Bathroom remodel FAQ

Start with what bothers you most: a worn tub, poor storage, bad lighting, a layout that feels cramped or signs of water damage. Then decide whether fixtures stay where they are. Keeping the plumbing in place keeps the job simpler.

Only if the current layout is the problem. Moving fixtures means changing drain lines and supply lines, and sometimes opening the floor. A thoughtful layout in the same footprint often solves more than people expect.

It depends on how you use the room. A walk-in shower gives easier access and a more open look, but it removes the tub, which matters if you have young children or care about resale. If it is the only tub in the house, think twice.

A shower has to be sealed behind the tile, since tile and grout alone are not waterproof. Good work includes a proper waterproofing layer, careful treatment of corners, niches and the drain, and a slope that sends water to the drain. Shortcuts here show up as leaks and rot months or years later.

Porcelain and ceramic are the usual choices for floors and walls because they handle water well. For floors, pick a tile with some grip for wet feet, and think about how many grout lines you want to clean. Ask to see samples in your own bathroom light.

Moisture that has nowhere to go ends up in paint, drywall and framing, where it feeds mold and rot. A properly sized fan that vents outdoors is one of the cheapest parts of a remodel and one of the most useful.

Tile and vinyl handle water best. Solid hardwood and most laminate are poor fits where water splashes often. Whichever you pick, the subfloor needs to be sound and dry before anything goes over it.

It depends on size, how much changes and the materials you choose, so any single figure online is a guess. A written estimate that lists the scope and who buys which materials is the fair way to compare. Estimates from N. Abeyta Remodels are free.

It depends on the scope, material lead times and what turns up once the walls are open. Waterproofing and tile need cure time that cannot be rushed. Ask for a written sequence of work and an honest update if anything shifts.

Yes, but plan for it. If it is your only bathroom, you will need an alternative for the duration. If you have a second one, agree on a clear path through the house, protection for floors and times when the water is off.

It is common around old tubs, showers and toilets. A good contractor shows you what was found, explains the repair and writes up the change before doing it. Fixing rot and the source of the leak is part of doing the job right.

Usually. Brentwood's Development Services Division says building permits are required for almost all construction work, including plumbing and electrical, and its handout notes that tile inside tub and shower enclosures requires a permit. Other cities have their own lists, so check with yours.

A license is required for work that needs a permit, whatever the price. CSLB advises a licensed B general building contractor when a project involves more than two kinds of work on a building. You can look up any contractor on CSLB's License Check.

California limits the down payment on a home improvement contract to the lesser of $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price. If you pay in stages, the contract must include a schedule of progress payments tied to specific work.