My Home Design

Should a bathroom remodeling all be done at once?

I am wanting to remodel the entire bathroom. Is it okay to just do the floors and new sink cabinet, etc and then wait until later to do the tub surround area? There is also a half wall between the toilet and tub area that will probably come down during second phase. Or is it better to do it all at the same time? Why? the tub will be replaced and I do have a second bathroom to use.

Public Comments

1. U could split into 2 jobs..Just be sure if u have to mess with the pipes that belong to both sink and tub can be done in 2 jobs. If u have to do the pipe work in 1 job then do tub and cabinet and see if u can wait to do flooring if possible. Get ideas from Lowe's or Home Depot for the remodeling work.
2. I would ask a contractor this question, but I think it would be better to do the whole thing at once. You said you wanted to replace your floors and if you do that, and then go back and do other work, won't you mess up your new floors?
3. Consider the entire project for a moment. Understand that you will have a lot of things torn open, removing the flooring, the sink cabinet, etc. Wouldn't it be easier to do it all at once instead of possibly damaging your new floor or sink cabinet while trying to remove the old tub surround later? Also think about the mess, two messes instead of one. Not to mention your tools and all the materials, you will basically be doing things twice. If you are hiring someone, it could cost you a lot more to have them come back. It's always best, if you can afford it and if you have the time and resources, to do the entire project at one time. I hope this helps..... rentahandyman@yahoo.com
4. Certainly the plumbing issues should be resolved in coordination and asap. Finish work need not tie up the fact that you may have to bathe in a kitchen sink, or at your neighbors. All the "Stuff" that relates to decorating can obviously be done in steps/stages, depending largely on how long you are Ok with a bathroom unfinished, budget, material availability, etc. In your case,,, and yet you don't state you're replacing the TUB,, I suggest, again,,, anything that delivers, or flushes water should be the number one priority. After those are in working order, you should be able to endure bare walls, floors, etc. for a tolerable amount of time. Rev. Steven More bath remodels than anything else? Yikes!!!
5. No no no you can only get two models at a time into a bathroom
6. no because you'll probly mess up.
7. If you only have 1 bathroom, then doing it in phases is best. If you have 2 bathrooms! Tearing out everything first makes it easier to rebuild. Or a neighbor who doesn't mind the pit stops!!
8. Do you have a second bathroom to use in the meantime? If so, take your time, otherwise do it in one fell swoop. There's nothing worse than trying to use a half finished bathroom.
9. If you are doing it yourself, it is fine to break the job into phase 1 and phase 2. But if you are re-tiling, buy all the tile in 1 lot. And, of course, is this your only bathroom? If you are paying a contractor, it would probably be cheaper to get it done as 1 job.
10. it is nicer to get it over with all at once and you will enjoy it when it is totaly completed . but finances may play a role and then you do as you feel comfortable.
11. i wouldn't even think of doing such a project in halfs. things have to knit together. how can you do a floor when you're gonna pull down a wall later? if you're remodeling you'll want new walls and the tub surround goes over yet you can't use the shower without the tub surround cause you don't want the wall to be wet. Just does'nt work out. I remodeled two bathrooms this summer and insisted everything was new (including tub, shower and stool) knowing if it wasn't something would have to be replaced at some later date. besides there is the pride thing and the mess thing.
12. Method: Do it in stages. Why: So you can get your mind around each project, and so it will come out better, because you can concentrate on doing a great job each time. Method: Do it in stages. Why: So you can still afford to buy groceries. Method: Do it in stages. Why: So you can brag about the excellent work you do, and gain the compliments of the people to whom you show it, as it is being completed.
13. speaking from a drywall fiishers standpoint,by all means yes, get it all done at once so you dont have to interupt your daily routine. living in a remodel can be a real pain.
14. If you put in a new floor and then a month later tear out a wall you have to fix the floor under what 'was' the wall. And what if the new sink cabinet is just a tad smaller than the old one. Then you have to fix the floor around that. To install a complete wall to wall new floor you need to take everything out. So you might as well replace with all new stuff. Not to mention it would be one big mess you could clean up and be completely finshed.
15. The plumbing and floor are the major problems, if you run into something unexpected. You don't want to have to do it over.
16. it would be best if you can hold it that long or have another bathroon
17. As a person that sells people their bathrooms, I always suggest that everything is done at once. Saving time for people to come back and forth. And it narrows the chance of anything getting damaged. Which is good.
18. ALL AT SAME TIME SAVES MONEY AND TURMOIL
19. do it all at once the results will show. most contractors don't want to mess around. They want to get the job done and paid. And a lot of us don't like to drag a job on. to do it properly and most cost effective you would demo everything that is going to be changed. this will give the carpernters , plumbers,hvac electricians, time do do their thing then the whole thing gets closed up("sheet rocked") and the gang has one more go at it to finish it and put the final touches on. this way all the seams mouldings and tile work are all done at the same time making for a much better finished product.
20. All that work and you are leaving the old tub? Just rip out the entire bathroom and do it right. In fact, hire a contractor.