There are plenty of reasons you would want a second bathroom in the house. It could be that your family is growing and couldn’t share a single bathroom anymore, or your parents are getting older and would need a bathroom of their own.
But is adding another bathroom as easy as it sounds? Probably not. Should you run into bathroom problems, there are plenty of emergency plumbers who can respond, whether you live in a big city like Salt Lake City or a small town like Jacksonville in Oregon. But adding a new bathroom in a home is a whole other thing.
Is it legal to build another bathroom?
Before starting any renovation, make sure your new bathroom is up to code first. Depending on how much alteration you’ll be performing to your existing floor plan, you might need to secure special permits, which varies depending on which state or city you’re located.
You might also run into concerns regarding electrical and plumbing additions. Tampering with plumbing, electrical systems, and even the ventilation ducts might require special permissions. Unsanctioned renovations might cause electrical overloading or plumbing issues that may affect the whole neighborhood.
Check with your local authorities regarding these to ensure that your new bathroom is built safely.
How much will a new bathroom cost?
A second or third bathroom will always be worth the price, but this doesn’t mean you should underestimate the overhead cost. If you’re adding a new bathroom to the blueprint of the house, it may set you back an upwards of $25,000.
If the bathroom can easily be integrated into your house’s layout, you’ll probably only spend a couple of bucks for fitting and materials. If you’re connecting this new bathroom to existing plumbing and electrical networks, then you’ll probably chop down the price. Still, you’d also have to consider hiring a professional to do the extra task.
Also, don’t forget about a possible tax increase. Building a new bathroom is adding value to your home, which means you’ll have to pay more in property taxes.
Where should you build a new bathroom?
Where to construct your new bathroom depends on your house’s design, as well as the vision you have for your bathroom. Is it just a washroom? Does it need to have a shower area? At a minimum, you’ll need to allot a three-foot by six-foot space for it.
Identify any dead space within your house. Some examples could be your basement, an attached garage, your master bedroom, an old walk-in closet, or even an existing bathroom that’s large enough to be split into two. If you’re installing on the second floor, be mindful of whether your ceiling can support that much weight.
What should you put in an extra bathroom?
Evaluate your household‘s daily usage. If family members often argue about waiting too long to take a shower, then add a tub into your new bathroom. If your old bathroom doesn’t have enough storage space, then furnish your new one with a vanity. If you want it to be a shower room after workouts, then install a floor-to-ceiling mirror. A second bathroom is suited to make your day-to-day lives more convenient and efficient, so make it as functional as possible.
Of course, having a new bathroom doesn’t mean neglecting your old one. Make sure to maintain both by looking after the plumbing and ventilation, because if one bathroom experiences issues, the other will probably experience the same, too.
