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Bathroom Planning Tips

Consider these issues now so that you don't face expensive change orders later:

▪ Size of step up into shower? (I recommend at least 4.5 inches.)

▪ Do you want indented nooks for soap/shampoo?

▪ Do you want the soap dishes to be glued-on or tiled?

▪ What showerhead height would you like?

▪ Framed or frameless shower door?

▪ Angle of tile on floor? (diagonal is best for small room)

▪ Will there be a round or elongated toilet?

▪ Will you see the toilet when you walk in?

▪ Will you have proper clearances at front/sides of toilet?

▪ Will there be tempered glass in windows above tub? (Some jurisdictions require this.)

▪ What direction would you like the shower door to swing?

▪ Will you be using solid surface bowls or drop-in bowls for the vanity?

▪ Exact position/variety of lights?

▪ Be sure there’s bath fan. Where will bath fan vent to outside (not attic)?

▪ Consider putting bath fan on a timer switch separate from bath fan light.

▪ Sinks: pedestal or vanity? (plumbing is different so decide early.)

▪ Mirrors: full-wall or hanging mirrors?

▪ Have you chosen the locations of the electrical receptacles?

▪ Pick out fixtures early: tell countertop people width between faucets.

▪ If you are adding a toilet in the basement, will you need a sump pump to pump the sewage uphill and out of the house? If so, where will sump pump be?

▪ Do you want a linen closet?

▪ What kind of tile will you be using?

▪ Where does tile go up to on wall?

▪ Color of tile/grout?

▪ What kind of shower valve/shower head?

▪ What kind of tub?

▪ Determine the model numbers of everything including toilet, as early as possible.

▪ Pick out your towel bars, shower rods, and soap dishes?

▪ Do you want a medicine cabinet? Will it go into the wall or protrude from the wall?

▪ What kind of surface material will you use for the countertop?

▪ What is your desired height of the countertop? Height of backsplash?

▪ Will there be cabinets? If so, what kind and where will they be placed?

▪ Ask your plumber about putting escutions around the pipes to cover holes. (Escutions are the round metal sleeves that surround the pipe as it goes into the wall. They are decorative and are used to cover the hole in the wall.)

Active builder and instructor of "Save Time and Money in Home Remodeling" cont. ed. course at Emory University