The investment to upgrade and update your bathroom is smart if you want to improve your home value and improve your home's aesthetics. If you live in a house that you know you will be on the market, either in a few months or a few years, be smart with the changes you make.

You want to love your space, but you must make changes that will make the house easier to sell. Here are things to discuss with a bathroom renovation contractor before starting the job.

Check Credentials

Before anyone works on your home you must verify their credentials to do the work. You don't want someone that isn't a plumber to move pipes or plumbing lines, or someone that isn't an electrician doing anything to your electrical fixtures, outlets, and switches.

This could lead to hazardous concerns for the safety of your family and your home. Ask for proof of contractor's license, certifications they may have, and anything else that would apply to your project.

Make Clean, Classic and Valuable Changes

You want to make changes that add value to your home. If you do not know if this is your forever home or you know you want to sell, pick out pieces and styles that are clean and classic. Do not go with super trendy or funky tiles, paint, or other items.

Some high-quality items that can be attractive now and years down the road will include:

• Solid wood vanity
• Stone or Formica countertops
• Tile flooring
• Washable neutral paint
• Stainless-steel hardware
• Plain shower tile or insert designs

You want to make the room as bright as possible to make the space seem larger and make changes that will not get dated quickly.

Get Costs and Evaluate Home Value Increase

Set the budget for the project based on how much you think the bathroom renovation will improve the value of the home. You do not want to put more money into the renovation than it would be possible to get back, or not be able to get any back. This means being conscious of:

• Materials suitable for the value of the home
• Avoiding major layout changes if possible
• Getting estimates from different contractors

Different contractors may have different ideas for materials and changes, so be sure to get a breakdown of the costs from each professional.

If an outdated bathroom in your house must go, get a professional to assess and complete the work. Be smart with your budget to get the best return when you sell.