If you’ve had it with the kids squabbling over who gets first dibs on the shower while you’re trying to get ready for work, it’s time to think of a solution. Read on for some suggestions about what to know before adding a bathroom to your home.
Practicality or Price
There are several good reasons to consider adding a bathroom to your home. You simply may need one to accommodate a growing family. If you plan to sell your home in the not-too-distant future, you may be thinking about adding value to your home and boosting the asking price. Know your goal so that you can plan carefully to get what you want out of the project.
Does Your City Code Allow a Bathroom Addition?
Before you get too far into bookmarking web pages of your dream bathroom, find out if you’re allowed to add one at all. Building codes and permitting processes vary from city to city and town to town. Find out what would be involved in securing a permit and arranging for any required inspections and what the code requires in a bathroom, such as ventilation, windows, or regulations on the kinds of pipes you can use.
Where Will It Go?
Identify possible places in your home where you could put another bathroom. The easiest and least expensive option would likely be on the other side of an existing bathroom, where plumbing is already in place. You can put a bathroom anywhere in your house if your local building code allows it, but other typical locations are at the end of a hallway with no rooms on either side; in a closet; in a bedroom; or even in the garage or the basement. Each location will present its own challenges and building code requirements.
How Much Will It Cost?
If you’re just looking to add capacity so that more people in your home can use a bathroom at the same time, you can accomplish that project on a smaller budget using basic fixtures and by foregoing high-end finishes such as fancy tile or vanities. If your purpose is to add value to your home, recognize that you’re unlikely to get more than a 50% return on what you invest—so make it look nice, but don’t go crazy. An additional bathroom might add somewhere around 8% to the price you could reasonably ask for the house.
How Will You Choose a Contractor?
A bathroom addition can involve some complex, technical plumbing and electrical work. It will be worth it to have professionals handle those aspects of the job, even if you intend to do the tile, paint, and wallpaper yourself. Interview several contractors. Some plumbing contractors specialize in renovating or adding bathrooms. Ask lots of questions when you choose a general contractor, plumbing contractor, or electrician.
Adding a bathroom to your home can bring a little peace to your kingdom and a better price when you sell.