expensive side. But it is justified since they are more durable, resistant, and have a longer life span.

Chrome-Plated bathroom accessories

These are a cheaper alternative for the more expensive stainless-steel ones. however, it might be worth investing more since chrome is not as durable and will wear away with time.

Glass and Ceramic bathroom accessories

These are by far the easiest to clean and maintain. However, do not let that fool you, as they come with the risk of being accidentally breaking.

How to match bathroom accessories’ materials to bathroom style?

• For Contemporary interiors: Those are not picky designs; therefore, any material can be interpreted as long as it has a simple and streamlined design.
• For Vintage and retro bathrooms: You should probably ask for combined materials of glass, iron, porcelain, and enameled steel.
• For Zen style bathrooms: Those types of bathrooms usually incorporate ceramic, stone, or wood within their design.

What kind of accessories are there for bathrooms?

There are many options to choose from. However, remember when we first started this article and said that you should focus on the essentials first? Do not let the different types of accessories make you get lost. Focus on what you need first, then you can focus on what you want.

Soup and Toothbrush holder sets

Unlike individually sold accessories, and already arranged set of a soap dish, toothbrush holder, and liquid dispenser can save you a lot of time and trouble. They will also have a big of variety materials, designs, and patterns as the individually sold ones. Moreover, they will look complementary to each other and your bathroom since they would have the same design pattern.

Towel Rails

These small accessories are quite useful for hanging your towels or even store them if they come with a shelf. They should be placed in a convenient spot for when you exit the shower. You can find free-standing and fixed ones.

Shower Curtains

Shower curtains are usually made from polyester and you might need to buy a rod separately. Depending on your taste, you can then pick a curtain that has hooks, rings, or is lined for a cleaner appearance. If you happen to find a fabric shower curtain, make sure it is water-resistant.

Shelves and shower baskets

These can save you space and help you organize your shower products. It is best to choose fitted ones because suction cups can lose their vacuum because of the water.

Mats

Bathtub and shower mats are usually made of PVC or rubber and have suction cups on the bottom to stick to the tiles. They help reduce the risk of slipping and falling. For Zen style bathrooms, you can find wooden mats.

Toilet Paper holders

Toilet paper holder, which is generally fixed on a wall, but there are some originally designed free-standing ones for people that do not want to use a drill. They will sometimes feature a lid, which is quite handy if your shower is nearby. Material-wise you will have a plethora of choices with the most common and stylish being stainless-steel, aluminum, and wood.

Toilet seat

The toilet seat might not be as important to people that would like it plain and standard; however, for the more expressive people, you will find so many patterns on the market to choose from.

Bathroom Waste Bin

The bathroom waste bin is made of various materials and can come in many sizes, but the only thing to remember is that the bin should have an easy to operate pedal and be put in an easily accessible place.

Toilet Brush and Holder

Toilet brush and holder are some of the necessities a bathroom needs to have. They can be free-standing or fitted, but it is highly recommended to get a fitted one due to its convenience and the fact it will last longer. There are organic options as well on the market now. You might also give them a chance.

Bathroom Ventilation Fan

This device should be on your essentials list because it is the most effective item when it comes to stopping mold in its tracks. You can fit in the bathroom window, wall or ceiling. Choose an extractor fan that has a sensory feature that senses the humidity level and turns on automatically.

The Lighting of the Bathroom

Many would not consider bathroom lighting as part of the accessories, but it is still quite important to choose the right ones that compliment your bathroom.

• Wall lights offer sheer versatility of function and attractive design. Add two on both sides of the mirror to create a stylish ambience.
• Ceiling lights provide all-around illumination and are a must in darker bathrooms.
• Shower lights can bring you so much joy during your daily shower; however, you need to remember to buy the proper dimmer for your shower lights.
• Mirror lights can be bought separately if your mirror does not already have that feature and can be an accent of their own in contemporary aesthetics.