There is always more than just picking your tile. Sure picking your materials is the fun stuff! But you should know that you will often have to consider other things such as, if you are converting a tub surround to a shower you will have to move the drain and possibly the plumbing all together. You will need to pick new fixtures for the shower so you will need to have a licensed plumber. The same goes if you are converting a shower to a tub surround and you’ll get to pick the tub. Often when you are doing a bathroom remodel you will need to consider that during the demolition phase you will have drywall damage. Don’t worry this is common and completely unavoidable. I tell you this so you can expect to have to have a drywall company do the repairs and those expenses should be considered. Paint is also an expense you should consider in your budget. Many contractors here in California still use a waterproofing method called a hotmop to waterproof a shower pan. This is where a hot tar is spread over the pan and up the walls and curb of the shower to waterproof. Now, if you are anything like me, you are probably going to want some extra light in that shower or a new one over the vanity so you’ll need to consider the electrician and the lighting cost too. Vanity, sinks and faucets all should be a cost consideration. New floors mean new baseboards! You don’t want to spend all that money on a beautifully remodeled bathroom and skimp on this little detail! You can hire a general contractor and they will consider all of these costs and put them into their bid. If you hire a specialty contractor these are all things you will need to consider and budget for. Oh! and having a budget is important! Don’t be afraid to share that with your contractor or designer. This will help them to get you more of what you want for what you can afford!