Out with the old, in with the new

If you’ve been living in your home for a few years, then our description of a typical bathroom might sound familiar.  The floor around the toilet is starting to buckle, the faucet is dripping and the caulk and tile is showing evidence of mold.  We see this every day.  Larry, our general manager and lead estimator has been especially busy that past few weeks meeting with homeowners who want to update their bathrooms.

Many homeowners are unsure about the timeline for a bathroom renovation.  Below are the steps Approved Plumbing takes to make sure clients get the bathroom of their dreams.

Budget – The first thing Larry discusses with the homeowner is budget.  Often we’ll meet a homeowner who wants to gut the bathroom, and then wants everything replaced for $2,000.  We can work with a $2,000 budget, but most contractors will tell you that you won’t be getting a new master bathroom at that price point!

Estimate – Once Larry is in the space, he’ll take a closer look at what needs to be replaced.  Some clients will hire us to complete the rough plumbing at the start of the project, others will hire us for the complete remodel.  Every homeowner needs something different, and we factor that into our estimate.

Design – We refer our clients to a Cleveland-area plumbing supply company to take a look at tubs, toilets, fixtures, tile and more.  An important detail we keep in mind is the client’s timeline.  If the bathroom needs to be finished in three weeks, we’ll make sure the client avoids fixtures that have a six-week lead time.

Contract – Once the homeowner has selected their favorite items, the supply company will fax us the information.  We might make a few recommendations to better accommodate the space.  From here, we finalize the contract with the homeowner and secure a deposit to order the materials.

Remodel – We wait until all the materials have arrived (and make sure nothing is damaged) before scheduling the work with the homeowner.  When Approved Plumbing is hired for a complete bathroom remodel, the work will take about a week.  Typically the work starts on Monday, and by Friday the owners come home to a beautiful new bathroom!

Every contractor’s method is a little different, but our method at Approved Plumbing is designed so every homeowner can get the most from their new space.