Converting half bathroom into a full bathroom

Many houses have a spare powder room that doesn't get much use. If you have some spare space converting a powder room into a full bathroom by adding a shower can add value and additional functionality to your house. Here are some tips to help you keep the cost down. 

Aim to extend the bathroom into an area that already has plumbing

While it is possible to extend a bathroom into any direction, it will be cheapest to extend the bathroom in an area that i already plumbed. If you extend into an area that has a solid foundation and there are modifications required to the foundation this can be very expensive. Alternately you can look at extending the bathroom footprint into an area that doesn't currently have a foundation (ie part of a verandah or part of the yard). This can be a little more expensive but does allow you maximum flexibility in where you place the tub/shower, sink, and toilet. 

Reuse as much as possible of the current materials

Many of the items in a bathroom can be expensive so if possible try to reuse items such as toilets or light fittings. In some cases, this can be hard especially if you are looking to switch to space saving or water saving appliances, but you can often find recycled items from demolitions or other people's bathroom renovations that you can reuse. These are often substantially lower in cost than using new items. 

Use professional tradespeople for the critical jobs

While it can be tempting to try and DIY or use friends and family for a job like this, for the main trades such as plumbing, electrical work, and tiling it is a good idea to use professional tradespeople. It is cheaper to get these jobs done right the first time rather than pay for expensive repairs down the track. You may also invalidate your home owners insurance if you do important jobs such as wiring or plumbing yourself and end up needing repairs because of the workmanship. Why not contact a bathroom renovation service to get a quote on getting the job done professionally? It is often a lower cost than you would expect. 

Adding a full bathroom where you currently have a powder room can be an effective way to increase the value of your home. You can keep costs down by being smart about the footprint of the bathroom to minimise plumbing costs, using recycled materials, and by using professional tradespeople.