Planning guide · Full bathroom renovation

Everything to plan, decide, and expect before a full bathroom gut renovation

This is our most complex scope — subfloor, waterproofing, tile, fixtures, and finish. This guide walks you through every decision and phase so nothing surprises you.

Get a free video estimateStart the self-assessment
Full gut bathroom renovation — new tile, waterproofing, and fixtures

Phase 0 — Is this right for you?

5 questions before you reach out

A full renovation is a significant investment. These questions confirm it's the right scope — and flag anything that needs to be addressed upfront.

01

Do you want a complete gut — removing all tile to the studs, replacing waterproofing membrane, and starting fresh?

✓Right service

If yes, this is the right scope. If you're open to keeping the substrate and just refreshing surfaces, a gut-free refresh may be a better fit.

02

Does your condo building require board approval or a permit for wet-area gut work?

!Plan ahead

Most Boston-area condo buildings require a scope letter and may require a permit for gut work affecting the wet stack. We help you navigate this — but it adds lead time before start.

03

Have you identified a tile direction, fixture finish, and layout intent — or are you still in early exploration?

!Need to lock before quoting

A full renovation quote is highly selection-dependent. The estimate call helps you narrow decisions, but final tile and fixture selections must be confirmed before work begins.

04

Is your plumbing stack in good condition — no known leaks, corrosion, or prior water damage in the walls?

!Assess in walkthrough

We assess this during the video walkthrough. Hidden supply line issues can change scope and budget — we surface them early, not mid-project.

05

Are you prepared for a 5–12 day timeline with no access to this bathroom?

✓Must plan ahead

If this is your only bathroom, we discuss logistics and staging options on the estimate call. Plan ahead — this is the one constraint that most affects scheduling.

Green on question 1 + 5 means you're ready to plan. Yellow items are project shaping inputs — we work through all of them in the walkthrough. If you're unsure about board approval or permits, bring your condo docs to the call and we'll review them together.

Discuss on a free video call

Phase 1 — Before you reach out

What to document before the walkthrough

A full renovation quote requires more detail than other services. The more you bring to the walkthrough, the more accurate and complete your quote will be.

Your bathroom

  • Photograph all four walls, floor, ceiling, and inside the vanity cabinet
  • Video walk through slowly — we want to see the condition of every tile and grout line
  • Note any visible moisture staining, cracks, or soft spots in the wall near the shower
  • Measure the room dimensions — length, width, ceiling height, shower niche if applicable

Your building

  • Pull your condo association bylaws — look for contractor access, wet work, and permit language
  • Confirm whether your unit has a private shut-off for the wet stack or requires a building engineer
  • Ask building management whether similar renovations in the building required permits
  • Identify the building's debris removal process — dumpster location or elevator window schedule

Your design direction

  • Save 5–10 bathroom photos that represent the look you want — Pinterest, Houzz, Instagram
  • Identify your fixture finish preference: matte black, brushed nickel, polished chrome, or unlacquered brass
  • Decide on layout intent: keep plumbing locations as-is, or move something (move = permit threshold)
  • Think about lighting — are you replacing the fixture, and if so, do you need an electrician?

A full renovation estimate requires a complete video walkthrough — not just photos. Book a 20-minute FaceTime or video call and we'll scope the entire project in one session.

Phase 2 — Your design decisions

Decisions you'll make before work begins

Full renovations require the most client input of any scope we do. These decisions shape the budget, the permit requirement, and the production timeline.

Layout

Are you keeping the existing plumbing locations or moving anything?

  • Keep all plumbing exactly as-is — fastest, lowest cost, no permit in most cases
  • Move toilet or vanity supply only (minor repositioning)
  • Reconfigure shower or tub — moves drain or supply line
  • Full layout redesign — new footprint, new drain location

Jerry says

Keeping plumbing in place is the single biggest cost lever in a bathroom renovation. Even moving a toilet 12 inches can add $2,000–$4,000 and trigger a permit. Unless the current layout is genuinely unusable, keep it.

Tile package

What tile goes on the floor, walls, and shower enclosure?

  • Matching floor and wall tile (cohesive, fewer transitions)
  • Contrasting floor and wall tile (two distinct looks)
  • Full-height shower tile vs. partial height with painted wall above
  • Shower niche — location, size, and tile treatment

Jerry says

Order 10–15% more tile than the square footage requires — cuts and breakage are real. Discontinued tiles can't be back-ordered. Get the material before we demo the existing.

Fixtures

What fixture pieces are you replacing and in what finish?

  • Full package: toilet, vanity faucet, shower valve and trim, towel bars, mirror
  • Partial: toilet and shower only, keep vanity faucet
  • Premium: wall-hung toilet, thermostatic shower, freestanding vanity
  • Spec-to-budget: builder-grade fixtures for a flip or rental

Jerry says

Buy fixtures in the same finish family from one manufacturer — mixing brands creates subtle finish variation that's obvious in finished photos. Matte black is the easiest to maintain. Unlacquered brass is the hardest.

Waterproofing system

What waterproofing membrane goes behind the tile?

  • Schluter Kerdi system — bonded membrane over cement board
  • Redgard liquid-applied membrane over cement board
  • Wedi foam board system — integrated waterproofing panel
  • Durock + liquid waterproofing for budget builds

Jerry says

We specify Schluter or Redgard for all wet areas — both are warrantied systems with proven track records. We assess the existing substrate and recommend the right system for your specific walls and floor on the walkthrough.

Permit

Does your project require a permit?

  • Like-for-like replacement — no permit in most ICC residential buildings
  • Supply line relocation — may trigger permit
  • Drain relocation or structural change — permit required
  • Building board approval required regardless of permit status

Jerry says

We help you determine permit requirement based on your building classification and project scope. If a permit is needed, we handle the documentation and coordinate inspection. This adds 2–4 weeks to the pre-construction timeline.

Questions about any of these? The estimate call is the right place to work through them — no commitment required.

Book a free walkthrough

Phase 3 — The project workbook

What happens, day by day

Pre-construction

Before we arrive (2–4 weeks out)

  1. Tile, fixture, and hardware selections finalized and ordered — allow 2–3 weeks for delivery
  2. Permit applied for if required — we handle documentation, you provide condo association info
  3. Board approval obtained if your building requires it
  4. Building shut-off and access window scheduled with building management
  5. You've cleared the bathroom and confirmed no-bathroom logistics for the project window

Production

Days 1–12 in your unit

Full bathroom renovation in progress — tile installation phase
  1. Day 1: Full demolition — tile, fixtures, and any damaged substrate removed; debris staged and removed same day
  2. Day 1–2: Subfloor inspection and repair; cement board or foam board installed
  3. Day 2–3: Waterproofing membrane applied and tested
  4. Day 3–5: Floor tile set, allowed to cure; wall tile set in sections
  5. Day 5–7: Wall tile grouted; shower niche and transition trim installed
  6. Day 7–9: Fixtures rough-in and final trim; vanity set and plumbed
  7. Day 9–11: Paint, accessories, and final punch list
  8. Day 12: Final inspection with permit inspector if applicable; final walkthrough

Post-construction

After sign-off

  1. 72-hour cure before grout sealer application — we schedule a follow-up or leave sealer with instructions
  2. Final walkthrough: every tile, grout joint, fixture, and finish surface inspected together
  3. Permit inspection completed if required — we coordinate and attend
  4. All punch list items resolved before final sign-off — not after
  5. Written warranty issued; copy of any permit or board approval documentation left with you

Phase 4 — What "done" looks like

What 'done' actually looks like

What you get

  • A fully waterproofed, trade-standard wet area from subfloor to ceiling
  • Tile set to level and plumb, grout consistent and sealed
  • All fixtures installed, plumbed, and function-tested before sign-off
  • Permit documentation and certificate of completion if applicable
  • A bathroom that photographs, sells, and holds up to daily use for 15+ years

What to know

  • Full renovations have inherent discovery risk — conditions behind the existing tile are not always visible until demo. We surface surprises early and present options before proceeding with any scope change
  • Permit and board approval timelines are outside our control — a 2-week permit process can become 4-6 weeks in certain municipalities
  • Tile and fixture lead times can affect project start — order early once selections are finalized
  • Grout color and sheen settle as they cure over 28 days — the day-1 appearance is not the final appearance
Bathroom before full gut renovation
Before
Bathroom after full gut renovation — new tile and fixtures — Charlestown
After
See more results →

Ongoing care

Protecting your renovation investment

Day-to-day care

  • Squeegee shower walls after every use — the single most effective thing you can do for grout longevity
  • Run the bathroom exhaust fan during every shower and for 20 minutes after
  • Use a pH-neutral cleaner on tile — never bleach-based products on colored grout

Annual schedule

  • Re-seal grout every 12–18 months with a penetrating silicone sealer
  • Inspect all caulk lines — re-caulk at the first sign of cracking or mold
  • Check under-vanity connections for any slow drip at supply lines

What to avoid

  • Harsh chemical drain cleaners — use enzymatic cleaners instead to protect the p-trap and grout joint at the drain
  • Leaving soap and shampoo bottles directly on the tile floor long-term — they stain grout
  • Ignoring a dripping faucet or running toilet — water intrusion is the enemy of a tile installation

Our commitment

What's covered

Covered

  • Waterproofing system integrity — any failure within 2 years resulting in water intrusion through the tile assembly
  • Tile installation defects — grout voids, significant lippage, or cracked tile at delivery
  • Fixture installation — leaks or improper function within 90 days of sign-off
  • Permit inspection pass — we cover the cost of any required re-inspection if our work is the cause of a failed inspection

Not covered

  • Tile cracking caused by building settlement, seismic activity, or subfloor deflection after sign-off
  • Grout discoloration caused by failure to seal on schedule or use of incompatible cleaning products
  • Plumbing supply line failure beyond the shutoff — this is a building or pre-existing condition
  • Manufacturer defects in fixtures or tile — covered by their respective manufacturer warranties

Read the full workmanship guarantee →

You're ready

Three steps to get started

Completed full bathroom renovation — Charlestown condo
1
Schedule a free 20-minute video walkthrough

We assess your space, confirm scope, and answer every question from this guide.

2
Receive a written quote within 24 hours

Three-tier proposal with options — you choose the scope that fits your timeline and budget.

3
Lock your start date

We handle building paperwork, access coordination, and the pre-arrival checklist.

Get my free estimate

No commitment required. Written quote within 24 hours. MA HIC #208336.

Questions? Talk to Jerry directly.

Every estimate starts with a video walkthrough — no obligation, no pressure, just a clear written scope.

Schedule the walkthrough
Get my free estimate