Bathroom remodeling: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What bathroom remodeling is

A bathroom remodel replaces the fixtures, vanity, tub or shower, tile, lighting and ventilation, and often corrects water damage or poor waterproofing behind the walls. People need one when the room leaks, mold has started at the edges of the tub, or the layout and fixtures no longer work for daily use.

Signs you need it

  • Caulk is peeling along the tub or shower, grout is crumbling, or tile is loose or hollow when tapped
  • The floor feels soft near the toilet or the subfloor shows dark staining around the base
  • The room has no exhaust fan, or the fan is noisy, weak or vents into the attic
  • The vanity drawers stick, the faucet drips, or the shower valve is hard to adjust
  • You want a walk-in shower, a double vanity or a tub replaced, which changes the plumbing layout

What the pro does

  • Remove the old tub or shower, vanity, toilet and tile, and expose the studs and subfloor for inspection
  • Repair any water damage, replace rotted subfloor, and install a waterproof membrane in the shower and tub walls
  • Rough in new drain, supply and vent lines, relocate the valve and wire the new fan and lighting
  • Set the shower base or tub, install backer board and tile the walls and floor with a sloped drain area
  • Hang the vanity, set the toilet with a new wax ring and install the faucet, shower valve trim and mirror
  • Grout, caulk and seal the tile, install the accessories and test the drain and shower under running water

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Whether the toilet, tub, shower or vanity stays in the same place or has to move
  • Water damage found under the floor or behind the walls, which often adds framing and subfloor repair
  • The tile type and size, and whether the pattern, niche or bench needs extra cutting
  • Quality of the shower valve, the glass enclosure and the vanity and countertop material
  • The fan, lighting and electrical work, including whether a new circuit or a GFCI outlet is needed
  • How many fixtures are replaced and whether the room is a half bath or a full bath with a tub

What a written quote should spell out

  • A demolition and haul-away line, with a note on what happens if rot is found under the floor
  • Waterproofing method for the shower and tub, named by product type, and the membrane location
  • Tile, grout and trim selections with the quantities and the amount of waste included
  • Plumbing, electrical and ventilation work listed as separate items, with the permit steps named
  • The fixtures and vanity by brand and model, so the quote can be compared with another pro's

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What do you do if you find rot in the subfloor or framing once the tub or floor is removed?
  • How do you waterproof the shower, and what material do you use behind the tile?
  • Will the exhaust fan vent outside, and who runs that duct?
  • Do you set the shower pan and test it for leaks before the tile goes on?
  • Who installs the vanity plumbing and the toilet, and do they pull permits?
  • Can you show me a bathroom you finished with a similar shower or tub layout?

Red flags

  • The pro plans to tile over the old cement board or the old membrane without removing it
  • The exhaust fan is said to vent into the attic, or the duct run is not discussed at all
  • The quote has no line for waterproofing, and the pro says the tile material is enough
  • The pro wants payment for most of the work before the shower has been tested for leaks

What you can do yourself

Removing the vanity, mirror, light fixtures and accessories is a reasonable task for a homeowner, as long as the water is shut off and the drain lines are capped. Shower waterproofing, moving drains, and wiring a new fan or lights should be done by licensed professionals, because leaks and electrical faults are hard to see once the tile is set.

Licenses and permits

Bathroom remodels that move plumbing or add electrical circuits often need licensed trades and a building permit, and waterproofing is often inspected. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before the work starts.

Bathroom remodeling questions

How long does a bathroom remodel take?

A bathroom takes longer than most people expect because waterproofing must cure, tile needs time to set and grout must dry before the fixtures go in. Ask for the schedule by phase and what the crew does during curing time.

Can I use the bathroom during the remodel?

Usually not. Expect the toilet and shower to be out of service for stretches. Ask whether the crew can keep one toilet usable and when the water will be shut off.

Should I replace the tub or reglaze it?

Reglazing can work for a tub with a sound surface and no cracks, but it does not fix leaks behind the walls or a bad tub base. Ask the pro to check the tub base and the walls before you decide.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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