CMCORKY'S MHS™ Corky's Corner™

Remodel project guide

Bathroom Remodel

Tear-out and rebuild of a bathroom: waterproofing, tile, vanity, fixtures, lighting, ventilation and paint.

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What the work involves

  • Demo to studs in the work area
  • Plumbing and electrical rough-in changes
  • Waterproofing the shower or tub area
  • Tile, vanity, toilet, fixtures and accessories
  • Exhaust fan, lighting, paint and trim

What should happen, step by step

Use this as a checklist while the job is underway. If a step is skipped, ask why.

Durations are typical planning ranges from Corky's field experience, not guarantees. Weather, inspections, material lead times and surprises behind walls change them.

How long it usually takes

A full bathroom remodel often takes a few weeks of work once started, longer with custom tile, layout changes or backordered items.

Plan your dates with the Project Timeline Planner

General guidance only. Your contractor's written schedule is what counts.

Inspections to expect

  • Plumbing and electrical rough-in
  • Shower pan / waterproofing test where required
  • Final plumbing, electrical and building

Which inspections apply depends on your city or county. Ask your contractor to share each passed inspection result. Understanding permits & inspections

What drives the cost

  • Layout changes (moving the toilet, shower or drain)
  • Tile size, pattern and amount
  • Fixture and vanity quality
  • Water damage found during demo
  • Glass shower doors and custom features

How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Arizona? With Arizona selected and the calculator's default hall-bath settings (45 sq ft, mid-range finishes, new tub and tile surround, new toilet), the free calculator showed about $13,000 low, $16,300 typical and $21,000 high in September 2026. That is a planning range, not a bid - size, finish level, moving plumbing and hidden water damage move it most. Run it with your numbers · Get a second opinion on a bathroom bid

See a ballpark range in the free calculator · Look up material prices

What a good bid includes

Check off each item on the bids you receive:

How to read a bid · Have one in hand? Second Look Review (from $25)

Payment schedule

Typical: deposit, payment after rough inspection, after tile, and final after inspection and punch list. See Payment Schedules guide.

  • Pay a modest deposit, then progress payments tied to finished, visible milestones (e.g., 'rough-in passed inspection'), never to dates alone.
  • Keep payments at or behind the work completed - you should never have paid for much more than has been done and delivered.
  • Hold the final payment until the final inspection is passed, the punch list is finished and you have lien waivers.
  • Avoid cash. Pay by check or card so there is a record, and get a receipt for every payment.
  • Deposit limits vary by state: California, for example, caps a home improvement down payment at 10% of the price or $1,000, whichever is less. Arizona has no single statewide percentage cap that we are aware of, so negotiate it and put it in the contract. Check your state's rules.

Payment schedules & lien waivers

Red flags & common rip-offs

  • No waterproofing method named for the shower
  • Tile set over plain drywall in wet areas
  • No exhaust fan vented to the outside
  • Allowances that are unrealistically low, leading to change orders
  • No permit for plumbing and electrical changes
  • Shower glass ordered before tile is done

Also watch for the general warning signs: large upfront payments, cash-only, no written estimate, pressure to sign today and no proof of license or insurance.

Questions to ask before you sign

  1. What waterproofing system will you use in the shower?
  2. Where does the exhaust fan vent?
  3. What allowances are included for tile and fixtures?
  4. What if you find rot or water damage?
  5. What's the order of work and who's on site each day?
  6. Will you flood-test the shower pan before tile?
  7. How long will we be without this bathroom?

Get the answers in writing, in the contract. Always ask for the contractor's license number and proof of insurance, and check the license with your state or local licensing agency. How to hire a contractor · Quick question? Contractor's Desk ($5)

Warranty

Ask for a workmanship warranty covering leaks from the shower system; fixture makers warrant fixtures.

Expect two kinds of warranty: the manufacturer's product warranty (shingles, windows, fixtures, equipment) and the contractor's workmanship warranty on the installation. Get both in writing with the length, what is covered and how to make a claim. Many product warranties require registration or installation per the manufacturer's instructions. In Arizona, a homeowner can file a workmanship complaint against a licensed contractor with the Registrar of Contractors within two years of the last work performed on a remodel or repair.

DIY vs. hire out

Usually OK to DIY

  • Painting, accessories, mirror and light fixture choice
  • Demo of vanity/mirror in newer homes

Hire a licensed pro

  • Waterproofing, plumbing, electrical, tile in wet areas

Some work legally requires a licensed contractor and a permit even on your own home. Check your state and city rules.

Permits to expect

Bathroom remodels that touch plumbing, electrical, ventilation or walls usually need permits. Permit rules are set by your city, county and state, so they vary a lot. Call or check the website of your local building department before work starts. When a permit is required, the licensed contractor usually pulls it in their own name.

General information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by location.

Sources

Check a contractor license: search your state's contractor licensing board, or find your state consumer protection office. External sites open in a new tab; Corky's MHS™ is not affiliated with them.

Please note

Educational information only - not legal, engineering or code advice. Rules vary by state, county and city, and change over time. Check with your local building department and licensing board, and read your own contract.