Never Underestimate The Value Of A Half Bath
Real-estate bathroom classifications can be a bit confusing. There’s the half-bath. The three-quarter bath. The full bath. The master bath. Today we’re going to help you understand these various classifications and focus on the advantages of a half-bath.
What is a Half-Bath?
The easiest way to think about this is to consider a bathroom’s four main components: a sink, a toilet, a bathtub, and a shower.
A full bath has all four of these components – the shower and tub can either be separate or combined.
A three-quarter bath has a sink, toilet and either a bathtub or a shower. (Not all realtors or real-estate listings describe bathroom terms in the same way. Some will simply list a three-quarter bath as a “full bath.”)
A half-bath simply has a sink and a toilet.
Half-baths are usually found on the bottom floor of a home, located near the common living spaces.
What are some of the advantages of a half-bath?
Half-baths are convenient for both families and their guests, and can be especially useful in homes with multiple floors.
- For larger families, they can ease “traffic jams” in the morning rush to get ready.
- They are great when entertaining, as they provide a bathroom closer to common areas and allows you to maintain privacy in your full-size bathrooms.
- Half-baths are easy to clean and maintain because they are limited to just a sink and toilet.
- They won’t be as heavily used as a home’s larger bathrooms and, as a result, will not likely be exposed to things that can clog a drain such as: makeup, lotions, mouthwash, and toothpaste.
- A half-bath can add resale value to your home.
Should you add a half-bath to your home?
Here are a few things to consider when evaluating whether or not it makes sense for you to add a half-bath to your home.
- Why do you want to add a new bathroom to your home?
- Do you have room for a half-bath in your home?
- Will you have to do a major rerouting of plumbing lines to create it?
- How much remodeling will be involved to create a new bathroom?
- Do you have a reliable designer and contractor to help with all aspects of your new bathroom?
- Do you have the budget to add or remodel a bathroom?
While half-baths can increase a home’s value by 11.5%, you also have to factor in your everyday enjoyment and convenience of having an additional bathroom.
If having a half-bath makes your life easier, eases congestion, and improves your family’s day-to-day routine, it may be a huge win.
How will you get it done?
Adding a bathroom requires both design and plumbing skill. It also requires putting all the pieces together in terms of setting and staying within your budget.
Before you jump in and call a contractor or try to tackle it on your own, here are a few things to think about:
- Who will be doing the work?
- Are they skilled enough to be able to handle issues that come up in terms of understanding both plumbing and design?
- Will the work be guaranteed?
- Who will be drawing up the plan, scheduling the work, and monitoring progress?
- Do you know where to find qualified people to do all aspects of the project?
- How will you select and buy the right fixtures?
Thinking through all aspects of the job and working within your budget are the keys to getting the bathroom you want and adding true value to your home.
Considering adding or remodeling a half-bath in your home?
Whether you already know exactly what you want or are just starting to consider the idea, let the experts as Agentis help – from planning to finished bathroom.
Come visit our showroom and talk to us, we’re ready to help. We can go more into depth on the advantages of a half-bath.
