When we speak of a bath remodel on a budget, it can mean different things to different people, and even different things to each of us at different economic stages of life. You will have to decide which category best fits you.

You may have reasonably liberal resources, but want to reign in costs just to be practical. Or you may only need a partial remodel but want to spend wisely. On the other hand, you may be really strapped, but have a bath that is so in need of some changes that you are desperate.

I have been in this last category. We once had a bathroom that was exceedingly small. From the base of the toilet in front to the shower there were just 18 inches of space. That is just bare leg room if you aren't too tall (obviously not built to code). To make matters worse, this bathroom had a poorly installed stick down vinyl tile floor.

I was at my wits end with this bath which never looked clean no matter how much I scrubbed it. The tiles were not fit tightly and adhesive had escaped so that every speck of dirt stuck.

By doing some intensive shopping, I found ceramic tile on sale that was very pleasing, and my spouse and I set about laying it ourselves. Then we painted the walls a fresh color, and added a small amount of new decor items. I felt like I had a new lease on life.

If you are not able to invest a lot in a bath renovation, decide what bothers you most in your bath and see if replacing or updating that one thing will get you through until you can do a more intensive bath remodel.

For those doing a bath remodel on a more liberal budget, finding ways to cut costs is just good economics. Following are some suggestions:

1. Reuse what you can. We can sometimes get carried away with the idea everything has to be new.

2. How would your bathtub look with either a new surround, or new shower doors? If the tub is in good condition, either of these updates might just be enough to make it look new again.

3. What about your vanity? Does is really need replacing, or does it just need a new coat of stain, or perhaps even in a new tone? Going from a light or medium to a deep tone may change the whole appearance. New handles and drawer pulls could also add a new touch.

4. Most often the vanity top does need to be replaced. This is a much used space and over time can really look past it's prime.

5. choose neutrals like white and bisque for porcelain fixtures. They will withstand changes in trends as time passes and give you more longevity. The same is true of flooring. Save more striking choices for things that are easily and more economically replaced over the years.

6. When employing the services of a contractor, avoid ordering intricate designs that will be time intensive in labor. You are paying for each hour. Do tasks you can easily handle yourself. Demolition and painting often fall into this category.

7. Measure and measure again for accuracy. This is an often made mistake and can be costly.

8. A bath remodel on a budget requires good planning. Do a general plan, and then break down all the steps and see how each relates to the other so you don't end up tearing something out and having to redo it.