Reader Bathroom: $3,000 DIY Transformation in Tennessee
A young homeowner remodels his own bathroom — tearing out walls, moving a toilet and building a vanity with a steal from Craigslist
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 their costs can vary significantly. As part of our ongoing series on Houzz reader bathroom renovations, today we visit a DIY makeover by a young homeowner in Tennessee. Price tag: just under $3,000.
Bathroom renovations are one of the more popular home remodeling projects around the world, according to Houzz research. But their costs can vary significantly. As part of our ongoing series on Houzz reader bathroom renovations, today we visit a DIY makeover by a young homeowner in Tennessee. Price tag: just under $3,000.
BEFORE: Alex Nelson’s 1954 home had only one previous owner, and it had never been remodeled. “I am a young homeowner and need to do everything myself and on a budget!” wrote Nelson, 25, in a comment on our call for reader bathroom submissions. His bathroom remodel is a true DIY job, in which Nelson took on everything from demo to plumbing to electrical to building his own vanity. Total cost: about $3,000.
AFTER: Nelson did the demo himself, pulling down the drywall and taking the room back to the studs. He furred out the studs — a process of attaching wooden strips of varying thickness to the studs to bring them flush — to square the wall surfaces. He also hung new drywall. To gain the space he needed to recess the toilet, as well as for a larger vanity, Nelson removed a linen closet and a built-in hamper. He also changed the direction of the door swing. In this photo, note that the toilet is not visible. Previously, it was.
BEFORE: Here is a close-up of the toilet and floor tile in the original bathroom.
AFTER: As it stands after the remodel, the toilet is no longer visible from the hall and doorway — a pleasing aesthetic change and a side bonus of recessing this feature to make room for the larger vanity.
Nelson designed, built and painted the vanity himself.
He also created a built-in cabinet above the recessed toilet. This photo also shows off the tile half-wall. Wrapping this tilework around the entire room rather than just the shower area was a splurge, but one that Nelson felt was worth it.
The marble countertop was a Craigslist find, originally a double vanity that had a crack down the right-hand sink. When Nelson purchased it — for just $20 — it was 72 inches long. He cut it down to the 40-inch countertop pictured.
Nelson made plumbing changes, including moving the water supply and drains in order to accommodate the toilet’s new location. He also replaced the shower plumbing so that it could function with a new shower valve and faucet. He kept the original tub.
Nelson replaced the original shower window with this block glass version, with the help of a family friend who has a background in construction. “This window added privacy, lets in lots of beautiful light, is highly efficient and provided a waterproof solution for a wet location window,” Nelson says.
Lessons learned: “I would highly recommend having all materials on hand, having a solid plan and having a backup plan,” Nelson says. “That plan could either include a network of friends who are able to help and advise you through problems, or enough budget to bring in professionals if needed.”
Style muse: “As I have remodeled my home I have always tried to remain true to the original style,” Nelson says. “I have always been inspired by traditional craftsmanship.”
Lessons learned: “I would highly recommend having all materials on hand, having a solid plan and having a backup plan,” Nelson says. “That plan could either include a network of friends who are able to help and advise you through problems, or enough budget to bring in professionals if needed.”
Style muse: “As I have remodeled my home I have always tried to remain true to the original style,” Nelson says. “I have always been inspired by traditional craftsmanship.”
Walls moved: Yes, the linen closet and built-in hamper wall
Plumbing moved: Yes, the water supply and drains moved to accommodate a new toilet location
Plumbing replaced: Yes, shower plumbing replaced to function with new valve and faucet
Professionals hired: None
Special features: Glass block window in shower
Splurges: Wrapping the tile wainscot around the bathroom rather than only tiling the shower surround
Savings: Using the original tub, building the vanity, finding the marble countertop on Craigslist
Cost breakdown
Cabinetry: $500, including $300 in lumber, hardware and paint for vanity, and $200 for built-in linen cabinet over toilet
Countertop: $25, including $20 for the marble top, $5 for a garage-sale diamond saw blade
Tile: $600 for shower surround and wainscot, including cement board underlayment and mortars
Lighting: $130, including $80 for vanity light, $50 for exhaust fan and venting to roof
Accessories and decor: $210, including $170 for medicine cabinet and $40 for towel bar and toilet paper holder
Flooring: $500 in tile and underlayment
Plumbing: $440, including $300 for tub and shower faucet and plumbing, $140 for sink faucet
Electrical: $100 for a new GFCI circuit for lighting and exhaust fan, and new receptacle over vanity
Windows and doors: $292, including $252 for a preassembled glass block, $40 for furring out window opening and new brick molding
Other: $200 for costs of furring out studs and replacing drywall
Total: $2,997
Up next: $22,000 Remodel for Aging in Place
More reader bathrooms: $39,000 Brings Bath Into the 21st Century | $11,000 for a Spa Shower and More | $25,000 to Redo Master and Guest Baths | $850 Gaudí-Inspired Makeover
Plumbing moved: Yes, the water supply and drains moved to accommodate a new toilet location
Plumbing replaced: Yes, shower plumbing replaced to function with new valve and faucet
Professionals hired: None
Special features: Glass block window in shower
Splurges: Wrapping the tile wainscot around the bathroom rather than only tiling the shower surround
Savings: Using the original tub, building the vanity, finding the marble countertop on Craigslist
Cost breakdown
Cabinetry: $500, including $300 in lumber, hardware and paint for vanity, and $200 for built-in linen cabinet over toilet
Countertop: $25, including $20 for the marble top, $5 for a garage-sale diamond saw blade
Tile: $600 for shower surround and wainscot, including cement board underlayment and mortars
Lighting: $130, including $80 for vanity light, $50 for exhaust fan and venting to roof
Accessories and decor: $210, including $170 for medicine cabinet and $40 for towel bar and toilet paper holder
Flooring: $500 in tile and underlayment
Plumbing: $440, including $300 for tub and shower faucet and plumbing, $140 for sink faucet
Electrical: $100 for a new GFCI circuit for lighting and exhaust fan, and new receptacle over vanity
Windows and doors: $292, including $252 for a preassembled glass block, $40 for furring out window opening and new brick molding
Other: $200 for costs of furring out studs and replacing drywall
Total: $2,997
Up next: $22,000 Remodel for Aging in Place
More reader bathrooms: $39,000 Brings Bath Into the 21st Century | $11,000 for a Spa Shower and More | $25,000 to Redo Master and Guest Baths | $850 Gaudí-Inspired Makeover
Location: Gallatin, Tennessee
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
Total cost: $2,997
Construction time: Eight weeks