Bathroom Remodel Reference

Why this matters

Bathroom remodels are major service revenue for plumbers + tile contractors + general contractors. Project requires sequencing across trades + careful waterproofing. The contractor who understands the workflow delivers customer satisfaction on schedule. This is the field card.

Bathroom remodel project phases

1. Demo + prep (remove fixtures, flooring, drywall, tile). 2. Rough-in plumbing (relocate/replace supply + drain). 3. Rough-in electrical (outlets, lighting, fan, GFCI). 4. Rough-in HVAC (bath exhaust fan duct). 5. Insulation + drywall (wet-area green board/cement board). 6. Tile prep + install (floor, walls, shower). 7. Plumbing finish (fixtures, faucets, toilet). 8. Electrical finish (outlets, lights, fan controls). 9. Paint + trim (walls, door/window casing). 10. Final fixtures + accessories (mirrors, shelving, towel bars).

Typical bathroom remodel scope

Full gut + remodel: 2 - 3 weeks.

Mid-level (existing layout, new fixtures + finishes): 1 - 2 weeks.

Cosmetic (paint, vanity, fixtures only): 3 - 5 days.

Permits required

Plumbing: relocation of fixtures, new lines.

Electrical: GFCI, new outlets, new lighting.

Building: structural changes, wall removal, window install.

Mechanical: bath exhaust fan + ducting.

Per IRC: permit + inspection at rough-in + final.

Plumbing rough-in considerations

Supply (hot + cold): 1/2" PEX OR copper. Drain lines: lav 1-1/4 OR 1-1/2"; tub/shower 2"; toilet 3" (4" preferred). Vents: 1-1/2" OR 2" per IPC trap arm rules. Shower drain location critical to layout. Tub drain location per tub spec. Toilet flange location: 12" rough-in standard (10" + 14" alternatives). Faucet rough-in box pre-set tile back.

Wet area waterproofing

Per ANSI A118.10: tile + grout don't waterproof; need waterproofing membrane.

Common waterproofing systems:

• Schluter Kerdi: orange polyethylene membrane; thinset applied.
• RedGard: liquid roll-on; cures to elastomeric.
• Hydroban: liquid; similar.
• Wedi board: foam tile substrate with integral waterproof.
• Cement board (Durock, Hardibacker): water-resistant but not waterproof alone; needs additional membrane.

Shower pan:

• Pre-formed (PVC / fiberglass): single-piece tub pan.
• Mortar bed + liner: traditional; PVC liner + slope; cement bed; tile.
• Schluter Kerdi-Shower-Kit: pre-formed foam + integrated membrane.

Niche / shower seat: waterproof per OEM; integrate with shower waterproofing.

Curbless / linear drain shower: trend; advanced waterproofing required.

Tile selection (covered in tile + grout selection)

Floor tile: porcelain typical; durable + water-resistant.

Wall tile: ceramic OR porcelain; many styles.

Shower floor: mosaic tile (small for drainage) OR matte porcelain.

Grout: unsanded for narrow joints (< 1/8"); epoxy for shower (premium).

Accent tile + niche: decorative element.

Electrical (per NEC 210.8 + NEC 410)

GFCI required: all bath outlets (NEC 210.8).

Dedicated 20A circuit: for bath outlets (NEC 210.11.C.3).

Lighting: typical 15A circuit OR shared.

Bath fan: typically 15A OR shared.

Whirlpool tub (if installed): dedicated GFCI + AFCI 20A circuit per NEC 680.

Wet-rated fixtures: in shower + tub area.

Damp-rated: above shower.

Bath exhaust ventilation

Per IRC M1505: 50 CFM continuous OR 100 CFM intermittent.

Sized to bath: 1 CFM per sq ft (< 100 sq ft); 100+ CFM master bath.

Quiet (≤ 1 sone preferred).

Duct: vent outside (never attic OR soffit).

Backflow damper at termination.

Switch control: timer, motion, OR humidity-sensing.

Connect to lights (common): convenient.

Common bathroom fixtures + accessories

Vanity: pre-fab OR custom; with sink + countertop. Sink types: drop-in, under-mount, vessel, pedestal. Toilet: standard, comfort-height, dual-flush, smart. Tub + shower: standard combo, walk-in shower (trend), soaker tub, whirlpool, free-standing. Shower head: standard, rain head, hand-held, multi-spray. Mirror + medicine cabinet. Towel bars + hooks. Accessibility: grab bars, comfort-height toilet, walk-in shower.

Common bathroom mistakes

Skipping waterproofing membrane (water damage in 1 - 3 years). Wrong wet-area material (drywall in shower; mold + rot). Vent fan to attic (mold). Skipping GFCI (code violation + safety). Skipping permit (insurance + resale issue). Drainage slope wrong (water pools). Tile substrate inadequate (cracks; pops loose). Skipping niche / seat waterproofing.

Tile install workflow

1. Substrate prep: cement board OR Schluter Ditra membrane.

2. Waterproofing membrane: applied per OEM.

3. Layout planning: from center; balanced cuts.

4. Tile setting: thinset; level + plumb; spacers.

5. Cure 24 - 48 hr.

6. Grouting: matched to tile + joint width.

7. Cure 24 - 48 hr.

8. Seal grout (if cementitious; not epoxy).

Drainage + slope

Shower floor: slope 1/4" per ft toward drain (linear drain may slope all one direction).

Bath floor: typically level; tile floor.

Toilet flange height: flush with finished floor (some shim 1/4" - 1/2" allowed).

Tub drain: per tub spec.

Lighting

Primary: ceiling-mounted; bright + general.

Task: at vanity (sconces OR overhead); for grooming.

Mood / decorative: dimmable; sconces; chandelier (large bath).

Recessed (can lights): damp-rated within shower.

LED: required by some codes; long life + low energy.

Vanity install

Pre-fab vanity: most residential; quicker.

Custom: built-in look; pricier.

Counter material: laminate (low-cost), engineered stone, granite, marble, quartz.

Backsplash: tile, slab counter material wrap-up, OR none.

Customer education during project

Daily updates: photos + progress.

Customer decisions needed: fixture brands, tile patterns, paint colors.

Timeline expectations: realistic 2 - 4 weeks; weather + shipping affect.

Change orders: documented + signed if scope changes.

Final walkthrough + punch list: identify any remaining items.

Customer ROI

Bathroom remodel ROI (per Cost vs Value Report): 55 - 75% recoup at sale.

Master bath remodel: lower ROI (less universal).

Smaller remodel (cosmetic): higher % ROI.

Customer value: function, comfort, design, aging-in-place features.

Common contracting issues

Scope creep: customer adds during project; document + change order.

Tile-around-fixtures: precise cuts; templates help.

Subcontractor coordination: plumber, electrician, tile setter, painter must sequence.

Inspection scheduling: plan into timeline.

Cleanup + customer impact: minimize disruption.

Truck stock for bathroom remodel

The point of stocking is that nobody loses half a day to a supply house run. These are the items that stop a bathroom job cold when they are missing.

Plumbing consumables

• Wax ring and a waxless alternative, plus closet bolts, retainers, and caps
• Toilet supply lines and faucet supply lines in the common lengths, braided
• Angle stops and escutcheons, both compression and push-connect
• Trap kits, tailpieces, extensions, slip washers, and a pop-up assembly
• Shower arm, flange, and a spare drain assembly with gaskets
• Thread sealant, pipe dope, PTFE tape, silicone, and plumber's putty
• Couplings, adapters, and repair fittings in the pipe materials common to your market
• Test caps and plugs for rough-in inspection

Tile and waterproofing

• Liquid waterproofing membrane and the reinforcing fabric or seam tape for it
• Thinset appropriate to the tile you install most, and a bag of unmodified for the membrane manufacturer's requirement
• Grout in your two or three most-used colors, plus matching color-matched silicone for changes of plane
• Spacers, wedges, leveling clips, and a spare notched trowel in each size you use
• Cement board screws, joint tape, and a tube of the sealant the board manufacturer calls for

Electrical

• GFCI receptacles, blank and standard plates, box extenders
• Wire nuts, staples, and short lengths of the cable sizes used in bath circuits
• Fan connectors, flexible duct connectors, foil tape, and a damper

Fasteners and blocking

• Toggle and self-drilling anchors for grab bars, towel bars, and mirrors
• Screws in the lengths that reach blocking through tile and board
• Shims

Protection and cleanup

• Floor protection, plastic sheeting, zip poles, painter's tape
• Vacuum bags, filters, and drop cloths
• Debris bags rated for tile and mortar

Consumables that quietly cause callbacks if you skip them: fresh blades for the multi-tool and grinder, a clean grout sponge set, and a spare diamond blade for the wet saw. Running a dull blade on a customer's expensive tile is a material cost you eat.

Restock at the end of each job, not the start of the next one. The crew that loads out on Monday morning discovers what is missing at the worst possible time.

References

• ANSI A118.10 (waterproofing membrane standards)
• IRC R702 (wet area requirements)
• NEC 210.8 + 210.11.C.3 (bath GFCI + dedicated circuit)
• ICC + IRC bathroom permits
• Manuall internal: Tile + Grout Selection, Ventilation Fans + CFM Sizing Reference