With the uncertainty of the housing market, remodeling is on the rise. Depending on what you or your building contractor recommends, remodeling can be a sound investment, especially when it comes to the bathroom. At a homes resale, the average American homeowner will recoup about 70 percent of their total renovation costs. According to the 2007 Remodeling Magazine "Cost vs. Value" report, the majority of bathroom remodels recoup 78 percent.

When remodeling, the best rule of thumb is to design a space that fits your style and functional needs. However, if pleasing prospective buyers and getting the greatest return on investment is a top priority, keep in mind these contractors' advice when renovating your bathroom: Anything you can do to make a bathroom feel bigger is a plus. A wall-to-wall, counter-to-ceiling mirror will make a small space seem much larger. Keep colors neutral on the walls. Make sure when picking out bathroom fixtures, that you choose something that will fit the look you are after. There are a variety of excellent products, like Kohler, Grohe, Danze, and American Standard to name just a few.

A building contractor with vast knowledge will play an important part in the design aspect. Their job is to get you the homeowner what you would like and keep it within your budget, or suggest alternatives to better fit the remodeling budget. Your bathroom-remodeling contractor will be able to make suggestions about the design and features and help you prioritize the improvements. They will also be able to give you a better idea of the timeframes needed to complete the work. At this point, you will be able to decide exactly what project you seek financing for, and let the work begin. Make sure the bathroom-remodeling contractor is bonded and insured.