Bathrooms are small, so a lot of homeowners expect the remodel to be quick. Sometimes it is. But a bathroom packs plumbing, electrical, ventilation, waterproofing, tile and fixtures into a small space, and many of those steps have to happen one after another. You can’t tile a shower before the waterproofing has been done right, and you shouldn’t rush the waterproofing.
Here is how a typical bathroom remodel goes, phase by phase, so you know what to expect. The ranges are general planning numbers, not promises.
Cosmetic Refresh vs. Full Remodel
First, figure out what kind of project you have:
- Cosmetic refresh: new vanity, faucet, mirror, lighting, paint and possibly flooring, with no plumbing moved. This is the fastest kind of project.
- Full remodel: everything comes out down to the studs, and you get a new shower or tub, new tile, new fixtures and sometimes a new layout.
- Layout change: moving the toilet, converting a tub to a walk-in shower, or relocating a vanity. This means moving drains and supply lines, which adds time and usually requires a permit.
The phases below describe a full remodel.
Phase 1: Design and Selections (about 1 to 4 weeks)
Choose the vanity, tile, shower glass, fixtures, lighting and fan. Tile selection takes longer than most people expect. There are a lot of options, and you need to pick field tile, floor tile, trim pieces and grout color. Our estimator will help you put together a written scope so everyone is working from the same plan.
Phase 2: Permits (about 1 to 4 weeks)
If plumbing or electrical work is changing, a permit is usually required. Some cities also list smaller jobs: League City, for instance, requires a permit just to replace a water heater. Requirements and review times vary by city. La Porte and Baytown take applications through online CSS portals, Pasadena handles permits at City Hall, and Houston uses the Houston Permitting Center. Your contractor should know which one applies and pull the permit.
Phase 3: Ordering Materials (about 1 to 8+ weeks)
Custom vanities, special-order tile and some fixtures can take weeks to arrive. Frameless glass shower enclosures are usually measured after tile is finished, so they come near the end. We prefer to have most materials on hand before demo so the bathroom isn’t out of service longer than it needs to be.
Phase 4: Demolition (about 1 to 3 days)
Out come the old tile, tub, vanity, toilet and often the drywall or backer board. In Gulf Coast homes, demo is when we often find water damage, rotted subfloor or mold around old showers and toilets. If we find damage, we’ll show you and put the repair in a written change order before doing the work.
Phase 5: Rough-In Plumbing and Electrical (about 3 days to 2 weeks)
Licensed trade subcontractors run new supply lines, drains, the shower valve, outlets, lighting circuits and the exhaust fan duct. In Texas, plumbing and electrical work must be done by licensed tradespeople. A properly ducted exhaust fan matters a lot in our humid climate. It should vent outside, not into the attic.
Phase 6: Rough-In Inspection (a few days to 2 weeks)
When a permit is involved, the city inspects the rough-in work before the walls are closed. Timing depends on the city’s inspection schedule.
Phase 7: Backer Board and Waterproofing (about 2 to 5 days)
This is the step you never see, and it’s the most important one in a bathroom. Cement board or foam board goes up, and the shower gets a waterproofing system and a properly sloped pan. Many waterproofing products need cure time, and some contractors flood test the shower pan before tiling. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions; rushing this step is how showers leak into walls a few years later.
Phase 8: Tile (about 1 to 2 weeks)
Tile work is detailed and often slow. A shower with niches, a bench, a patterned floor or large-format tile takes longer than a simple layout. Grout also needs time to cure.
Phase 9: Fixtures, Vanity and Finish (about 3 days to 2 weeks)
The vanity, top, sink, faucet, toilet, mirror, lighting, accessories and paint go in. If you’re getting a custom glass shower door, it’s usually measured once tile is finished, and fabrication can add more wait time.
Phase 10: Final Inspection and Punch List
The final inspection happens if the permit requires one. Then you and your contractor walk through and list anything that needs fixing. Hold the final payment until the punch list is complete.
Overall Timeline
A cosmetic refresh can take days to a couple of weeks of work on site. A full remodel, counting planning, permits and ordering, often stretches over a couple of months on the calendar. The bathroom itself is out of service for part of that time.
If it’s your only bathroom, tell your contractor before the job is scheduled. Sometimes the work can be sequenced so the toilet is reconnected at night or between phases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a tub-to-shower conversion faster than a full remodel?
Sometimes, but it still usually involves moving the drain, waterproofing and tile, so it’s often closer to a full remodel than a refresh.
Why does the shower glass take so long?
Custom frameless glass is measured after the tile is installed so it fits exactly. Then it has to be cut and tempered.
Can you just tile over my old tile?
Sometimes it’s technically possible, but it can hide existing water damage. In a humid area like ours, we usually recommend taking a look behind the old tile first.
Talk to a Local Bathroom Remodeling Contractor
Green Dynasty Construction handles bathroom remodels for homeowners in La Porte, Deer Park, Pasadena, Baytown, Seabrook, League City and Houston. We’ll give you a written scope and a realistic schedule before any work starts. Call 832-304-0636 to get started. We’re based in La Porte, TX.