Tips for Inexpensive Plumbing Renovation

Renovation can rejuvenate your plumbing system and give it a new look. You will be glad to know that a plumbing renovation doesn't have to be expensive. Just plan the project right and use a professional plumber. Below are some practical tips to help you manage the renovation cost.

Time It Right

Just like other professional services, plumbing costs fluctuate with demand. A renovation is not an emergency. Time the renovation for the slow season to cut your costs.

For example, many plumbers get busy just before and during the rainy season as people prepare for bad weather. The summer season can also get busy since people do many renovations. Figure out when people tend to handle construction issues around your area and avoid that time.

Handle Nonprofessional Tasks

Once you pick the right time, let the plumber stick to professional tasks. Even if the plumber is willing to take care of related tasks, don't let them because that will only stretch their time on the project. The more time the plumber spends on the project, the higher the cost will be.

Say you want to work on the basement plumbing, and a few things are blocking the way. Get the things out of the way and ensure your plumbing system is accessible. Don't pay professional plumbing fees for that.

Maintain the Basic Layout

The cheapest renovation project maintains the existing plan or layout. The minute you start moving things around, you will require more materials that mean more money. Tinkering with the original plan also increases labor costs.

Say you decide to move the tub from one wall to another. You might need to drill into the wall, install new piping, and plug the holes left by the old tub. Design your new plumbing so that you don't have to relocate major installations.

Design It First

One the project starts, resist the urge to alter the plan since it might cost you extra money. Imagine the plumber has drilled a wall to install a sink only for you to realize you want the sink at a different height. The plumber will have to plug the hole and drill another one at your preferred height.

Know what you want before you start the renovation project. You can even involve a professional plumber to help you with the design. That way, you won't have to make changes as the project progresses.

Use Lookalike Materials

Aesthetics is one of the reasons people renovate their plumbing. Maybe your bathtub floor is dull, or your faucets don't shine as much as they did when new. Know that you don't have to invest in expensive installations to make your plumbing beautiful. Use lookalike materials to improve aesthetics at a minimal cost.

For example, natural stone looks great, but it is relatively expensive. You can get a comparable look with faux ceramic at a much lower cost.

Choose Refinishing Over Replacement

Lastly, know that renovation is not synonymous with replacement, especially if the problem is mostly cosmetic. You can give your plumbing a new look without costly replacements.

For example, you don't have to:

• Replace the bathroom flooring, you can paint it
• Replace the tub, you can just refinish it
• Replace the cabinets, you can refinish or repaint them and install new hardware

All the above alternatives are cheaper than replacements. The key is to identify parts of your plumbing that are still structurally sound and retain them.

Ideally, you should involve a professional plumber from the beginning of the project. Daytona Plumbing has over 60 years of plumbing experience. Contact us to discuss your renovation project, advise you on how to cut costs, and help you execute the project.