Budget bathroom makeovers can make big difference

Ali asks:

I have just bought an investment property, and the bathroom definitely needs some cosmetic changes. Any advice on how I do this on a tight budget?

Jane says:

Renovating for profit can be a challenge for investors after the initial and significant property purchase. If the money available for sprucing up the property is strictly limited, there are still heaps of great ideas to help you put the sparkle back into a tired bathroom. What you can do is limited by the budget, the space available, your practical knowledge, and your imagination – all these factors will vary from owner to owner.

A good way to work out what needs doing first is to give your bathroom a thorough clean. Getting into the nooks and crannies ensures you know of every little ugly that the seller was hiding from you. Mirrors, shower screens, tiles and grouting can be steam cleaned, as well as the ceiling. Give all the drawers and cupboard areas a good wipe over, as well as any painted surfaces.

Remember, keep to the overall ‘theme’ or décor of the bathroom – you’re not going for a full makeover, just a freshen up.

If the bathroom doesn’t have a fan, an excellent starting purchase is a fan/light/heater unit. This will help control the amount of moisture in the room.

If the bathroom isn’t tiled and you have access to a well-priced tradesman, consider installing new floor or wall tiles. If you already have tiles, painting these over with a specialised paint is an excellent way to spruce up your bathroom. You can DIY paint wall tiles, but never for floors. Floor tiles do need to be resurfaced professionally. This can be expensive so sometimes a whole new floor finish works out to be more cost effective.

Replacing smaller fittings such as mirrors, tapware, towel rails, light fittings and door pulls can really invigorate a bathroom décor. Stainless steel or brushed steel contributes a clean polished look.

If the vanity looks tired, consider having this replaced. However, be aware of the knock-on effects of such a seemingly simple project; for instance flooring, walls, mirror and plumbing. Resurfacing a bath is an excellent option but can seem expensive on the surface (around $700-$800 usually). However, what it’ll cost you to refinish an existing bath will save you in other costs you may not expect with replacing a bath (wall finishes, floor finishes, plumbing implications etc). If you can afford it, think about installing a frameless glass shower screen. Glass adds a clean sleek look to the shower area making the area seem more spacious than, say, a framed screen or a solid shower curtain.

Doing most of the work yourself will save a bundle, but keep in mind you must use a licensed tradie for some work.

Renovating for profit is a skill that not everyone possesses! And renovating your investment property should be all about the numbers; what it costs you to renovate vs the return you get from your efforts (in the form of capital growth and cashflow from your property).

Sparking up the bathroom doesn’t have to be a penny-pinching chore. Get creative and dirty – shop wisely and imaginatively, and you could create a bathroom that is user-friendly and pleasant to the eye without costing an arm and a leg.