Bathroom remodeling questions
Short answers to what homeowners ask about remodeling a bathroom. Don't see yours? Ask by phone or form and we will reply.
Planning
What is the first step in a bathroom remodel?
Decide what you want to be different, even roughly. Then call or send a request and we visit, take dimensions of the room and go over which changes are possible and in what order.
Will I get a drawing before work starts?
Yes. We sketch the layout with you and confirm it first, so the shower, vanity and door are shown to agree on paper before anything is demolished.
Can the fixtures move to new places?
They can, and it affects the plumbing inside the walls and below the floor. In a house on a slab, a moved drain means cutting the concrete, so we settle placement at the planning stage.
Can we live at home during the remodel?
Often, when there is a second bathroom available. We discuss water shut-offs, dust protection and the days the room is closed ahead of time, so the schedule holds no surprises.
Showers and tubs
Is it possible to turn a tub into a shower?
In most alcoves, yes. The width, the depth and the drain position set what fits, and a short visit to measure it tells us what the new shower can look like.
What does curbless mean?
The shower has no raised edge. The bathroom floor continues into the shower and slopes to a drain, which usually means the shower zone is set below the level of the surrounding floor.
Is a door required on a walk-in shower?
No. A single fixed glass panel can be enough in a roomy shower. A door holds in more steam and spray, so the decision rests on the dimensions of the shower and what you prefer.
Should I keep a tub somewhere in the home?
Many households and future buyers like having one. If you are removing the only tub in the house, think about that first; a second bathroom with a tub makes the choice easy.
Tile, vanities and finishes
Can I tile over the existing tile?
Occasionally, but not in a shower. Old tile hides the layers behind it, and those layers matter most. When in doubt we remove it and rebuild from a sound, clean base.
What tile suits a shower floor?
One with grip and a layout that follows the slope. Small tiles and mosaics bend easily around the pitch, while larger tiles go with a linear drain and a single slope.
Will the plumbing stay put when I change the vanity?
Often, if the new cabinet matches the old drain and supply positions. A different layout moves the pipes, and that happens while the wall is open.
How are hung sinks and toilets supported?
By solid backing inside the wall, fixed before the finish goes on. In block walls the support can be a masonry anchor, and the finish is built around it so nothing is visible.
Condos, permits and accessible bathrooms
Do condominiums need approval for a bathroom remodel?
Usually the association has rules, and many want a plan beforehand and set work hours. Read the declaration or ask the manager, and bring what you find to the first visit.
Where does the permit go?
To the building department for your address: a city office if the home is inside a city, or Miami-Dade County for an unincorporated address. Plumbing and electrical changes normally need a permit.
Request a design visit
Tell us the room and what you would change, leave your number, and we phone you to agree on a time.