Bathroom Remodeling: Do-It-Yourself, or Hire Pros? Bathroom Remodeling Do-It-Yourself, or Hire Pros | Page 6

Flooring Installing bathroom flooring is relatively simple for the DIYer, and it's even easier with certain types of flooring. You gain nothing by having pros take on those easy-install coverings like luxury vinyl planks, for example, which can be done in an evening by a DIYer who has carefully studied the techniques. In fact, hiring a pro to install luxury vinyl is almost unthinkable—the material is that easy to install. Ceramic and porcelain tile is very often left to professionals, but considering the limited floor space in a bathroom, there is no reason you can't do this yourself, too. It does not take long to learn the basics of tile installation, and you can easily lay a moderate-sized bathroom floor in a weekend. Wall Surfaces If they're worth their weight, pro-drywallers will nearly always produce flawless bathroom walls. Even the best homeowner ends up with anomalies that must be conveniently ignored or covered up. Installing moisture-unfriendly green board in bathrooms isn't all that different from hanging conventional drywall in other areas of the home. Mudding and sanding to a smooth finish are what separates the homeowner from the drywall contractor who does this every day. If you can accept flaws, you can save a small amount of money hanging and finishing your own. Bottom line: Considering the modest expense, having professionals hang, tape, and mud your drywall may be money well spent. But DIYers can do this work, too. BATHROOM REMODELING