There are many home remodeling projects, but one of the most valuable in terms of increasing the value of the home is the bathroom remodeling job. Remodeling an aging bathroom can have a great many benefits, both in terms of livability and in terms of home value, but it is important to do the job the right way.

Start with proper planning

The great bathroom remodel starts with proper planning, and it is important to plan the project properly in order to have it turn out how you want. One priority, and unfortunately one that is often overlooked, is to obtain all the necessary permits from local and county governments. It is important to notify the township and other authorities of your plans, as failure to do so could leave you with a big fine o pay.

Another part of planning is to draw up a good set of architectural plans. A good set of plans will be a great help when hiring a contractor, and it will help the contractor more easily visualize the finished bathroom. If architectural drawings are beyond your abilities, a quick drawing, or even a set of photos from the architectural magazine you have been using as your guide, can be a good substitute.

Remember the utilities

Remodeling the bathroom may require moving utilities, and it is important to let the contractor know where the water lines are located, and which lines may need to be moved. It is important to know that structural changes may be needed in order to reroute water lines, or to bring in plumbing, electricity or telephone lines.

Start with a good foundation

The floor of the bathroom is one of the most important considerations, since the bathroom floor gets much more of a workout than the floor of most other rooms. The most durable of all bathroom floors is stone or ceramic tile. When properly installed, stone or ceramic tile will last a lifetime.

Of course the expense of stone and ceramic tile, coupled with the difficulty of installing it properly, puts it off limits to many homeowners. Vinyl flooring can be a good and more cost effective substitute for stone and ceramic tile. Vinyl is durable, and easy to clean, and it is comfortable, quiet and skid resistant as well.

No matter what type of flooring you choose for your bathroom remodel, it is important to install it properly. Improperly installed flooring will not last, and the last thing you want to do is end up doing is remodeling that bathroom all over again in just a few years.

Brooke Sikula is a freelance writer based in Ventura, CA and writes on a wide range of topics from home improvement to credit repair and everything in between. She is a regular contributor to http://www.get-home-improvement.com and http://www.credit-card-faq.com

For more information and advice on home improvement projects, check out http://www.home-improvement4u.com