Bathroom remodel - Reorient shower and/or enclose toilet?

[PilotAlan]

We're looking at homes in TV, and are very interested in the northern section (around 466). But most older homes (especially Courtyard Villas, and some Designers) the toilet in the master is out in the open. We strongly prefer a door.

Some would be relatively simple to extend the wall and add a door. Others would require swapping the locations of the toilet and shower.

Has anyone done this? Was it relatively straightforward, or did it become a money pit? About how much did it cost? (I don't know if we're talking $7,500 or $17,500)

Any input from active/retired contractors is also appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[vintageogauge]

Go down south as you can probably buy a new one for not much more than an old one that may need more work than you think.

[PilotAlan]

Go down south as you can probably buy a new one for not much more than an old one that may need more work than you think.

That may be the outcome, but we like the larger lots, mature trees, and proximity to amenities in the northern section. We'll be 70 when we get there, not sure I want to wait for the area to build out.
The cost is part of the decision process.

[billethkid]

That may be the outcome, but we like the larger lots, mature trees, and proximity to amenities in the northern section. We'll be 70 when we get there, not sure I want to wait for the area to build out.
The cost is part of the decision process.


There is no such event as a build out in The Villages.

[will1546]

Enclose the toilet as it is much easier.

[PilotAlan]

Enclose the toilet as it is much easier.

Agreed. But some will not allow that, and would require reorienting the shower and toilet.
Trying to get an idea of cost and complexity.
If we found our dream house that met all our criteria otherwise, how much do I need to figure in for complete bath rebuild. One, for example, had a large backyard, easy walk to the neighborhood pool, backed to a golf course, but the bathroom would need a total redo to meet our desires.

[villagetinker]

Since all of the pipes are buried what works at one house may not work at an identical house due to the piping being installed differently. I have out house plans, and the one thing they do not show is the routing of the plumbing.
My humble suggestion, look into bi-fold door or accordion doors to provide some privacy, and if necessary simple wall extensions. Anything involving moving to tapping into the existing plumbing is going be expensive and then matching the existing flooring may be difficult or impossible.

[Babbs1957]

Move a toilet could be almost impossible. A larger drain with it's required drop may require not only the slab to be ripped up in the bathroom, but probably another 20 feet in another room ripped up. Just adding a true wall and door should be less than 5k. Otherwise, you could be up in the area of 20k plus. I shudder to think of replacing a 2" with a 4" pipe and the DWV that will be required per code.

[PilotAlan]

Move a toilet could be almost impossible. A larger drain with it's required drop may require not only the slab to be ripped up in the bathroom, but probably another 20 feet in another room ripped up. Just adding a true wall and door should be less than 5k. Otherwise, you could be up in the area of 20k plus. I shudder to think of replacing a 2" with a 4" pipe and the DWV that will be required per code.

Yikes! Thanks, this is the kind of thing I needed to know.

There are some floor plans that are amenable to extending a short wall and adding a door. Others you could turn the toilet 90*, take out the linen closet, and enclose it.
But the one CV floorplan that would require swapping the toilet and shower are out now.

Thanks again for the reality check!

[Raywatkins]

There are properties that already have that feature in the northern part of TV.
We bought pre owned and that was the floor plan. In fact all of our friends have the same feature.
We did remodel the master on suite - but that was to improve the look not change the layout. In fact we have a separate sliding door that shuts off the walk in wardrobes, shower, basin and toilet area. We also remodelled the guest area taking out the bath and installing a walk in shower.

There are many models of design in TV.
There are plenty in the northern part that have what you are looking for.
Just ask whoever you use in your search to show you properties with that feature.

Don’t get pulled into the North v the South debate.
Everybody has different ideas of what they want. What’s good for one is not necessarily good for the other.
Before you visit - set out your most important requirements and stress those to your Village’s rep. We saved many hours of searching that way.
Good luck and I hope you find your own piece of paradise.

[Rzepecki]

We're looking at homes in TV, and are very interested in the northern section (around 466). But most older homes (especially Courtyard Villas, and some Designers) the toilet in the master is out in the open. We strongly prefer a door.

Some would be relatively simple to extend the wall and add a door. Others would require swapping the locations of the toilet and shower.

Has anyone done this? Was it relatively straightforward, or did it become a money pit? About how much did it cost? (I don't know if we're talking $7,500 or $17,500)

Any input from active/retired contractors is also appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Look for a house with a toilet room = small room with only the toilet and a door. Many models have them.

[GpaVader]

the toilet in the master is out in the open. We strongly prefer a door.


I'm trying to understand this statement, are you saying the toilet is in the middle of bedroom? I assume the master bath has a door on it. Why not just close that door if you need privacy. If your master bath is much like most people's guest bathroom, I'm not sure I understand the need to enclose toilet. What about putting up a shower curtain around the toilet.

[MandoMan]

We're looking at homes in TV, and are very interested in the northern section (around 466). But most older homes (especially Courtyard Villas, and some Designers) the toilet in the master is out in the open. We strongly prefer a door.

Some would be relatively simple to extend the wall and add a door. Others would require swapping the locations of the toilet and shower.

Has anyone done this? Was it relatively straightforward, or did it become a money pit? About how much did it cost? (I don't know if we're talking $7,500 or $17,500)

Any input from active/retired contractors is also appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I have a friend who lives near Pennecamp and Swordfish, which is ten minutes south of Lake Sumter Landing and five minutes north of 466A. Her toilet is in a separate little room in her bathroom, with a sliding pocket door. These house do exist. Your agent may know where they are. That said, if there is room for that, installing it would be MUCH cheaper than messing with the plumbing. Even less expensive would be a “barn door” that can slide along an existing wall. Keep in mind where lighting and light switches are also ventilation fans. I prefer Panasonic Whisper-Quiet fans that expel about 130 cubic feet per minute.

Another option is agreeing that the guest room bath will be used for a toilet visit, and the master bath will be used for bathing and dressing.

[Donnie&Viv]

We have successfully done this twice, and it was not a nightmare. However I will say that you must use licensed plumber and bathroom remodeling company. We did this because we loved the areas north of 466 and really wanted to make that home our own. We did as part of a whole home remodel, however I would be happy to share more information privately. If you are still interested in that as an option.

I'm just One Villager that has been able to do it in two homes.





We're looking at homes in TV, and are very interested in the northern section (around 466). But most older homes (especially Courtyard Villas, and some Designers) the toilet in the master is out in the open. We strongly prefer a door.

Some would be relatively simple to extend the wall and add a door. Others would require swapping the locations of the toilet and shower.

Has anyone done this? Was it relatively straightforward, or did it become a money pit? About how much did it cost? (I don't know if we're talking $7,500 or $17,500)

Any input from active/retired contractors is also appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Driller703]

Just close the bathroom door and save $5,000. You don’t need a companion in the bathroom!

[Dilligas]

Yikes! Thanks, this is the kind of thing I needed to know.

There are some floor plans that are amenable to extending a short wall and adding a door. Others you could turn the toilet 90*, take out the linen closet, and enclose it.
But the one CV floorplan that would require swapping the toilet and shower are out now.

Thanks again for the reality check!
Even turning the toilet may be impossible as the pipes and connector metal ring are set in concrete. Any rotation would require the exact position.

[coffeebean]

I'm trying to understand this statement, are you saying the toilet is in the middle of bedroom? I assume the master bath has a door on it. Why not just close that door if you need privacy. If your master bath is much like most people's guest bathroom, I'm not sure I understand the need to enclose toilet. What about putting up a shower curtain around the toilet.

I really LOVE the toilet room in our designer home. It has a pocket door. Never had a toilet room before living in The Villages. These homes have such nice features. Don't all designer homes have toilet rooms in the master suite bathrooms? Our toilet room has room for a shallow tall cabinet which I purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond. It is perfect for the little room.

[Ponygirl]

I have seen CV in the SS area that increased the master bath by utilizing closet space and moving shower and vanity over. Which would make room for an enclosed toilet

[dpmers]

Lantana and Crepe Myrtle floor plans both have toilet rooms. Up near 466 is grown in and quiet and peaceful

[JustJack]

We're looking at homes in TV, and are very interested in the northern section (around 466). But most older homes (especially Courtyard Villas, and some Designers) the toilet in the master is out in the open. We strongly prefer a door.

Some would be relatively simple to extend the wall and add a door. Others would require swapping the locations of the toilet and shower.

Has anyone done this? Was it relatively straightforward, or did it become a money pit? About how much did it cost? (I don't know if we're talking $7,500 or $17,500)

Any input from active/retired contractors is also appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I don't mean to brag, but I've watched Home & Garden TV. I strongly recommend buying the home you like in the area you like. If the toilet has a separate room...great! If the toilet is visible within the master bathroom, I strongly recommend closing the master bathroom door before doin' the doo. This can save a crapton of money to buy other shi... I mean stuff.

[Nana2Teddy]

Look for a house with a toilet room = small room with only the toilet and a door. Many models have them.

Otherwise known as a water closet. We love ours in the master bath down here south of 44.

[PilotAlan]

There are properties that already have that feature in the northern part of TV.

I know there are, but they are few, especially when shopping in the price range below Designer homes. Separate water closets only seem to have become the standard in the last decade or so.
Open toilets were much more common. It's not a 'north vs south' thing, simply home design trends changing over time.

Some we found were just about perfect, except without a water closet.
It's not possible to set priorities without an idea of how much changing it would cost, or if it's a "make your choice and live with it" thing.