What Adds the Most Value to a Bathroom?

When you think about home improvement projects in your house that are going to give you a good return on your investment, do you think of a bathroom remodel?

Not many do. And that's a problem.

Many homeowners could recoup up to 73 percent of their remodeling costs at resale. That's an incredible number. Is it too hard to believe?

Let's take a look at features, budgets, and some Dallas-Fort Worth insights to see how this plays out for homeowners and potential buyers. Planning a remodel takes work!

Top Value-Adding Features

You can think of bathroom remodels on a scale of large to small. If you add a new full bathroom, convert an area to a walk-in shower, put in a new vanity and countertops, or add ceramic tiles, you're looking at a big increase in selling points.

The right materials can really make a difference. Buyers will immediately notice any of these changes in a modern bathroom.

It's likely that a seller could recoup up to 55% of the remodeling cost with any of the above remodeling projects.

If you go for something smaller, like layered lighting, energy efficient fixtures, or low-cost DIY refreshes, homebuyers will still notice and be interested in your property.

Homebuyers always notice quality lighting fixtures. Even a quick refresh of your paint or something as simple as custom cabinetry for the vanity can add to the home's resale value.

It all depends on your cost and value tiers.

Cost vs. Value Tiers

When you're considering large or small remodeling projects like those listed above, it's important to think in terms of cost vs. value.

Larger projects would be high-end, while others land in the midrange, or smaller ones in the budget friendly tier. Let's break them down from largest to smallest

A high-end bathroom remodel is going to include any of the following: a walk-in shower conversion, heated floors, or adding a full bathroom.

When considering this kind of change in your bathroom design, keep in mind that these kinds of remodels typically cost over $5,000.

Also remember that many homeowners can recoup approximately 50-55% of that cost if and when they resell.

The midrange tier generally involves remodels like refinishing a tub, retiling a bathroom surround, or upgrading to a double vanity. these are great focal points for a bathroom design and can improve your space for anywhere from $1000-$5000.

These midrange tier projects increase home value while also being kind to your budget and your time.

The budget friendly tier is one that many people like, especially when they are just getting started with home renovations.

These small remodels can include painting walls, swapping hardware like showerheads and new lighting fixtures, and putting in new vanity cabinets. Budget friendly projects are best kept under $1000.

Return on investment Insights and Tips

So, you've done your budget, figured out what value tier you want, and now you're wondering what the return could be and how to maximize it.

Here are several things you can do to help add to your home's value.

Whether it's just changing the bathroom feel or something larger like the master bathroom, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Prioritize Repairs- You want fix leaks, ventilation, and any cracks in the walls or floors.

• DIY- Doing the painting and hardware swaps yourself is a great way to save on your average cost. Hire a pro if you're not sure about the plumbing or electrical fixes.

• Keep it Neutral- If you are planning are reselling, keep timeless colors and classic fixtures for a bathroom remodel that will appeal to the broadest audience and increase your home value.

Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Insights

It's important when you're thinking through all of the above to also remember where you are and learn about specific aspects of your local market.

Bathroom remodeling costs vary from state to state, county to county, and city to city. We are here to help with a full breakdown of what you can expect everything to cost in your bathroom remodeling project.

Whether it's a small scale, mostly DIY project that improves the bathroom's overall look or a large scale bathroom remodel, we've got you covered with these DFW facts and insights.

Average Remodel Costs in DFW

Here's what you can expect for small to large scale bathroom remodel jobs if you're having this done in the Dallas Fort Worth area.

• Budget full bathroom renovation: $17,000–$25,000

• Mid-grade full bathroom renovation: $28,000–$45,000

• High-end full bathroom renovation: $40,000–$75,000+

Cost by Bathroom Size

It can be hard to imagine exactly how much space this money is getting spent on, so let us put it into perspective for you.

An average, midsized bathroom is going to be about 35 square feet. These are some prices you could expect for that size of bathroom remodeling.

• 35 sq ft Budget Remodel: $8,160–$16,050

• 35 sq ft Mid-grade Remodel: $15,300–$26,750

• 35 sq ft High-end Remodel/Expansion: $30,600+

Cost by Bathroom Type

Plenty of people are also going to have different types of bathrooms that they want remodeled. Here are some cost insights for three of the most common types of bathroom updates by type.

• Powder Room: $5,000–$15,000

• Guest Bathroom: $25,000–$50,000

• Master Bathroom: from $45,000

It's important to remember that while remodeling your bathroom can come with a larger price tag, you can also get a great return on your investment when you renovate.

Learn more about the costs associated with home remodels, here.

Permits and Pros

An important part of all this to keep in mind is building permits. Within Dallas county, building permits are typically approved in less than 2 weeks.

In Fort Worth, residential permits have a review cycle of 7 business days. If you are doing a small project in the Forth Worth area, the initial review can take less than 7 days.

And what about the people you have working on your renovation? Many remodeling projects have dragged on for far too long and this can make people hesitant to start them.

The best thing you can do is get 3+ bids from remodelers experienced with DFW building codes & moisture-control best practices. Look for firms featured on Sweeten and Transom Remodeling partner networks.

This will give you the confidence to make an informed decision. Check out our ideas about hiring a professional contractor here.

When you're considering a bathroom remodel, the possibilities are endless.

You now have the tools to tackle your next project, whether it's a budget DIY, or a full scale master bathroom remodel.