We need to remodel our bathroom but it is our only one

[steve65]

Hi All,

We would like to start remodeling our bathroom the problem that we have is, it’s our only one. I am going to pay a plumber to do most of it. I am hoping I can do some to reduce the cost.

I am thinking about putting in a temporary bathroom in our basement during the construction. The entrance to the basement is only 24" wide period, no give at all. I was thinking of putting up a 3 piece shower stall and a flushing up toilet, our sewer line is 4 ft above the basement floor. I did not want to spend a lot of money on this, just something to get us by.

Am I going about this the right way or is there an option I have not seen, besides a motel ;)

Thank you for your time, Steve

[Rich]

Why wouldn't you be able to use the bathroom during construction? The biggest part of it would be the shower - and I, who is not that great of a plumber, have taken a tub/shower out, revamped the plumbing, and put a new tub/shower in in under a day. Protect it during the drywall, tape and finish stages and try and schedule them on a Friday so on Saturday it won't kill you to not have a shower until you cleaned up the area.
Yes - it will be a major inconvenience but if it's planned out it could work.

[grumpydasmurf]

LOL I am in the same situation. Use a bucket ;)

Seriously I see no reason why you cant use the bathroom during contraction. Of all remodels I would dare to say the bathroom moves the quickest, unless you are moving tubs and toilets around. If all you are doing is updating, you should be fine.

Do what Rich said. If I had two baths I would demo the whole thing first and start empty. Since you can't do that this is how I plan to proceed:

1)Demo the vanity and floor. Brush teeth in kitchen.
2)Demo the tub. Install new tub. Protect new tub.
3)Demo the wall tile. Install new tile.
4)Install new floor and vanity.
5)Demo toilet. Install new toilet.

This is how I would approach it based upon my daily living needs and a desire to keep the area as clean as possible. I would dare to suspect that alone I could remodel my bathroom in 4 10 hour days.

[steve65]

Our floor is a concrete floor and our soil stack corroding to the point that I think it would be wise to replace it while the bathroom is a mess. Our neighbors stack went bad about 6 months ago and mine is starting to crack at the bottom. :( So I was thinking that this could take some time.

To make the best use of space it would be better if we relocated the bath, toilet and sink, but then again that all depends on money.

Is there a place on the web that would help in estimating the job?

[Tom R]

A complete 'gut and remodel' of a small bathroom takes about 6 or 7 days, and 'averages' about $6,500.00. That's new everything. Tell the contractor to just re-install the toilet at the end of each workday, and take showers at your sister's.

[ndemge]

...shower at a neighbors....

Portapoty, $75 for a week delivered.

[grumpydasmurf]

Hey Tom, that advice was golden... but I am not sure if Steve is going to DIY this job or hire it out.