If You Are Remodeling Your Bathroom -- Be Careful You Don't Overspend!

I want you to take a few minutes and read my story -- my experiences in bathroom remodeling -- there's a lesson here for you. Sit back, relax and let me tell you my tale --

About six months ago I started playing around with the idea of remodeling our master bathroom. I came up with a few bathroom remodeling ideas that I thought would really transform the look of my bathroom: purchase some bathroom light fixtures, invest in a good-quality wall-to-wall bathroom rug, etc.

With my head in the clouds I headed out to my local specialty dealer -- and I must've had a sign on my back that said, "Here's my money -- take it all" because they sure did a number on me! Right away the attendant tried to get me to look at some antique bathroom vanity sets they had on display -- the price tag said that they cost over $2,000! The salesman quickly explained that if I purchased today they could give me $500 off -- and those things were just so beautiful, I couldn't resist.

So out came my checkbook, but before I could get a check written the salesman wanted to show me a nice selection of bathroom wall mirrors and bathroom light fixtures as well. By this time I thought, "In for a penny, in for a pound," so I obliged and before the afternoon was over I had spent close to $3,000. But because the salesman said I had gotten a "good deal" I felt pretty good about it all.

I felt pretty good about it -- until I went home and about a week later my oldest teenage daughter did a little checking around on the Internet, and showed me that the same, or very similar items which I had purchased were available far more cheaply from other outlets. My mistake? Not doing proper research before hand. Remember: if you don't know what's out there -- how do you know it's a "good deal"?

Fortunately for me, I had learned my lesson -- since I had some additional items to purchase for my bathroom, I did the proper research before hand. I needed a new medicine cabinet, and a new bathroom storage cabinet for over top of the toilet area. Lo and behold, I found that of all of our local dealers, our local Sears store had the best prices! Hat in hand, I trooped down there -- and right next to the Sears bathroom vanities were the bathroom wall cabinets and storage cabinets I was looking for.

Well, I've finally finished remodeling our bathroom -- but at far greater expense than I wanted, or really needed, to spend. So please, if you're looking to remodel your bathroom anytime soon, profit from my mistake: take the time to thoroughly research the purchases you want to make BEFORE you go out shopping. If you don't then -- like me -- you'll only have yourself to blame...

Simon Harris owns and operates http://www.total-bathroom.com How To Decorate Your Bathroom