Real estate agents have long said that the condition of a home’s kitchen and bath will make or break a sale. Prospective buyers do not want to see outdated spaces or those in poor condition. That’s why experts recommend at least a fresh coat of paint and refinished cabinetry.

Return on Investment

To see the wisdom in remodeling your bathroom, consider the latest statistics from Remodeling Magazine. Their annual report showed a bathroom remodel costing $15,782 would increase the resale price of a home by an average of $10,295. Do the math and you’ll see you will recover more than 62% of the cost of your remodel just in the sale price.

The investment in a remodeled bathroom goes beyond just the sale price, however. It also increases your chances of beating out other sellers. In other words, if two otherwise identical houses were for sale on the same street, the one with the remodeled bath would be more likely to sell first.

What to Shoot for in Your Remodel

Today’s real estate market is significantly different from the market of just 20 years ago. One of the most significant differences is that families are abandoning the idea of a “starter home” in favor of purchasing a house they plan to stay in until children are grown and gone. That mindset suggests new home buyers are thinking more long term. A long-term mindset means your bathroom remodel needs to concentrate on the quality of both materials and workmanship. For example, a tub and shower made of cross-linked acrylic is virtually indestructible when compared to standard acrylic.

It may cost a little more to install, but it will last a lifetime. That’s the sort of thing today’s homebuyers are looking for. In terms of style, openness and modern chic are both in. However, do not get caught in the trap of trying to change the current footprint of the space or make it larger by building out into other areas. That’s when a remodel gets too expensive to make it practical for resale purposes. Work with the space you have by using stylish materials, a modern design, and some creativity.

If style and creativity are not your strong suit, consider working with a bathroom remodeling company that supplies a designer. Good designers are very adept at staying within a manageable budget. There’s a lot to do if you plan to sell your house in the near future. If you are planning to sell as-is, you probably need do nothing more than a little painting. However, if you are planning to remodel before you sell, seriously consider investing in the bathroom.

The post Remodeling Your Bathroom Before You Sell appeared first on EasyCare Bath & Showers.

When I think of “makeover,” I think of a middle-aged mom who goes down to the beauty salon for a new hairdo and a few lessons in the effective use of makeup. In just a couple of hours, she is transformed from the average plain Jane into a starlet. That’s all good. But maybe my example explains why we are using the same term with a bathroom remodel.

Updating and Upgrading

Perhaps the reason for using the makeover term comes from the fact that most bathroom remodels are merely cosmetic. In other words, of all the rooms in your house you could remodel the bathroom is probably the most restrictive in terms of what you can do with it. Its location generally prevents you from enlarging it while the nuisance of re-routing plumbing typically dictates you leave the layout generally the same.

With such restrictions, the only things left to do are upgrading bathtub and toilet, updating fixtures, and implementing new design elements. In essence, you are giving the bathroom a new hairdo and some new makeup. If you look at in this way, the bathroom makeover can even be fun!

Important Bathroom Makeover Tips

Language concerns aside, if you are going for the makeover concept rather than a total remodeling overhaul, there are some important things to consider. Here are some helpful tips:

• Remember the Environment – The bathroom represents one of the harshest environments in your home. It is a room where temperature and humidity are constantly changing, thereby putting stress on window and door-frames, paint, etc. This is one room where you need to make sure you use high-quality materials.
• Remember Continuity – Unless you plan to hold on to your current home well into the future, it’s a good idea to remember the continuity of the rest of the house in terms of style. Simply put, you do not want your bathroom to stand out as being extraordinarily different; otherwise, it could have an effect on a future sale.
• Remember Functionality – The makeover principle dictates the changes you are making to your bathroom are largely cosmetic. If you’re going to do anything that dramatically changes the functionality of the space, make your choices wisely. A loss in functionality could severely diminish any benefits derived from the cosmetic portion of the makeover.

Regardless of whether you use the term “remodel” or “makeover,” making a change to your bathroom is often a wise investment in your property. You can add value to your home while also giving yourself a space that looks and feels brand-new. And unlike the makeover at the beauty salon, it will not come out in the shower!

The post Why Do We Call a Bathroom Remodel a “Makeover”? appeared first on EasyCare Bath & Showers.

2. Cross-Linked Acrylic Tub In the likely event you are replacing your bathtub or shower stall, you absolutely must have a cross-linked acrylic tub. Cross-linked acrylic is different from standard acrylic in that some of the agents within the resin are linked together at the molecular level. This produces an acrylic material that is incredibly durable and nearly impermeable to cracking, chipping, etc. A cross-linked acrylic tub will be more expensive than standard acrylic or ceramic. Nevertheless, the slightly higher price is well worth the cost. You will typically get a lifetime warranty with no-questions-asked replacement from manufacturers and distributors. 3. Vanity or Linen Closet One of the worst choices a homeowner can make in regards to the bathroom is to not have easy access to linens. If you have been a guest of someone who forgets to put out linens, and they are not easily accessible, you know this can be a source of needless embarrassment and inconvenience. Guests should have access to linens either by way of the vanity inside the bathroom or a linen closet just outside. In older homes, remodeling to include a linen closet is sometimes impractical, so the vanity is the better solution. If you are going the vanity route, you should also consider a medicine cabinet built into the wall mirror. The cabinet makes toiletries and over-the-counter medications easily accessible to guests. Above and beyond these three “must haves” there is an endless number of choices you can work with for your bathroom remodel. Remember to stay on budget, make the best use of the available space, and make it fun. After all, you will be spending a significant amount of time in that room. You might as well enjoy it.

The post Three “Must Haves” for Your Bathroom Remodel appeared first on EasyCare Bath & Showers.

• the black and white look
• a theme based on the natural surroundings

Both types of designs can be implemented regardless of your budget. However, the natural surroundings theme tends to be a bit more expensive when you get into things like custom shower stalls or natural-looking tub surrounds. To give you a better idea of what you are looking at, let’s discuss both of these design trends and look into some easy care bath remodeling tips.

Black and White Look

During the 1980s, pastel colors in different shades were all the rage. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the bright colors of the 60s and 70s started making a comeback. Today however, black and white is in. A simple black and white color scheme is considered chic, stylish, and very Art Nouveau. There are a couple of ways to accomplish this look while staying within a very modest budget. Most of the time designers begin with an all-white shell including doors and window trim. On the floor, a gray or slate tile with black accents works well. From there you would add a black pedestal sink, a white tub or shower stall with black accents, and black light fixtures. Black accents can also be added with towels and wash clothes, mirror frames, soap holders, and other decorative pieces. The thing to remember about the black and white look is that it’s intended to be minimalist. There will not be a whole lot of extra accouterments that close up the space and make it look busy. Think simple — yet tasteful — and you’ll be fine.

Natural Surroundings Theme

This hot trend is designed to make your bathroom look and feel more like an outdoor space. If you have a larger budget, you can begin with a custom tub or bath surround designed to look like your own private waterfall. Natural stone tile, a teak wood vanity, and a bamboo laundry hamper also add to the feel. One of the central elements of the natural theme is natural light. Skylights are a big plus here, but if that’s not possible, you’ll want frosted glass on any windows in order to avoid having to use draperies. As for colors, you will want to focus on earth tones and different shades of green, accented with colorful flower arrangements. Regardless of the particular style you choose, be sure not to skimp on your tub or shower. Spend a little more for a quality cross-linked acrylic model from Easy Care. We offer a 100% money-back guarantee because our products are strong enough to last a lifetime. You’ll love our showers and tubs, we promise!

The post Two Exciting Remodeling Trends for the Bathroom appeared first on EasyCare Bath & Showers.