Bathroom Remodeling in Naperville and Aurora
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Enhancing Lives in Naperville and surrounding areas
Ripped Jeans Construction is a remodeling contractor building dream bathrooms for homeowners in Naperville, IL and the surrounding areas. More importantly though, we serve as problem solvers for customers that want to feel at home.
Master Bathroom Remodeling
Naperville homeowners often find that their large, builders grade master bathroom isn’t quite as functional as they would like. In fact, considering that many master baths in Naperville were built with a 300-400 sqft footprint, the spaces often feel large, but uninviting and poorly proportioned. Furthermore, the 90’s style jet tub sits in the corner, completely unused. At the same time, there’s not enough storage space and long walks from the shower to the closet.
We have found that our customers are looking for a master bathroom that is more practical for their lifestyle. This will often include making a bigger shower that’s less cramped and closed off. On many projects, we will remove the whirlpool tub, opting for a smaller footprint with a free standing tub. We also often add extra storage cabinetry or a makeup vanity to the space. Some customers even add a washer and dryer to the space to simplify their laundry process. For more luxurious updates, a wet-room style bathroom with a barrier free shower is a common upgraded look as well as spa features like a steam shower or heated floors.
Small Powder Room or Hall Bathroom Remodeling
We find that homeowners are often interested in renovating a guest bathroom, whether to update a long neglected room of the house, or to accommodate the safety of an aging adult in the home. While the scope of work may be smaller, the potential for improved functionality can be great.
A tub to shower conversion is a common consideration for a small bathroom. While tubs are very common in US homes, homeowners generally opt to shower, not to mention the safety aspect of stepping over the huge ledge that the tub creates. A new type of tile flooring and a vanity can go a long way to make a space feel more spacious and updated. Additionally, may builders grade hall baths neglect good lighting. With a lighting update, a dingy bathroom can be transformed into a space your guests will feel comfortable.
Consider the Design for your Bathroom Remodel
Before you can get accurate quotes from a bathroom remodeling contractor, you’ll need to have a pretty good design in place. Especially if your project is very involved, it may be a good idea to hire an independent certified interior designer. A designer will be aware of stylistic changes and trends that will factor into how your bathroom looks and feels. More importantly, however, an experienced designer will anticipate problems, know your needs, and be able to build a cohesive design that serves you best. Additionally, good designs are often the ones that make life easier for your contractor, minimizing the need for change orders or on the fly decisions that can make the building process stressful for homeowners and contractors both.
If you plan to design your bathroom yourself, keep in mind that there are professionals available to help you along the way. Your contractor will be an important resource to help understand feasibility and keeping to your budget. For this reason, it may be worth contacting contractors earlier in the process so as to have someone trustworthy with whom to discuss your ideas. As you plan, there are often designers at the various vendors you’ll visit to help choose colors and coordinate stylistic decisions. Between their input and a trustworthy contractor, many homeowners are able to successfully get their bathroom remodeling ideas brought to life.
Smaller Updates for your Bathroom
Not everyone is ready to take on an entire bathroom remodel project. What can you do to improve your current bathroom without committing to such a big expense? Here are some smaller projects you might consider:
- Replace Bathroom Vanity
- Replace bathroom flooring
- Tile and Stone repairs or replacement
- Shower remodel
- Convert a tub to a shower
- Replace the tile around the tub
- Replace the countertops or sink
- Replace plumbing fixtures like toilets, faucets, or shower hardware
- Add grab bars or other safety features
- Repainting
- Add/replace old lighting to improve the feel of the space
We hired Ripped Jeans to remodel a bathroom in our home. I was especially worried about the difficulty of making a barrier-free shower, as I've read so many things about leaks etc, but Jon provided solutions for every worry I had. He's super meticulous about every detail, which we really appreciate. Our new bathroom is stunning!
How to Choose a Bathroom Remodeling Contractor
The main condition for your hiring of a contractor is mutual trust. While price and quality are important factors, understand that a contractor will be working in your home around your family and possessions. Without trust, the whole process doesn’t work.
Make a list of questions to ask your contractor – here are some examples:
- Do you have customers that are willing to speak with me about their experience?
- Do you do the work yourself, or do you work with subcontractors?
- What can I expect as far as scheduling? Do you work every day on this project, or do you have multiple projects in progress concurrently?
- How far out are you booked?
- What is your process for change orders?
- What industry standards do you adhere to in your work? What codes do we need to keep in mind as we update our bathroom?
- How many people will be working in my home? Who are they?
- Do you have a sample contract I can see?
Also, make a list of your main concerns with this project. When you express those concerns, does the contractor seem interested? Keep in mind there will likely be moments of concern during the project, and you’ll want the peace of mind that your contractor is willing to stop and address those concerns.
Bathroom Remodeling Checklist/Understand the Process
The process of getting a Naperville bathroom remodeling project off the ground can seem daunting. Here is an outline of what to expect. You can also read more about our process.
1. Set a budget
Decide what you can comfortably afford or finance for a bathroom renovation. Bathroom remodels are one of the most labor intensive of all home improvement projects, so understand that many experience sticker shock when gathering quotes. Decide what’s right for you, balancing your needs and budget.
2. Make a Design or Hire a Designer
With your budget in mind, either hire a designer or begin the design yourself. Make a list of must haves and work from there. Go to tile/flooring/plumbing showrooms and get brochures and material samples. Get close enough to a working design that your contractor will have enough information to provide an estimate.
3. Get Quotes and Hire a Contractor
Now that you have something on paper, it’s time to interview contractors and gather some estimates. Based on what you find, you may find you have to make some design changes. Or, you may find that you have extra budget available and can make another luxury update. Keep in mind that many projects go overbudget as a result of changes once construction starts. It’s important to have some reserve funds in such a case.
4. Contractor starts work
The project begins! Your contractor will handle coordination of trades, permits, inspections and sometimes the labor itself. While the contractor is in charge during the project, it’s often a good idea to check up on developments. Ask questions about things you don’t understand. Keep on top of changes so that surprises don’t come up at the end.
5. Enjoy your bathroom.
After final inspections and ensuring that everything is up to code, you can finally enjoy the fruits of your labor! Take a moment to appreciate the new space that you have created. It’s a great feeling to have a space that is tailored to your specific needs and preferences. Remember to keep the space clean and well maintained to ensure it stays looking great for years to come.
Common Questions about Planning for a Bathroom Remodel
The first steps should be budgeting and recruiting your team. How much money can you reasonably set aside for this project? Then, do you need a designer, a general contractor, perhaps an architect? Start gathering quotes and comparing. For more info, see our bathroom remodeling process.
A bathroom remodel requires the most labor of any room in the typical home. That usually correlates to higher prices. That said, every bathroom is different, and pricing varies widely across the country. The best way to know is to get a few estimates from local contractors. For more information, see our overview of bathroom remodeling prices in Naperville.
This depends a lot on the scope of work and size of the bathroom. For smaller projects, a week might be a reasonable expectation. For some larger projects, several months is not unheard of. Have a talk with your contractor about what to expect – then expect even longer than that.
Yes – typically a remodel with add value to your home. According to Cost vs. Value report from Remodeling Magazine, the average return on investment in the Chicagoland was 55% of the project cost. That said, everything depends on the size of your project and your home. Larger, luxury projects may have a lower return than smaller updates.
Questions about the Bathroom Remodeling Process
This depends entirely on your local building authority. For simple updates like painting or new flooring, permits aren’t usually required. For anything more in depth that would require plumbing, electrical updates, or layout changes, a permit is usually required.
Once you have your team assembled and demolition finished, usually the first steps are any framing changes and the mechanicals. If there are any new walls or layout changes, those will typically be framed first. This will be followed by rough plumbing and electrical updates.
Different homeowners will want to have different levels of involvement. That said, it’s ultimately your project. We encourage homeowners to keep an eye on things, and frequently ask questions about their preferences as the project progresses. There are always small decisions to be made along the way, and being present for the contractor will result in a better final product.