Prepping Your Bathroom for Remodeling

Bathrooms can be tricky to work with, as they have both wiring and plumbing to deal with when you decide to remodel. Obviously, mixing wiring with watch is a bad thing, and each bathroom is modeled differently, the preparation will be different as well. There are a few uniform ideas that can be applied that you can do before your contractor shows up to begin to work. Remember, the contractor can give you the best advice regarding your preparations for the bathroom.

Traffic Flow
Know where your contractor will be parking his work vehicle, which door he will be coming in and out while performing the job, and which path he will use from the outside door to the bathroom that needs to be remodeled. Many contractors will make numerous trips out to their vehicle, and demanding that they remove their shoes is quite impractical and unrealistic. If it is that much of an issue for you, make a pathway of old rags or towels from the door to the work area in the bathroom. Even old scraps of carpet are a good idea to help you prevent your floors from getting dirty.

Remove all objects
Take out anything that is not nailed down in the bathroom where the contractor/professional will be working. Doing this simple step before they arrive will permit him to begin work immediately. Here are some additional reminders:

• Shower and Bathtub: Remove all razors, washcloths, soaps, and shampoos.
• Toilet: Remove toilet cover and anything open on the back part of the toilet.
• Sink: Remove all candles, soaps, or anything else that is on or near the sink.
• Sink Base: Remove everything underneath the sink. If the sink base it to be replaced, remove everything, including the drawers.
• Floor: Remove all scales, trash cans, magazines, bathmats, or anything else located on the floor.
• Walls: If replacing walls, remove all towel racks, pictures, and medicine cabinet if you can.

Do it yourself bathroom
If you think that you are handy, and you have checked with the professional, here are a couple of things that you can do to help the contractor before they arrive. These tips may also help you save some money. Do NOT perform any of these tips without advising the contractor first.

• Tile Removal: If you have linoleum or tile in the bathroom, and you are able to do so, remove the existing floor covering. This will save a lot of time and resources. Get some tips from your contractor before you start doing this type of prep work.
• Turn the water OFF: If the contractor is hired to remove the majority of the fixtures and rework the plumbing, they will need to shut off the water. This is an easy task, but the contractor would appreciate it if you took care of it already for him.
• Shower Doors: Removing a shower curtain or door before hand will help out the contractor by helping them get additional things out of their way when they are trying to do their job.