What is the scope of your "remodel"? Just replacing some tile and lighting, or a gut to the studs redo?

How comfortable are you tackling smaller DIY projects with the help of some of your handy friends? What's the biggest DIY project that you've handled before?

Bathrooms seem really scary because they're full of plumbing and expensive fixtures and fancy tile, but they are really just a series of smaller jobs all put together. If you have some gumption, some handy friends, and Google, a lot of bathroom remodels are pretty easy to DIY---as long as you have another bath available and are OK with an extended timeline.

I am not capable of DIY. I don't have any handy friends who live in my area. My only handy friend lives quite far away. This remodeling will include new flooring on the floor and bathroom floor, new shower pan, new tile in shower and shower floor, new vanity/sink, new faucets for the sink and shower, new towel bars, toilet paper holder (I had to get a new toilet the other day), new mirror, new light fixture, new medicine chest (big problem as the one I have is long and thin as that is the space where it would fit. New exhaust fan. I also want a spot light in the shower (if I can afford it) and possibly spot light or lights in teh ceiling as there is no window in the bathroom, and/or a dome skylight. Due to the bad showerpan, it is possible that some wall work will need to be done, but I don't know. In addition I need more storage and I was told it is possible to maybe cut into the wall and make a little in the wall medicine cabinet or storage. I don't know because on the other side of part of the wall is the air conditioner, and somewehre is the closet of the den/office (which would be the second bedroom if another human lived in the house).

missylin, when we needed to gut our bathroom, we hadn't done anything like that before, had just moved here 2 years before and really didn't know of any one we could get a referral from. We were also on a limited budget. Originally, I was going to General Contract the project myself and hire out each phase. While looking at tile, I asked the salesman if they had anyone they could refer for tile. They gave me a list and I called a couple for quotes. Each time I asked if they knew of a reputable plumber or carpenter. Once I got the plumber, he recommended his friend, a carpenter who happened to be a General Contractor. It was a timely process but in the end, the General Contractor gave us a turn key quote that was really reasonable so we went that route. He used the same plumber and so far we've been really happy with the results.

I will never use a Handyman again, that turned out to be a big disaster. He thought he knew everything, but knew very little in the end, and his work was sloppy to boot. We're even going to have 5 doors that he installed redone by the new GC. I don't know what area you're in, and how available help is, but you may want to give that method a try, it worked out really well for us. Good luck to you! -- Lukki

missylin-- where abouts are you? I might be able to recommend someone to you from your area. If you'd feel more comfortable, you can email me.

Whoever you hire, please make sure that they know what they are doing. Hopefully you won't have the same kind of experience as another poster here.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bad tile thread

Holy cow, Terriks! thank you for sharing. I feel so badly for Mary.

missylin-- the guy I recommended to you-- there's no need to worry. You could leave him alone for a week and come back to find the Taj Mahal.

Thank you! When I have picked out more things for my project I'll call him. Seems to early now, I have so much to decide and pick out, and I'm so slow at deciding on things.