Bay Area bathroom remodeling, built to last.

Bathrooms in older Bay Area homes

Many Bay Area bathrooms were built decades ago, with small footprints, a tub and shower combination, a single outlet and, often, no exhaust fan at all. Behind the tile it is common to find galvanized supply pipes, old cast iron drains and subfloor that has absorbed years of small leaks around the toilet or the tub.

These surprises are normal, and they cost less when they are expected. Before quoting, we check where the drain can realistically move, whether the subfloor is sound and what the inspector will ask for once the walls are open. We also suggest setting aside a contingency for anything hidden behind the tile.

Bathroom permits, GFCI and ventilation rules

Swapping a faucet or a vanity in the same place does not need a permit. Moving the shower drain or the toilet, adding a circuit, changing the ventilation or opening a wall usually does. Fees and inspection timing depend on which of the Bay Area’s many building departments covers your address.

California codes also reach into the bathroom: outlets near water need GFCI protection, and bathrooms with a shower or a tub need an exhaust fan that meets the state ventilation rules. We design those requirements in from the start rather than finding out at inspection. Because we file the permit ourselves, its timing is already counted in the schedule you approve.

Waterproofing and materials that last

In any shower remodel, the tile is what you see, but the waterproofing behind it is what protects your home. A shower needs a waterproof layer on the walls and the floor, a floor sloped toward the drain and sealed corners and niches. When that layer is missing or rushed, water reaches the framing. The damage shows up years later as loose tile, mold or a stain on the ceiling below.

For surfaces, porcelain tile is dense, absorbs very little water and comes in marble, stone, concrete and wood looks. Natural stone is beautiful but needs sealing. Quartz vanity tops resist stains without sealing. On the shower floor, smaller tiles or a textured finish give better grip, which matters for kids and for older family members.

Walk-in shower, tub or both?

A walk-in shower is easier to step into, easier to clean and makes a small bathroom feel larger. That is why the tub-to-shower conversion is one of the projects we are asked for most. A freestanding or soaking tub, on the other hand, turns a primary bathroom into a place to relax.

If you have young children, or plan to sell in a few years, it is usually worth keeping at least one tub somewhere in the house. In a larger primary bathroom, many homeowners choose both: a walk-in shower with frameless glass and a freestanding tub beside it. We help you decide at the free visit, based on your space and how your family uses it.

Hiring a bathroom remodeler: what to check

Look the company up on the CSLB license search first: it shows whether the license is current, bonded and backed by workers’ compensation. Then ask the bathroom-specific questions: who builds the shower pan and the waterproofing, what the tile and glass allowances include, and whether the price is broken down line by line.

One more California rule worth knowing: on a home improvement contract, the deposit can be no more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the price, whichever is lower. Ask to see bathrooms the contractor actually finished, with photos, like the ones in our reviews.

Bathroom projects from Marin to San Jose

Our bathroom projects reach from Marin and Sonoma down to San Jose, and from San Francisco out to Brentwood, where we are based. A hall bath in an older Oakland bungalow, a primary bathroom in a Walnut Creek ranch house and a guest bath in a newer San Jose home are not the same job. Each one brings its own plumbing, layout and permit rules.

Wherever you live, you get the same free visit, the same itemized quote with dates and the same crew. Ask for your free bathroom estimate and tell us your city.