Planning a full bathroom remodel

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Belly35's avatar
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
Mar 13, 2011 4:06pm
Wow both sucks ...in terms of space...

I will send this photo to my daughter (Architect)
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Mar 13, 2011 4:10pm
Belly35;710050 wrote:Wow both sucks ...in terms of space...

I will send this photo to my daughter (Architect)

Yeah, there isn't much space to work with. Ideally I'd like a stand up shower upstairs and keep the tub/shower downstairs because I hate showering in a clawfoot tub but without moving the toilet I don't know how to put a shower in there. Ideally the shower would be the width of the room and the toilet would move next to the vanity but I'm not sure what the cost is for moving plumbing like that.
O
oletiger
Posts: 166
Mar 13, 2011 4:49pm
yea that upstairs one is a tough cookie, any room to move a wall for space?
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Mar 13, 2011 4:52pm
oletiger;710141 wrote:yea that upstairs one is a tough cookie, any room to move a wall for space?

Nope, we're stuck with that unfortunately.
Belly35's avatar
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
Mar 13, 2011 10:16pm
Is the upstair bathroon widith 5 foot plus ?
If so you can remove the toilet place the tub across the back of the room tile the wall around the window. The window is a plastic so no water danage there.
Place the toilet beside the tub and larger mirror to half the wall adding a double sink and for lighting have lights hanging or eye ball or track on the ceiling.
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Mar 14, 2011 9:52am
Belly35;711123 wrote:Is the upstair bathroon widith 5 foot plus ?
If so you can remove the toilet place the tub across the back of the room tile the wall around the window. The window is a plastic so no water danage there.
Place the toilet beside the tub and larger mirror to half the wall adding a double sink and for lighting have lights hanging or eye ball or track on the ceiling.

The tub is just a little bit longer than the room is wide. If anything gets shuffled around in that room the tub is going and we are putting in a stand up shower across the back of the room like you mentioned with the tub. My only concern there is how much it is going to cost to have the toilet plumbing moved because that is one thing that I know I can't DIY.
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Mar 14, 2011 9:54am
We hate the tub so much in that bathroom so much that in the almost 3 years that we've lived there we have never once taken a shower/bath in there.
password's avatar
password
Posts: 2,360
Mar 14, 2011 10:03am
You are probably looking at about $850.00 just for the plumbing work.You may just want to fill the tub with dirt and turn it into a indoor vegetable garden.
sherm03's avatar
sherm03
Posts: 7,349
Mar 14, 2011 10:03am
When you say downstairs bathroom...does that mean it is in the basement, or just on the first floor? Would make a big difference in terms of what would be better for resale value.
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Mar 14, 2011 10:27am
sherm03;711512 wrote:When you say downstairs bathroom...does that mean it is in the basement, or just on the first floor? Would make a big difference in terms of what would be better for resale value.

First floor. Our basement is unfinished and unusable for anything other than storage.
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Mar 14, 2011 10:28am
password;711510 wrote:You are probably looking at about $850.00 just for the plumbing work.You may just want to fill the tub with dirt and turn it into a indoor vegetable garden.

I could live with $850 to move the toilet if it means we'll actually start using that bathroom.
Belly35's avatar
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
Mar 14, 2011 10:47am
Note: Solve the problem upstairs first ... the down stairs bathroom has a few more options. I would strongly suggest that you put a bathtub and shower unit or tile unit w/ shower upstairs even if the tube is smaller ... it still counts as a tub... making a full bathroom home . Plus expanding the vanity and larger mirror is a big plus (women need that viewing area) Placing a full bathroom down stairs is not a good selling point but a nice half bath with shower and storage area down stairs is a nice selling point.



http://www.dimensionsguide.com/bathtub-dimensions/


http://www.lowes.com/pd_89243-95384-0133.017.020_4294857181_4294937087_?productId=3073499&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Tubs_4294857181_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1


Small Space Bath Tub
Are you afraid that your bathroom is too small to fit a bath tub? Worry not, because there are a lot of big ‘Lilliputian’ solutions that would enable you to still have the luxury of a bath tub even if your bathroom is less than 50 square feet. A lot of bathroom fixture manufacturers now sell (off the shelf) undersized bath tubs. There are also a number of companies willing to design a tub especially for your bathroom’s dimensions. You can even design your own bath tub and have it professionally made and installed.
Planning for and buying a small space bath tub, however, may not be as easy as it sounds. There are a number of functional and safety considerations to keep in mind. Here is a complete guide to buying (or designing) a small space bath tub.
Go small
The standard bath tub size is about five feet long and about 32 (sometimes 30) inches wide. It might be difficult to find smaller versions in non-specialty stores, but it is certainly not impossible. If you do not see any regular rectangular bath tub to fit your room’s dimensions, consider a corner tub – most of them are less than five feet in length. For example, the economy McKenzie bath tub (manufactured by American Standard) is only four feet long. Made of enameled steel, you can get it for a very low price from Home Depot and other major bathroom fixture retailers. There is also the popular Kohler Mayflower corner bath, also designed for tight rooms. It is a little pricier, but it comes in colored finishes.
Personalize a tub for your bathroom’s dimensions
Do you want your small space bath tub to have specific dimensions? Then have one custom-made to fit your bathroom’s specific dimensions. Contact bathroom contractors in your area and have the space surveyed. Most companies offer free estimates – be sure to call around first before signing up with a contractor, or you may be passing up great savings.
With some planning, you can even have a custom tub and shower combo built for your space to imitate units that can be bought ready made (they usually measure 29 5/8” x 31 ¾”). These space saving units may cost a little more, but they sure do go a long way. Have shelves, soap dishes, and perhaps even a seat built into the unit to get the most out of the space.
Note: You can remove the floor and redirect the plumbing drain to the toilet and also add the flexible plastic water line (http://www.ppfahome.org/pex/faqpex.html)

You should redo the flooring anyway for additional support ( I see the toilet is placed on a re-supported section of the floor) and better seal of flooring tile.
This tells me at one time something happen to the toilet drain system (should be looked into… could be a problem waiting to happen)

I used this to redo all the plumbing in my century old home (with turn off value at every junction works great and easy to install)


Chicago Architect daughter agrees...
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Mar 14, 2011 10:51am
So if it only has a shower it isn't considered a full bath?
sherm03's avatar
sherm03
Posts: 7,349
Mar 14, 2011 11:17am
justincredible;711537 wrote:First floor. Our basement is unfinished and unusable for anything other than storage.

Gotcha. Then I would do standing shower only in that upstairs bath. Even if it only counts as a half bath, it will be more attractive to prospective buyers than what you have now up there.
Belly35's avatar
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
Mar 14, 2011 11:32am
http://www.realtor.com/basics/buy/looking/lingo.asp

bathroom - a room containing a toilet, a sink, and a bathtub. Conventionally, this is regarded as a full bath. A three-quarter bath contains a toilet, a sink, and a shower; a half-bath contains a toilet and a sink; a quarter-bath typically consists of an alcove or small room with a sink.
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Mar 14, 2011 11:38am
Ah, so we'd have 1 3/4 baths. I wonder if I can get a built in tub small enough to fit in that upstairs bath. I can remember the dimensions offhand so I'll have to check when I get home.
Scarlet_Buckeye's avatar
Scarlet_Buckeye
Posts: 5,264
Mar 14, 2011 12:48pm
I would ONE TRIILLION percent go with a glass stand up shower in that "upstairs" bathroom instead of a tub/shower combo!!!!

Further, I would remodel that bathroom first.
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Mar 14, 2011 12:53pm
Scarlet_Buckeye;711685 wrote:I would ONE TRIILLION percent go with a glass stand up shower in that "upstairs" bathroom instead of a tub/shower combo!!!!

Further, I would remodel that bathroom first.

My wife wants downstairs done first. It's hard to argue against that. :)
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Mar 14, 2011 12:55pm
It does make more sense for us to do the upstairs bathroom first. The downstairs is already usable and we wouldn't have to use the upstairs in its current state while the remodel is going on downstairs. I think she wants downstairs done first since it is the only bathroom that guests see or use.
OneBuckeye's avatar
OneBuckeye
Posts: 5,888
Mar 14, 2011 12:56pm
You have any adjoining closets where you can knock a wall out in the upstairs then you could do a bath and a shower...
CenterBHSFan's avatar
CenterBHSFan
Posts: 6,115
Mar 14, 2011 12:59pm
Have you ever thought of one of those walk-in shower/tubs and then putting the shower head up on the wall and installing a circular shower curtain from the ceiling? That way you've got the best of both worlds.

Similar to this would utilize the space you have:

Belly35's avatar
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
Mar 14, 2011 1:03pm
Ask yourself this question: When showing your home to a family ...

Would an upstairs full bathroom with a larger sink area and mirror on the same level as the bedrooms be more appealing to a woman?

Look guys .... What you think about a full bathroom down stair does not count in the decision making process when coming to buying a family home…

Bathroom and Kitchen is the selling factors for women …
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Mar 14, 2011 1:07pm
This isn't necessarily a home that a family would buy. Our neighbors have been in their house the past 30 years and we are the 4th owners of our house since then. When we actually have a kid we will be the first family living in this house to have kids in that span. Also, the giant master walk-in closet with washer/dryer in it is a giant selling point for women. :)
Belly35's avatar
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
Mar 14, 2011 1:07pm
CenterBHSFan;711704 wrote:Have you ever thought of one of those walk-in shower/tubs and then putting the shower head up on the wall and installing a circular shower curtain from the ceiling? That way you've got the best of both worlds.

Similar to this would utilize the space you have:


The woman touch ... perfect solution .... bathtube, shower and space saving ...... very convent and a modern idea.....
justincredible's avatar
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Mar 14, 2011 1:13pm
Knowing our area and the potential buyers our house would draw that tub thing wouldn't help with resale. People buying houses in our area and price range will be young professional couples.