Under ideal circumstances, it takes about three weeks to complete a bathroom remodel. If you are doing small cosmetic fixes, it won’t take as long. Should you be doing a major remodel and totally gutting the bathroom, it will take longer for the job to get done.

No matter what you decide to do to your bathroom, you can expect that it will cost time and money. There may even be some stress and frustration thrown into the mix. However, when it comes to wondering how to renovate a bathroom, there are some steps that need to be followed.

Read on for the nine steps you need to take to remodel a bathroom

Step 1: Scrutinize Your Bathroom Needs

Before beginning your bathroom renovation, you need to ask yourself how you use the space. You may have fallen in love with a specific layout that you saw in a magazine or online, but it may not work for a variety of different reasons.

For example, if you saw a bathroom remodel that had a claw-foot tub that you thought looked absolutely amazing, but you don’t enjoy taking baths, then paying for this feature might be a waste of money. These tubs can also be large and take up a lot of space. If you aren’t going to use it, then putting something else in your bathroom that will get used is a better way to spend your money.

This isn’t the most exciting part of doing a bathroom upgrade, but you need a bathroom that looks good, makes you feel comfortable, and helps you with your daily routine.

Step 2: Determine a Budget

The one question most people ask when getting ready to redo their bathroom is: How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom?

The answer to this question is that it depends on what you are planning to do. If you have a small- to medium-sized bathroom and you are only planning on updating the essentials or doing cosmetic work, it may only cost around $1,500 to redo your bathroom.

Should you have a larger bathroom and are planning on tearing out the entire thing and starting over, this could cost around $25,000 or more to accomplish.

On average, most people spend around $10,000 to remodel their bathroom. However, before jumping into this job, you need to find a budget that you are comfortable with.

When determining your budget, make sure to give yourself a bit of a buffer. The likelihood of unexpected costs cropping up is high, and you want to make sure you can cover these expenses without totally breaking your budget.

Step 3: Look for a Contractor

Depending on how much work you want to do in your bathroom, you may need to hire a contractor to help. It’s always possible to do this job on your own, but keep in mind that your final product needs to meet the current building codes.

If it doesn’t, it may be challenging to sell your house in the future. You may also experience problems with the plumbing or electrical that will wind up costing more than you bargained for.

The contractor you work with should be licensed and insured, and they should have many years of experience. Consider asking friends and family if they have anyone they would recommend. It’s also a good idea to check out online reviews of contractors in your area to find the best one to help you with your bathroom renovation.

Step 4: Choose a Design

Whether you are working with a contractor or not, when you are wondering how to start remodeling a bathroom, you need to have a plan in place. This is when choosing a design is important.

You will choose a design based on personal preference and create a bathroom that will work for your lifestyle. You also need to consider how much space you have in your current bathroom and the features you want to add.

Working with a contractor will let you know if your renovation ideas are feasible. If not, they’ll be able to propose other ideas that will work and still make your bathroom look amazing.

Step 5: Don’t Forget About Storage

No matter what size bathroom you have, storage can be incredibly limited. Thus, when it comes to the remodel and choosing your design, make sure you keep storage in mind.

You’ll need space to hold your towels as well as your personal hygiene products. It’s also a good idea to make sure you have a place to put your personal cleaning products in the tub and shower.

If you make storage an afterthought, you won’t be able to incorporate shelves or vanities into the design. Thus, it should be at the top of your mind from the beginning. That will ensure your bathroom looks astounding and has room for everything that you need.

Step 6: Pick Features That Are Fancy and Functional

After you decide on the layout and design of the bathroom, you then get to determine which features you want to add. This is when your personality and style will shine through.

Not only should the features look good, but they should also be functional. Thus, you’ll want to pick the best bathroom sink that adds something unique and sophisticated to your bathroom but is also easy to use. The same goes for the countertops, vanity, cupboards, and toilet. There is a way to mix form and function so that your bathroom fulfills all of your wants and needs.

Step 7: Expect the Unexpected

During the remodeling process, it’s inevitable that something unexpected will occur. There might be issues with the plumbing or electrical, or perhaps the discovery that you have mold growing somewhere in the space. The products you ordered may be out of stock or the shipping might be delayed.

These issues can be frustrating and stressful, but if you expect the unexpected, you’ll be able to find a way to overcome the setbacks and still ensure that your bathroom looks fantastic when it’s done.

Step 8: The Little Details Matter

After renovating your bathroom, the last thing you want to do is use the soap dish you’ve had for years or hang up frayed towels or ones that don’t match the new color scheme. Make sure to add these smaller items into your budget so that you can get the little things that add something extra to your new bathroom.

Step 9: Make Your Bathroom Dazzling

Remodeling creates a lot of very fine dust that can get everywhere. Getting rid of this will ensure your space is as decadent and elegant as you hoped. This means cleaning cupboards inside and out, wiping down walls and baseboards, and potentially even cleaning out the ducts.

You might consider hiring professional cleaners to take on this task. Although, if you are willing to take it on yourself, know that it may take a day or two to make your bathroom dazzling.

Answering the Question: How to Renovate a Bathroom

If you find yourself wondering how to renovate a bathroom, the abovementioned steps should give you an idea of what to expect. You might also consider creating a bathroom remodeling checklist to ensure that everything you want and need in the space is included.

For more tips and advice on how to remodel your bathroom or for other information about making your home look fabulous, check out the other articles on Fancy Pants Homes.