Is adding a bathroom a good investment?

6 years ago

I own a 27-year-old 4 bed, 3 bath home. The daylight walkout basement is finished for a family/rec area. There is no bathroom on this lower level (although the plumbing is roughed in). We are considering selling in the next five years. Would it be worth the money to add a bathroom on this lower level? It would not be for us as much as an investment.

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homechef59

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

As an appraiser, I would say that you won't get the full investment back. But, you will get a goodly portion of it back when you go to sell.

As a homeowner, I would suggest that if you or your family uses the finished basement space, it would be a great convenience and a worthwhile quality of life project. Your house will live better and you may end up staying there longer.

A realtor will tell you that a home with a nicely finished basement with a nice bath will be easier and quicker to sell.

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JudyG Designs
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Yes. All you need is a half bath. Who would want to be in a basement rec room and have to climb the stairs to use facilities?

Sink/toilet/maybe a fun wallpaper…I think is $ investment to make $$$ on the sale.

How could a potential buyer not value something like this?
Julie Petersen thanked JudyG Designs
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mainenell
6 years ago
I think the half bath since the plumbing is there would be nice to have. You probably wouldn’t recoup the cost unless you kept it very simple and we’re able to do some or most of the work yourself.
Julie Petersen thanked mainenell
chocolatebunny123
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I live in the Midwest where finished basements are desired for resale. Even more desired in a bathroom in the basement. When we finished our basement 2 years ago, we added a full bathroom (no rough in so we started from scratch). We could have gotten away with a shower, but my husband wanted the tub/shower combo. It's one of the best improvements we've done to the house. We know we probably won't recoup all our money, but we use it all the time. Edit - we did not do high end finishes either. Our vanity is from Menards and looks really nice.

We've looked at other homes (considering moving) and we've crossed off ones that do not have a finished bathroom in the basement.
Julie Petersen thanked chocolatebunny123
summersrhythm_z6a
6 years ago
Bathrooms sell houses. The more the better. :-)

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/01/why-do-american-houses-have-so-many-bathrooms/605338/