Bathroom remodeling

21 years ago

My DH and I are getting ready to have the bathroom remodeled in our 1945 house. It should not take many weeks since it is a very small bathroom. We plan to replace the tub (beginning to rust), surround (the PO installed cheapo ones and they were not installed correctly according to my DH), toilet (2 pc to 1pc), change the pedstal sink to a bit larger one, install beadboard panels, new faucets, a new flooring, and new lighting.

My questions for anyone who went through a bathroom remodel:

1. How long did it take to rip out the old tub (I think it is a iron with ceramic over?) and install new one (arylic tub with matching surround from Sterling, a co under Kohler)?

2. Were there any surprises behind the surrounds and/or under the tub? I want to be prepared for any surprises or repairs to do.

3. How long did your bathroom remodel take?

4. Any tips or warnings for us?

Thanks in advance,

SR

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Comments (7)

Carol_from_ny
21 years ago
In an old house no matter how carefully you plan your going to run into the unexpected..it's one of those unwritten Murphy Laws.
The biggest challenge we've found so far in doing any redo involving pipes is that either said pipe breaks or needs some type of dohickey which is not readily available to finish the job OR the new fixtures just don't match up to the old ones...usually by some small fraction which of course sets everything else off OR things are attached with glue and/or screws that even the strongest man in the world can't remove.
alisande
21 years ago
Have you posted on the bathroom forum? Lots of remodelers there. My bathroom remodel is almost done. I can't help you with the tub question since I kept my old clawfoot tub (repainted). Everything else was replaced: toilet, flooring, sink, vanity, ceiling, lighting, window.

One tip is that I bought my faucets on eBay for a lot less than I could get them locally. Same in the kitchen.

Susan
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sunrochy
Original Author
21 years ago
Susan-
Yes I did post a link in the bathroom forum. I guess this topic may be not a popular project among remodeling projects.

I bought my faucets on eBay, too! :0) The costs were almost half of those I saw at Lowes and other stores.

SR
Tryin2Grow
21 years ago
I had someone do my bathroom, but as far as the tub goes, it came out, mortar foundation was laid for the new acrylic tub, so waiting for that to set up - maybe 2 days?

Yes, after removing the surround, discovered the source of the smell that bathroom always had was that mice had lived in the walls at one time. Urine and droppings. LOTS! Took care of that with a coat of primer. That's been discussed in other threads, so if you find that problem, there are solutions.

Depending on how much of a DIY the two of you are, you can always find help on the DIY website.
maisoui1
21 years ago
Our bathroom is 5x8. We just did a total gut job including putting in a whirlpool tub. Total time was 1 week. We did have a break because the tiles were delayed. Part of the trick in staying on schedule is to buy everything you need before they start anything in the gut job. Yes at least one thing will go "not quite right". For us, we had to replace a leaky pipe which turned out to being a good thing ... better find out during the renodel than after. The previous tiles had to be taken up and the floor leveled before we could put our tiles down.
mickimax
21 years ago
I just had the Ensemble oval tub shower surround by Sterling installed; I love it. Of course, I'm not using it yet as we are waiting for the drywall taper to finish the drywall. After that I'll paint and then the toilet, sink, vanity, shelves & medicine cabinet and rest of fixtures will be installed. It has been 5 weeks so far; not a hardship because this is a second bathroom, not the main one. It is taking me a longer time than usual, because I only have one carpenter and one electrician work on the room. Definitely buy everything as soon as you make up your mind. My wooden toilet seat by Kohler is still on order, even though the toilet got here in 2 weeks. I had the floor and fixtures bought before the room was dismantled.
sunrochy
Original Author
21 years ago
Thank y'all who replied to the questions. I am glad to get some ideas even if the remodel can be much different from others' experience. But at least I am getting some ideas. Right now my DH and I are working on gathering all items that we know we will need. However, there may be something that comes up that we didn't expect but Lowes is only 5 minutes drive from our home! :o)

Right now we have:
sink and tub faucets
pedestal sink and base
1 pc toilet

We are waiting on our floor tiles (pictures of a sample were posted in the bathroom forum about 2 months ago-it is being imported from England, should be here by end of June hopefully)

In a few days we will place an order for:
Ensemble tub and surround (Sterling - under Kohler)

We will be getting:
beadboard panels
1 piece of baseboard (to put behind the sink, there is none since the PO did not put one behind his shoddy, crubby homemade vanity-was taken out and replaced with small pedestal sink for time being)
3 drywalls (for in case they are needed to replace the damaged drywalls behind the old surround, if any)
insultation for under the new tub

So we should have all those things ready for Aug's project. Anything y'all think we should put on our list? (the decorating details will be taken care of after the messy part is done).

SR