We thought the following reprint from About.com was a worthy article. 

By Lee Wallender, About.com Guide

Giving ballpark estimates for home remodeling jobs is a slippery task. Without drilling down for various factors--bathroom condition, locality, timeframe, and more--bathroom renovation estimates can vary considerably. Even if you were to nail down these flexible factors, three contractors would give you three different estimates.

But your wish is understandable. You just want to know if this is do-able. You want to know if you should even entertain the very idea of bathroom remodeling. So, combining personal experience with conversations with other homeowners--and infusing it all with hard data from Remodeling Online's classic annual Cost vs. Value report--I will give you that ballpark idea of what kinds of costs to expect for bathroom remodeling in the 2007-2008 year.  

National Average for Bathroom Remodeling

This estimate is based on a 35-40 square foot bathroom. All fixtures and other items quoted are basic and functional. The remodeling contractor would do the following: 

• Install a standard porcelain toilet. 
• Lay down moisture-resistant vinyl wallpaper or paint with latex paint. 
• Install a dip-coat 60" long porcelain/steel tub and shower combination. 
• Install ceramic tile surround, around tub, with basic four-inch square tile.
• Install a solid-surface counter with integrated sink. 
• Install single-lever shower control. 
• Install lighted combination mirror/medicine cabinet. 
• Lay down ceramic tile floor. 

Original Source

Granite: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

So you want granite countertops…. Wait, do you want granite countertops or do you need granite countertops? There's nothing wrong with using granite for your new countertops if you've decided it's the best fit for you and your lifestyle. However, if you decided on granite after so-and-so told you it would increase the value of your home, you saw it featured on HGTV or the DIY Network, or noticed all your friends had it then it's time to do a little homework. When it comes to granite there's the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The Good
There are advantages to using granite as the material for your countertops. For instance:

•  It's heat resistant – Unlike other countertop materials such as wood, solid surface, and laminate granite won't scorch when hot pots and pans are placed on it. When you're cooking you can set items taken out of the oven or off of the stove on granite surfaces. However, keep in mind that nothing is 100% heat proof – extreme temperatures could cause granite to crack.
• It's scratch resistant – A popular selling point of granite is to say that you can cut directly on granite and your knife will dull before the granite scratches. You probably shouldn't do that because the best case scenario is a dull knife and the worse is a scratched or stained countertop. However, granite is scratch resistant, and on a daily basis there isn't much chance of you scratching your countertop. If it's something you're worried about, certain colors can help hide scratches that may occur.
• It provides a one-of-a-kind look – No two slabs of granite are identical. The differences between slabs are especially pronounced in granite that has movement (patterns). This means that even if you and all your friends decided to get the same color of granite your countertops would not look the same.
• It's durable – Granite is a tough, long lasting material. It's not something you're going to have to replace anytime soon.
• It's easy to clean – You can get cleaner made specifically for granite at most hardware stores or you can just use warm water and a little bit of mild soap. Check with your granite supplier to determine the best cleaning method for your countertops. You can also refer to this information from the Marble Institute of America: A Guide to the Care & Cleaning of Natural Stone.
•  It's water resistant – If you spill water on some materials and aren't able to clean it up in a timely manner you could be looking at a damaged or even ruined countertop. Granite is not one of those materials. Water spilt on granite may leave behind water spots, but those can be easily cleaned up with no lasting effects.

The big guys may not offer the customization you get from a local craftsman, but factory-made-to-order cabinets have the following benefits:

1. Warranties of up to 25 years on cabinets, accessories, workmanship, and internal hardware.   
2. Controlled environment that yields more stable wood, which reduces warping and splitting later.
3. Computerized cutting tools that offer more precise joinery than anything done by hand.
4. Baked-on finishes that are more durable than local guys' air-dried ones. Dust-free finishing rooms also provide a smooth-as-glass surface.

Source material from http://www.thisoldhouse.com

• In the bath, vanities are sporting cleaner lines, and a more casual, transitional look that contributes to an uncluttered, streamlined appearance. 
• Warmer, darker stains and painted finishes are gaining ground in the bath, while exotic veneers like bamboo, rosewood and birds eye maple are also seeing an uptick in interest. 
• There remains a growing demand for vanities that make a personalized statement while offering flexible storage that can be configured to the needs of the user. 
• Consumers seem to be particularly interested in stand-alone vanities that look and feel more like furniture, with stylized legs and elegant yet understated detailing. 
• Quartz, granite and solid surface are popular choices for topping off vanities, as consumers seek out easy-care and durable surfaces in the bath. 

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