Budget Buster Bathroom Remodel

[ScoobySMC]

We were in desparate need of a bathroom remodel. We bought the house about 5 years ago and the tiles were not grouted properly so it caused water damage. Well our estimate is 3,400 dollars just for pluming and labour for installing the new tiles. This is including us doing the demolition and ripping out everything to the studs in the room. We have already purchased 1000 in new tiles for everything and need to pick up about 100 more dollars worth, and have already ordered new fixtures, countertop, vanity, medicine cabinet, toilet, and mirror. That was another 1200. So all together its costing us around 6000. We however saved some money doing the shopping and the demolition ourself thank goodness. With all of this going on its hard for me to begin to get excited about my trip in 2 months..

 

[BrettS]

Just a quick note if you're planning on doing the work yourself. Tile grout is *not* waterproof, so if you're doing a shower or tub surround you need to put in a waterproof layer with proper drainage behind the tile. Otherwise water will just go through the grout again and cause more damage. If you're using a contractor, then hopefully they already know this and you should be in good shape

If you are trying to do the work yourself, take a look a look at the John Bridge tile forums (www.johnbridge.com). They have a lot of advice for DIY tilers.

 

[sydneysmom]

also, you can buy a "grout sealer" in Home Depot / Lowe's / any hardware store. You definitely want to put this on your grout as added protection. It will make it so water won't soak into your grout. We just got finished doing remodel on 2 bathrooms as well.

You want to keep applying the grout sealer until it just won't soak into the grout anymore. It works wonderfully. but make sure you use it liberally and sponge it into your grout. You'll need to do it probably 3 or 4 times before you'll notice it just won't take any more in. This was the one we got ( brand) but the one we got was the heavy duty in the dk green bottle. (which isn't showing up online)
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

but we put this on our grout everywhere. it will make your grout SO much easier to clean, as it resists stains.

 

[darrengs]

I am a big believer of the Schluter Systems membranes http://www.schluter.com/ for tile work. Applied over your cement board and under the tiles it make for a strong waterproof job.

 

[ScoobySMC]

Thank yall so much for your ideas. I am meeting with the contractor at the end of the month. Yeah a whole month away And i am gonna make sure that it is waterproofing done somewhere in the job. They are a fairly new company and I have checked with the BBB for reviews and they have none yet. But i have seen some of his work and it seems great. BUT im still gonna double check