Bathroom Remodeling Archives -

If you live in Los Angeles or want to sell a house here, you know that 2021 has been a crazy year for housing prices. This frenzy is why many of our clients ask for investment breakdowns for bathroom remodels, home additions, ADUs and alike. A myriad of factors contributes to the total cost and resale value of any of these improvements.

In this article, we will cover some of the most critical investment considerations in bathroom remodels. We will first provide the most up-to-date data on average bathroom remodeling costs in southern California. We will then list all the design and materials choices that influence the cost. And lastly, we will break down the ROI factors for your bathroom remodel.

Table of contents:

What Is The Average Bathroom Remodeling Cost in Los Angeles?

In 2021 Cost Vs. Value reported that the cost for mid-range bathroom remodels averaged $29,744. Our own mid-range remodels can go from range from $15,000 to $30,000. These researchers define mid-range remodels as renovations that use basic materials. They are often considered nice but not high-end and include standard white toilets and ceramic tile floors.

Alternatively, Cost Vs. Value reported that the cost of upscale bathroom remodels averaged $88,491. Their threshold for upscale remodels includes luxury top-of-the-line improvements like heated floors, new lighting, and major structural changes.

But design preferences aren’t the only factors that determine cost. Your neighborhood and city can also influence the going rates for materials and labor. For example, the average mid-range bathroom remodels price was more than $5,000 lower just north of Los Angeles. Cost Vs. Value reported that the average bathroom remodeling cost was $24,424 in Ventura County.

How Do Bathroom Remodeling Costs Vary?

We can’t include every factor that will influence the cost of your bathroom to remodel, but we can break cost factors into three hierarchical categories of a bathroom remodel. This hierarchy starts with the bathroom layout then follows with the shower, vanity, and toilet. We have found that this approach is best at helping you make design decisions that will meet budget objectives. The reason is, every design decision will have a cascading effect on the following categories. So, you can save more money by starting with design choices that will have the most significant impact on cost.

Bathroom Layout

Deciding your new bathroom layout will have the most significant impact on the total cost. The reason is that moving the shower, toilet, and sink location will require new plumbing and electrical wiring. The hours required in paying both an electrician and plumber for rearranging these fixtures add up.

Secondly, these layout costs compound if the bathroom is on the ground floor. Most homes in southern California don’t have a basement. So, the ground floor is directly above a concrete slab. As a result, any plumbing that requires cutting into the concrete will be a lot more expensive.

Additionally, if your layout uses custom dimensions for the vanity and shower, you will not be able to cut costs by using prefabricated options for both.

Lastly, increasing the bathroom’s square footage by knocking out a wall may also require additional plumbing and rewiring. This depends on where exactly the wall is. But, regardless of the construction, any increase in square footage will require more materials. So if high-end materials like heated floors or expensive tiles are essential, you will need to consider the added flooring costs from increasing the square footage.

Shower

The most cost-efficient shower option is to use a prefabricated surround. A shower surround is a fiberglass all in one unit that goes above the bathtub line. The showers are a more affordable alternative to tile and range from $400 to $2,000 at Lowes and Home Depot. The fiberglass surrounds are more durable than tile. They will last a long time and will help insulate your shower. Your options are limited, but you can find unique surroundings that incorporate stone design patterns into the fiberglass.

If you are not looking to use a prefabricated option, then there are additional material costs that you will need to consider when choosing your design:

Hi-tech polymer: Two walls can cost $2,100, three walls up to $8,900

Tile: Ranges from $0.90/sq ft. to $7/sq ft.

Plumbing: Drain & shower fixtures can range from $500-$2000

Tub: Ranges from $100-$950

Shower doors: $510-$2,200

Shower pan: $ 500-$700.00

Vanity

Like bathroom showers, vanities also come in prefabricated versions that you can purchase at Lowes and Home Depot. There are pros and cons to both, but as you can imagine, the prefabricated options cost less. These can range from $1000-$3000

The custom vanities require some important considerations that don’t often come with the prefab options. The first is that customizations often require multiple countertop slabs, which means that the countertop will have a seam. Clients should talk with our designers about choices on the best location for that seam.

Secondly, homeowners often forget to consider the optimal distance between the sink and the wall. Some people prefer space for various toiletries but don’t consider that preference until the vanity is complete.

Toilet

As functionally crucial as a toilet is to a bathroom remodel, your design choices will have less impact on the total cost than the other categories. There is a long list of categories to choose from, but gravity-assisted and pressure-assisted toilets are the two most popular options. Gravity-assisted toilets are the least expensive option ranging from $100-$600, and pressure-assisted toilets range from $350 to $650.

How Much Value Can a Bathroom Remodel Add to a Home?

Remodeling magazine reported that on average, for every dollar spent on essential bathroom remodeling changes like new toilets, sinks, flooring and paint, California homeowners saw a $1.71 return. But, there are some important considerations to make in estimating your ROI.

First, you want to consider the overall state of your bathroom. Your return will be higher if there is a more considerable difference between your before and after pictures. So if there are visible damages like cracked tiles and outdated fixtures, a moderate remodel will go a long way. You can see evidence for this difference in Cost Vs. Value’s recent report on ROI for bathroom remodels. Midrange remodels are 6% more valuable than upscale remodels.

Secondly, does your neighborhood have a market of buyers looking for your remodel? Real estate agents can provide a report that shows the kind of renovations that appeal to buyers. Keep in mind that buyer sentiment is constantly changing, so this is only valuable if you look to sell quickly. If you are looking for a long-term investment, the best improvements will be functional instead of aesthetic.

Bathroom Remodeling ROI Example

For example, creating more space always creates more value for bathroom remodels. In our last bathroom remodel, we found a creative way to add space by moving the furnace. Its previous location was in a closet, taking up space in the bathroom. We knocked out that closet and dragged the furnace into the attic. Since we were already in the reconstruction process, we decided to move the shower to provide additional space for the bedroom closet. This 2 in 1 move increased the long-term value of the home by making the space more functional. No matter what buyer sentiment may be, having that extra space in the bedroom closet and bathroom will be a plus.

In this same bathroom remodel, we converted the bathtub into a roll-in shower. We did all of this under $40,000 and the average resale value of this kind of bathroom in Los Angeles is upwards of $60,000. This hot design choice can make the bathroom look like a luxury hotel within an affordable budget. We have an entire article on all the design tips in making your bathroom feel like you are at a resort.

If you would like to discuss other creative ways to renovate your bathroom, give us a call, and we will connect you with one of our expert designers.

Over this past year, we have seen homeowners flock to modernized bathroom renovations centered around the roll-in shower. Like many trends, this began in the minds of luxury hotel bathroom designers. They saw an opportunity to make a roll-in shower a luxurious spa-like experience. The great news is that the vacationers who never left their hotel bathrooms can experience the same relaxation at home and under budget! All it takes is following a simple guide through choosing the proper steam showers, glass doors, bathroom tile, therapeutic jets, lighting, and other amenities.

How to Choose the Right Roll-in Shower Design For Steam Conversion

Roll-in Shower Defined:

Roll-in showers are designed to blend seamlessly with the rest of the bathroom – some including glass doors and others not. We slope the shower floor to direct all of the water into channel drains. They are popular abroad because of their affordability and accessibility to the elderly and disabled.

Steam Shower Defined:

Steam showers bring the luxury of saunas into your home by integrating a steam generator into your bathroom shower. Like any sauna, it evenly disperses water vapor throughout an enclosed space – sometimes including the entire bathroom.

Steam showers are the bell of the ball – the creme de la creme of any luxury hotel bathroom. They are what make you know that you are at a high-end resort, and they are the most talked-about feature of any open house. The New York Times has an entire article on the added resale value this one upgrade brings to a home. But, the feature cannot exist in a vacuum. Integrating steam conversion into a roll-in shower is a creative way to maximize your space and modernize the look and feel of the bathroom without breaking the bank.

Designing With Steam Conversion Space In Mind

As with any renovation, the first step begins with evaluating the space. You will need to ensure that the steam area is enclosed. Some homeowners only want a small 8′ vertical space around the showerhead, and others desire room for an ergonomic bench and therapeutic bathtub in their sauna. If you want an open roll-in shower with no glass door, you will need to make sure you can convert the entire bathroom into a steam room.

The larger space, the more expensive the steam room generator will be. This steam generator price calculator will give you a rough estimate of what your desired cubic area would cost.

Once you know the cubic footage that fits your budget, then you can decide what additional features to include in the space. For example, most people looking to enjoy a steam shower want part of the experience sitting down. If limited on space, then I would consider adding a folding teak bench under the showerhead.

Picking the Right Bathroom Tile or Alternative for the Full Sauna Effect

Choosing the right tile, wood, or stone surface will determine the entire project’s stylistic direction and overall cost. Materials can range from $3/sf to well above $30 or $40/sf and up. But, the material cost isn’t the only cost to take into consideration. The level of intricacy and quality will impact the cost of labor and set the standard of quality throughout the rest of your renovation decisions. For example, if you choose a high-quality granite surface for your shower, you will want the countertop to match in either material or quality. Therefore, it is crucial to keep the standard of quality consistent throughout the entire renovation. Any stark contrasts will only bring more attention to the cheaper and lower-quality solutions.

When deciding which surface material to use in your steam shower, it is essential to choose insulating surfaces. Higher heat retention will make a big difference in sauna quality and the energy needed to keep the space warm. If the bathroom tile has lower heat retention, you will need to compensate with a higher quality steam generator. Nonporous materials like ceramic and porcelain are best at retaining heat. Using porous stones like granite, marble, and limestone will require regular maintenance to keep the surface sealed. Inevitably, the steam will damage the durability and appearance of nonporous tiles, letting the heat escape.

If you are looking to add a bit of creative elegance and luxury without compromising the shower’s heat retention, consider using a wavy ceramic tile. This surface adds a great modern look to a bathroom at an affordable cost.

Renovating The Bathroom for Comfort With the Right Therapeutic Jets and Shower Heads

Just like the steam shower, therapeutic jets are one of those add-ons that leave people talking. But before we review which jets will have you canceling your chiropractor appointment, we need to talk space again.

The big question many ask is, tub or no tub? If you don’t feel the need or desire to take a bath, you are not alone. Homeowners are increasingly forgoing the bathtub altogether. This renovation decision can cut costs and offer more room for counter space or comfortable seating in the steam space. These renovators who still want the luxurious comfort of bathtub jets often opt for therapeutic shower body sprays with rain showers. Experiencing this all-encompassing pressure of water feels out of this world but has some important considerations.

More water outlets require higher water pressure and result in higher water bills. To feel the full therapeutic effect of body sprays, you will need at least 45 psi. And if you like taking long hot showers, you will want to consider installing a larger water heater. You will also want to consider choosing shower sprays with thermostatic control valves. This feature will not only give you more control over the energy bill, but it will also provide better muscle relaxation.

If you enjoy long baths, you may want to consider incorporating the bathtub with the roll-in shower. This choice will offer a consistent design, ensuring that the bathtub or roll-in shower will not seem out of place. In addition, you can incorporate a state-of-the-art whirlpool jet system and enjoy its therapeutic message in the same insulated sauna carved out for the steam shower.

Adding the Awe Effect With the Perfect Lighting

Luxury 5 star hotels love to incorporate LED ambient lighting into their bathroom mirrors. Renovators can get creative with this and install similar recess lighting throughout the bathroom, including in the ceiling of the roll-in shower. This creative decision takes the sauna aesthetic up a notch, creating a captivating experience. And the nifty feature pairs well with bathrooms that use reflective materials like glass doors and glossy surfaces on the shower walls. Some even elect to use LED lights that can change color through remote control.

In addition to using LED lights, home renovators install waterproof TVs with anti-fogging screens. This is another feature that takes the luxury hotel bathroom experience to a whole new level. With the out-of-this-world lighting and an open space design that provides visibility to your favorite binge-worthy Netflix shows, there is a serious concern no one would ever leave the bathroom.

Tying it all Together For a Luxury Hotel Bathroom Experience

The hardest part of planning your bathroom renovation is – compromise. Unless you’re Jeff Bezos or have a money printing machine, you will need to prioritize your renovation objectives into a detailed list. Once you have identified which features will offer the most bang for your buck, you can brainstorm designs that showcase those strengths. Whether you decide that the surface design or heating capabilities are your top priority, we can help you navigate the best design options that will meet your goals. In addition, we will help keep things consistent and ensure that your bathroom is state of the art.

Contact us today, and we will connect you with one of our bathroom designers that can answer any question and get you a quote right away. info@ucanrinc.com | 310-500-7234

Category: Bathroom Remodeling

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