The Bath Planner Thank you for downloading The Bath Planner. As a member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, we have ensured that the information in this Bath Planner is compliant with the best practices and guidance of the NKBA. As you consider your bath remodel/renovation project, you ve taken the first step along a logical path by using our Bath Planner. As skilled a NKBA designer, I can work with you to create an entirely personalized space in your home. Proceeding through these steps will help you become knowledgeable, more organized and better able to get the best value from your NKBA professional. 8 Steps to your New Bath Page 2 What Do You Want To Do? Page 3 Have You thought About? Page 5 What Is Your Style? Page 6 Setting Your Budget Range Page 9 Ways to Save and to Manage Page 10 Finalizing Your Choices Page 11 How Long Will This Take? Page 15 Pulling It All Together Page 16 www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 1 of 16
8 Steps to Your New Bath 1. Assess Your Needs What are your main goals and objectives? Your priorities will drive all further decisions on budget, style, products and more. So give this step some time and talk it through with your family. 5. Establish a Budget Range Determine how much you can realistically invest in your new bath and how you plan to pay for it. Shop around to get an idea of product prices and remember that installation can be about 20% of the budget. 2. Find an NKBA Professional Interview several members to find someone with whom you can work well, understands your project, meets your needs and can deliver the result you are dreaming of. 6. Finalize Bath Layout & Design You are creating your new dream bath. Consider new ways to incorporate the fixtures, functionality and look you are going for. Keep track of your options, as each one will have its own improvements and budget impact. 3. Decide on a Look Define your style by collecting pictures, visiting showrooms and home shows, and making notes of what you like. 7. Select Products Once you start looking, there is an almost endless supply of products to select from. Fixtures, fittings, countertops, cabinets, tile, flooring, lighting, paint colors. You are making an investment in one of the most used rooms in your home ensure you are optimizing your selections by consulting with a professional who can oversee the entire scope. 4. Plan for the Installation First of all, plan for a substitute bath while yours is under renovation. Who will be responsible for the actual work the design, installation and construction? Consider who will be responsible for finding and supervising electricians, plumbers, tile contractors, carpenters, cabinet installers as well as all the other trades involved in the creation of your new bath. Make sure all applicable building permits are acquired and inspections scheduled. 8. Love Your Dream Bath Enjoy and revel in your new bath. Keep all receipts, contracts, warranties, product information and service contacts. Learn all the functions of your new fixtures, plumbing, lighting, cabinets and counters. Understand the proper care and maintenance of all new products. Relax and enjoy your dream come true. www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 2 of 16
What Do You Want To Do? Determining your priorities for the new bath is the key to a resilient foundation for the remodel. Sticking to your goals and objectives ensures that you are making solid decisions that will produce a satisfying result. Let s get started About your Bath Y N Are you remodeling? About your Family Number & age of household members Y N If so, are you remodeling an existing full bath? Y N A powder/half bath? How old is your home? How long are you planning to stay in your home? Do you anticipate: Y N New children arriving? Y N Children leaving home? Y N Adult children returning home? What is the size of your bath now? ft x ft (approximately) Are you thinking about expanding your bath, adding on, or relocating the bath? Y N Parent(s) coming to live with you? Does anyone in your family have physical issues that should be considered (difficulty standing, walking, bending, poor eyesight, arthritis)? Describe: Y N Are you building a new home? If so, how many full baths are you planning? How many half baths or powder rooms? Who will the primary users of this bath? Y N Adults Y N Children Y N Guests www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 3 of 16
What Do You Want To Do? continued Your Goals Y N Update the look of the room Y N Update the bath for resale of our home Y N Add more space Y N Create a master suite for relaxation Y N Create a bath for the kids to use Y N Create a good-looking guest bath Y N Improve the function of the room Y N Improve the storage of the room Y N Add more functionality to the cabinets Y N Add more light to the bath Would you like to have Y N Whirlpool tub Y N Soaking tub (no jets) Y N Separate water closet with door Y N Larger shower instead of a tub Y N A seat in the shower Y N Multiple shower heads Y N Hand-held shower head Y N Grab Bars Y N Steam shower Y N Vanity with sit-down dressing table Y Other: N Y N Lighted, magnified makeup mirror Y N Heated floors Y N TV Y N Fireplace Y N Laundry area Three things you dislike most about your bath now: Three things you want most in your new bath: www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 4 of 16
Have you thought about? USER FRIENDLY Are faucet handles easy to operate? Will the right flooring make standing more comfortable? Is there enough lighting on the countertops and inside the cabinets for someone with diminished eyesight? Can drawers, rollouts and pullouts make items more accessible? Can the vanity be raised to a more back-friendly height? Will the bath be used by someone how might prefer to be seated while drying their hair, applying makeup or performing other grooming tasks? Will it be used by anyone relying on a wheelchair, walker, cane or other device? If so, is the space adequate for turning in a wheelchair? Is there a seat in the shower? Are there properly installed grab bars (towel bars are not grab bars)? HEALTH FRIENDLY Excellent ventilation is essential to remove humidity that can contribute to mold and mildew. Proper use of GFCIs (ground-fault circuit interrupters) can prevent shocks. Non-slip flooring can help prevent falls. Adequate lighting can increase safety. Medications and cleaning products can be stored safely out of reach of children. Water quality issues can be addressed with a variety of filter types. Whirlpools and steam baths can foster relaxation and sooth sore muscles. Aromatherapy and chromatherapy can offer health benefits. Grab bars can enhance safety for people of all ages and they are much more attractive these days. ECOLOGICALLY FRIENDLY Can some products from your old bath be recycled? Or donated? Or reused in a basement? Can you use recycled countertop materials? Floor? Will fixtures (toilets, faucets, showerheads) carry the EPA s WaterSense label? If so, are they 20% more water efficient than average products in that category? How energy-efficient will your new lighting be? Will new finishes and materials be low-voc? If walls are going to be opened, can you add more insulation? Is this a good time to change to new, more efficient windows? Will the wood in your new vanity cabinets come from a sustainably managed forest? Sustainable wood products products made from forests that grow quickly and are easily replenished have become more popular. Some fast growing species are bamboo, Lyptus, cane and some maple species. THE AGE OF YOUR HOME What year was your home built? Will the electrical panel meet current building codes/standards? Is the electrical panel sufficient to provide for the fixtures and products you ve selected? What is the condition of the existing wiring? Outlets? Switches? What is the condition of the current plumbing in your home? What material is used for the water pipes and fittings? What is the pipe diameter? Will the current plumbing meet building codes/standards of today? Is the plumbing sufficient to provide for the fixtures, products and appliances you ve selected? Is the insulation sufficient in your home? Is now the time to improve your insulation during this remodel? www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 5 of 16
What is your Style? Definitely me OR Not for me TRADITIONAL WHITE & WONDERFUL BATH WITH FIREPLACE RUSTIC TEXTURES www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 6 of 16
SPA LIKE BRIGHT AND BREEZY LUXURIOUS CONTEMPORARY www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 7 of 16
SOOTHING AND CALM CRISP AND CLEAN www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 8 of 16
Setting Your Budget Range Every project needs a budget With all the details that must to be addressed do not let the budget get lost. Categorizing your expenditures will enable you to maximize your compromises and decisions. It will give you the best possible outcome for your new bath. Excerpt from the Guide to Bath Remodeling Costs by Gail Monica Dent, Provanti Designs EXPECTATIONS and INDUSTRY NORMS During construction/renovation people often refer to the per square foot value of the home. Although the kitchen is traditionally the most costly room in any home in absolute dollars, per square foot, no room in the house takes more work or costs more money to build or remodel than the bathroom. This is true of all baths (powder, main and master), but the master is at the top of the range as this is the bath that usually benefits from the costly extras. So many times, homeowners will and say: It is just a small room, how can it cost that much? But it is a small room chocked full of a combination of plumbing, electrical wiring, fixtures & fittings, moisture containment and cabinets along with tile design & installation. This is what makes the per square foot price soar. The cost of an average bath remodel project is $12,000 -$18,000; and that is just a starting point. Remember the average is a way of smoothing out a lot of factors: size, quality, complexity, geographical location, style and selections. A complete master bath remodel can easily cost upwards of $55,000 $65,000. It is the wouldn t it be nice to have items that add up so quickly: radiant heat floors, stainresistant grout, skylights, frameless shower doors and the ever present latest in tile offerings & design. Regardless of your scope of work or range of expenditure, the graph below shows how the bath investment tends to be allocated www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 9 of 16
Ways to Save and to Manage If you find yourself struggling with the cost of your dream bath, remember these tips Set priorities early on so you know where to allocate your dollars Don t move plumbing, mechanical systems or walls unless it will greatly improve the space Avoid changing your mind once products are ordered and installation begins Have a clear set of specifications before comparison shopping Be sure to compare exactly the same products, not just similar ones. The price for the same model of faucet, for example, will vary by finish. Granite prices vary by grade Everyone shops online, but it s important to visit showrooms and be sure what you see online is what you think it is. A faucet may look the same and have the same name, but one may have plastic parts inside and another metal parts inside with a better warranty/guarantee A well-managed project will save money, time and frustration every time Always get a written estimate based on the detailed specifications you have provided for all the products and services you want and expect Be sure that you understand the payment schedule. Is there a design fee? A retainer? What payments are due, and when Never pay 100% up front Never pay your final payment until you are sure the job is completed to your satisfaction per the contract and that no contractor liens exist Set aside some money for contingencies. A well-planned, tightly specified project contracted to good professionals should have very little in change orders. However, during the demolition phase of any remodel, it is possible to discover unforeseen circumstances (water damage, dry rot, inadequate wiring/plumbing/gas lines) that require a change order and additional costs. Perhaps 10% to 20% may be needed for such discoveries www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 10 of 16
Finalizing Your Choices There are so many considerations to research and decisions to make. Here is a handy list to everything you may want to consider for your new bath: VANITIES & OTHER CABINETRY Door Material: wood, metal, laminate, etc. Style/Finish Hardware: hinges, glides, knobs, pulls Comfort height Sitting area Interior Storage: pullouts, rollouts, trash cans, drawer dividers, clothes hamper, etc. Linen cabinet Toilet topper cabinet Function: soft-close doors, soft-close drawers, full-extension drawers TUB Separate tub Tub/shower combination One-piece molded unit Size and shape One-person or two-person Acrylic, fiberglass, steel, cast iron, solid surface, cultured marble Jetted tub (whirlpool jets, air jets) Chromatherapy Recessed with one finished side (apron) Freestanding Platform/deck (wood, tile, stone, other material, top mount tub or undermount) Attached sliding shower door No fixed door (shower curtain) Grab bars TUB FAUCETS Mounting (floor, deck, wall) Hand shower Finish: chrome, nickel, brass, other decorative Single handle or double handle Thermostatic Pressure balances Shower diverter www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 11 of 16
Finalizing Your Choices continued SHOWER Separate or shower/tub combination One-person or two-person One-piece mold Pan with separate wall material Custom-built Tile, acrylic, solid surface, fiberglass, cultured marble Door: glass, acrylic, other Steam shower Shower seat Built-in niche for soap, shampoo, etc. No threshold Grab bars SHOWER HEAD Adjustable sprays Body sprays Hand shower SHOWER CONTROLS Single or double handle Thermostatic Pressure balanced Tub diverter SINK/LAVATORIES Sinks: one or two Undermount, integral, self-rimming, vessel style, pedestal Porcelain, solid surface, cultured marble, quartz, glass, copper, stainless, other metals SINK FAUCETS Single or double handle Finish: chrome, nickel, brass, other decorative VANITY TOPS Granite, marble, other stone (soap stone, etc.) Cultured marble Quartz and solid surface Ceramic or porcelain tile Laminate Edge treatment www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 12 of 16
Finalizing Your Choices continued MEDICINE CABINET Wood or metal Recessed or surface mounted Single, double or triple mirror With TV Refrigerated Internal lighting and electric outlets TOILETS One piece or two piece Elongated or round bowl Comfort height, ADA Separate compartment Bidet Grab bars VENTILATION With light With heat Extra quiet Humidity sensor Timer FLOORING Wood Tile Vinyl or Linoleum Laminate Stone Radiant heat LIGHTING Ambient Grooming, around mirror Toilet area Over Tub or Shower In Tub Incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, LED, xenon www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 13 of 16
Finalizing Your Choices continued ACCESSORIES Towel bars or rings Makeup mirror, with light and magnification Tissue paper holders Soap and lotion dispensers Tissue boxes Robe hooks Soap dishes Toothbrush and tumbler holders OTHER AMENITIES TV Towel warmers Music Fireplace Juice Bar Coffee Maker LAUNDRY Washer, dryer Stacked Front or top loading www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 14 of 16
How Long Will This Take? The answer is wholly dependent upon the size & scope of your project, the timeliness of your decisions and the organizational & construction expertise of your professionals: If you are a fan of TV design programs remember they are edited to fit the length of the show (30-60 minutes) and do not begin to detail the realities of making your dream bath come true Size and scope are big determinates of the time frame. The number of decisions, floor plan alterations, material selections and outright changes-of-mind influence the timeline A simple bath remodel could take 4-6 weeks, while a more full-scale remodel/addition could take up to 6-8 months Timing of product selection is key; some products may have long lead times. Custom cabinets may take 8-16 weeks. Any item not in stock locally is considered a special order (appliance, plumbing or lighting fixture, cabinet knobs, tile, etc.) Special order items can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks on the short side to 6-8 weeks on the long side Timing of installation is key; some things just have to wait their turn. Stone countertops, for example, cannot be fabricated until the cabinets are installed. Backsplash tile cannot be set until the counters are in. There is a definite order of installation that needs to be adhered to for the best fit, finish and functionality. If one installation step is delayed, almost every step after it is also delayed Unexpected delays can occur if structural deficiencies are found when walls or floors are opened up. If you have an important deadline for your new bath, it is best to discuss it up front and plan accordingly www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 15 of 16
PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER While it may not be fun having your bathroom torn out and your household disrupted, proper planning can alleviate some of the stress. Get a jump start with these checklists THINK ABOUT Where will products go before installation? How will they be delivered? What is the best way to get big items into your home? How will your old bath be removed? Where will you put a dumpster if needed? What hours will the crew be in your home? Do you have ordinances that regulate working hours, noise, and dirt/dust? Who do you talk to if you believe there is a problem? The crew, the general contractor, the designer? What happens if you want to make a change after the project starts? Whom do you contact? REMEMBER TO Ask for a written schedule State your preferences about music, smoking, eating and parking on the premises Prepare an alternate bathroom Keep pets and children out of the work area Close off the rest of the house as much as possible Remove artwork on walls adjoining the bath Communicate in advance with neighbors so they know what to expect Be accessible let the crew or general contractor know how to reach you KEEP ON SCHEDULE BY Having products you supply on hand BEFORE work begins Not substituting any product without telling your designer/general contractor, as even small changes can have a big impact Keeping any changes to a minimum after products are ordered and once construction starts www.nkba.com www.provantidesigns.com Page 16 of 16