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Complete Bathroom Remodeling
We offer solutions to upgrade or improve
your existing bathrooms and offer total turnkey service. Our years
of experience assures you that the job will be done right the first
time and we warrant all our work. From repairs to remodel, we have your
solution.
| Here is a recently completed
job. The back to
back vanities wasted space. |
There was a standard tub with deck to be
replaced with a whirlpool tub. |
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| The new vanity opened up the bath, adding room. |
New tub installed for Maximum enjoyment. New
tile floor replaced the existing carpet. |
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Cost vs. Value
Remodeling Magazine's 18th consecutive
report on cost vs. value was expanded this time to include 18 types
of remodeling projects in 60 cities. The results were released in
November.
The survey was held online during a 60-day
period. Real estate practitioners from around the country shared
professional opinions regarding approximately how much each
improvement would recoup at resale. Data was compiled from a network
of remodeling contractors nationwide and costs were adjusted for
city-to-city price variations. A consulting company did the final
analyses.
Obviously, return on an investment can
depend on the value of the house, the value of similar homes in the
immediate area, even the availability and pricing of new homes. It's
also difficult to compare improvements on homes in suburban areas to
those in rural or urban areas. Some improvement projects in the
survey (like those in the Miami statistics that follow) show returns
of more than 100 percent. This is often true when property values
are rising very rapidly. Lastly, overhead and margins differ between
remodeling companies operating in the same market.
Which home improvements topped the list
nationwide? Minor kitchen remodeling was first, recouping 92.9
percent of its average cost of $15,273. Second was siding
replacement returning 92.8 percent of the nearly $7,000 cost,
followed by mid-range bathroom remodeling returning 90.1 percent of
its $9,861 average cost.
In the South as well as in Florida, the
top-rated projects differed somewhat from the national rankings. Of
top value was mid-range bathroom remodeling, recouping 92 percent of
its average $8,600 cost in the South, 101 percent in Miami, 65
percent in Orlando and 60 percent in Jacksonville. The criteria
called for updating a bathroom at least 25 years old by replacing
all fixtures, adding double sinks, ceramic tile floor, ceramic tile
around a new tub and vinyl paper on the walls.
Whirlpool tubs
 As remodeling contractors for more than two decades, we can
state with great certainty that one of the most popular remodeling choices for a
master bathroom is a whirlpool tub. A survey last year of consumers planning a
bathroom remodel indicated that better than half included a whirlpool tub in
their plans.
It wasn't too long ago that a whirlpool tub was reserved for the "upper crust"
and custom homes. Today a whirlpool tub is frequently standard equipment in many
high-end production-built homes and is an available option offered by most
builders. In fact, whirlpool sales have almost doubled in the past 10 years. And
manufacturers are offering new styles, sizes, combinations and affordability
with shower systems and high-end bells and whistles to make bathing more
relaxing and fun.
Aside from the therapeutic benefits of a whirlpool tub, there is usually
considerably more elbow room -- often enough for more than one bather at a time.
Some high-end whirlpool-tub manufacturers include dimmer-controlled underwater
lighting and a built-in state-of-the-art entertainment system complete with
flat-screen television, surround sound and waterproof speakers and an array of
other extras.
If you are among the more than half of those bathroom-remodeling consumers
dreaming of a new whirlpool tub, the details that follow can help you decide if
a whirlpool tub is a realistic option and, if so, considerations that you should
keep in mind when buying a tub.
The first question that you need to consider is how extensive your bathroom
remodeling project will be. Do you plan to remove existing walls to enlarge the
tub area or will you work within the existing space? This is an important
question, because, in order to enjoy the full therapeutic experience of a
whirlpool tub, you should consider a tub larger than the standard-size bathtub,
which is about 60 by 32 inches.
A 6-foot jetted tub would be ideal; however, if 60 inches is all the space you
have, then we recommend a tub that is at least 36 inches wide -- ideally 42
inches. This will give you plenty of wiggle room and unobstructed space for the
bubbles to do their thing. Keep in mind that gaining the additional 4 to 10
inches in width for a bigger tub may cut into needed space and, thus, require a
different layout.
Other basics that you should consider when shopping for a whirlpool tub --beyond
size and color -- are the size of the pump, the voltage, the number and location
of the jets, an inline heater and other available options.
Remember, if you're not replacing an existing whirlpool tub, a dedicated
electrical circuit with a ground fault circuit interrupter will need to be added
that will power the pump. And if your new tub will be equipped with its own
inline heater, a second separate dedicated electrical circuit will be required.
This can make a difference in your budget when it comes to pulling power from an
existing maxed-out power supply.
Another consideration is the tub skirt. Will the tub be placed on a platform
with a skirt finished in tile or other material? If not, be sure to include the
optional skirt. And for an installation where tile or wall finishes will abut
the outside edge of the tub, be sure to order a tub with an integral tile
flange. After-market tile flange kits can also be installed.
The number and location of jets is an important factor. If you have lower back
pain, one or more jets at that location on the tub would be a good idea. In
addition, some tubs can be ordered with larger, quieter pumps or more than one
pump.
Don't forget optional waterproof pillows, timers and trim finish that can be
coordinated to match your faucet finish. And speaking of faucets, be prepared
for a little plumbing reconfiguration if you will change an existing wall-mount
faucet to a deck-mount tub spout and handles. Who knows, you might even want to
throw in a hand shower while you are at it, great for late night water fights.
Be prepared for minor adjustment to the drain location too.
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