Bathroom Remodeling: Do-It-Yourself, or Hire Pros? Bathroom Remodeling Do-It-Yourself, or Hire Pros | Page 3

Cost
Even a small bathroom can easily cost you $20,000 or $25,000 if it
is being completely overhauled by a general contractor. A high-
end bathroom remodeled by a skilled general contractor can cost
$250 per square foot. The same bathroom remodeled yourself
might cost $75 per square foot if you choose your fixtures carefully
with an eye on the budget. That's the difference between $25,000
and $7,500 on a 100 square foot bathroom remodel. In almost
every instance, you will save at least 50 percent over the cost of
contractors by doing the work yourself. Essentially, you will retain
all the materials cost but save the labor costs. That savings will
buy a lot of shampoo. Or a second-hand car for the teenagers.
Of course, convenience is its own luxury, and one that might be
worth paying for. In this case, luxury doesn't mean a spa-like
bathroom with Tuscan tile, but the luxury of having someone else
do the heavy lifting while you keep your hands nice and clean.
There is certainly value to having skilled pros do the work faster
and perhaps better than you can do it yourself. Still, there's than
money consideration...
The truth is that most DIYers with a moderate amount of
experience can do at least the surface remodeling of a bathroom,
especially if they use the same contractor-grade materials that
pros depend on.
BATHROOM REMODELING