Bathroom remodeling
A bathroom is a small room with a lot going on behind the walls. We plan the waterproofing, tile, fixtures and finishes together, and bring in licensed plumbers and electricians for the work that requires them.
What’s included
- Full bathroom renovations
- Shower rebuilds and tub replacement
- Wall and floor tile, shower niches and benches
- Waterproofing membranes and shower pans
- Vanities, medicine cabinets and storage
- Fixtures and accessories, with licensed plumbers where required
- Lighting and ventilation, with licensed electricians
- Accessibility-minded updates: blocking for grab bars, handheld showers, lower curbs where the floor allows
Three kinds of bathroom project
Most bathroom projects fall into one of these. Knowing which one you’re planning sets the budget, the schedule and the paperwork.
Refresh
- What changes
- Surfaces and fixtures, in the same places.
- Typical work
- New vanity, toilet, faucet, mirror and lighting; paint; sometimes new floor tile.
- Keep in mind
- Plumbing stays where it is, so permits are less likely.
Renovation
- What changes
- Everything down to the studs, in the same layout.
- Typical work
- New shower or tub with new waterproofing, new wall and floor tile, updated valves and fixtures.
- Keep in mind
- Open walls can reveal hidden conditions. Licensed trades and permits are more likely.
Full remodel
- What changes
- The layout itself.
- Typical work
- Moving fixtures, relocating drains and supply lines, new venting and electrical.
- Keep in mind
- Usually needs permits and, in apartment buildings, board approval. Wet-over-dry rules can limit what moves.
Waterproofing comes before tile
- Tile isn’t waterproof.
- Tile and grout shed water, but moisture passes through them. The protection is the membrane behind, applied to every wet surface before tile goes up.
- The shower pan is tested.
- Before a shower floor is tiled, the pan is filled with water and checked for leaks. Finding a leak at that stage costs hours, not a new bathroom.
- Wet over dry.
- Many co-op and condo boards don’t allow a bathroom to move over a neighbor’s living space. Layout changes need your building’s approval first.
Who it’s for
- Homeowners replacing a dated or failing bathroom
- A tub that should become a shower, or the other way around
- Co-op and condo owners working within an alteration agreement
- Anyone planning to stay in their home as they get older
Materials and options
Choices like these come up at the consultation. Each one trades something for something else.
Porcelain and ceramic tile
Works wellFloors and walls. Porcelain is dense and well suited to wet floors.
Watch forLarge tiles need a very flat substrate, and floor tile needs the right slip resistance.
Natural stone
Works wellFloors, walls and vanity tops where the look matters.
Watch forNeeds sealing; marble etches with acidic cleaners; heavy.
Mosaic tile
Works wellShower floors, where many grout lines add grip, and niches or accent walls.
Watch forMore grout to keep clean.
Wall-hung vanity
Works wellOpens up the floor visually and makes cleaning easier.
Watch forNeeds solid blocking in the wall, and the plumbing has to line up.
Curbless shower
Works wellNo step in, so it’s easier to use.
Watch forThe floor has to slope to the drain, which isn’t possible in every building.
Our approach
Measure and document
Existing plumbing locations, venting, floor condition and building rules.
Choose fixtures first
Valves, drains and vanities selected before demolition, so rough-in dimensions are right.
Permits and approvals
Written permit notice before you sign; building approvals where required.
Demolition, with protection
The rest of the home sealed off, and debris removed as the work goes.
Rough plumbing and electrical
Performed by licensed plumbers and electricians, and inspected where required.
Waterproof and test
Membranes on every wet surface; shower pans flood-tested before tile.
Tile, fixtures and finishes
Then a walkthrough with you, and a list of anything to correct.
Good to know
- You may be without the bathroom for a while.
- If it’s your only one, tell us early so the sequence keeps it usable as long as possible.
- Order long-lead items first.
- Special-order tile, vanities and glass can take weeks, and the schedule depends on them.
- Older buildings hide surprises.
- Rotted subfloor, old galvanized pipe and out-of-level floors are common. Your contract says how discoveries are handled: a written change order, priced before the work.
- Your building sets the hours.
- Co-ops and condos limit work hours, noise and deliveries, and require their own insurance certificates.
Questions
Do you handle the plumbing and electrical work?
That work is performed by licensed plumbers and electricians, as New York City requires, and coordinated as part of your project. The permit notice you receive before signing says who obtains each permit.
Can my tub become a shower?
Often. It depends on the drain location, the floor structure and, in apartment buildings, the board’s rules. We check before proposing it.
What does a curbless shower take?
The floor must slope to the drain, which can mean recessing the subfloor or raising the rest of the floor. It isn’t possible in every building, and we’ll tell you if it isn’t in yours.
How long will my bathroom take?
Your proposal includes start and completion dates, plus the things that could change them, such as permits, special-order items or hidden damage.
Bathrooms in New York buildings
Apartment bathrooms share walls, risers and floors with neighbors. That’s why buildings review bathroom work closely, and why waterproofing and testing matter more here than almost anywhere.
Thinking about a bathroom?
Request a consultation. We’ll look at what’s there, what your building allows, and what the project would involve. Or call (718) 866-3350