Reader Bathroom: $25,000 to Redo Multiple Baths in Switzerland
An American couple had master and guest bathrooms that functioned poorly. Now they have spaces that work beautifully
Erin Carlyle
October 28, 2016
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
This series profiles bathroom remodels shared by homeowners on Houzz.
Bathroom renovations are one of the more popular home remodeling projects around the world, according to Houzz research. But the cost for these renovations can range quite widely, depending on what work is done, as well as the price of labor and materials in that region.
To get a sampling of the range, we asked Houzz readers to share their renovation stories. Today we visit an American couple living in beautiful Lausanne, Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Their renovation cost $25,150 and solved functional problems in a master bath, a guest shower and a powder room.
Bathroom renovations are one of the more popular home remodeling projects around the world, according to Houzz research. But the cost for these renovations can range quite widely, depending on what work is done, as well as the price of labor and materials in that region.
To get a sampling of the range, we asked Houzz readers to share their renovation stories. Today we visit an American couple living in beautiful Lausanne, Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Their renovation cost $25,150 and solved functional problems in a master bath, a guest shower and a powder room.
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Tom and Karen Hodgman
Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Size: 105 square feet for master bath, 44 for guest shower and 26 for powder room, which total 175 square feet (16 square meters)
Total cost: $25,150
Construction time: Five weeks
Who lives here: Tom and Karen Hodgman
Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Size: 105 square feet for master bath, 44 for guest shower and 26 for powder room, which total 175 square feet (16 square meters)
Total cost: $25,150
Construction time: Five weeks
Before Photo
BEFORE: When Karen and Tom Hodgman, Americans who have been living abroad for two decades, bought their apartment in Lausanne, Switzerland, four years ago, it was suffering from a 1980s look. The couple, who prefer contemporary style, also found the fixtures of poor quality, so a remodel was a definite step. “The master bath was long and didn’t profit from the view of the lake and mountains,” Karen wrote in her comment. “The guest bath was too small.”
Before Photo
BEFORE: As shown in this photo, the tub was separated from the vanity area in the original master bathroom. The original master bath was 22 feet by 6¾ feet (149 square feet).
Before Photo
BEFORE: This floor plan shows the “before” layout of the long and narrow master bathroom. The gray shaded area represents the hallway. Notice that across the hall from the master bathroom is the guest bath, which has a toilet, vanity and shower.
Before Photo
BEFORE: This is what the guest bath looked like before the renovation.
Before Photo
BEFORE: Here is the vanity in the “before” guest bath.
AFTER: To solve the dual problems of the long and what Karen considered “cave like” master bathroom, and the too-small guest bath, the couple carved out space from the master bath and turned it into a separate guest shower room. What was previously the guest bathroom became a powder room (sink and toilet only). The couple added a door leading from the new guest shower room into the hallway. The guest shower room and powder room now face each other across the hallway.
The new master bathroom is accessible only from inside the master bedroom. Shown here, the new master bathroom is 15½ feet by 6¾ feet (105 square feet). Although the master bath lost 44 square feet in the renovation, the new layout is far more functional. The tub, which previously stood where the vanity stands in this photo, is ideally situated for enjoying lake vistas while having a luxurious soak.
The new master bathroom is accessible only from inside the master bedroom. Shown here, the new master bathroom is 15½ feet by 6¾ feet (105 square feet). Although the master bath lost 44 square feet in the renovation, the new layout is far more functional. The tub, which previously stood where the vanity stands in this photo, is ideally situated for enjoying lake vistas while having a luxurious soak.
The new master bath is efficiently laid out. On the other side of the double vanity stands the private shower that belongs exclusively to the master bath.
The new guest bath, just across the hall from the master bathroom, features a soft gray palette. It is 6½ feet by 6¾ feet (44 square feet), representing the amount of space that was taken from the original master bathroom.
The guest bath does not have a toilet, which works out just fine because it is across from the powder room, which does. “And having the powder room separated allows someone to have a leisurely shower without anxious people waiting for the toilet facilities,” Karen says.
Here is the new powder room.
Lessons learned: With patterned wallpaper, choose a paperhanger carefully. Because of time constraints, the Hodgmans didn’t thoroughly inspect their powder room wallpaper after the job was completed and now find themselves having to foot the bill for replacing much of it. “The mismatched paper drives me crazy,” Karen says.
“Uh-oh” moment: The glass top to the powder room vanity was cracked during installation, and the contractor had to order a new one, which took three months to arrive.
Style muse: “Alice through the looking glass would enjoy the soothing, warm and creative feel,” of the powder room, Karen says. Of the guest shower room, she adds, “a minimalist architect would feel at home with the simplicity, function and light.”
Lessons learned: With patterned wallpaper, choose a paperhanger carefully. Because of time constraints, the Hodgmans didn’t thoroughly inspect their powder room wallpaper after the job was completed and now find themselves having to foot the bill for replacing much of it. “The mismatched paper drives me crazy,” Karen says.
“Uh-oh” moment: The glass top to the powder room vanity was cracked during installation, and the contractor had to order a new one, which took three months to arrive.
Style muse: “Alice through the looking glass would enjoy the soothing, warm and creative feel,” of the powder room, Karen says. Of the guest shower room, she adds, “a minimalist architect would feel at home with the simplicity, function and light.”
Walls moved: Yes.
Plumbing moved: Yes, for the new guest shower
Plumbing replaced: Yes, for the guest shower
Professionals hired: Interior designer Jean-Pierre Pete
Special features: The skylight that was previously part of the master bathroom is now a part of the guest shower room, allowing that windowless room to have “lots of light,” Karen says.
Splurges: Powder room lighting
Cost breakdown
Shower: $2,500
Cabinetry: $5,000 for vanities and storage
Tile: $800 total for wall and floor
Lighting: $500
Accessories and decor: $1,200
Plumbing: $1,600
Electrical: $2,400
Labor: Design fees and most of the labor were included in the cost of materials purchased and could not be broken out. In addition, they spent $8,800 for demolition, which included the expense of a crane to deliver and remove all materials from the lakeside apartment. An additional $2,350 went to the cost of building a new wall.
Total: $25,150
Up next: A Gaudí-Inspired Makeover for $850 in Romania
More Reader Bathrooms: DIY Updates for $1,800 | New Shower and a Spa Look for $6,100 | $39,000 Brings Bath Into the 21st Century | $11,000 for a Spa Shower and More
Plumbing moved: Yes, for the new guest shower
Plumbing replaced: Yes, for the guest shower
Professionals hired: Interior designer Jean-Pierre Pete
Special features: The skylight that was previously part of the master bathroom is now a part of the guest shower room, allowing that windowless room to have “lots of light,” Karen says.
Splurges: Powder room lighting
Cost breakdown
Shower: $2,500
Cabinetry: $5,000 for vanities and storage
Tile: $800 total for wall and floor
Lighting: $500
Accessories and decor: $1,200
Plumbing: $1,600
Electrical: $2,400
Labor: Design fees and most of the labor were included in the cost of materials purchased and could not be broken out. In addition, they spent $8,800 for demolition, which included the expense of a crane to deliver and remove all materials from the lakeside apartment. An additional $2,350 went to the cost of building a new wall.
Total: $25,150
Up next: A Gaudí-Inspired Makeover for $850 in Romania
More Reader Bathrooms: DIY Updates for $1,800 | New Shower and a Spa Look for $6,100 | $39,000 Brings Bath Into the 21st Century | $11,000 for a Spa Shower and More
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I have done everything myself except for electric and have saved thousands. Also I used to be in construction and I am a fairly talented cabinetmaker so I do what I can and bring in the real people when anything needs to get inspected. then I'm good to go!
I too live in Switzerland, and am staggered that this much could be done for just 25k especially if this includes labor. Was this an IKEA or Fust project? We have a 20 square metre bathroom that simply needs new floor tiles, a new vanity and new shower unit - quotes have consistently been at 20k for that - with no structural work involved! In another part of the house we wanted a non load bearing wall removed. 12k was the quote - we wound up doing it ourselves over a weekend and the only cost was of a case of beer for use of the neighbour's sledge hammer! We wanted a velux roof window installed - 7k was the quote for a mid sized hinged window with no blind. This is easily the MOST expensive country I have lived in when it comes to renovation costs.