James B. ParkerThe bathroom is an integral part of your home and is just as worthy of remodeling as your kitchen. There are many questions to be asked when it comes to remodeling, so it’s always helpful to get as much information as you can.
Remodeling your bathroom in a large metropolitan area like Chicago gives you many options and plenty of contractors to choose from. Of course, there are a lot of moving parts, but one of the most important things to consider is the cost of a remodel.
This article will cover some aspects of bathroom remodeling, such as what’s included with a remodel and whether it is worth it? Most importantly, we will discuss the cost for a bathroom remodel in Chicago for a guest bathroom and a full and half bath.
Different contractors in the Chicago area will quote you different prices, which is a part of how these businesses are run. Below are quotes based on averages, although it is possible that you might find a lower price.
Let’s get started.
Is a Bathroom Remodel Worth It?
Whether or not a bathroom remodel is ultimately worth it will depend on your specific situation and pocketbook.
In most cases, the answer is yes, if you can afford it. Remodeling your bathroom allows you to upgrade and update the features and look of your bathroom while increasing your home’s property value.
The cost, effort, and the time it takes, which will put your bathroom out of commission, are the only major downsides to a remodel.
What Is Included in a Bathroom Remodel?
This will depend on the scope of the project and whether you’re doing a full overhaul or just a partial upgrade. A complete overhaul will upgrade and replace everything you can imagine, including the shower, toilet, tub, vanity, lighting, and tile.
A partial upgrade is a more cost-effective option that allows you to choose certain parts of your bathroom that you want to upgrade instead.
Do I Need a Designer for a Bathroom Remodel?
A designer is not required to remodel your bathroom. But using the experience of a professional designer gives you new insight into the remodeling process and broadens your stylistic options.
If you do not have an exact vision in mind for your remodeled bathroom, a designer can help point you in the right direction.
But you should not use a designer unless you feel it’s necessary, as hiring a designer will increase the already large budget required to remodel a bathroom.
How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Guest Bathroom in Chicago?
The cost of remodeling a guest bathroom will depend on the size of the room and which parts of it you want to upgrade.
On average, you can expect to pay anywhere between $8000 to $13,500. At this price point, you can remodel a small 6 by 5 foot bathroom in Chicago and get fresh tile, a new vanity, a new bathtub, a new toilet, and possibly a few extra features.
Beware that using expensive materials and installing custom features can easily cause the price to go beyond $13,500.
How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Half Bath in Chicago?
While half baths are sometimes larger than guest bathrooms, they lack certain amenities and are installed with just a toilet and vanity with no bathtub or shower.
This puts them in a similar price bracket as guest bathrooms costing between $8000 to $12,000.
Half bath remodels usually cost less due to their lack of a bathtub. You should expect new tile, a new toilet, possibly new lighting, and new vanity at this price.
How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Full Bath in Chicago?
Remodeling a full-size bathroom such as a 10 by 7 foot room with some of the bells and whistles can cost you around $25,000 or more.
Full baths are the most expensive due to their large size. You can easily go crazy on a full bath remodel in Chicago and spend upwards of $77,000.
But for $25,000, you should expect a complete remodel with some additional features like a custom glass shower door and possibly designer floor tiles.
How Can You Save Money in a Bathroom Remodel
Keep The Bathroom’s Original Layout and Size
Moving your toilet, sink, and bathtub can increase your remodel’s cost due to all the extra plumbing required.
Making your bathroom larger will also significantly increase the remodel’s cost due to both plumbing and electrical work.
Refinishing Instead of Replacing
Instead of replacing your bathtub or vanity, you can instead refinish them if they are still in good shape.
Refinishing the elements of your bathroom can make them look good as new while saving you a lot of money.
Keep Drywall and Tile
As the renovation process begins, make sure you or your contractor are saving drywall and tile.
Any cracked tile or moldy drywall should obviously be thrown away, but any material that’s still in good shape should be kept as it will likely be used later in the renovation and will cut down your materials cost.
Create Your Own Vanity
You can create your own vanity instead of buying a new one. This can be accomplished completely from scratch or through buying a dresser at a thrift store or flea market.
After painting an old dresser and installing a sink, you may enjoy your DIY vanity more than your main choice from a catalog.
Do The Renovation Yourself
A bathroom renovation is not a task to be taken lightly. But if you feel up to the challenge, you can remove all labor costs from the equation and only pay for materials.
This cut the cost for a renovation in half but will be very difficult and time-consuming.
FAQ
The timeframe for completing a bathroom remodel changes based on the scope of the project. For a small to average bathroom receiving a full general renovation, the work can take between three to four weeks or 21 to 28 days to complete. Larger, more elaborate renovations can take months.
While you can renovate a bathroom any time of the year, most contractors would agree that summer is the best time for a renovation due to the longer days and warmer weather.
