East Brunswick · Central New Jersey
Bathroom Remodeling & Walk-In Showers
Tub-to-shower conversions, full rebuilds, and surrounds taken back to the studs. The finish is what you will look at; the waterproofing is what you are paying for.
01 — Scope
What is included
- Demolition to the studs, floor included when it needs to be
- Cement board on every wet wall, seams sealed
- Continuous waterproof membrane over walls, curb and pan — flood-tested before tile
- Mud-bed or foam pan with a proper slope to the drain
- Wall and floor tile, niches, benches, curbs
- Grout, silicone at every change of plane, trim set last
- Toilet, vanity, mirror and accessories set and levelled
- Coordination with a licensed plumber or electrician when the layout changes
02 — Method
How it is done properly
Everything comes off, down to framing
You cannot waterproof over an old surround, and you cannot see rot through it. I take wet rooms back to the studs, check the framing, and fix what is soft before anything new goes on.
One waterproof layer, no gaps
Cement board is not waterproof — it is a stable surface for the membrane. The membrane runs continuously over walls, into the niche, over the curb and down into the pan, lapped and sealed so water has one direction to go: the drain.
The slope lives in the pan, not in the tile
A shower floor drains because the base underneath it is pitched, not because the mosaic is. I build the slope first and fill the pan with water before tiling. If it holds overnight, we go on.
Fixtures last, after the grout has cured
Trim, glass, shelves and towel bars go on after the grout has had its time. Silicone, not grout, in every inside corner and where tile meets the tub, so it can move without cracking.
Want to know roughly what this costs before you call? The instant ballpark uses the same numbers I quote from. It takes a minute.
03 — Price
What moves the number
No two bathrooms cost the same. These are the things I look at on the visit.
- Tub-to-shower conversion versus re-tiling the same layout
- Whether the floor is coming out, and what is under it
- Size of the enclosure — walls to the ceiling cost more than to a soffit
- Niches, benches, half walls and glass — each is framing plus waterproofing
- Tile size and pattern: large format needs a flatter wall, mosaic takes longer
- Moving the drain, valve or toilet — plumber time, sometimes a permit
- What we find behind the old tile
FAQ
Questions people ask before they call
How long does a bathroom take?
A surround re-tile is usually a week including cure time. A tub-to-shower conversion runs two to three weeks. A full bathroom to the studs is three to four, longer if plumbing moves and inspection is needed. I give you a schedule with the quote and tell you the day anything changes.
Do I need a permit?
Re-tiling the same layout, no. Moving plumbing, changing electrical, or converting a tub to a shower usually does in New Jersey. I will tell you which on the visit, and the licensed plumber pulls the plumbing permit.
Can you work around my existing tub or vanity?
Yes, if it is in good shape and staying where it is. I will tell you honestly if keeping it will make the new tile look worse than it should.
Do you supply the tile?
You choose it and buy it; I tell you how much to order, including the overage for cuts. I am glad to meet you at the tile store and steer you away from the pieces that are hard to install well.
What happens if you find rot?
I stop, photograph it, and show you before touching it. Then we agree the fix and the cost before I go on. It is never a surprise on the invoice.
Start with a number, not a sales visit.
Get a real range in sixty seconds, or send me a few photos and I will call you back the same day.