1

Choose Project Type

There are 10 major types of bathroom remodeling projects ranging from bathtubs to showers to toilets.  Some of the projects like a new shower head will improve the function of your bathroom and some will improve the style of your bathroom.  You should have a firm grasp of your wants and needs before you start your project.

2

Decide Whether to Repair or Replace

You will have a choice to remodel or replace many of your bathroom features.  Remodeling is usually the cheaper option but sometimes it is not the best option.  If your bathroom cabinets are old and not well constructed it might make sense to install new ones.  If you are getting to the end of the useful life for your toilet, it probably makes sense to buy a new one.

3

Estimate Your Costs

If you have a lot of experience in remodeling projects then you can probably create a pretty good cost estimate based on the work you want done.  For most of us it makes sense to get a free estimate from a professional to make sure we have a good handle on the cost of the project.  Make sure you calculate a fully loaded budget with all material and labor costs including any accessories and hardware that might be required.

4

Finalize Your Design

If you are just replacing a bathtub or a toilet it might not be so important to have a formal design for your project but if you are remodeling several features in your bathroom then it might make sense to have a design model before you actually start any work.  A design model can help develop both the style and flow for your new bathroom.  There are some great software packages to help you develop a model for your ideas.  You can also hire a professional to help with creating a design for your new bathroom.

5

Find a Good Contractor

There are several ways to find a good contractor:

• Online Networks - There are several good networks of service contractors.  For all types of bathroom remodeling work we recommend Quinstreet.  They have a large number of qualified service providers and the feedback form customers who have used the network is excellent.
• Yellow Pages - the yellow pages is still a good place to go to find a contractor.  Look up plumbing in the yellow pages and you will find a number of local contractors listed.
  Friends' Recommendations - this is often an excellent source for finding a contractor because your friends often have the same standards for quality of work that you do.  The contractor will be incentivised to do a good job because he has you and your friends future business at stake.
• Brand Service Network - if you know what brand of equipment you are thinking of installing the brand sites often have dealer networks and they can usually recommmend someone in your local area to install the equipment you need.  Service providers are often certified to be in the brand network so the quality of these contractors is usually pretty high.

6

Manage the Project

This is the most important step of all.  You must manage contractors as if they work for you because they do.  If you don’t want them tracking mud in your house tell them politely to take their shoes off when entering your house.  You probably wouldn't allow your kids to leave trash in your yard so why would you let your contractor?  If you don't like the way something is done tell them to redo it because you will be looking at it for years and if you have to redo something later it will be very expensive.  If they understand that you are managing the project carefully and that you care about quality they will be far less likely to cut corners.