Contractor Remodels Their Own Master Bath

Following our own advice, we've had lots of conversations around question # 1- Why do you want/need to remodel your bath?  

This is one of our most difficult projects ever-a master bath remodel for ourselves!   

The

Why do you want/need to remodel your bath?

• The bath was remodeled by previous homeowners 27 years ago-it's just time! Most bathrooms need a makeover every 20 years because of constant use and high moisture levels which cause breakdown of major components.
• The two-person shower isn't large enough for two people to shower comfortably at the same time. We've made do in the past, but a larger shower would allow a caregiver to assist us in the future as we age-in-place.
• The built-in soap niche isn't large enough for large shampoo bottles or for the different types of products men and women need.
• About the floor-to-ceiling mirrors-do we really need to see that much of ourselves when we're climbing into a tub? My opinion is that even though mirrors make the room look larger, too many mirrors can make the space look more cluttered (all your stuff is reflected multiple times).
• Fluorescent light tubes over the vanity area are outdated, unattractive, and the soffit they're housed in takes up too much visual space in a room with 8 foot ceilings.

• Fluorescent tubes behind silver, plastic grates are outdated and unattractive. We'd like more decorative fixtures that are easier to change and clean.  -Photo Parrish

• There is no bench (nor room for one) in the existing shower.
• The large window, while double-glazed and efficient, still conducts cold in the winter.
• There are no safety grab bars anywhere in the bathroom.
• Storage is inadequate, inefficient, and difficult to reach.
• Traffic flow could be improved. Access to the toilet is 8 steps from the bathroom's entrance, and there is an unsafe step-up to get to it, as well as to the shower and the tub.
• Lack of adequate electric outlets for charging toothbrushes, shavers, phones, IPads, etc.
• Travertine tiles, while beautiful, are showing stains and breaking around the leaky shower pan. At the very least we would have to tear out the entire shower and redo it, but there would still be a step up to the shower.
• The large, jetted tub is not comfortable, so it rarely gets used, and cleaning the deck and the deck-to-ceiling mirrors around the tub is very difficult.

CONCLUSION:

After evaluating the first question, we determined that although cosmetic changes (new tile, flooring, and plumbing fixtures) would greatly improve the look of our outdated bath, the space would still be inferior, function wise, and would not meet our current or future needs. The best solution for us is a complete tear out and redo.  

The question now: is it a good investment and can we afford it?  

Follow us next time as we work through the tough money question.