To add a powder room or to not add a powder room? (house, to buy)

[dpbarr2000]

It would add value if your home was a two story home. Otherwise, why go to the expense of adding a loo if you have another on the same level?

[northerngirlgoessouth]

Hm, that's a good point... I think it's more about having a powder room easily accessible for guests instead of going back to the bedrooms at the other end of the house. My main question is, in the housing market for a typical house of this size is it more appealing to have a 1/2 bath if we were ever to decide to sell?

[Cardiff by the Sea]

May I quote the esteemed BBronston: One person's "perfect" is another person's "no way."

After living 17 years in a one bathroom house, hell would freeze over before I would buy a house that did not have a a dedicated guest bathroom. I don't have any opinion about whether it would add $ value to your house, but it would make a wider variety of people willing to consider your house. I can also imagine the person who would say "no way" to having one more toilet to clean.

[northerngirlgoessouth]

lol - SOLD! Yes, a powder room we will have. Thank you guys for all of your advice and thoughts, I'm new to the board and I look forward to learning more about you all and our lovely town Sarasota.

[Cardiff by the Sea]

Here is another way to think about justifying the cost. How long to you expect to live in the house? Hubby and I come from long lived stock. My grandmother lived to 96, hubby's uncle lived to 98. I am hoping we are in our house for 30 years. We may have to have an attendant, but as far as I am concerned--this is it.

I would be looking at it from the perspective of what is it worth to me, not to someone else. So the cost/reward analysis I would be doing would go something like this. I would expect to be able to do the powder room for 10k. Divide $10,000 by 30 years and you get $333 a year or roughly $30 a month or roughly a dollar a day. Is it worth it? #$@* yes.

Of course not everyone expects to live 30 years in their house. Lets say you are only going to be there 10 years. Would you get $3 a day's worth of enjoyment from it? A big latte at Starbucks is $4. Just sayin.

[northerngirlgoessouth]

Very, very good point. We will be there for probably 10 years, at least. Perhaps forever if we don't have an opportunity to build a custom home. Finding a decent lot in this town is a WHOLE different ball game. Not even going to go there! That's a great perspective and yes, now I see it will definitely be worth spending.

[Shabotnik]

nggs:

Let a reputable licensed contractor know you've got a realistic budget for this job. Have him come out, look around, and make suggestions. Good luck.

[Nancy in Nokomis]

Is that an insult Cardiff? My house is pristine and clean - we have a master bath and one in the hallway my kids use and guests can use - all of my guests are close friends who are very clean and they would not be in my home if I did not trust them in my bathroom.

I don't let people I don't know well in my home

We are all so spoiled these days - I grew up in a one bathroom home - as did most of my peers - and everything was just fine

[Cardiff by the Sea]

Originally Posted by Fairfax Mom

Is that an insult Cardiff? My house is pristine and clean - we have a master bath and one in the hallway my kids use and guests can use - all of my guests are close friends who are very clean and they would not be in my home if I did not trust them in my bathroom.

I don't let people I don't know well in my home

We are all so spoiled these days - I grew up in a one bathroom home - as did most of my peers - and everything was just fine

I think you miss my point. I don't trust Hubby and I to keep the bathrooms clean enough and our stuff put away enough that we would not be embarrassed by having people in our private spaces. You may not be able to relate to this if your husband is younger and better trained than mine. The only time my house is ever pristine and clean is the first hour after the cleaning lady leaves. And yes we are spoiled.

[macrodome2]

Originally Posted by Cardiff by the Sea

I think you miss my point. I don't trust Hubby and I to keep the bathrooms clean enough and our stuff put away enough that we would not be embarrassed by having people in our private spaces. You may not be able to relate to this if your husband is younger and better trained than mine. The only time my house is ever pristine and clean is the first hour after the cleaning lady leaves. And yes we are spoiled.

I have the same problem. After my husband shaves each morning it looks more like he tried to take a bath in the sink. He uses shaving cream and razor- not electric.