Design magazines are full of bathrooms transformed from functional to fabulous. Gone is the utilitarian bath-and-shower combination -- in its place, there’s a sunken whirlpool bath and corner shower unit.
In terms of adding value and enjoyment to your home, a bathroom renovation is one of the best home improvement projects. According to the Hanley-Wood 2003 Cost vs. Value Report, homeowners who remodel bathrooms recoup 89 percent to 92 percent of the cost when they sell their homes.
A gleaming new bathroom can also help sell your home quickly. But before you give in to the visions of massaging showerheads dancing in your head, give some thought to your choices in home spa equipment and set a budget. The Hanley-Wood Report found the national average cost for a mid-range bathroom remodel was about $10,000, while an upscale remodel cost more than $23,500. Depending on your budget, you may want to upgrade your bath with new fixtures rather than do a full renovation.
Bathtubs
Do you want a soaking tub or a jetted tub? Sunken, built in or freestanding? When it comes to bathtubs, there’s plenty of choice.
Soaking tubs are available in a range of prices and styles. You can get a simple, five-foot Jacuzzi soaking tub for about $6000 or spend about 10 times that ($5,600) for a cast-iron claw-foot tub. (The drainage system for most tubs must be purchased separately).
Whirlpools have become synonymous with relaxation. There are two kinds of whirlpool tubs: air jets and water jets. Water jets are the traditional variety, with anywhere from four to fourteen jets and several speeds. Air jets are a more recent design with smaller and more numerous jets. Some air-jet tubs have up to 70 jets and 64 speeds.
So what’s the difference? Air jets force air into the water to provide a gentle, diffused stream. Water jets suck water into the pipes and then project it out, producing a more forceful stream for a more targeted massaging sensation. Kohler offers water-jet tubs that range from $800, for a five-foot-long model with eight jets, all the way up to $8,800, for a 75-inch model with 12 jets. Air-jet tubs range from about $2,200, for a five-foot-long tub with 61 air jets, to $2,800, for a five-foot corner model with 60 air jets.
Water-jet tubs are harder to maintain than air-jet tubs. You should flush them regularly using household bleach or a specialized product, and you shouldn’t use bath salts, oils or bubble bath in them.
Shower stall
You can achieve a home spa environment even if you’re not a tub person. A corner shower stall with glass doors, a steam system and a built-in bench will make you feel like you’re in your own steam room. Since you may not be able to afford the $10,000 or so a fancy shower could cost, you may decide just to add multiple showerheads or body sprays to your existing shower.
You may need to do some behind-the-scenes adjustments first. Multiple showerheads may require larger drainage lines or water supply units. If you install a steam generator, you need to ensure that your bathroom has proper ventilation, or you’ll likely get mildew.
If you forgo a bathtub altogether, keep in mind that some buyers may not be interested in your home when you decide to sell.
Extra costs
Popular items to complete the home spa include double sinks, marble vanities and heated floors. Floors can be heated with electricity or hot water and can be set on a timer so the floor is warm when you wake up in the morning. You may also need a larger water heater. Consider installing a tankless water heater to service only the tub. A tankless heater costs between $200 and $1,000, can produce two to five gallons of water per minute, and can be more energy efficient than a traditional water tank.
Costs can add up, so consider financing your bathroom renovation with a home equity loan or line of credit with a lower interest rate than most other types of loans.
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