ebook slider bathroom guide - Buckingham Group Tulsa

Add Luxury and Lasting Value to Your Home

Modernizing your bathroom makes your home more convenient, appealing and more functional. Perhaps you’d prefer a tiled walk-in shower with doorless entry? If you need more storage, better lighting, or need to change your bathroom to accommodate your changing needs we can help you achieve your goal. Each and every bathroom has special uses in a home, whether it’s a master suite with luxurious bath, or just a tiny powder room. Adding a walk-in shower, or a sauna, or rearranging to maximize your space, you will appreciate our dedication to making your dream come true.

eighT sTePs To your New BATh
What do you want to do?
Have you thought about…?
What ’s your look?
setting your budget range
Finalizing your choices
How will it come together?

918-624-2666
kaplan-bgi@tulsacoxmail.com

4. Finalize room layout and design

The questions and format within have been adapted from the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s brochure on bathroom remodeling

Eight steps to your new bathroom

While decorating shows on TV are fun and inspirational, the real life process of creating a new bathroom takes longer and involves many more “behind the scenes” steps than first meets the eye. Here, the NKBA spells out the eight steps to achieving your dream.

1. Assess your needs

What are your main objectives? Your priorities will drive all further decisions on budget, style, products and more. So give this step some time and talk it through with your family.

2. Establish a budget range

Mr. Kaplan may have several ideas on how you can best use your space, each with different budget implications. Make notes on how you use your space, where the current roadblocks are, and what you wish worked better.

3. Contact The Buckingham Group

Determine how much you can realistically invest
in your new bathroom and how you plan to pay for it. Shop around to get an idea of product prices and remember that installation can be about 20% of the budget.

So how long will all this take?

Keep all receipts, contracts, warranties and product information. Understand the proper care and maintenance of all new products, then relax and enjoy your dream come true.

5. Decide on a look

Define your style by collecting pictures, visiting showrooms and home shows, and making notes of individual elements you like.

6. Choose products

You’ll have a seemingly endless list of product decisions to make. Your experienced Buckingham Group professional can help you sort out what’s truly the best for your needs.

7. Plan for the installation

8. Kick back and enjoy, for years to come!

Consider who will be responsible for finding and supervising the electricians, plumbers, tile contractors, carpenters, cabinet installers and all the other trades involved with a new bath.

Longer than a TV episode, for sure!
The size and scope of your project will determine the time frame, which could be anywhere from four to six weeks for simple improvements or changes, to six or eight months or more for a full-scale remodeling.

Be aware of delivery times
Timing also depends on product choices. Special plumbing fixtures can require weeks for delivery. The same is true of custom cabinets. Then there are some things that just have to wait their turn. Grout or sealants, for example, may have to dry before work can continue.

Sometimes, things happen
Unexpected delays can occur if structural deficiencies are found when walls or floors are opened up. It’s best to tell your Buckingham Group bath professional if you have a deadline for your new bath. They can give you a realistic time estimate based on the parameters of your specific project.

What do you want to do?

Here’s a questionnaire to get you started.

Determining your priorities for a new bathroom, and sticking to them, will help you and your Buckingham Group professional make the best decisions about budget, design, layout and products.

About Your Project

About your family

Number and age of household members:

________________________________________

________________________________________

Do you anticipate:

New children arriving?__ yes __ no

Children leaving home?__ yes __ no

Adult children returning home?__ yes __ no

Parent(s) coming to live with you?__ yes __ no

Does anyone in your family have physical issues that should be considered (difficulty standing, walking, bending, poor eyesight, arthritis)?

Describe:

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

Who will be the primary users of this bath?

Adults__ yes __ no

Children__ yes __ no

Guests__ yes __ no

Are you remodeling?__ yes __ no

Are you remodeling an existing full bath?__ yes __ no

A powder room/half bath?__ yes __ no

Thinking of expanding the existing bath?__ yes __ no

Approximately how big is your bathroom now?

__________ ft. x _________ ft.

Or are you adding:

A full bath?__ yes __ no

A powder room/half bath? __ yes __ no

How old is your home? _____

How long are you planning to stay there? _____

Are you building a new home? __ yes __ no

How many half baths or powder rooms? ____

Your Goals

Would you like to have

Air Tub__ yes __ no

Whirlpool tub__ yes __ no

Large shower instead of a tub__ yes __ no

Steam shower__ yes __ no

Vanity with sit-down dressing table__ yes __ no

Television__ yes __ no

Laundry area__ yes __ no

Three things you want most in your new bathroom:

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

Three things you dislike most about your bathroom now:

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

Update the look of the room__ yes __ no

Update bathroom for resale of our home__ yes __ no

Add more space__ yes __ no

Create a master suite for relaxation__ yes __ no

Create a bath for the children to use__ yes __ no

Create a good-looking guest bath__ yes __ no

Improve the function of the room__ yes __ no

Improve the storage__ yes __ no

Other:

________________________________________

________________________________________

Have you thought about…?

As you plan your new bath, you may have some special personal priorities. They could be environmental concerns, health and safety issues or longer-term family needs. Many of the health, safety and usability factors are addressed by the NKBA Bathroom Planning Guidelines with Access Standards. But no matter what your concerns, your Buckingham Group professional will be able to address them.

User friendly...

All bathrooms should function beautifully for their users, but it’s worthwhile to think about any longterm changes anticipated in your family.

Will the bath be used by someone who might prefer to dry their hair, apply makeup or perform other grooming tasks while seated?

Will it be used by anyone relying on a wheelchair, walker, cane or other device? If so, is space adequate for turning in a wheelchair? Is the shower designed without a threshold? Is there a seat in the shower? Are there properly installed and located grab bars (towel bars are not a substitute).

Is there enough lighting for someone with diminished eyesight?

Can the vanity be raised to a more back-friendly height?

Can drawers, rollouts and pullouts make items accessible without bending?

Are faucet handles easy to operate?

Are there thermostatic and/or pressure-balanced valves to prevent scalding?

NKBA members can help you select environmentally friendly, sustainable and attractive products for your new bathroom, and can also manage your project in an environmentally responsible manner. Here are some things to consider:

Can some materials from your old bath be recycled? Or reused in a basement or garage?

Will fixtures (toilets, faucets, shower heads) carry the EPA’s WaterSense label? If so, they are 20 percent more water efficient than average products in that category.

Will the wood in your new cabinets, countertops or floors come from a sustainably managed forest? Sustainable wood products — products made from forests that grow quickly and are easily replenished — have become more popular. Examples of fast-growing species are bamboo, Lyptus, cane, and some maple.

ECOLOGICALLY RESPONSIBLE…

Health friendly...

Can you use recycled countertop materials? Flooring?

How energy-efficient will your new lighting be?

Is this a good time to change to new, more efficient windows?

If any walls are going to be opened, can you add more insulation?

Will new finishes and materials be low-VOC?

A thoughtfully designed bath can contribute to your family’s health, safety and well-being. For example:

Proper ventilation removes humidity that can contribute to mold.

Medications and cleaning products can be stored safely out of the reach of children.

If anyone in your home is highly sensitive and/or allergic, special cabinet finishes and materials can be specified to minimize problems.

Non-slip flooring can help prevent falls.

Proper use of GFCI s (ground-fault circuit interrupters) can prevent shocks.

Adequate lighting can increase safety.

Whirlpools and steam baths can foster relaxation and soothe sore muscles.

Aromatherapy and chromatherapy can offer health benefits.

Grab bars, which are now very attractive, can enhance safety for people of all ages.

What’s your look?

It all works today. We’ve assembled these Buckingham Group kitchen remodels to help you pinpoint your favorites. Do the same with your clippings file. Note: what you love about the room: the color, the materials, a special detail or just the overall tone. The more specific you are, the more the Buckingham Group can work with you to define your style.

WHITE AND WONDERFUL

What do you like about this bathroom?

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

What don’t you like about this bathroom?

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

LACQUERED CABINETS AND STONE COUNTERTOPS

CRISP AND CLEAN

RICH WOODS

What do you like about this bathroom?

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

What don’t you like about thisbathroom?

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

CONTEMPORARY

OLD WORLD

Setting your budget range

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR SETTING YOUR BUDGET

Keep your priorities front and center. A designer faucet for several thousand dollars or one that’s about $100? A $100 sink or one that’s $3,500? A $4 polished brass knob or a $98 crystal model? What’s important to you?

Cabinetry and hardware typically account for about 16% of your investment, and fixtures are about 15%.

Remember that installation generally runs approximately 20% of the budget.

What does a bathroom cost? You ultimately decide by the scope of your project, the products you select and the services you’d like. (Of course, labor rates in your area have some bearing on it too.)

On a cost-per-square-foot basis, a bath can be one of the most expensive rooms to remodel. That’s due in part to the complexities of plumbing and to the need for multiple contractors to work sequentially in a small space.

However, with a wide variety of quality products available, there’s a bath for almost any budget, ranging from the very attractive to the super deluxe.

To share a few examples: a master suite with all the amenities and luxurious materials in a major metro area could reach $100,000. However, a lovely yet modest makeover in a smaller town might be achieved for less than $10,000.

The NKBA’s handy chart on the following page explains how that breaks down by products and services.

WAYS TO SAVE

Set priorities so you know where to allocate your dollars.

Don’t move plumbing, mechanical systems or walls unless it will greatly improve the space.

Avoid changing your mind once products are ordered and installation begins.

Have a clear set of specifications before comparison shopping.

Be sure to compare exactly the same products, not just similar ones. The price for the same model of faucet, for example, will vary by finish. Granite prices vary by grade.

Everyone shops online, but it’s important to visit showrooms and be sure what you see online is what you think it is.

SOME FRIENDLY ADVICE

Get a written proposal with detailed specifications of all products and services.

Be sure that you understand the payment schedule. Is there a design fee? A retainer? What payments are due, and when?

Never pay 100% up front.

Be sure at the end of the job there are no contractor liens.

Set aside some money for contingencies, perhaps 10% to 20% of your project.

BATHROOM Remodeling Costs

Design fees:4%

Installation:20%

FIXTURES:15%

Cabinetry & Hardware:16%

Countertops:7%

Lighting AND VENTILATION: :9%

Flooring:7%

Doors & Windows:4%

Walls & Ceilings::5%

Faucets & Plumbing:14%

Other:1%

When it comes to resale, check with real estate professionals to find out specifically for your neighborhood what the return would be for a new or additional bathroom. National statistics can give you a general idea, but what matters most is your neighborhood.

Find out how much more quickly your home would sell with a new or additional bathroom.

Discuss your budget with an your Buckingham Group pro. They work a variety of price ranges, and can tell you up front whether they’re the right fit for your project.

The Buckingham Group professional can also help you get the most value for your investment.

Finalizing your choices

Here’s a handy checklist of everything you may want to consider for your new kitchen. Don’t worry, your Buckingham Group professional will help weigh the pros and cons of each to fit your lifestyle.

SINKS/LAVATORIES

Separate or shower/tub combination

One or two-person

One-piece molded

Pan with separate wall material

Custom-built

Tile, acrylic, solid surface, fiberglass, cultured marble (cast polymer)

Door: glass, acrylic, other

Steam shower

Shower seat

Grab bars

Adjustable sprays

Body sprays

Hand shower

TUB

SHOWER

Separate tub

Tub/shower combination

Size and shape

One-person? Two-person?

Acrylic, fiberglass, steel, cast iron, solid surface, cultured marble (cast polymer)

Jetted tub (whirlpool jets, air jets)

Chromatherapy

Recessed with one finished side (apron)

Freestanding (claw foot)

Platform/deck (wood, tile, stone, other material, undermount tub, top mount tub)

Combination tub/shower

One-piece molded unit

Attached sliding door

No fixed door (shower curtain)

Grab bars

TUB FAUCETS

Mounting (floor, deck, wall)

Hand shower

Finish

Single handle

Double handle

Thermostatic

Pressure balanced

Shower diverter

One or two sinks

Undermount, integral, self rimming, vessel style, pedestal

Porcelain, solid surface, cultured marble, quartz, copper, other metal, glass

SHOWER HEAD

Built-in niches for soap, shampoo, etc.

No threshold

SHOWER HEAD CONTROLS

Single handle

Double handle

Thermostatic

Pressure balanced

Tub diverter

Laundry

Vanities & other cabinetry

medicine cabinet

flooring

lighting

With light

With heat

Extra quiet

Humidity sensor

Door material (wood, laminate)

Hardware (knobs, pulls)

Comfort height

Drawers

Sitting area

Interior storage aids (pull outs, roll outs, trash cans, clothes hamper, etc.)

Toilet topper wall cabinets

Linen cabinet

Wood or metal

Recessed or surface mounted

Single, double or triple mirror

With TV

Refrigerated

Ambient

Grooming, around mirror

Toilet Area

In tub or shower

Fluorescent, incandescent, LED, xenon, halogen

Washer, Dryer

Stacked

Front or top loading

SINK FAUCETS

Single or double handle

Finish: chrome, nickel, brass, other decorative

vanity tops

Ceramic tile

Quartz and solid surface

Cultured marble
(cast polymer)

Granite

Marble

Laminate

Edge treatments

toilets

Tile

Vinyl

Stone

Laminate

Wood

Radiant heat

ventilation

One piece or two piece

Elongated

Comfort height

Separate compartment

Bidet

Grab Bars

Accessories

Towel bars or rings

Magnifying makeup mirrors

Toilet paper holders

Soap and lotion dispensers

Tissue boxes

Robe hooks

Soap dishes

Toothbrush and tumbler holders

other amenities

Towel warmers

Music

How will it all come together?

While it may not be fun having your bathroom torn out and your household disrupted, proper planning can alleviate some of the stress. Get a jump start with our checklists here.

3. Keep on schedule by

2. remember to...

• Ask for a written schedule

• State your preferences about music, smoking and eating on the premises.

• Keep pets and children out of the work area

• Close off the rest of the house as much as possible.

• Remove artwork on walls adjoining the bathroom since hammering can jar them.

• Communicate in advance with neighbors so they know what to expect.

• Be accessible- Let the crew or general contractor know how to reach you.

• Where will products go before installation?
In the garage? On a porch? Living room or dining room?

• How will they be delivered? Through the front or back door? Down a hallway? Up or down stairs? Through a bedroom?

• How will your old bath be removed?

• Where will you put a dumpster if needed?

• What hours will the crew be in your home?

• Who do you talk to if you believe there’s a problem? The crew or someone else?

• What is the procedure for change orders? Who do you contact?

DO IT YOURSELF?
Yes , No or Maybe?

The success of your bath depends on the quality
of the installation and attention to fine details. In inexperienced hands, vanity doors and drawers may not align properly, tile may not lay out attractively, different materials may meet in awkward ways, and the overall look can be a disappointment.

If you’re thinking of doing it yourself, realistically consider your skills and time available. Are you generally handy? Do you have the right tools? Have you tackled a project like this before? Do you have any help? Do you like doing projects like this? Would you be better off handling some tasks like painting, wallpapering or installing a sink or floor, versus doing the whole job?

There are NKBA members who can work with Do-It-Yourselfers to create a plan and supply fixtures, fittings, vanities and other materials.

1. Think about

• Have products you supply on hand before work begins (remember there can be long lead times).

• Don’t substitute a product without telling your designer (even small changes can have a big impact).

• Keep any changes to a minimum