The real estate market in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is absolutely booming. Just a few years ago, the majority of resale homes had to be updated in order to compete with new builds when going on the market. However, the huge influx of people moving from out of state has created a boom unlike any we’ve seen before. Homes are going for above asking and with multiple offers in most cases, updated or not. If you’ve been lucky enough to find a home you like the area you prefer, you’ve probably been willing to accept some home conditions that you knew you’d want to change later. The top two remodeling projects for resale homes are the kitchen and the master bathroom.

Kitchen versus Master Bath Remodel

There are several reasons that many people will choose to start with updating the master bathroom before renovating their kitchen. All remodeling projects are disruptive to your life, messy, and involve a fair amount of expense and inconvenience. Dealing with the disruption in your kitchen is somewhat harder than dealing with the inconvenience of remodeling your master bath. The vast majority of homes in Dallas-Fort Worth have more than one bathroom, so while using another bathroom in the house isn’t ideal, it’s obviously do-able. While outdoor kitchens in the metroplex are a popular upgrade, they are far from ubiquitous, so you may not have the option of cooking outside, save for the use of a grill. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home, so trying to live around the mess of a kitchen remodel can be very difficult. While you can sometimes continue to use a few kitchen appliances during a renovation, in many cases, that isn’t practical, so eating out or getting takeout for an extended period of time is another factor that is taken into account.

Finding a Bathroom Contractor

The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but the master bath is the oasis. An expertly remodeled master bathroom will provide you with a clean, comfortable retreat in your home. Bathroom remodels can be tricky, however, due to the small area involved, plumbing needs, and the need for proper airflow. It’s important to use established, reputable contractors with the expertise to do the job right in order to ensure that you will be able to enjoy your master bath without issues for years to come. Ask for referrals from neighbors and check online reviews in detail. Check the photos of previous work for any potential contractor. Interview several and be sure to find out if they specialize in bathrooms or do general contracting work. It will take some time to do your homework, but it’s time well-spent to avoid an unethical or underqualified contractor in your home. You want someone who will treat your home with the same respect they would want for theirs.

Interview several contractors for your master bathroom remodel and request written proposals, estimates, and a set start and end date for the job. The burden to pay for materials or fixtures that arrive broken or are installed improperly should never fall on the homeowner. If you hire a general contractor that doesn’t complete all the work themselves, find out what subcontractors will be hired and ask specifically what work will be completed by the contractor. You’ll also want to find out what assurances there are about subcontractors finishing your remodel on time.

Another important factor to consider is insurance coverage. It’s very important that contractors carry personal liability, workers’ compensation, and property damage coverage. You’ll want to ask for proof of insurance from any potential contractor you’re considering for your bathroom renovation. Make sure every aspect of your remodel is covered by the contractor’s insurance.  

Jamie Spence | Content Manager

Seota Digital Marketing 972.737.2830