WHAT GOES INTO A TYPICAL PRIMARY / MASTER BATHROOM REMODEL?

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Will this bathroom improvement involve redesigning the space, including adjusting or moving walls?  

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If the answer is yes or maybe, then you will probably need the following - a copy of your home's architectural plans that includes locations of plumbing, electrical and HVAC. Bringing in a plumber to look at your bathroom and adjacent areas can help with understanding hidden water lines, gas lines, PVC sewer and vent lines, locations of existing and proposed drain and p-traps, etc. 

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Structural and engineering plans may be necessary for significant changes such as altering heights of ceilings and load bearing walls. Modifications to foundation areas or proposing heavy loads over second story floor joists are also indications you will need an engineer to accompany any permits. 

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What if we just want to update our existing shower area, tub and surround, tile flooring and bathroom vanity areas? 

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This represents a typical ask when it comes to primary bathroom makeovers and is usually a straight forward process that can be complicated to varying degrees depending on how much modifications you plan to make to your actual shower area, shower plumbing fixtures and tub plans.. For example, adding a freestanding tub to a first floor slab foundation may require some repositioning of water lines and drain location in the concrete. This is quite common, but absolutely involves a licensed plumber in the rough-in and final stages of the work. Verona Home Remodeling & Renovations ALWAYS has our licensed plumbers on hand for initial consultation of proposed work, after demo and for the actual rough-in work, and finally to finish out adding the plumbing fixtures.

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What is involved in a shower area replacement?

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Lets start with making sure you have compiled plenty of visual examples of design ideas you like on sites like HOUZZ, PINTREST, HGTV, etc. Magazine articles and maybe even some preliminary drawings of your own.  Next, let Verona Home Remodeling help with your design plans using our complimentary design and planning service, when you are working with us on a potential remodeling customer. We will use our resources and devote time to help you refine your ideas, marrying your vision with functionality, feasibility and cost.

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Verona Home Remodeling will guide you through choices in materials, labor, plumbing fixture options, dos and don'ts, and more. In addition, our detailed quote process will provide you with a roadmap to help you decide just how over the top and grand you want to take your project.

 

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Important comments about home improvement and resale vale.

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Keep in mind that bathroom and kitchen remodels, though often desirable and completely necessary for YOU as the homeowner, may not always translate into added value for your home. A really good rule of thumb is the following - if your home has major rooms that a potential buyer might come in and dislike or believe they can find way better somewhere else, then your home might not command the comps for the neighborhood you reside and which is likely used for comp values. Rarely will your home command much more than the neighborhood comps solely based on the fact that you have updated your kitchen or bath to the tune of $60,000 to $100,000. Certain functional improvements made to your home will definitely stretch the boundaries, allowing you to command more for your home in a sellers market.  So, if you tear out a functionally poor master bathroom layout in favor of a much cleaner, open and functional design, your home might be far more desirable than the other homes in your area, and therefore might bring you a bit of a premium in the right market. On the other hand, if you choose wildly lavish materials or spend money upgrading a space far beyond the norm for your neighborhood, you are likely gaining the joy of that upgrade while you are living there, but it might not translate into better resale value. In fact, if you choose to do something so dramatic and eclectic, your home could actually be less desirable since a prospective buyer might see it as a greater hassle to alter down the line.

 

 

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What list of materials and associated labor for professional services you should you be thinking of in a bathroom remodel?

 

Shower area: 

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Labor - SHOWER DEMO - the extent of demo needed to remove old tile, thin set/mortar and grout, old wallboard/cement board, water damaged studs and plywood, insulation, etc.

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Labor - removing the old shower pan (concrete, mortar, tile, grout), inspecting for water damage, rot and structural defects at the subfloor and below prior to prepping for rebuild. If on first floor foundation, there usually is not plywood, but damage could be located along the perimeter at the level of the pressure treated lumber touching the concrete. 

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Labor (included) - haul off of removed/demolished  materials, which is generally lumped in with the demo process. 

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Labor (included) - preliminary visual inspection by a licensed plumber of the pipes and PVC drains so that he/she knows what to expect when they begin the buildout or rough-in process. 

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Shower build materials needed:

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Materials are all building products and fixtures/hardware and appliances in the remodeling/renovation process. There are readily available materials and items which should be ordered well in advance so as to not hold up the remodeling process due to backorders and shipping delays. Examples are custom cabinets and plumbing fixtures, such as rain shower heads and valves. 

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Materials (readily available) - Lumber such as plywood and studs, steel or Simpson strong ties, screws, nails, etc.

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Materials (readily available) - 1/2" and 1/4" Cement board in 3' x 5' sheets; cement board fasteners

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Materials (readily available) - Red Guard Waterproofing membrane or Schluter Waterproofing system. 

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Materials (readily available) - Shower pan build materials, concrete and mortar mix, rubber membrane, etc.

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Materials - Plumbing rough-in drain assembly and rough in valves

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Materials - Plumbing - PEX, copper pipe for hot/cold lines, fittings, PVC, etc.

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Materials - Shower WALL TILE - Calculated as installable area plus 15 to 20 percent overage for cuts and waste

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Materials (readily available) - Mortar and Grout

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Materials (readily available) - Schluter Edge - Optional use where edging is aesthetically beneficial

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Shower build labor required:

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Labor - Niche / cubby framing (16"x24", 16"x32, 18"x48",, full length wall buildout) - another name for this cutout is the shampoo box. Modern designs have long cubbies running the length of the shower wall as an "accent" strip

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Labor - Additional structural support for frameless shower glass anchoring - includes installing studs and plywood and allows the anchoring hardware and hinges to scree deep into the wall behind the more fragile tile.

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Labor - Cement board installation on shower walls - this replaces older showers that used green board or less water safe materials in shower areas. Cement board can extend from the shower into the tub areas. 

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Labor - Red Guard waterproofing application or Schluter install - a critical product necessary for tiled areas since moisture can and will eventually get behind the tile and grout due to the porous nature of some tiles and grout. 

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Labor - TILE INSTALLATION - Shower Walls - calculated as installable area x cost per square foot for labor

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Labor - specialty or tile pattern upcharge - less common except for highly detailed or intricate installations

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Labor -  Grouting  - no additional charge unless epoxy is used for miter cut corners or bullnose

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Labor - Bullnose edging or Schluter edge - comes in white, stainless, brushed nickel, polished chrome, etc. and serves as a desirable transition between tiled areas and painted, wood, or wallpapered sections. It covers the exposed edge of a tile that is unfinished compared to the polished surface of the tile. Some tiles are through and through color and texture which allows the homeowner to opt against using metal edge transitions that can effect the character of the tile job. 

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FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION - Frameless shower glass - the process involves taking detailed measurements after tile is installed, custom ordering the glass from a manufacturing supplier and then installation by a professional team. Glass-tile transitions are sealed with silicone and hinges and brackets are installed according to the size and shape of each glass panel and door. 

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Vanity, vanity associated plumbing and vanity countertops:​

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Materials - Quartz, Quartzite, Granite, Marble - Priced either as a full slab order or an  in stock (inventory held) material that is sold by the square foot plus necessary overage to fabricate the cuts to be installed

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Materials - Stone backsplash typically 4" high x length 

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Materials - Vanity sink(s) - modern rectangle, other?

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Materials - Vanity faucet and plumbing ( see plumbing and plumbing fixture pricing)

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Labor - Fabrication and installation of countertop pieces - includes standard eased edge sides and corners.  Slabs are sent from the distributors warehouse to the fabrication shop, where the templates are used to cut the individual pieces needed from a slab that is generally 10 feet long by 6 feet high. 

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Labor - Cut and polish for each sink opening; installers will adhere undermount sink to countertop and install the section along with the undermount sink. 

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Vanity Plumbing Labor (licensed plumber) - reconnect vanity sink(s) is generally a next day or same day follow up to install any new faucets and drain assemblies. 

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Bathtub modifications ( drop in tub switch to freestanding) and associated plumbing

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Materials and Labor - requires licensed master plumber to often move drains and water lines, install new stand alone fixtures and tub placement on concrete slab or second floor area. Materials include tub itself, plumbing drain lines, rough in assembly, freestanding or wall faucet install, etc.

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Note - installing a new drop in tub can be less expensive but does require not only plumbing but structural build of the tub deck and tiling, etc.

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Vanity Refinishing​

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Labor - rather than replace your existing vanity cabinet(s), we may be able to remove the hardware, doors and drawers and spray refinish. 

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Bathroom flooring

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Labor - Demo/tear out old tile flooring (shower pan separately)

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Labor - Structural modifications if necessary due to damage, warping, water damage, other

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Labor - remove/reset toilet before and after tile install, respectively

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Labor - Pull and reset base boards if necessary

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Materials - structural materials if necessary due to water damage, etc. - plywood, subfloor, studs, insulation, etc.

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Materials - 1/4" cement board for tiling; cement board fasteners/screws

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Materials - FLOOR TILE - Porcelain, ceramic, stone (travertine), marble, etc. - customer will choose type and styple

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Materials - LHT mortar and grout

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Labor - FLOOR TILE installation - includes grouting

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Labor - Select marble tiles require additional honing after tile install and sealants

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Lighting and Electrical

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Labor -  can be as basic as switching out a chandelier / adding dimmer switches, however, it may involve more extensive modifications of electrical circuits and lighting done by a licensed electrician. 

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Structural modifications to framing/drywall, concrete, headers, etc.

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Requires additional permitting and time.

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Closet improvements, other custom woodworking and enhancements

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Labor - woodworking ​

Materials - lumber, metal shelving and brackets, custom materials, etc.

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Modifications to your HVAC 

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Sometimes changes require ductwork alterations, involving licensed HVAC contractors. 

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ARCHITECTURAL PLANS / ENGINEERING PLANS / OTHER PERMITS

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All or any one or two may be required 

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