5 Mistakes Homeowners Make When Remodeling Their Bathroom In Kansas City
Avoid An Overwhelming Experience And Underwhelming Results.
Here’s What NOT To Do During Your Bathroom Remodel.
BY ALEC BURTON, PRESIDENT
So, you want to remodel the bathroom(s) of your Kansas City home. Great!
Do you know where to start?
Do you know what to do?
Do you know what NOT to do?
After all, you probably haven’t undertaken a major bathroom renovation before. That’s okay. The difference between you and most homeowners who are bathroom remodeling “first-timers”? You’re reading this article—an article about the mistakes THOSE homeowners made during THEIR bathroom remodel… so YOU can avoid those mistakes during YOURS.
Let’s go…
Skip To A Mistake
- Mistake #1: No Budget Safeguards
- Mistake #2: Settling For “Okay” Products
- Mistake #3: Bad Contractor Vetting
- Mistake #4: D.D.I.Y. (Don’t Do It Yourself)
- Mistake #5: One-Day Bathroom Remodels
Mistake 1: No Safeguards Against Going Over Budget
Here’s the truth: Many contractors will give you lowball quotes—they sound good to you and get them the job. But guess what? Those contractors will find all kinds of stuff to tack onto your bill later. Change orders. Hidden labor fees. Bogus service charges.
How do you avoid this?
Go into your bathroom remodeling project with a set budget. You’re investing a substantial sum of money. It’s not the time to “wing it.”
Here are two questions you need to ask yourself right up front:
“What can I budget for my bathroom remodel?”
Your budget will determine many aspects of your bathroom remodel: The type of materials… the company you can hire… the scope of the project… and so on.
Figuring out what you can comfortably invest in a bathroom remodel is step one. Otherwise, costs can quickly get out of hand. According to experts, bathrooms are one of the most common remodeling projects to go over budget.
If you’re financing your bathroom remodel, determine the monthly payment you can afford. Paying in monthly installments instead of all at once can open up more options for you—but the difference between $400 per month and $800 per month is huge.
“Is my contractor’s quote accurate?”
This can be a tricky question to answer, but here’s what to look for in your quote to ensure it’s iron-clad and to the penny.
- Line items – How is the quote broken down? It should have more than one or two general numbers. Check if line items include specific details like material count and/or square footage. It’s your project—you have the right to know precisely what you’re getting!
- Underlying issues – Did your contractor factor in “surprise” remodeling issues (e.g., rotted wood, electrical rewiring, etc.)? These “surprises” are not really surprises—they happen ALL the time. And an accurate quote will factor them in from the get-go.
The only time your quote should change is if there is a MAJOR underlying problem—like severe mold or corroded pipes—that truly was unforeseen.
To safeguard against surprise charges, ask a bathroom remodeler how they handle unanticipated issues. Do they fix the problem without running it by you—then tack it onto your bill at the end of the job? Or do they inform you of the issue, discuss the cost to fix it, and get your stamp of approval before proceeding?
Obviously, you want the second kind of contractor. But no matter what, financial experts agree it’s a good idea to allot yourself 10-20% extra “cushion” in your budget for unforeseen circumstances.
Mistake 2: Settling For Medium-Quality Products
Sticking to a budget is good. Sacrificing quality to cut costs is bad.
The saying is true: You get what you pay for—especially with bathroom remodeling.
I’m not just talking about fixtures, tile, shower pans, and other large-scale items. I am also referring to the details you can’t see or will never really notice.
Take grout, for example. Most bathroom contractors use sand-based grout. It costs $15 per gallon. But here’s the thing: This middle-of-the-road grout is NOT WATERPROOF. It’s porous, it’s flexible, and it cracks. What you want is epoxy- or polymer-based grout. It costs a little more than sand-based grout, but it’s 100% water-resistant.
Another material bathroom remodelers skimp on is the backer board behind the tile of your shower. They’ll install it—but not the high-quality mold-resistant kind. Why? Because the non-mold-resistant backer board is a few dollars cheaper.
It’s not worth it. The price difference between medium-quality materials and the best materials is only about 6% to 12%. So make sure the bathroom contractor you hire “splurges” on the good stuff. That’s how you ensure you get the 20-30 years out of your bathroom that you should.
Mistake 3: Inadequately Vetting Your Contractor
Finding the right contractor is a HUGE decision—financially and emotionally. You can’t afford to get it wrong.
Do your research!
- Browse their website – Look for their services and what sets them apart.
- Ask around – Talk to neighbors and friends about their experiences.
- Check out their past work – Look for a photo gallery.
- Read online reviews – Check Google, Facebook, and BBB.
Avoid these mistakes, and your bathroom remodel will be a success!
Contact us today for a free consultation!
The DIY Kansas City Bathroom Remodel
Doing your own bathroom renovation sounds tempting, right? Especially when all those DIY videos on YouTube and TikTok make home renovation seem so easy.
Don’t get me wrong—DIY is a great option for some home projects.
A full-scale bathroom remodel isn’t one of them.
This is especially true if your project involves electrical work, plumbing, installing a new shower, or changing your bathroom’s existing footprint. A lot can go wrong here… and things can get overwhelming quickly.
DIY Bathroom Fail: Shower Valve Grout Gaffe
DIY Bathroom Fail: Forgot About The Door
DIY Bathroom Fail: Crooked Wall Tile
DIYing your bathroom remodel will save you money… up front. But you know what they say: The most expensive project is the one you have to do twice.
Hire a professional company. Get it done right the first time, so you don’t have to pay a second time.
Mistake 5: One-Day Bathroom Remodels
You’ve seen those advertisements for one-day bathroom remodels in Kansas City. We all have.
It’s an appealing proposal. You have a busy household. You have a busy life. You just want to get the job done.
The issue is that most one-day bathroom companies only remodel half of your bathroom. They replace the “wet area” (i.e., your tub or shower). That’s it.
They won’t touch your vanity, flooring, lighting, or anything else. You either have to do those yourself… or find a general contractor to take care of them. Do you really want to take the time and effort to find a SECOND company to finish the other 50% of your bathroom?
Other Common Issues With One-Day Tub/Shower Installation:
- Not enough time for the wall mortar to set
- Doesn’t address plumbing, mold, or rot issues
- Installer works 12-14 hours nonstop, speedrunning through the job… getting tired… skipping steps
Bottom line: Rushing your bathroom remodel is not the answer. Especially if you want a beautiful result you’re going to love for years.
The best solution is to do it once… do it all… and do it right the first time.
Avoid These Mistakes; Prevent The Headaches
Many Kansas City homeowners learned these tough bathroom remodeling lessons the hard way.
You won’t have to.
By knowing what NOT to do, you’re lightyears ahead of other bathroom remodeling “first timers.” That will mean a better experience… and better RESULTS.
If you have questions, contact us. We would be happy to discuss your bathroom remodel with you!
