October 12, 2021
Whether you are looking to renovate your existing home, purchasing a fixer upper or building your dream home, it’s likely that you’ll be selecting plumbing fixtures in the near future. When purchasing any new items you are troubled with the age-old question: Where should I save or splurge? Here's our recommendation for Plumbing.
The most important and number one priority to remember when it comes to plumbing fixtures is their function. We recommend you purchase through a plumbing supplier as opposed to a big-box store (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) or online retailer. The key difference between the two are the parts unseen. Fixtures from big-box stores and some online retailers generally have plastic internal parts, whereas fixtures from a supplier have metal fittings that are higher quality, better functioning, and longer lasting. You can also expect a lengthier and more robust warranty through suppliers as well.
We advise people looking to save, to do so on plumbing fixtures in their secondary baths, utility and laundry room. There are a variety of cost-effective options that will fit style and function well without breaking the bank. A simple way to save is by opting for a more economical undermount sink as opposed to overmount, vessel, integrated, or pedestal sink in a secondary bath. Likewise, some may save by selecting a counter-mounted faucet in order to splurge on a sleek wall-mounted faucet in their master bath. Another place to save is with a drop-in tub/shower in the secondary bath in order to allow for a soaker tub and dream tiled shower in your master bath. As it is with all choices in life, you’ll want to prioritize what’s most important to you and make some concessions on the rest.
There are a few areas in your home where we recommend our clients splurge if they can. Consider going “all-out” in your kitchen, master bath, and powder room. These are the areas of your home that get the most use and have the highest amount of visitor traffic. Higher-end fixtures in these areas will get the most daily notice and appreciation from you, your family members, and your guests. After all, the kitchen is the most common gathering place in the home!
Another way to save costs on plumbing fixtures is to choose them early on in your renovation or new build. By doing this, you allow your builder to have the correct rough-in kits and valves on hand when it’s time to make important framing, plumbing, and final placement decisions. Delaying the arrival of the above “behind the wall” parts can lead to incorrect placement and work needing to be redone later. Selecting early will also allow you to choose from a wide variety of fixtures instead of just the ones with shorter lead times that can arrive quickly to keep your project moving smoothly. Ask your builder upfront for a detailed selection schedule so that you are aware of all of the design selections you will need to make along with associated timelines. This will ensure the entire home renovation or home building journey runs smoothly, is manageable and enjoyable for you.
A private tour through one of our professionally styled model homes is the best way to see the incredible craftsmanship and attention-to-detail we at Visionary take pride in. A tour of a model home is a great way to start your personal design process. It also helps to speak with a design consultant while in a model home when you’ll have a better sense of the selections you’re about to make. Having a detailed list of all the selections that are needed from each studio/showroom visit means that you are less likely to miss making a selection while there.
In addition, here are a few other tips that will help make the most of your plumbing showroom visit:
Be sure that either you, your builder, or your interior designer makes an appointment as opposed to simply showing up at a showroom. This will allow your builder to coordinate closely with the showroom sales rep in order to pass along plans, style/inspiration photos, and important budget information. This will result in a visit that is much more effective and efficient.
Bring inspiration pictures along with you, and jot down your thoughts beforehand on where/how you’d like to splurge as well as what fixture finish you tend to prefer.
The major savings that you’ll receive is from a “builder discount,” but there is also another way to save. More and more, plumbing suppliers are also supplying appliances, light fixtures, or other items. “Bundling” or purchasing multiple selection categories from one supplier, can save you additional funds, depending on the supplier.
You bring a vision and we will bring the design components. Together, we’ll construct a plan that captures your personal tastes to design your dream home. We hope this post has been helpful for you. If you have any additional questions regarding plumbing fixtures or any other aspect of your custom home renovation or new build, please don’t hesitate to contact our team by calling 435-228-4702 or by filling out the form below.
The post Save or Splurge: Plumbing Fixtures appeared first on Visionary Homes.
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