Bathroom remodel - Reorient shower and/or enclose toilet?
 

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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 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.

Yes you Can
 

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.

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