Get matched with top kitchen and bathroom remodelers in Smithfield, UT

Yes, most bathrooms can be converted into a wet room, but the process often involves extensive renovations. Key requirements include having proper plumbing and the ability to slope the floor slightly for drainage. The conversion process typically requires removing the existing floors to install drainage, replacing drywall with waterproofed cement backer board, waterproofing the walls, and installing new fixtures to create an open, curbless shower space. A skilled home renovation professional can evaluate your bathroom to determine if it's a suitable candidate. It's also worth considering resale value; if you only have one bathroom, converting it to a wet room might not be ideal as many homebuyers prefer to have at least one bathtub.

Whether replacing a bathtub with a shower affects your home's value depends on several factors, with the most significant being whether it's the only tub in the house. Removing the sole bathtub can lower a home's value because many prospective buyers, particularly families with young children or pets, require at least one.

However, a tub-to-shower conversion can also increase home value. A modern walk-in shower is often seen as an upgrade in a secondary bathroom and can be a desirable feature for its accessibility and style, appealing to older homebuyers or those without children. The overall impact is also influenced by your local real estate market and its typical buyer demographic.

If your bathroom layout allows, installing both a freestanding bathtub and a separate shower can be an ideal solution that appeals to the widest range of potential buyers.

There are a few qualifying questions you should ask your bathroom remodeler before hiring them:

• Are you licensed and fully insured?

• How many years of experience do you have?

• Can I purchase my own materials?

• Do you have recent customer references I can contact?

• Do you offer a warranty on your work?

• Will you be doing all the work or subcontracting?

• Will you pull any necessary permits for the renovations?

• When do you plan on completing the work?

There are several ways to save money on a bathroom remodel through proper planning and savvy design strategies. To reduce costs, consider the following:

• Purchase your own materials: Buy your own bathroom fixtures, hardware, and other materials to avoid contractor upcharges and delivery fees.

• Shop smart for big-ticket items: Save on pricey items like tiles and tubs by shopping sales and at discount stores.

• Avoid major layout changes: Keep plumbing in its current location. Opt to replace fixtures rather than moving them to avoid significant renovation work.

• Focus on high-impact, low-cost updates: Make affordable but impactful smaller changes, such as upgrading hardware, installing new lighting, and adding stylish but economical accessories.

• DIY where possible: Handle easier parts of the remodel yourself, like painting or installing light fixtures, to save on labor costs.

• Time your remodel strategically: Consider remodeling in the spring, which tends to be a lower-demand time of year and may result in lower costs.