Remodeling / Bathrooms
Bathroom Remodeling
A bathroom that stays dry, bright and easy to clean.
We remodel bathrooms in Bay Area houses, condos and apartments: showers, tubs, tile, vanities, ventilation, lighting and the electrical behind heated floors and mirrors, under one licensed contractor.
DESIGN IDEAS
Bathrooms to start the conversation.
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WHAT DRIVES THE SCOPE
Refresh or full remodel?
The biggest cost question is whether the toilet, shower and vanity stay where they are. New tile, fixtures and a vanity on the existing plumbing is a refresh that takes a few weeks. Moving drains, turning a tub into a walk-in shower or opening walls makes it a full remodel with permits and inspections.
Shower and tub
Tub-to-shower conversions, curbless walk-in showers and freestanding tubs, built on a waterproofing membrane that is tested before tile goes on.
Tile and stone
Usually 15 to 25 percent of the budget. Porcelain, natural stone and large-format tile, with slope to the drain planned first.
Vanity and storage
Stock, semi-custom or custom vanities, with drawer depth checked against the plumbing behind them.
Ventilation
An exhaust fan ducted to the outside, sized for the room. A humidity-controlled fan clears moisture on its own and protects paint, grout and framing.
Lighting and power
Mirror and ceiling lighting on separate controls, GFCI-protected outlets, heated floors and towel warmers. We do the electrical in-house.
Condos and older homes
HOA approval and shared drain lines in condos. Hidden water damage and old galvanized pipe in pre-1970 houses are budgeted as a contingency.
WHAT DRIVES THE COST
What moves the price of a bathroom remodel.
Every bathroom is priced after a site visit. These items change the number most, so we look at them first.
Size and type
A powder room, a hall bath and a primary bathroom differ mainly in tile area and fixture count.
Layout
Keeping the toilet, shower and vanity where they are avoids moving drains and keeps the permit simple.
Shower and waterproofing
Curbless and walk-in showers need a recessed floor and a tested membrane before tile.
Tile
Usually 15 to 25 percent of the budget, depending on material, format and pattern.
Hidden conditions
Older homes may have water damage, old galvanized pipe, or lead and asbestos to handle safely.
Electrical extras
Heated floors, towel warmers and new lighting add circuits, which we do in-house.
Planning the work
From measurements to a working bathroom.
Site visit and measurements
Free on-site visit. We check the layout, plumbing, ventilation and what you want to change.
Design and selections
Layout, tile, vanity and fixtures chosen before demolition, with a permit when plumbing, circuits or walls change.
Demolition and rough-in
Old finishes out, then plumbing, electrical, ventilation and waterproofing installed and inspected.
Tile, fixtures and final
Tile, vanity, glass, lighting and fixtures installed, then the final city inspection.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in the Bay Area?
A Bay Area bathroom remodel typically costs $15,000 to $25,000 for a refresh on the existing layout, $30,000 to $55,000 for a mid-range full remodel and $60,000 to $135,000 for a high-end primary bathroom, based on 2026 market averages. A powder room runs $8,000 to $30,000.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
A refresh typically takes 2 to 4 weeks of construction, a mid-range remodel 6 to 8 weeks and a high-end remodel 8 to 12 weeks or more. Design and permits usually add 2 to 4 weeks before work starts.
Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom?
Yes, in most Bay Area cities, once you move plumbing, add or change electrical circuits, or change walls or the layout. Paint, new hardware and replacing a vanity or toilet in the same place usually do not need one. Permit and plan review fees typically run $600 to $1,800.
How much does it cost to convert a tub to a walk-in shower?
Converting a tub to a walk-in shower usually falls within a mid-range bathroom remodel, $30,000 to $55,000 in the Bay Area, because it involves new waterproofing, tile and often a moved or lowered drain. A curbless shower costs more because the floor has to be recessed.
What fixtures does California require in a remodel?
Permitted remodels in California must use water-conserving fixtures: toilets of 1.28 gallons per flush or less, showerheads of 1.8 gallons per minute and bathroom faucets of 1.2 gallons per minute.
Can we stay at home during a bathroom remodel?
Yes, if the house has a second bathroom. With only one bathroom, plan the schedule so the toilet is reinstalled each evening during demolition and rough-in, or arrange somewhere else to shower for 2 to 3 weeks.
