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There are some compelling reasons to add a bathroom to the basement level of your home, and just as many (if not more) considerations to make before construction begins.
How can you know if a basement bathroom addition is right for you?
Of course, much depends upon the basement you have now and its dimensions, ceiling height, existing plumbing infrastructure, and more. Start by evaluating the basement space you have, but remember that the decisions you make about bathroom floors, tile, and countertop materials can make even the smallest bathroom space look airy and expansive.
But before you start picking out showerheads and towel racks, review this guide for the considerations about home value, typical costs, basement space, trusted labor and more when it comes to adding a basement bathroom to your home.
Does a Bathroom Addition Add Value to a Home?
The answer is yes, with a few factors to consider.
One factor is considering if the basement is finished or not. According to Zillow, the value of basement-level home space is worth about half of the value, per square foot, of above-ground living space. So you can start here to estimate the current value of your basement space.
Finished basements tend to add more value to the home than unfinished basements, so the value-add of a basement bathroom addition should be calculated alongside the finished or unfinished status. It is recommended that you look at the value of homes with both finished and unfinished basements in or near your zip code to understand the value increase that finishing a basement in your home could cause. Marks Building Co. can also work with you on finishing your basement.
A mid-range bathroom addition should recover 54% percent of the cost of its addition, according to Realtor.com. This isn’t a guarantee, however, but can be used as a goal to meet while you design and implement your basement bathroom addition. Luxury fixtures or high-end tile, for example, would add costs to the addition that won’t necessarily be recuperated in the value added to your home.
Always keep this in mind: The added value is tied to how reliably the plumbing and other aspects of the bathroom are set up. If you try to cut costs by doing plumbing labor yourself, it may result in plumbing that isn’t up to code and will be expensive to fix in the long run. It is always the safest investment to hire a professional plumber to ensure a basement bathroom addition adds value to your home long-term.
Why Add a Bathroom to the Basement?
Adding a bathroom anywhere in the home can increase the home’s value, according to AAA Living. One estimate is that a full bath can increase a home’s value by 20%, while a half-bath can increase the value by 10%.
According to one restorations expert, the benefit to adding a bathroom in the basement of a home is that it will increase the number of bathrooms in a home but does not add square footage to the home itself. This means that no new siding or roofing will be required during the project, an effective way to cut costs. A new bathroom placed in the basement also won’t cut into any bedroom space, for example, or shared upstairs space like a living room.
For all these reasons, adding a basement bathroom could be a great way to utilize space in the home while simultaneously adding to the home’s value.
What’s Required in a Basement Bathroom - and What’s Optional?
Here are the aspects of a basement bathroom addition that are required:
Know Your Local Building Codes: Throughout the US, building codes are determined by both state and local governments. Before designing and building your new bathroom, familiarize yourself with building codes at both levels. In Ohio, state-level building codes can be viewed through the Department of Commerce. You should also become familiar with your city, town, or municipality ordinances around home renovation and construction. Be sure to look for any codes involving electricity, pipes, and ventilation.
Obtain Permits: Once you know the construction codes and ordinances related to your basement bathroom addition, be sure to file for and obtain the relevant permits for this work before it begins. If you work with Marks Building on your basement bathroom, this is something our team will take care of for you.
Windows and Ventilation: When it comes to basement bathrooms (and all bathrooms), there are state and possibly local codes that specify requirements for windows and ventilation. Working with a trusted contractor is one way to be certain all new construction will be up to code.
Hire labor your trust. While there may be some parts of setting up a new bathroom that you can do yourself, keep in mind that only a licensed plumber should install pipes and drains. If you aren’t an expert in construction, working with a trustworthy construction company is essential to getting a high-quality finished product.
While you will have many options in designing a basement bathroom, you should always consider the reality of the basement space you have. Many basements have lower ceilings, which will influence the kind of shower fixtures you can install, for example. But for every limitation in a space, there are a number of ways to use design options to enhance the room or make the most of what you’ve got.
Here are the areas of your basement bathroom addition where you have options:
Fixtures and Appliances: The materials used, style, and location of appliances and fixtures in a bathroom can be used creatively to make a bathroom that looks inviting, is pleasant to use, and makes the most of the space available in your basement. Spend some time exploring the latest trends in bathroom fixtures and design to become familiar with your options.
Design: A new basement bathroom will likely be the smallest bathroom in the house, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice aesthetics. There are many options for functionality and storage in a smaller bathroom that keep the space open, inviting, and pleasant to use.
What Does It Cost to Build a Basement Bathroom?
The cost of a basement bathroom addition will be tied to the materials used, the complexity of the plumbing and electrical work, the size of the bathroom, and more. For one baseline, HGTV estimates a basement bathroom addition, of a 6-by-8-foot space with 8-foot ceilings, would cost about $15,200. But your project will come with its own particulars and considerations, so be sure to get a quote from a trustworthy construction company while planning your basement bathroom addition.
Marks Building Co. aims to provide clients with a fun experience as we bring your home projects to life. Contact our team today for an estimate on your new basement bathroom.
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