August 26, 2005 --

Elizabeth Alvarez -KFOX Morning News Anchor/Reporter

We spent more than 10-billion dollars on bathroom renovations last year. A recent questionnaire shows that bathroom renovations are the one part of the house that has the most remodeling problems. But our testers say that with careful planning and some savvy shopping, you can get the job done right without spending big bucks.

Sue Fuhr is planning to renovate her bathroom, and not a minute too soon.

Sue Fuhr-Homeowner: "The tiles are coming apart. We're starting to see leaks in the shower, and the tub doesn't work as well."

She wants to redo everything, but like most people, her budget is limited. Consumer Reports' Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman says the average bathroom renovation costs about $10,000. But Consumer Reports' tests of everything from whirlpool tubs to sinks and different countertop materials for vanities show there are plenty of ways to get luxury without spending a fortune.

For example, trendy vessel sinks that sit on top of the counter are hot sellers and are not much more expensive than regular sinks. Consumer Reports' tests show new sink materials like glass and stainless steel also hold up well. When it comes to tubs, at least 25% of remodelers are opting for whirlpools.

Celia Lehrman-Consumer Reports: "Whirlpools can cost as much as $5,000. But we found one in our recent tests that cost $750 that performed very well."

When it comes to the vanity, high-end kitchen materials like granite and marble are moving into the bathroom. Consumer Reports says prices for these materials have dropped significantly, so you can upgrade without breaking the bank.

Other ways to save on your bathroom redo: Don't move the toilet. The costs involved often outweigh the benefits. Shop around for tile, Consumer Reports found big differences in price for similar products. And most importantly, plan carefully.

Consumer Reports' survey results show making changes after construction is underway can cost you time and money. Follow this advice and homeowners like Sue can have a bathroom of their dreams without washing money down the drain.

For more helpful consumer information, visit *Consumer Reports on the web.

http://www.consumerreports.org/

*Consumer Reports is a fee based website. Many of the articles require a subscription.