Bathroom Remodeling, From Waterproofing to the Last Fixture
A bathroom is the smallest room in most houses and the least forgiving. Water, steam, tile and plumbing meet within a few square feet, and what sits behind the finished surface matters as much as the surface itself.
What a bathroom remodel includes
Depending on your scope, a Bozetti’s bathroom project covers demolition, framing, plumbing and electrical work by licensed trade partners, an exhaust fan ducted to the outside, subfloor repair, the waterproofing layer behind and beneath the tile, tile and grout, vanity and countertop, shower glass, fixtures, accessories, trim and paint. Wood blocking for towel bars, glass and future grab bars is installed while the walls are open.
How design-build works in a bathroom
In a room this small, the details are the design. Our designers draw the tile layout before the first tile is set: where the cuts land, how the niche lines up with the grout joints, where the valve sits so you can reach it without stepping into the spray. A curbless shower is decided early, because it changes how the floor is framed and sloped.
Our projects follow five steps: a complimentary first consultation, a written estimate and agreement, a pre-construction meeting, construction, and a final review of the work and of your written limited workmanship warranty. Fixtures, tile and vanity are selected and ordered before demolition is scheduled.
What affects timeline and budget
These are the main drivers:
- Plumbing locations. Moving the toilet or the shower drain is a larger job than replacing fixtures in place.
- Shower type. A curbless entry or a built-in bench adds framing and waterproofing work.
- Tile. Large formats, small mosaics and patterned layouts each take different amounts of preparation and setting time.
- Glass. Shower glass is measured after the tile is finished, then made to that measure.
- Special-order items. Vanities, stone tops and some fixtures have their own lead times.
- Hidden conditions. Soft subfloor around an old tub, aging drain lines or a fan that was never ducted outside are usually found after demolition. When that happens we stop that part of the work, show you what we found, and agree on a written change order before the added work proceeds.
Your contract states the date work is scheduled to begin and the date it is scheduled to be substantially completed. We do not quote a duration or a price before we have seen the room.
Where we work
Bozetti’s works with homeowners within about 30 miles of Stoneham, Massachusetts, including Winchester, Reading, Lexington, Woburn, Arlington, Lynnfield and North Reading. Our team works with clients in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Frequently asked questions
Can you convert a tub to a walk-in shower?
In most bathrooms, yes. The plan depends on the drain location, the floor framing and whether you want a curb. We also ask whether the house keeps a tub elsewhere, since that is a decision some owners want to weigh.
How is the shower waterproofed?
Tile and grout are not waterproof on their own. The waterproofing is a separate layer behind and beneath the tile, installed before any tile is set. During design we walk you through the system specified for your shower.
This is our only bathroom. Can we use it during the work?
A bathroom under renovation is out of service while the work is underway. If it is the only one in the house, tell us at the consultation so the plan and the sequence of work account for it from the start.
Thinking about a bathroom? Tell us what is not working in the room today. The first consultation is complimentary. Let’s Talk or call (978) 788-0050.