Bathroom Updates for Every Skill Level

Bathroom updates can be great for increasing the value of your home. There are some easy DIY projects that can get you a decent ROI (return on investment), and there are other updates that require a higher level of skill to complete. Depending on your skill level you might want to consider taking on one of these projects.

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Beginner

If your DIY skills are minimal don’t worry, there are a few easy ways you can update your bathroom to increase its value. These quick fixes won’t get you huge returns, but they’re definitely worth the cost and effort you put into them.

  • Hardware – People tend to think about the kitchen when they think about hardware, but the bathroom is also a place where hardware makes a big difference. Think about updating your cabinet hardware, towel bar, toilet paper holder and even the switch plates. Look for items that compliment the overall style of the room, yet are classic and simple enough to last a long time.
  • Mirror – Mirrors are really important in bathrooms and you can increase the value of your bathroom (and make it look bigger) by replacing a builder-grade, frameless mirror with something a little more stylish. Try to go with something as big as the space will allow.
  • Paint – You knew it was coming! A fresh coat of paint in a soothing neutral color is the easiest and most cost-effective way to add value to a bathroom. As long as you’re willing to put in the work and do it properly you’ll get a decent return on your investment.

Recessed Shelving

Intermediate

For people who are a little more confident with their DIY capabilities I recommend the following upgrades.

  • Lighting – While messing with the electrical is something you should always have a qualified electrician do, simple jobs like switching out light fixtures or installing dimmer switches are doable as long as you take the appropriate precautions. Replace anything that looks dated with something clean and new.
  • New Toilet – Replacing a toilet is really easy and anyone with basic DIY skills can do it. Don’t replace your current model with anything fancy, just look for something that’s clean, works well, and has the dual flush options. Currently fancy versions don’t get you much ROI in the North American market.
  • New Vanity – Replacing a vanity is a little more complicated than replacing a toilet because you have to disconnect the hot and cold water lines and the drain (not to mention the faucet, which is also a good DIY), but it’s still doable for those with intermediate DIY skills. The vanity takes up a lot of visual space so something that looks good and has a lot of storage is a worthwhile investment.

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Advanced

These next jobs should only be done by professionals and those with supreme DIY skills. When these jobs aren’t done properly it can end up costing you more money in the long run.

  • Heated Floors – Although some people claim that installing heated floors can be a DIY project, it should only be taken on by those who really know what they’re doing – and usually that means a professional installer. A professional installer will perform a resistance test before covering the heating elements. This will ensure the system is working properly and none of the mechanics have been compromised during installation. If you skip this test and discover after the fact that there’s a problem your only option is to tear out the floor and start again.
  • New Tile – Tiling a bathroom is tough, because it requires a lot of patience and a lot of skill. If you don’t get the spacing right or the tile isn’t level you can make a real mess of it. And if you have to get into cutting tiles it adds another layer of complexity. But a good tile job can definitely up the value of your bathroom so unless you have supreme DIY skills hire a professional for this one.

Income Property Bathroom

 

Photos courtesy of Skit Inc.

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