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Is It Time to Remodel the Bathroom? How to Convert a Half Bath to a Full Bath

Has your family grown and you need another full bath? Maybe you are tired of that boring and drab half bath that no one hardly uses? This means it is time to remodel the bathroom and convert the half bath to a full bath.

Step 1: Decide on the bathroom layout.

Young worker in uniform sitting on squats while fixing or fastening detail

Some half baths have open corners with sufficient space to install a shower stall pan and shower enclosure. Other half baths are tighter and have very little room beyond the toilet and sink that already occupy the space.

When deciding on the layout for your new full bath, space will be your biggest consideration. If you don’t have room to add a corner shower enclosure, you do have other options. Is there an adjoining closet next to the bathroom that you could remove to expand the bathroom?

You may also have a huge storage or kitchen pantry that would make a great bathroom. You can covert this space into your new full bath and convert the half bath into a storage closet or your pantry.

Step 2: DIY or Hire a Professional?

The next step is to decide how much of the remodel you want to do yourself or if you just want to hire a professional to do the entire remodel. Some people like having control over their projects to covert a half bath to a full bath, so they will do most of the work themselves and call in a professional to take care of plumbing, electrical wiring, and other such things.

Step 3: Bathtub/Shower Combo or Just a Shower?

The next important decision to make is if you want to have a bathtub/shower combo or just a shower in your new full bath. Some people like the idea of having just a shower, even if they have space for a bathtub in the remodeled space. Other people still want to include a tub, so they opt for a bathtub/shower combo instead.

  • Remodeling Tip: Save time installing a tub by using bathtub surround kits for the walls around the tub.

Step 4: Prepare a Budget

Plumber install shower

Now that you have decided on the new layout, who is going to do the renovation work, and whether you want a bathtub/shower combo or just a shower, your next step is to start preparing a budget. The budget should include costs for supplies, materials, and contractor labor.

If you are hiring a professional, they can provide you with free estimates for the work you want them to do. You also need to decide if you want to keep your current toilet and sink or replace these too. Replacing them will add to your project costs but could fit better with your design if you are moving the toilet from the floor to the wall and adding some additional cabinets for more storage.

Step 5: Get to Work

After reviewing your budget and confirming you can afford to convert a half bath to a full bath, you are ready to get to work. You want to order all of the needed supplies, materials, paint, light fixtures, shower stall pan, bathtub surround kits, and so on as soon as possible.

While you wait for the materials to arrive, you can start gutting the bathroom if this is part of your plan. You can also knock down the closet wall, or do other preparation tasks you need to complete. This way, everything will be prepped and ready.

When it is time to remodel a bathroom and covert a half bath to a full bath, you can find shower stall pans, bathtub surround kits, shower enclosures, and other accessories at American Bath Enterprises, Inc. Explore our products online and call us at (888) 228-4925 to order today!