Additional baths in renovation- Is it worth it in flip?

Question

Hello everyone,

Theoretically, how complex or simple is it to add a bath or two to a house that has enough sq ft for such an addition, and what costs can I expect? I'm investing in Columbus.
It is clear to me that it should be suitable for the house. Is it right to get to this kind of rehab as an investor for the first flip?

Thanks,

David

Evan Polaski · Answer

@David Ezra, as mentioned there are too many variables to even begin to answer this.  My last two flips I added a full bath in one and half bath in the other.  Both were on first floor over unfinished basements, so the tie-ins were much easier than second floor.  When getting to second floor baths, I have added them with second floor additions, but definitely more complex depending on where existing water, drain and vent lines are run.

If you are in an older area of Columbus, where 3-1's are common, then they help differentiate your property from others, which helps, but buyers generally aren't expecting it.  If having a first floor half bath, or master ensuite are the expectations, like in newer suburbs, and you don't have it, you will definitely limit your buyer pool.

Pat L. · Answer

We did exactly that on a 1950's Cape Cod flip. I put a 1/2 bath upstairs in a useless but large hall closet between the two large bedrooms. It was fun running all the required plumbing, electrical & heating vents. Then we added a new 1/2 bath downstairs in a dead end hallway just beyond the stairs to the basement. This was for guests, rather than use the master ensuite.

Then I tore out the old 7x7 original main bath & made it a full large sized bathroom ensuite to the downstairs master bedroom. Got it all permitted, inspected & signed off. Admittedly I replaced all the original rusted leaking cast iron waste stack & Galv., plumbing with PVC & Pex.

During the open house most through it were impressed, but one millennial babe was annoyed at the thought of having 3 bathrooms to clean. The new owners appreciated the fact that guests did not need to go through their bedroom to the master bath & were pleased that a functional 1/2 bath upstairs negated the need to negotiate stairs at night.

Nicholas Field · Answer

Adding a bathroom off the master or going from 1 to 2 is easy if you have gutted.

My last bathroom add was

Framing, plumbing rough in, drywall, heated flooring, waterproofing, tiling, floor tiling, fixtures and vanities, final plumbing. Not simple but not rocket science. Now i have a 3/2 which is way better than a 3/1.

Theresa Harris · Answer

It depends on a lot of factors-location of the bathroom to plumbing, what you are converting into a bathroom, types of finishes and is it worth it (ie is this a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house that you are adding a 3rd bathroom to.

Additional baths in renovation- Is it worth it in flip?

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