Bathroom remodel: what to check before you hire

What a complete quote should cover

Check that every quote you get prices each of these — or says clearly that it's excluded.

• Demolition and debris haul-off
• Waterproofing method for the shower and floor
• Shower valve and supply lines — replaced or reused
• Tile — who supplies it, and the allowance per square foot
• Vanity, toilet, and fixtures — who supplies them, and installation
• Shower glass — type and who measures it
• Electrical — outlets, lighting, and exhaust fan vented outside
• Drywall or cement board, paint, and trim
• Permits, inspections, and final cleanup

Questions to ask every contractor

1. What waterproofing system do you use, and do you test the shower pan before tiling?
2. What happens to the price if you find rot or water damage under the floor?
3. Is the tile allowance enough for the tile I actually want?
4. Is this a fixed price, or an estimate that can change?
5. Which items are allowances, and what dollar amount is each one?
6. What's the payment schedule, and what work is finished at each payment?
7. Who pulls the permits, and are permit fees included?
8. Who runs the job day to day, and which work goes to subcontractors?
9. How are change orders priced and approved?
10. What's the start date, how long will it take, and what happens if it runs late?
11. What warranty do you give on your workmanship?

Before you sign, check the contractor's license, bond, and workers' comp on the CSLB website. In California, a down payment should never be more than 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less.

Copy an email that asks every contractor for these answers →

The usual order of work

Every job is different, but a schedule that skips or reorders these steps is worth asking about.

1. Selections — tile, vanity, fixtures, and glass
2. Permits
3. Demolition, and repair of anything found underneath
4. Rough plumbing, electrical, and fan venting, then inspection
5. Backer board and waterproofing, with a water test for the shower
6. Tile
7. Vanity, toilet, and fixtures
8. Shower glass (measured after tile is done)
9. Paint, final inspection, and a punch list

Often left out of bathroom remodel quotes

If one quote is much lower than the others, start here.

• Waterproofing behind tile
• Replacing the shower valve and old supply lines
• Subfloor or rot repair if found during demo
• Tile allowance vs. the tile you actually pick
• Exhaust fan vented outside, not into the attic

What does it cost?

It depends heavily on your house, your finishes, and your city, so we don't publish averages. Instead, we compare your actual quote against real project records and tell you which prices look high, which look low, and what's missing.