Plan and execute a bathroom renovation from layout design and material selection through plumbing, tiling, and finishing touches.
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Planning and Budget
Define scope: cosmetic refresh vs. full gut renovation
A cosmetic refresh (new paint, fixtures, hardware) costs $3,000-$7,000. A full gut renovation with layout changes runs $15,000-$35,000. Know which level you need before getting quotes.
Set a budget with 20% contingency for hidden issues
Water damage behind walls is found in roughly 30% of bathroom renovations. Average cost to repair hidden water damage is $1,000-$3,000, which is why contingency matters.
Hire a licensed contractor with bathroom experience
Ask specifically about waterproofing experience. Request photos of shower pan installations they've completed. A failed shower pan can cost $5,000+ to rip out and redo.
Apply for plumbing and electrical permits
Permits cost $100-$400 depending on your municipality. Processing takes 1-2 weeks. Any work involving moving drain lines or adding circuits requires a permit.
Design and Material Selection
Finalize bathroom layout and fixture placement
Minimum clearance from the toilet center to any side wall or fixture is 15 inches per code. Most designers recommend 18 inches for comfort. A standard bathtub is 60 inches long by 30 inches wide.
Select vanity, sink, and faucet
A 36-inch vanity fits most standard bathrooms. Double vanities start at 60 inches wide. Measure your drain and supply line locations before ordering to confirm compatibility.
Choose shower or tub configuration
A walk-in shower costs $2,500-$5,000 to install from scratch. A tub-to-shower conversion runs $1,500-$3,500. Keep at least one bathtub in the home for resale value.
Select shower head, valve, and trim kit
Pick shower door or curtain rod style
Select wall and floor tile
Porcelain tile ($3-$8/sq ft) is the most water-resistant option. For shower floors, use tiles no larger than 4x4 inches so the installer can slope toward the drain properly.
Choose toilet style and rough-in size
Measure from the wall to the center of the floor bolts — this is your rough-in distance. Standard is 12 inches, but older homes may have 10-inch or 14-inch rough-ins. Buying the wrong size means the toilet won't fit.
Pick lighting fixtures and exhaust fan
Choose an exhaust fan rated for your room size — minimum 1 CFM per square foot. A 50 sq ft bathroom needs at least a 50 CFM fan. Fans with humidity sensors cost $30-$50 more but prevent mold.
Demolition and Rough-In
Remove old fixtures, tile, and vanity
Shut off water at the fixture valves and drain all lines before removal. A bathroom demo generates 1-2 tons of debris. A small dumpster rental costs $200-$350 for 3 days.
Inspect and repair subfloor around toilet and shower
Press firmly on the subfloor around the toilet base. Any soft spots mean rot and must be cut out and replaced. A 4x4-foot subfloor patch costs $150-$300 in materials and labor.
Complete plumbing rough-in for new layout
Moving a toilet drain costs $500-$1,200. Moving a shower drain is $300-$800. Keeping fixtures in their original locations saves significant plumbing costs.
Run electrical for outlets, lighting, and fan
Code requires at least one GFCI outlet within 3 feet of the sink. Add a dedicated 20-amp circuit for the bathroom. A licensed electrician charges $150-$300 per new circuit.
Waterproofing and Tile Installation
Install cement board on shower walls and floor
Use 1/2-inch cement board on walls and 1/4-inch on floors. Tape all seams with alkaline-resistant mesh tape and thin-set. Cement board costs $10-$15 per 3x5-foot sheet.
Apply waterproof membrane in shower and wet areas
Liquid waterproofing membrane costs $30-$50 per gallon and covers about 60 sq ft per coat. Apply 2 coats with 2-4 hours drying between coats. This is the most critical step — leaks here cause thousands in damage.
Install shower floor tile with proper slope
The shower floor must slope 1/4 inch per foot toward the drain. Use a 4-foot level to verify slope from every direction. Pre-sloped shower pans cost $100-$200 and simplify this step.
Tile shower walls from bottom up
Start with the back wall and then do the side walls so cut tiles end up in corners. Use 1/8-inch spacers for wall tile. Let thin-set cure 24 hours before grouting.
Install floor tile in the main bathroom area
Lay tiles from the doorway inward so you can exit without stepping on wet thin-set. For floors, use unsanded grout for joints 1/8 inch or smaller, sanded grout for anything wider.
Grout and seal all tile surfaces
Apply grout sealer 48-72 hours after grouting. Reapply sealer once per year. A single bottle of grout sealer ($10-$15) covers a full bathroom and takes 20 minutes to apply.
Fixture Installation and Finishing
Install vanity, sink, and faucet
Anchor the vanity to wall studs, not just drywall. Apply a bead of silicone between the countertop and wall. Connect supply lines with braided stainless steel hoses — they last 8-12 years vs. 3-5 for rubber.
Set and connect the toilet
Use a new wax ring every time you set a toilet — they cost $3-$5. Tighten the floor bolts alternately, a quarter turn at a time. Over-tightening cracks the porcelain base.
Install shower fixtures and door
Frameless glass shower doors cost $600-$1,500 installed. Framed doors run $200-$600. For a curtain rod, mount it 1-2 inches above the shower opening to prevent splashing.
Mount mirror, towel bars, and accessories
Use toggle bolts rated for 50+ pounds when mounting into drywall. A heavy mirror can weigh 20-40 pounds. Towel bars should be 48 inches from the floor for comfortable reach.
Apply silicone caulk at all fixture-to-wall joints
Use 100% silicone caulk, not latex. Silicone stays flexible and waterproof for 10+ years. Apply painter's tape on both sides of the joint for a clean line, then smooth with a wet finger.
Test all plumbing for leaks and schedule inspection
Run every fixture for 5 minutes and check under the vanity and behind the toilet for drips. Flush the toilet 3 times. Inspectors charge $75-$150 for a re-visit if something fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bathroom renovation cost?
A mid-range bathroom renovation costs $12,000-$25,000, while high-end remodels run $30,000-$75,000+. The national average sits around $15,000-$20,000 for a full gut renovation of a standard 5x8-foot bathroom. Tile work accounts for 25-30% of the budget, fixtures 15-20%, labor 40-50%, and plumbing changes add $1,000-$5,000 if pipes need rerouting.
How long does a bathroom remodel take from start to finish?
A full bathroom remodel takes 4-8 weeks for a standard bathroom. Demolition runs 1-2 days, plumbing and electrical rough-in 3-5 days, waterproofing and tile 5-10 days (including cure times), and fixture installation plus finishing 3-5 days. Custom vanities and specialty tile can add 4-6 weeks of lead time before work even begins, so order materials early.
Is waterproofing a bathroom floor and shower really necessary?
Waterproofing is critical and should never be skipped. Water damage behind tile is the number one cause of bathroom renovation failures, and repairs cost $3,000-$10,000+. Apply a liquid membrane or sheet membrane (like Schluter Kerdi) to all shower walls, the shower floor, and at least 3 inches above the bathroom floor. Proper waterproofing adds $500-$1,500 to a project but prevents catastrophic damage.
Can I convert a bathtub to a walk-in shower?
Yes, tub-to-shower conversions cost $3,000-$8,000 for a basic design or $8,000-$15,000 for a custom tile shower with glass enclosure. The project requires rerouting the drain (tub drains are in a different position than shower drains), updating the valve, and adding proper waterproofing. Most conversions take 5-10 days. Check local codes first, as some require at least one bathtub in the home for resale purposes.
What type of tile is best for bathroom floors?
Porcelain tile with a textured or matte finish and a slip resistance rating of 0.42+ COF (coefficient of friction) is the top choice for bathroom floors. It absorbs less than 0.5% water, compared to 3-7% for ceramic tile. Large-format tiles (12x24 or bigger) mean fewer grout lines and less maintenance. Natural stone looks great but requires annual sealing and costs 30-50% more than porcelain.