There are ways to achieve stunning results in a bathroom remodel even if you are on a shoestring budget. The key is to assess your financial capacity; list items you want to change or replace the most; prioritize projects according to importance; visit DYI sites; ask for quotations; and hire only a trustworthy contractor.

Remodeling your bathroom is the perfect opportunity to get your creative juices out because you get to select the designs and decor you like. One of the first things to consider when remodeling, however, is the budget. A bathroom remodeling budget keeps track of your expenses. It prevents you from overspending or borrowing money you don’t actually need. The following steps might help you get started with budgeting your bathroom remodeling:

Assess your financial capacity

You should determine the amount of money you can allocate for the remodeling as this will greatly affect the kind of materials that will be used in your bathroom. You should also remember that the cost of materials may increase at any time without prior notice, so you should have extra funds ready. The extra funds are also needed for emergency expenses that may arise.

List items you want to change or replace the most

You can start by shopping online and comparing prices. After you have come up with a list of prices, determine whether they measure up with your budget. If the list does not, then rate each item according to priority. For example, you can rate the items from one to ten, with ten as the top priority and one as the least priority.

Prioritize projects according to importance

This is especially important if your budget is tight. You should prioritize work in terms of what needs to be worked on first. For example, you may start with replacing your bathtub and tiles first and continue with replacing your mirrors, faucets, and sink once you have saved enough funds to remodel your bathroom.

Visit DIY sites

Do-it-yourself (DIY) sites offer helpful pieces of advice and recommendations. They also feature bargain shops that offer scraps and used materials that you can use in remodeling. You can save a lot by visiting these sites and bargain shops.

Ask for quotations

If you are hiring the services of a contractor, it is best that you compare prices of available contractors in your area (at least three) so you get only the best deal. When asking for quotations, check for the following: work inclusions, quality of estimated materials, and the time of completion. This way you will be able to determine whether or not you will really get big savings.

Hire only a trustworthy contractor

Before choosing a contractor, make a background check first. Make sure that you don’t choose a fly-by-night company. You may get recommendations or referrals from your friends who have tried using the services of a trusted construction company, or you may also ask Better Bureau Business for a list of qualified construction companies in your area.

As you go through the process of remodeling your bathroom, you may have to make some compromises here and there. You may also not be able to achieve everything you imagined your bathroom to be. With a budget, however, you will be able to prevent yourself from overspending. Just keep your priority list and your budget with you when you shop and design.