The Best Bathroom Remodel In Durham, NC

The ultimate guide to getting the best bathroom remodel in Durham, North Carolina, and surrounding areas.

Consult with a specialist​ on your project

Your bathroom is your private space, and it needs to feel as such. Upgrading to a soothing design and adding a great deal of functionality ensures you are getting the best bathroom remodel in Durham.

Remodeling is a big step, but one that eases many daily anxieties and worries. New tile flooring brightens up your bathroom, fresh colors set the room’s vibe, and new vanities improve your bath’s looks and storage capacity.

Below you’ll discover what goes into the best remodel in Durham. Turn your project into a successful adventure by discovering the best way to pick your contractor and the most important aspects of a renovation.

Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

Anthony Abbot K&B Specialist

Published on October 14th, 2021 by

Anthony is the owner of Greystone Remodeling and an expert in bathroom renovations. His expertise comes from over 100 finished projects around Durham, Raleigh, Wake, and surrounding areas in North Carolina. Anthony is dedicated and passionate about every home he works on, which is why every remodeling project turns out a complete success.

A Look At The Best Bathroom Remodel

Although you can tackle most small projects in your home, avoid trying a bathroom renovation on your own. Talent, skill, and knowledge come into play when deciding to restructure your entire bathroom.

Proper plumbing and electrical systems are crucial if you hate leaks and power outages. Tiles placed unevenly detract everyone from the décor, so it saves you time to have an expert get them right from the get-go. And poor lighting makes your bathroom feel as if something is missing.

A renovation is a complex project that impacts your life in many different ways, so hiring an expert pays off. Greystone Remodeling helps you from start to finish to achieve a more relaxing and stress-free space for your bathroom. You’ll feel safe, at ease, and confident every time you enter the room.

Bathroom Trends In Durham

For a highly functional and beautiful bathroom, you’ll need to consider a few aspects. Tech, functionality, and style are what sets the tone and decide your bathroom is worthy of a photo shoot or a Pinterest album.

According to NBKA, new vanities coupled with smart technology options are the upgrades homeowners are constantly looking for in recent years. Another frequent request in Durham is replacing the bathtub with an upgraded shower.

Trends suffer many swift changes over time, so investing in timeless vanities, tiles, and cabinets ensures a stylish bathroom that won’t need a remodel any time soon.

Bathroom Styles In Durham

A good reason to think of a remodel is when you feel your bathroom is outdated and doesn’t match the rest of your home any longer. A renovation creates the perfect opportunity to change styles and try something new.

In most cases, outdated bathrooms send you to a trip back in the ’60. It might bring nostalgia and familiarity, but an outdated bathroom becomes harder and harder to maintain. As your needs change, it stops being functional, and it doesn’t fit your lifestyle anymore.

The right style in your bathroom comforts your senses and your daily life. For the relaxing atmosphere that will clear your mind try matching the cabinetry with your bathroom’s tiles. For contrast, use the other elements in your bathroom to complement and finish the style you are going for. This way, every area in your home flows and feels seamless, preserving your mood in each room.

In a nutshell, choose the style that makes you feel comfortable and satisfied whenever you open your bathroom door. Bonus points if it brings nostalgia and functionality to your home.

Transitional Style Bathrooms

A transitional bathroom has a timeless look and feel attached to it. Delicate features blend in with beautiful vanity design to create a perfect balance between modern and traditional. 

Have your bathroom appear clean and airy with neutral colors and proper lighting that emphasize the specific transitional elements.

Contemporary Style Bathrooms

Minimalistic, with clean lines and smooth finishes, contemporary style is all about simplicity and elegance.

Create a modern atmosphere with stylish, simple vanities, a walk-in shower with smart gadgets, plenty of space to move around, and lots of natural light. Enjoy the comfort of an airy room in a contemporary bathroom.

Organic/Natural Style Bathrooms

An organic bath highlights every natural texture of your bathroom. Natural light, warm colors, and plants create the most relaxing and comfortable atmosphere of all styles. 

Wood surfaces combined with dark or white tiles are prominent in organic bathrooms, giving this style a luxurious appearance.

Industrial Style Bathrooms

Industrial-style bathrooms display a multitude of features that make a statement. 

Dark vanities or tiles, golden hardware, or even concrete features make this style seem elegant and flashy. You can balance the industrial style with plants and accent colors to make your bathroom appear more lively.

Choosing The Best Materials

The most challenging aspect of a renovation is choosing the proper materials for your upcoming project. Ideally, you’d mix plenty of them to create the perfect setup for your bathroom, but when your options are so vast, your decision could become a nightmare.

Researching how everything will look and the specifications of every material will take forever. That’s why choosing a contractor that knows everything about renovating is decisive. 

Here at Greystone Remodeling, we take our time to explain and go through each option to find the most suitable solution for your home.

There are a few critical factors when deciding what’s best for your bathroom. We’ll discuss the most common options below.

Wood cabinets with either flat panels or recessed panels are increasingly more popular. 91% of them will feature light or medium tones, but darker tones as shown above are perfect to highlight a contrast.

You’ll find most sinks in either white or beige colors. Double sinks are also super popular, and when coupled with dark or golden faucets, your bathroom will be nothing short of impressive.

For vanity countertops, the most common among homeowners are quartz (74%), quartzite (30%), granite (19%), and marble (17%) predominantly in lighter colors. 

Functional storage options include linen closets and medicine cabinets with electrical outlets and inside lighting. Improve accessibility with open shelves or soft-close hinges.

Ceramic or porcelain tile make 65% of flooring materials. Experts predict that 77% of all future remodeled bathrooms will have heated flooring, so definitely an upgrade to consider.

Multiple lighting sources will have motion sensors or intelligent controls so you can forget about switches. Mirror and shower lights are some of the preferred choices, but under cabinet lighting is always the winner.

Separate tub and shower are a must, with often changes of layout and configuration. Make your bath appear larger with glass walk-in showers with large tile, or improve flexibility with a free-standing tub.

Smart, sustainable features will include low-water flow toilets, water-efficient shower heads and faucets, low-energy exhaust fans, efficient LED lights, and water conservation systems.

Smart Features For The Best Remodel

As technology quickly advances, smart gadgets and features are becoming more common in Durham households. Motion-sensor lights and remote control options are just two of the upgrades that increase the functionality of your bathroom.

You have to admit, having the bathroom’s lights turned on automatically in the middle of the night saves you from countless tries to reach the switch. Or imagine finding the tub already filled with hot water just because you pressed a button on your way home.

Consider water conservation methods, efficient electrical systems, and heat recirculation for an environmentally friendly bathroom. Take pride in doing your part in saving our planet, and enjoy saving money at the same time.

Bathroom Colors That Make A Statement

Color is an essential aspect of the final look of your renovated room. It sets the tone and overall vibe of the space, and it reflects your mood and character. Not only that, but colors improve your mood and boost your energy levels too.

Because your bathroom needs to remain stylish and appear clean, white is the perfect color for this particular room. In fact, light colors always favor your bathroom, making it seem brighter, more spacious, and airy.

Other popular colors include warm neutrals, earthy tones, pale blues, or greens. Even a dark grey or navy blue accent wall would look great in your bathroom with the right color combinations.

Bathroom Remodel Changes

Renovating is all about customizing your bathroom to fit your needs and lifestyle perfectly. Introduce some of your favorite colors, the style that matches your personality, and the features that will significantly enhance your day-to-day life, and you have the best bathroom for yourself. In a nutshell, you can change everything you want in a bathroom renovation.

However, consider a universal approach if you plan to sell your property.

Planning your remodel well is essential because it will ensure the functionality of your bathroom and its look. A skilled contractor can create a design that ages gracefully without you having to redo your bathroom every two years.

Planning also allows tweaks based on what works best in each situation and mobility to change your mind before your project begins. Below are the most common changes homeowners in Durham make to their bathroom renovation project.

Sink Faucets

  • Single- or double-handle
  • Finish: shiny chrome, matte chrome, copper, brass, black coating

Cabinetry

  • Door material (wood, laminate)
  • Hardware (knobs & pulls)
  • Comfort height
  • Drawers
  • Sitting area
  • Storage options (pull-outs, roll-outs, trash cans, etc)
  • Tiolet topper cabinet
  • Linen cabinet 

Countertops

  • Ceramic tile
  • Quartz and solid surface
  • Cultured marble
  • Granite
  • Marble
  • Laminate

Toilets

  • One-piece or two-piece
  • Simple or smart-tech
  • Elongated
  • Comfort height
  • Separate compartment
  • Bidet
  • Grab bars

Lighting

  • Ambient lighting
  • Grooming, around mirror
  • Toilet area lighting
  • In tub or shower
  • In-floor lighting
  • LED or incandescent
  • Xenon or halogen
  • Color lighting

Flooring

  • Tile
  • Vinyl
  • Stone
  • Laminate
  • Wood
  • Radiant

Ventilation

  • With light
  • With heat
  • Extra quiet
  • Humidity sensor
  • Automated

Medicine Cabinet

  • Wood or metal
  • Recessed or surface-mounted
  • Single, double, or triple mirror
  • With TV
  • Refrigerated

Accessories

  • Towel bars or rings
  • Magnifying makeup mirrors
  • Toilet paper holders
  • Soap and lotion dispensers
  • Tissue boxes
  • Robe hooks
  • Toothbrush and tumbler holders

Laundry & Other

  • Washer, dryer
  • Stacked or side by side
  • Front or top loading
  • TV
  • Music
  • Towel warmers

The Value A New Bathroom Brings

Before talking numbers, let’s talk about what a renovated bathroom will bring to your life. A remodeled bathroom is just as valuable as a kitchen remodel in terms of well-being.

You might want to start a remodeling project because you feel your bathroom doesn’t belong anymore. Or because it’s simply time for a change. Either way, it’s understandable. A bathroom that meets your needs and complements the rest of your home makes you proud and confident in your investment.

A 2019 NBKA report shows how a bathroom renovation comes with a Joy Score of 9.3 out of 10. In the same study, 70% of homeowners say they have a greater desire to be home after the renovation. And 58% of homeowners mentioned an increased sense of satisfaction while at home.

The Costs Of A Bathroom Remodel

According to Remodeling’s 2021 Cost vs. Value Report, a master bathroom is between $20k to $60k, while a guest bathroom is between $10k and $20k. However, projects differ, and no home is the same. Yours is unique in its way, and you face challenges that no one else does. Your upcoming project might cost less, but it might as well cost more than what these studies show.

However you want to put it, a bathroom remodel remains a brilliant investment. For a $68k remodel project, you can expect your property’s value will increase by at least $33k. The reason is simple. Buyers love a recently renovated bathroom because they know a project of such magnitude can get stressful.

A bathroom remodel transforms this room into a quiet and relaxing oasis where you feel at peace. It becomes the only place in your home where you can be alone and think clearly.

Before Starting Your Remodel Project

Renovating and the idea of refreshing your home sounds great, but is it that easy?

Nothing is impossible when you want it hard enough. Once you find the right contractor, starting a renovation project is relatively easy. What’s more difficult is the entire process and going through it. We at Greystone Remodeling focus on a simple process that gets your project finished quickly and efficiently.

Another aspect to consider is that your home can have different issues that you might not know about. It tends to happen to old properties, but it shouldn’t be a big step back. From our vast experience, we learned to deal with everything that can go wrong, so you’ll have a renovated bathroom with no delays or significant issues.

The most common problems we encounter along the way are:

To always be on top of things, here are some other things to consider:

Filtering Bath Remodel Contractors In Durham

Working closely with people you barely know can sometimes lead to frustration. Before starting any project, it’s a great idea to research what it takes and who to work with to be successful.

You can significantly improve your renovating experience if you consider these red flags when searching for a contractor.

Response Time

It’s an instant problem if you call or text a contractor, and you end up waiting for days to get a response. You can’t trust the contractor that takes your money and then “doesn’t have time” to take care of your project.

At Greystone Remodeling, we take pride in how fast we reply and get back to you for a consultation. It doesn’t mean we’re not busy; it just means we value your time and appreciate your interest in us.

Lower Than Usual Prices

There are two things you need to avoid when it comes to pricing. Too expensive – and too cheap. Expensive doesn’t always mean best, and cheap is not always advantageous, especially when talking about your home.

Do some research and discover the average prices contractors charge for a project similar to yours. The lowest price usually comes from cutting corners on materials or labor. A low price is not worth it when you’ll have to redo the project sooner than expected because of poor past contracting jobs.

Lack Of Contract, License, Or Insurance​

A company that works without a contract needs to be 100% avoided. The contract is supposed to promise that your contractor will show up and work on your project as scheduled. You also want your contractor to be insured, so you won’t have to pay extra charges for possible mistakes or accidents.

The right company has a license for your type of project. That means they know what they’re doing and are skilled enough to bring your vision to life.

Asking For Payment Upfront

Full payment upfront raises questions from the start. Once you pay your contractor the total amount, you still need assurance that they’ll come and finish the job without postponing anything. A deposit is a good enough incentive for any contractor to start working on your project.

Even if the “offer you can’t refuse” sounds brilliant, it’s better to dig a little deeper and find out how that particular contractor works. It can save you a lot of money, time, and stress.

Quality Bathroom Remodeling Services

Remodeling your bathroom is no easy feat. You’ll have to spend mental, emotional, and monetary energy on something that maybe you’ve been dreaming about for years.

Get honest and reliable service from trained professionals that put your needs first. Reach out to us for an expert’s advice that will help you make the best decision for your home.

Straight-Forward Process

Our transparent and fast process ensures you’re always informed about everything that goes on with your project. 

Your time is valuable, so we designed this process exclusively for you. It’s fast, reliable, and you won’t have to worry about anything.

Time-Bound Service

Your project will be our top priority. We’ll focus on every aspect of the job so you can transform your home into how you envisioned it.

In around three weeks, your bathroom will become one of the main attractions of your home, and everyone that steps inside will want one themselves.

Transparent Pricing

Transparent pricing allows you to know what to expect and prepare accordingly. See our prices displayed on our website and discover how much to budget.

We know planning a budget is not always easy, so one of our experts will assist you if need be. You’ll be able to choose the best materials at the most advantageous price while also receiving a quality product.

Licensed and Insured Contractors

Searching for the right contractor to work on your home is a big deal. Here at Greystone Remodeling, we listen and help you find the perfect solutions for your home. Bring your vision to life with licensed, insured, and dedicated experts.

National Kitchen And Bath Association Certification
National Association Of Home Builders Certification
Home Builders Association Raleigh Certification
Raleigh Remodelers Council Badge

The Best Remodel Process In Durham

A renovation is a project of magnitude, and we’ve all been there. We know it takes courage, so we made a fast and straightforward process that gets you the best results in the shortest amount of time.

Here’s how it goes:

The Bathroom You Want In Less Than A Month

After our first contact via phone, we’ll schedule an on-site visit to discuss your upcoming project further. The consultation helps us see the whole place and what will work best for your home regarding style and functionality. After seeing your home, we’ll set a budget, discuss materials, and schedule a timeline.

We will begin designing your new bathroom as soon as we agree with the contract.

In the first days of work, we’ll carefully unmount cabinets, remove the vanity, take out the flooring and tiles, and get rid of any unnecessary wall. You will begin seeing your new, upgraded bathroom in the neatly cleared space. It takes around three weeks to finish an average bathroom remodel, all while your home will be as welcoming as ever.

When your bathroom is ready for the grand opening, you’ll receive a walkthrough to see how we made everything happen. Read more about our process here and discover how your renovation will unfold.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should you spend on a bathroom renovation?

Experts say that between 5 to 10 percent of your home’s value should be enough for a bathroom renovation. Of course, every project is different, so 10% might not do your bathroom justice. Spend how much you can afford on your bathroom renovation and enough to be proud of your investment.

For a more detailed breakdown of the costs of a bathroom remodel, check out this guide.

Should you remodel your bathroom before selling it?

Yes. A remodeled bathroom will significantly increase your home’s value and decrease its time on the market, so you’ll sell your home faster when the time comes. Homeowners love a renovated bathroom because they know it implies quite some work.

Should you remodel your bathroom or kitchen first?

If you’re looking to sell your property, both a kitchen and bathroom remodel bring a decent return on investment. If you just renovated these rooms, their chances on the market will grow, and you’ll get to sell the house faster.

If you’re looking to keep your home, the decision comes down to your preferences. A remodeled kitchen will bring your family together and help you bond with each other. But with a new bathroom, you get to spoil yourself and enjoy life more in a tub full of hot water.

Do bathrooms need windows?

Yes. A window is crucial for your bathroom as it removes unwanted moisture that can lead to mold and other issues in this room. Windows can also make your bathroom brighter, especially if you have white tiles. Improved lighting makes your bathroom appear cleaner and more spacious.

What adds value to a bathroom?

Extending or making your bathroom seem bigger adds more value to this room than any other upgrade. You can also consider a jacuzzi tub or steam shower, heated floors, a double sink, or more storage space.

Where Clients Are Top Priority, Not An Afterthought

E

Eric Cumming

5/5

Greystone was the lead contractor for a high end whole house renovation and addition. Anthony is great to work with and is always thinking of the best way to solve difficult construction challenges. I highly recommend his company.

Response from the owner

Thanks Eric! We look forward to working on the next one with you!

Venus Liles

5/5

We consider ourselves so lucky to have found Anthony with Greystone Custom Construction. After being referred by a friend, we selected him to assist with a major home remodel.

We couldn’t be more delighted with how everything turned out! His responsiveness, professionalism, and work ethic are unparalleled in the industry. Any issues that popped up were addressed promptly and thoroughly.

We are planning to use his services for other projects in the future and recommend him without hesitation for any construction needs.

Response from the owner

Thanks Venus! It was a pleasure to work with you and Phillip!

Jeff Lawrence

5/5

Anthony did a great job and good price would highly recommend Greystone Remodeling 🔨

Response from the owner

Thank you Jeff!

James Padgett

5/5

Anthony has excellent attention to detail, communicates very well and went above and beyond our expectations!! Highly recommend! Thank you!! ☺️

Response from the owner

Thank you James for your kind words!

Increase Your Home's Comfort With The Perfect Remodel