Get matched with top bathtub replacement pros in Arlington, VT

What you include in your bathroom remodel will depend on your budget, personal preferences, and the current condition of your bathroom. Bathroom renovations often involve changing out the shower or tub, faucet, showerhead, tiles, flooring, mirrors, sink, cabinets, and vanities. You may also want to upgrade the wallcovering, adding new wallpaper or paint.

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.

While they’re heavier than their counterparts, cast-iron tubs are very simple to maintain. They have no seams and are durable, making them the easiest tub to maintain. While fiberglass and acrylic tubs are also relatively simple to maintain, they often have seams, making maintenance a little more difficult.

Small bathroom renovation costs don’t have to break the bank. A $5,000 budget is realistic, provided you're not adding luxurious fittings or making complex layout changes. Changing the layout is the most costly aspect of renovating a bathroom. So if you keep the layout, do some of the job DIY (within your skillset), and use relatively affordable fixtures and accessories, you should be able to stay within your budget.