Most Bathroom Remodeling Regrets Start Before the Demo
Bathroom remodels are among the most rewarding home upgrades—but they can spiral quickly into headaches if not done right. Over the past year, we’ve noticed clear patterns in calls from Kansas City homeowners who attempted DIY projects or chose inexperienced contractors. Here are the five biggest mistakes we see regularly—and tips on how you can avoid them.
1. Skipping the Walkthrough
The Mistake:
Diving into design without walking the space with your contractor first.
Why It Matters:
It’s like buying a home without an inspection. You want to know what you’re getting into and you want a contractor to be able to tell you from their experience and perspective.
What to Do Instead:
We conduct at least two walkthroughs: one before to understand the scope of work, and one before completion. That’s how expectations stay aligned and mistakes stay minimal.
A proper walkthrough helps align your vision with reality, clarifies budget expectations, and uncovers hidden issues early. It’s the foundation for a smooth, stress-free remodel.
Walk the space. Catch the issues. Build with confidence. Here’s how we use walkthroughs to protect your investment and your peace of mind.
2. Underestimating the Budget
The Mistake:
Starting a remodel with an unrealistic or overly tight budget.
Why It Matters:
Bathroom remodels in Kansas City typically range from $15,000 to $50,000. When homeowners underbudget, they’re forced to cut corners mid-project—jeopardizing both quality and peace of mind.
What to Do Instead:
Build in a 15% contingency fund from the start. That buffer allows flexibility without panic if the unexpected arises. Because let me tell you, in remodeling, unexpected in the norm.
Planning ahead gives you room to prioritize quality materials and reduce stress when adjustments are needed.
3. Focusing Only on Looks, Not Functionality
Smart design isn’t just beautiful… it works for your life.
The Mistake:
Prioritizing aesthetics over practical design.
Why It Matters:
That Pinterest-perfect vanity might look stunning, but if it blocks outlets or limits door swing, it’ll frustrate you every day. Design should enhance your life, not just your Instagram feed.
What to Do Instead:
Think long-term. Consider your daily routines, storage needs, accessibility, and aging-in-place factors. The best remodels are the ones you enjoy using just as much as you enjoy looking at. Form and function go hand in hand, prioritize both.
4. Not Vetting the Contractor
The Mistake:
Hiring based on price or convenience without doing your homework.
Why It Matters:
A poorly chosen contractor can cost you double in the long run through delays, miscommunication, and subpar work. Remodeling horror stories almost always start here.
What to Do Instead:
Research thoroughly. Check reviews, verify insurance and licenses, and look for someone who asks smart questions, not just gives fast answers. At Five Fold, we earn trust before we swing a hammer. Transparency and communication should be non-negotiables in your hiring process.
5. Rushing the Timeline
The Mistake:
Expecting a full bathroom remodel to be completed in a week or two.
Why It Matters:
Rushed timelines lead to rushed work. Good craftsmanship, proper coordination of trades, and quality assurance takes time and skipping steps just to finish faster often results in costly rework later.
What to Do Instead:
Talk with your contractor about realistic expectations. At Five Fold, we build schedules that factor in inspections, product lead times, and real-life logistics. Our goal is to finish on time but more importantly, to finish right.
Yes, there are companies that can flip a bathroom in a week but they typically operate at higher price points due to the overhead and manpower required. We prefer a balanced approach: high quality, steady pace, no surprises.
You only want to remodel once. Let’s make sure it’s built to last.
Progress in motion. Not rushed. Not dragged out. Just a remodel done right, with care and intention.
✅ Ready to Remodel Smarter?
At Five Fold Solutions, our goal is to empower Kansas City homeowners with clear guidance, superior craftsmanship, and stress-free renovations.
👉 Request your free estimate today.
No pressure. Just straightforward answers from experienced professionals who care.
