Bathroom remodel steps in order

The steps in order

1. Plan the layout and pick finishes. Tile, vanity, fixtures, shower or tub, lighting and the fan.
2. Get a written estimate and sign a contract.
3. Permits. Your contractor applies for what the scope requires.
4. Order tile, vanity, glass and fixtures. Anything custom should be ordered early.
5. Demo. Old tub or shower, tile, vanity, toilet and flooring.
6. Repairs and framing. Fix any rot or damage found, and frame any changes.
7. Rough-in. Drains, supply lines and valves are set. Wiring is run.
8. Rough inspection.
9. Close-up and waterproofing. Backer board or other substrate, and a waterproof layer in the shower or tub area.
10. Tile and grout.
11. Vanity, toilet, fixtures, glass and accessories.
12. Final inspection, punch list and walk-through.

We give no number of days or weeks here. A bathroom's schedule depends on the scope, material lead times and inspections. Ask for a timeline in your written estimate.

Steps 1 to 4: plan, price, permit, order

Start with what you want the bathroom to do. A bigger walk-in shower? A tub-to-shower conversion? More storage? The answer sets the scope. Our walk-in shower versus tub guide helps you choose. Then get a written estimate with the scope and materials listed.

Which permits a bathroom needs depends on the scope. Manatee County's standard permit types include Plumbing, Electrical and Residential, among others. A swap of fixtures in the same place is different from a job that moves drains or walls. Check with your building department before work starts. Our guide to bathroom remodel permits has the details.

Order tile, a custom vanity and shower glass early. A late item can hold up the stage behind it.

Steps 5 to 8: demo, rough-in and inspection

Demo takes the room down to the framing and the subfloor. This is when hidden damage shows up, such as soft wood around a tub or an old drain that needs replacing. A fair contractor stops, shows you and prices the repair in writing before going on. See our guide to change orders.

Next, the rough-in. The drains and supply lines are placed, the shower or tub valve is set, and the wiring is run for lights and the fan. Hildebrand's plumbing and electrical are done by licensed trade partners that Hildebrand manages and coordinates.

The rough inspection happens before anything is covered. The inspector can see the pipes and wires while the wall is open. Manatee County says permits expire after 180 days if no required inspections have been approved, so inspections matter for the permit too.

Steps 9 to 12: waterproofing, tile and finish

This is the stage that decides whether a shower leaks. A waterproof layer goes on in the shower or tub area before any tile is set. It is hidden for good once the tile goes on, so ask your contractor to show you before it is covered.

Then the tile and grout. Grout needs time to set before it is used. Ask your contractor how long to stay out of the shower once it is done.

The vanity, toilet, faucets, shower trim and accessories go in. Glass shower doors are usually made to measure after the tile is finished, so they often come last. Then the final inspection. Manatee County's permitting page says a project is complete only after it passes final inspection, fees are paid and all conditions are met.

Where homeowners get caught

• Only one bathroom. If this is your only bathroom, plan where you will shower. See living at home during a remodel.
• Custom glass delay. Glass is often measured after tile, so the shower may be without a door for a while.
• Hidden rot. Old tubs and showers often hide damage. Ask how it is handled.
• Cheap fixes behind the wall. Waterproofing and valves are not visible once done. That is where a low bid can cut corners.

One more quiet cost: schedule gaps. Tile cannot go up until the waterproofing is done and inspected, and glass cannot be ordered until the tile is finished. So a delay at one stage moves everything after it. Ask your contractor how they sequence the stages so the crew is not waiting on the next item.

Decisions to make before demo

A bathroom is small, so each choice matters. Settle these before demo:

• Tile size and pattern. It affects how the shower floor slopes and where the cuts fall.
• Shower niche and bench. They have to be framed before the walls are closed.
• Valve, shower head and trim. The valve is set at rough-in, so the model has to be chosen.
• Vanity size and faucet. The plumbing lines are placed to match.
• Exhaust fan and lighting. Their location is set while the ceiling is open.
• Outlets and switches. Place them where you will actually use them.

For a tub-to-shower conversion, the drain and valve positions often change, which is why the plumbing rough-in and inspection matter so much. Ask your contractor to walk you through what changes in your plan.

How Hildebrand runs a bathroom remodel

Hildebrand uses the same five steps on every project: a free in-home consultation, a written estimate and plan, permits and schedule, the build under one licensed contractor, and a final walk-through with a written workmanship warranty. The company pulls every required permit and meets the Florida Building Code inspections. Bathroom work includes tub-to-shower conversions and walk-in showers.

The crew seals off the work area to control dust and gives you an update each week it is on site. If something unexpected turns up behind a wall, the crew stops, shows you and gets your approval first. The process page has the full steps, and the bathroom remodel page shows the services.

Questions homeowners ask