A bath remodel is one of the most expensive upgrades you can make to your home on a per-square-foot basis. A recent study by the National Association of Realtors estimates the cost of a midrange Seattle bathroom remodel (replacing fixtures, vanity and medicine cabinet in a 5’ x 9’ bath, including tile floor and tub surround) at a little over $10,500. An upscale remodel (involving enlarging an existing space, tile floor and surround, top-of-the-line fixtures and counter, plus relocating and partitioning the toilet) is estimated at over $24,000. Such a sizable investment encourages lots of planning and up-front research to ensure you’ll be happy with the results for a long time.
The ideal laundry area combines durability, functionality, and efficiency with concern for human and environmental health. Careful decisions about appliances, flooring, cabinetry and fixtures can ensure your laundry is the right mix of these factors. A laundry space can range from its own room to a closet tucked into a bathroom. In both the bath and laundry, you can protect your investment by maintaining it with products that are safer for you and the environment.
Why Consider a Green Remodel?
SAVE MONEY
Energy-efficient and water-wise designs or products reduce monthly bills. Home components chosen for their durability and timeless appeal will last longer and cost less to maintain in the long run. When you make living spaces welcoming to a variety of ages and abilities, your home will be marketable to a larger population (a key benefit for resale) and less likely to require costly modifications as your own abilities change.
MAKE A HEALTHIER HOME
A green remodel can be good for you, physically and emotionally. Health-focused designs maximize fresh air and natural light, while reducing the risk of injury. Potential problems like molds, allergens and toxic chemicals are identified and addressed early–a strategy that proves more effective and almost always much cheaper than fixing them after they develop.
REDUCE ECOLOGICAL IMPACT
Remodeling is an opportunity to create a home that enhances the natural environment, instead of depleting it. You can make your living space more resource-efficient, minimize waste, and recycle what’s left over to reduce the amount of materials ending up in landfills.
The Green Home Remodel Guide
To help you make your bath and laundry remodel successful, the Seattle Public Utilities Sustainable Building Program created a comprehensive guide with information and recommendations for everything you’ll need to consider: Tub & Shower Surrounds, Wall Tile, Caulking, Bathtubs, Toilets & Showerheads, Sinks & Faucets, Flooring, Save Energy, Laundry Cabinetry, Sinks & Flooring, Washers & Dryers, Salvage & Recycling.
