Scott McGillivray’s Bathroom Remodel Ideas That Don’t Cost a Fortune

When people renovate their bathrooms, they tend to want a drastically different look, which sometimes includes moving the fixtures. If you’re on a budget and trying to save money, I suggest keeping all of the fixtures in the same place and simply making cosmetic changes. Moving the tub, vanity and toilet will cost about $2,500 each.

Related: Scott McGillivray Reveals How to Get the Best ROI From a Bathroom Reno

If you have to replace your toilet or vanity, consider tackling the job yourself. Replacing a toilet is easy and as far as I’m concerned, everyone should try it at least once! Vanities are a little trickier, but still doable as long as you’re willing to roll up your sleeves. But stop there. Under no circumstances should you try to replace a tub yourself. Too heavy, too awkward and not worth the risk.

Related: 15 Genius Small Bathroom Design Ideas

If you want to retile your bathroom, but you don’t want to spend a fortune, stick with large-scale tile in a simple, straightforward pattern (we love these gorgeous bathroom tiles) . The smaller the tile and the more complex the pattern, the more expensive it is to install.

Related: 30 Before and After Bathroom Renovations

An easy way to add a little class to a bathroom is to install some wainscoting or applied moulding. Traditional wainscoting is more expensive than applied moulding, but in a small bathroom, it shouldn’t break the bank.

A great way to add some character to a bathroom is by repurposing an old chest of drawers or table. All you need to do is cut a hole in the top for a sink, as well as spots in the back for the plumbing. Keep in mind though that if it’s a chest of drawers, you will lose some storage space in order to accommodate the sink and plumbing.

This may seem minor, but I can assure you that the difference is huge. Dirty and cracked grout looks terrible and makes the entire room look uncared for. As long as there are no underlying problems, you can freshen up the caulk and grout and really improve the look of the space – without having to replace any tile.

Everyone’s favourite decorating tool is just as effective in the bathroom as it is anywhere else. I’m not a huge fan of painting tiles (although I’ve seen it done nicely), but as far as walls go, have at it. Vanities can be painted too, just make sure you’re using the right kind of paint. I suggest melamine.

You can save money and reduce water consumption by installing low-flow toilets and shower heads. Over time, these can make a huge difference to your water bill and you’ll barely notice a difference in the water pressure.

Related: How to Clean a Bathtub, No Matter How Dirty it Is

Salvage stores like Habitat for Humanity are amazing resources for bathroom remodels. You can often find tile, sinks, tubs, faucets, hardware and even paint. As long as you’re not too picky about colour and style, you can save a ton of money and help keep items out of the dump.

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