Henry Check

Check your bathroom remodel estimate before demolition starts

Already have a written bathroom remodel estimate? Before focusing on the total, check what happens beneath the tile: the shower waterproofing, drain connections, subfloor preparation, and ventilation. A fixture replacement and a full gut remodel are different projects, even when both quotes promise a new bathroom.

Type your estimate into Henry Check or upload a PDF or photo to see it next to published, cited price ranges, with red flags and questions to ask. You can then be matched with up to 3 local pros for more estimates. Use the review to identify missing scope, not as a substitute for inspecting concealed conditions.

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Published price ranges

Each range is shown with who published it. Henry Check also uses the ranges from Henry's city guides near your ZIP.

Work	Range	Published by
Cosmetic refresh (small bath)	$6,000 – $15,000	Homeowner Henry's national bathroom remodel guide
Mid-range full remodel	$15,000 – $30,000	Homeowner Henry's national bathroom remodel guide
Upscale or primary bath remodel	$30,000 – $60,000+	Homeowner Henry's national bathroom remodel guide
Tub-to-shower conversion	$8,000 – $20,000	Homeowner Henry's national bathroom remodel guide
Walk-in / curbless shower	$10,000 – $25,000	Homeowner Henry's national bathroom remodel guide

What drives bathroom remodel cost

Start by identifying the project: a cosmetic refresh, replacement of fixtures in their existing locations, or reconstruction with a new layout. Moving a toilet, shower drain, or vanity can add pipe routing, floor access, framing coordination, and repairs to adjacent surfaces. Ask whether the contractor has inspected access from below or is assuming the floor will provide it.

A tiled shower involves more than visible tile. The base, drain, wall substrate, waterproofing, corners, penetrations, curb, and enclosure must work together. Niches, benches, large-format tile, intricate layouts, and a curbless entrance add detailing. Curbless work also needs a plan for floor height and drainage before anyone promises a flush transition.

Separate selected upgrades from unknown conditions. A stone countertop is a selection; decayed subfloor discovered under a leaking shower is concealed damage. Have the estimate describe included preparation and the process for approving additional repairs rather than treating both categories as an undefined contingency.

Read the estimate as a construction sequence

Follow the job from protection and demolition through rough plumbing, electrical work, substrate preparation, waterproofing, tile, fixture installation, and finishing. Each stage should identify what is removed, what remains, and who restores disturbed surfaces. A shower replacement can otherwise leave painting, ceiling repairs below the drain, or doorway transitions outside the stated scope.

Request the waterproofing product or assembly and the installer’s plan for seams, corners, niches, and valve penetrations. Schluter describes a water test before tile installation to check its shower assembly for leaks. Its KERDI guidance calls for waiting at least 24 hours after installation before testing under normal curing conditions. Other systems need their own instructions; do not copy one manufacturer’s sequence onto another assembly.

Identify allowances separately from selected products. For each tile, vanity, faucet, and enclosure allowance, ask whether it covers material only or also delivery, installation, accessories, and tax. Record how credits, upgraded selections, and added labor will be calculated. A tile allowance does not by itself define wall coverage, pattern, or substrate work.

Compare two or three quotes using the same bathroom scope

Give each contractor the same room dimensions, layout, fixture list, tile coverage, and shower design. Then compare included work rather than totals alone. One quote may retain the tub and replace its surround; another may remove the tub and build a shower with new drainage and glass.

Look for mismatches in quantities and finish assumptions. Does floor tile extend beneath the vanity? Does shower tile stop at a stated height or continue to the ceiling? Are the shower valve body and visible trim both included? Is the enclosure a stock unit or measured custom glass? Resolve those differences in writing before using the quotes to make a selection.

Ask for exclusions as well as inclusions: water-damage repairs, hazardous-material assessment, electrical upgrades, painting outside the room, and repairs to downstairs ceilings. Do not interpret a blank line as included work. Ask each bidder to revise the estimate against the same scope so the remaining differences are visible.

Confirm permits, trade responsibilities, and demolition precautions

Permit and licensing rules vary by state/city. Ask the local building department which approvals apply to your exact layout and plumbing, electrical, and ventilation changes. Portland, for example, notes that bathroom remodeling may need electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trade permits. That is a local example, not a nationwide permit checklist.

Have the estimate identify who obtains applicable permits, coordinates inspections, and performs the plumbing and electrical work. The FTC recommends checking licensing with state or county government and asking for proof of insurance. Confirm credentials for the work being performed rather than assuming one business credential covers every trade.

For a home built before 1978, ask about painted surfaces that demolition will disturb. EPA explains that renovation can create hazardous lead dust and recommends hiring a lead-safe certified contractor for these homes. Discuss the applicable lead-safe requirements and containment before removing painted walls or trim; ordinary debris hauling is not a complete dust-control plan.

Tie payments, changes, and closeout to defined work

Ask for a payment schedule tied to observable bathroom milestones, such as completed rough work, the specified waterproofing check, tile completion, and final fixture installation. Discuss deposits before signing; deposit rules vary by state/city. The FTC advises against paying the full project amount upfront. Do not use a nationwide deposit percentage as a substitute for checking local rules.

Require a written change process for hidden rot, damaged drains, or owner-selected upgrades. Before additional work proceeds, request photographs, the proposed repair, the added charge, and any schedule change. Clarify how an opened bathroom will be protected while you review a repair decision.

For closeout, request applicable inspection records, fixture model information, waterproofing documentation, care instructions, and written warranty terms. Distinguish the installer’s workmanship coverage from product coverage; ask who handles a leaking shower, what exclusions apply, and how a claim starts. Confirm the actual terms instead of assuming every component shares one warranty.

What a complete estimate lists

Protection, demolition, and debris removal
Identify fixtures and surfaces being removed, protection for the route through the home, dust containment, and removal of debris. State what remains in place.
Subfloor, framing, and wall preparation
Describe included leveling, backing, and substrate replacement. Separate known repairs from concealed damage requiring approval, especially around the toilet flange and shower base.
Supply lines, drains, and shower valve
List retained and relocated connections, valve body and trim, shutoffs, and drain work. Identify access openings and who repairs them afterward.
Electrical and lighting work
Name outlets, lights, switches, fan controls, and any planned circuit work. Have the responsible electrical contractor confirm protection and installation requirements for the selected fixtures.
Exhaust fan and outdoor duct route
Specify fan model, airflow, control, duct route, and exterior termination. DOE’s Building America guidance calls for bathroom exhaust outdoors, not into an attic or floor cavity.
Shower base, drain, and waterproofing
Name the assembly and detailing at corners, curb, niche, bench, and penetrations. Include the planned pre-tile water test and responsibility for documenting it.
Tile materials and installation
Record covered areas, tile dimensions, layout, edge treatment, grout, and movement-joint treatment. Separate tile purchasing allowances from substrate preparation and installation labor.
Tub, toilet, vanity, and countertop
List models, dimensions, finishes, faucets, sink, and installation accessories. Identify owner-supplied products and who checks compatibility before ordering or demolition.
Shower glass and door hardware
Specify enclosure dimensions, glass configuration, door swing, hardware, measurement timing, and installation. Confirm clearance from the toilet and vanity and coordination with waterproofing.
Backing, accessories, and accessibility details
Locate planned grab bars, towel bars, niches, and benches. Record concealed backing before walls close, along with agreed seat heights and entry details.
Finish restoration and cleanup
Include drywall repairs, paint limits, baseboards, thresholds, adjacent flooring transitions, debris pickup, and final cleaning. Identify surfaces outside the bathroom that need restoration.
Permits, inspections, and project coordination
State responsibility for applicable approvals, inspection scheduling, and coordinating plumbing, electrical, tile, and glass work. Clarify included administrative work and exclusions.

Red flags to look for

Tile is listed but waterproofing is missing
A tile-and-grout description does not explain the shower’s water-management assembly. Request the named system and its treatment at the drain, corners, curb, and penetrations.
A curbless shower has no floor-height plan
Ask how the entry elevation, slope, drain, and surrounding floor will work together. Do not accept a flush-entry promise without checking structural and drainage constraints.
The shower trim is included but the valve is not
Visible controls may not match the existing concealed valve. Confirm compatibility or include valve replacement, access, and wall repair before selecting the trim.
Fan replacement stops at the ceiling
A new fan does not resolve an absent or disconnected outdoor duct. Ask for the route and termination rather than assuming the existing vent is usable.
Hidden damage authorizes unlimited extra work
Require a stop-and-document process for soft subfloor or deteriorated framing. Photographs and a written change proposal let you understand repairs before authorizing added work.
Allowances hide essential shower components
Check whether tile trim, drain assembly, waterproofing accessories, glass hardware, and delivery are included. A finish allowance alone cannot describe a complete shower installation.
Glass mounting is left to an unspecified installer
Ask who coordinates enclosure attachments with the waterproofing system. Resolve mounting locations and sealing details before tile and glass installers arrive at different assumptions.
The bathroom is called finished before testing
Define closeout to include checking fixture operation, drain connections, fan operation, glass alignment, and the agreed punch list. Clarify applicable final inspections and remaining payments.

Questions to ask before you sign

Which fixtures stay in their current locations, and which supply lines or drains will move?
What shower waterproofing system will you install, and how will you document the pre-tile water test?
What subfloor preparation is included, and how will you quote concealed rot discovered during demolition?
Does the shower fixture selection include a compatible valve body, trim, and drain assembly?
What tile areas, layout, edge profiles, and niche or bench details does this estimate cover?
Where will the exhaust fan discharge, and does your scope include the complete duct route?
Which selections are allowances, and how do delivery, accessories, labor changes, and unused amounts get handled?
Who obtains applicable permits and arranges inspections before concealed work is covered?
When will the toilet and shower be unusable, and what could extend that interruption?
Who measures and installs the glass, and when can the completed shower first be used?
What written workmanship and product coverage will I receive, and who responds if the shower leaks?

Check your estimate in about 2 minutes

Upload a PDF or photo, or type it in. Free, no login.

Start my Henry Check No estimate yet? Get 3 free estimates

FAQs

How much does a bathroom remodel cost?

The scope matters more than the room label. Retaining fixture locations, replacing a tub, rebuilding a tiled shower, moving drains, and repairing concealed damage involve different work. Compare your written scope with Henry Check’s cited price ranges, then ask contractors to explain differences in quantities, specifications, and exclusions.

What should a bathroom remodel estimate include?

Look for demolition, preparation, plumbing, electrical, ventilation, shower waterproofing, tile quantities, fixture models, glass, finishing, and cleanup. It should also identify allowances, exclusions, applicable permit responsibilities, the change process, and the payment schedule. Ask for missing details before treating the document as a complete project description.

Can I compare a tub insert quote with a tiled shower quote?

Only after accounting for the different assemblies. An insert may retain plumbing locations and use prefabricated wall components, while a tiled shower adds substrate, waterproofing, drain detailing, and tile installation. Ask what each option removes, retains, and replaces before comparing totals.

Does a bathroom remodel always need a permit?

No single answer covers every project. Rules vary by state/city and by the work involved. Ask your local building department about your specific plumbing, electrical, ventilation, and layout changes, then record who handles required applications and inspections in the estimate.

What if demolition reveals a leaking drain or rotten subfloor?

Ask the contractor to document the condition and propose the repair in writing, including added work and schedule effects. Establish this procedure before demolition. The initial quote should distinguish included preparation from repairs that cannot be defined until the bathroom is opened.

Can I supply my own vanity, faucets, or tile?

Ask before purchasing. Have the contractor check dimensions, rough-in compatibility, quantities, and delivery timing. Put responsibility for missing parts, damaged shipments, returns, and installation delays in writing. Also ask how owner-supplied products affect the installer’s stated workmanship coverage.

How can I reduce scope without losing essential shower work?

Discuss retaining fixture locations, simplifying tile layout, reducing custom niches, or selecting a stock vanity or enclosure. Do not treat waterproofing details or preparation as optional finish upgrades. Ask for a revised estimate that shows exactly what changes and what remains included.

Sources

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