Complete Bathroom Remodel: The 6 Phases (and What Each One Really Costs)

A complete bathroom remodel isn't one job — it's six different trades that have to happen in the right order. When a remodel goes sideways, it's almost always because one trade started before the one before it actually finished. Here's the full process, phase by phase.

1. Demolition

Everything comes out: tile, fixtures, the old tub or shower, and sometimes the subfloor. This is also when hidden problems surface — moisture at the base of the shower, rotted wood around the toilet flange, or plumbing that was never brought up to code. Finding this now, instead of halfway through the job, is what keeps a budget from blowing up later.

2. Plumbing and electrical rough-in

With the walls open, water lines, drain lines, and electrical circuits — lighting, the exhaust fan, outlets near the vanity — get moved or added. Any change to where the shower, toilet, or sink sits gets decided here, because once the wall is closed back up, moving it means opening it again.

3. Waterproofing

Before a single tile goes up, the shower or tub area needs a properly sealed waterproof membrane. It's the least visible part of the whole project and the one that prevents the most leaks down the road — never a step worth skipping to save a day.

4. Tile and flooring

This is the longest and most visible phase: shower walls, floor, and any decorative detail. How long it takes depends on the size of the bathroom and whether the design includes patterns or large-format tile, which both need more precise cutting.

5. Fixtures

Toilet, vanity, faucets, shower glass, and hardware go in once the tile has cured. This is also when lighting, the exhaust fan, and any outlets get their final connections.

6. Final finishes

Caulk, paint, mirror, and a full walkthrough to make sure every fixture is aligned and every seam is sealed. Before we call a project finished, we walk the bathroom with you and note anything that still needs attention.

How long it takes and what it costs

A complete bathroom remodel typically takes 1 to 3 weeks, depending on size and whether plumbing needs to move. On cost: a standard remodel that keeps the existing layout usually runs $8,000 to $15,000; reconfiguring the layout or expanding the space pushes that to $15,000–$25,000 or more, depending on the finishes you choose.

At Perfect House LLC, we manage all six phases under one contract — you're not coordinating a plumber, an electrician, and a tile setter yourself. If you're thinking about remodeling your bathroom and want a real number before you commit to anything, call us at 570-517-9122 or request an estimate online.