For being such small rooms, bathrooms can require a lot of remodeling. All the fixtures and plumbing that contribute to this complexity can make a redesign complicated and get pretty expensive, too. As you remodel your bathroom, you will likely run into bumps and pitfalls along the way. To avoid the worst of these, make sure to do the following three things!

Think of the Features You Want to Add

More often than you’d think, people will install an appliance early on in a remodel only to realize later they need to uninstall it in order to paint the walls. Without a plan from the beginning, there’s a good chance you’ll get halfway through a renovation before realizing there’s a feature you want to add. According to MyDomaine, designing and planning out the spacing, updated fixtures, and color scheme all beforehand will mitigate any last-second changes you make along the way. Planning in advance will also help you to look for the right items to buy, not just the first pretty mirror you see, and ultimately avoid buyer’s remorse.

Understand How Long It Will Take

Another important thing to do, after you’ve ironed out what exactly you want for this remodel, is to schedule out the timeframe. According to Pierce Design + Build, renovating the bathroom can take anywhere from six weeks to several months. You’ll need to take this into account before starting, or you’ll end up miserable. You don’t want to end up with one less working bathroom during a family visit or having to stall the remodeling to accommodate conflicting plans and even end up never fully finishing it. Always overestimate before you underestimate, whether it’s for yourself or anyone else living in your home!

Consult with a Professional

According to Mega Kitchen and Bath, if you have big plans and high expectations for your bathroom remodel, you might also consider getting advice from a professional bathroom remodeling service. This cannot only point you to the right materials but also can design your space in a way that matches your vision even better than you can. The amount of time between your old bathroom and a completely new space will be much shorter as well, with fewer mistakes and materials that are warrantied.

Bathrooms can be dirty, old, and problematic spaces—but they can also be beautiful, well-designed, and luxury-oriented after a simple remodel. If you’re making plans to remodel your bathroom, make sure you’ve covered all your bases before starting. You’ll have a spa-like experience in no time!


Read this next: What You Need Before Doing DIY Work on Your Home