Bathing in luxury
After living in three houses around the country during his service in the U.S. Army, Steve Stephenson and wife, Martha, finally settled into a 1929 house south of Grand Avenue. But when they purchased the house three years ago, they knew it needed some refurbishing.
Finished in July, the remodeling of two smaller bathrooms was one of the Stephensons’ major projects with a price tag just under $70,000
New pipes and electrical wiring was only part of the total cost to upgrade from the last remodel more than 40 years ago. The couple also chose to add a custom-built shower with a multifunctional showerhead, heated floor tiles and more expensive granite countertops, which turned two tiny spaces into luxurious retreats.
“This is our house,” said Martha Stephenson. “We’re not thinking about resale. This is what we want.”
Despite threats of a cooling housing market, many homeowners like the Stephensons are remodeling their bathrooms to add more luxury features. In 2004, nearly 16 million U.S. homeowners remodeled their bathrooms, spending $7.2 billion.
“Because the market is not so hot here,” said Devan Kaufman, owner of Kaufman Construction Inc. and current chairman of the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines Remodelors’ Council, “[people] are happy where they are at, but they still have money to put into nicer features.”
Baby Boomers especially are interested in upgrading, and many are beginning to view their bathroom as an in-home spa.
“A bathroom is a great place to have that happen,” said Eric Carlson, a remodeling contractor for EC Construction Inc., who worked on the Stephensons’ home. “You’re alone; you can feel pampered, feel comfortable. It’s your space.”
John and Lynn Rehling hired Kaufman Construction and spent nearly $70,000 to revamp the master bathroom in their 20-year-old home in West Des Moines’ Quail Park, which included a custom-made shower with multiple showerheads, an air-bubble tub, custom-designed vanities, heated floors and specialty granite countertops.
“We’ve lived here four years and planning on another 10,” said Lynn Rehling. “It’s a nice neighborhood…. It was for our own enjoyment as well as an investment.”
Custom-made showers are one of the most popular upgrades, replacing the trend of installing huge whirlpool tubs. The showers are often made from tile and 3/8-inch-thick glass, which Carlson said makes the room feel more open. Homeowners are installing features such as “a tower of showerheads” or water tile heads that rain water from the ceiling, he said. A single showerhead can cost up to $5,000, but more basic adjustable ones go for around $500.
Many people used to install huge whirlpool tubs, Carlson said, because it was an easy way to increase the resale value of the home, but many realized that the tub would only fill up halfway before the tank would run out of hot water and that they were difficult to clean. That’s not to say multiple showerheads are much better, but most allow the user to only use one or a few showerheads at a time. Some homeowners, however, have had to add another hot water tank to the bill.
Bath lovers still interested in luxury tubs are choosing air baths, which use pressurized air instead of water to create massaging bubbles. These kinds of tubs allow you to use bath oils and will purge any extra water from the jets when finished, making the tubs easier to keep clean, said Rehling. The cost can be around $4,000 without installation fees. An overflowing bath, which can cost up to $10,000 without installation is also gaining popularity. The water continuously flows over the tub sides into a surrounding trough, allowing the bather to stay warmer and the water level to be higher.
More homeowners are also choosing more expensive floor and countertop materials, including granite and tile, which are more durable and look more natural. Rehling believes her granite countertops came from South Africa and said that their beautiful colors make the countertops her favorite parts of her new bathroom.
“It’s pretty unique,” she said. “We love the natural materials and we’re at the point in our life where we could finally afford something that nice.”
Heated tile flooring is almost a staple in today’s remodeled bathrooms. The cost for an average-size bathroom is around $1,500 and most heated floors come with a programmable thermostat, which Carlson said takes an engineering degree to run. But once programmed, the low-voltage electric floor can turn on before the user wakes up and shut off after a couple of hours.
The fans in the Stevensons’ bathroom are also programmable. They are designed to turn on when the shower is in use and turn off after 20 to 30 minutes. Plus, the hum is so quiet that Mary never notices they’re there.
From these more standard features today, the possibilities are endless. Some remodeled bathrooms in the Des Moines area have included fireplaces, televisions and heated toilet seats.
Sidebar: Check it out!
The Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines Remodelors’ Council is hosting a Tour of Remodeled Homes Saturday, Sept. 23, and Sunday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sixteen homes with remodeling projects ranging from just kitchens or bathrooms to entire houses will be open for self-guided tours. Tickets are $7 the day of the event or $5 if ordered in advance. Visit www.desmoineshomebuilders.com for more information.