The Ultimate Bathroom Remodel Checklist You Need to Read Before Your Remodeling Project

Bathroom remodeling is not a small job done over a weekend in most cases.

Before you’re ready to tackle the project, you need to have a sense of direction on where to go and what gets done first. Here’s the ultimate bathroom remodel checklist to get you started.

First Things First

As you start planning your bathroom remodel checklist, you need to consider the first steps. Walking before running, right?

This is kind of the same thing, except your walking involves a little extra homework on your part.

Create a Budget

Talk with contractors in advance about what you want to do and see what kind of pricing you can expect. Set a budget and use it as a guide to help you decide what you want to have done to your bathroom.

Measure Twice, and Then Measure Again

You want to make sure you measure your space thoroughly even before contacting a contractor. This will help you better communicate with your contractor and have a general understanding of the size and costs associated with your new bathroom remodel.

For instance, if you want a linen closet in your bathroom to add to your storage, be sure to include measurements for what you'd like to your contractor.

Having that information may help with getting a starting quote. Even though the contractor will want to come out to your home to measure your existing bathroom, it's a good idea to give them a general idea of the size of bathroom before they arrive.

Know Where Your Water Shutoff Valves Are

It's important to locate and mark the water shutoffs in your home. This is something you can do before your contractor arrives and will help your bathroom remodeling company when they arrive to begin the demo process of your existing bathroom.

Knowing and labeling shutoffs can cut down on having to search for it if it’s in an obscure location should you have to turn off the water for your entire house. If they're well labeled, it can help in the future as well, allowing you or future contractors or plumbers quickly locate shutoffs in case of a emergency leak down the road.

Have a Backup Bathroom Plan

A backup bathroom is a necessity in case your remodel takes a long time to complete.

Do you have a second bathroom that you also want to remodel? If the answer is yes, only do one bathroom model at a time, so you always have a working bathroom. 

When you only have one bathroom, things get trickier, so be prepared and have a plan to work with.

Decide What You’re Going to Do with Old Fixtures

As you remodel, you’re going to end up pulling out old tubs, old countertops, and possibly even old countertops depending on how extensive your remodel will be.

It’s a good idea to have an idea of what to do with those items before you get started. Contact local places like Habitat for Humanity ReStores because they may be willing to take them.

If your contractor doesn’t remove them, you may even try posting them out on different sale sites like Facebook Marketplace or your local Craigslist.

Some contractors will be able to include disposal and removal of old materials from the job site as part of the cost of the remodel.

Buy Extra Plastic Sheeting

In theory, your contractor should have plenty of plastic sheeting to minimize the dust as tiles and drywall get knocked out.

It is for your peace-of-mind in case you feel the need to add more to your flooring through to the front or back door. The more dust you can keep on the sheeting, the easier the cleanup will be once it’s all over.

Check and Verify References

References are massively important. With all of the horror stories about contractors leaving jobs half-finished or plumbers over-charging, do not neglect to check and verify their references.

Sure, the contractors can give you recent references from previous jobs. You’ll always get the ones that say they did fabulous work and they would recommend them for other jobs.

If you’re working with a company that employs contractors and plumbers, verify that these references are legitimate. Getting the references directly from the company is preferred in this instance because you know their reputation is on the line.

You can also check out other review sites online like Google and Facebook to see what their customers are saying about their experience with your contractors.

Shared Bathroom Highlights

Sharing a bathroom with someone can be great, but here’s a quick list of things you should think about to give the space something a little bit extra for both of you.

• Inside the bathroom, create a toilet room with a door. The person you’re sharing with will appreciate it.
• Consider a separate shower stall in addition to a tub because not everyone likes to shower in the tub.
• Dual sinks are the bee's knees when you’re sharing a bathroom. If you don’t have these in a shared bathroom, you should. Complete them with GFCI outlets, lighting, and enough space to not feel cramped.
• Ample space is appreciated in a shared bathroom. Don’t make the pathways too narrow.

Hot Water Considerations

Depending on the additions you’re making to your bathroom, you might need to change out your water heater to accommodate new usage.

As an example, if you decide to put in a two-person soaker tub, it’s going to take up more water compared to the single traditional tub you had before.

The same can be said if you were to install multiple shower heads with more shower heads pulling water, your hot water source is going to be depleted must faster than with a single head.

Don’t forget to discuss hot water needs with your professional in the beginning before you go through your dream bathroom remodeling. It’s no fun to realize you need a bigger water heater after you use your new shower for the first time.

Completing Your Bathroom Remodel Checklist is No Small Task

Bathroom remodeling can take time, depending on what is encountered in the process. Hidden problems can show up as that first sheet of drywall is taken down. What would have been a few days turns into a week or longer.

The bottom line is you need to be prepared for whatever could happen and have a solution sitting in your back pocket in case you need to pull it out. The most important thing to do is to contact a local professional remodeler to avoid serious issues you could encounter. A professional bathroom remodeler is well-prepared to handle most of these issues.