Best Bathroom Remodeling Companies

Choosing a bathroom remodeling contractor is all about due diligence. Check the companies’ credibility and ask for examples of past work. Don’t be shy to request references and contact past clients. Review each company’s license and insurance and be sure they provide a detailed contract.

Remember, communication is key, so pick someone responsive. It’s your dream bathroom, after all.

1. Finalize your vision

“It’s always best to have a complete design put together before you ask a builder for a quote,” according to Molly McGinness, an award-winning interior designer based on Cape Cod.

Contractors can’t give you an accurate price estimate without knowing what you want. If you ask them generically, they have to base the estimate on a placeholder that most likely doesn’t match your vision.

For example, ceramic materials are much cheaper than natural stone, and installing a simple pattern, like a brick or stacked pattern, has lower labor costs than more complicated designs, such as a herringbone or small mosaic pattern.

“It’s better to start with a design you love and have a bid on that specific design,” McGinness said. “If the bid comes in too high, you can then ask about ways to bring the cost down and how the design could be adjusted, either in materials, layout changes or what changes could affect the labor costs.”

2. Ask the right questions

Once you know what you want, it’s time to start a conversation. Elizabeth P. Lord-Levitt, who runs a residential design firm in Denver, always tells clients to ask these three questions when interviewing contractors:

• What type of projects do you normally do? The company’s past projects should be associated with the scope of work that needs to be done for your project. If the contractor is more of a handyperson who handles small fixes, they may not be a good fit for a bathroom remodel. If you hire a jack-of-all-trades — not a licensed plumber — the risk of failure can be catastrophic.
• Do you work with trade contractors? These are specialty professionals who are licensed, such as plumbers, carpenters, tile installers and electricians. Ask to see proof of insurance during the initial consultation (general liability, workers' compensation and professional liability insurance, if applicable). Reputable contractors have no problem sharing this information with you.
• What is your contract structure? A fixed-price structure is a great way to manage and run your project. If they work on a "time and material" structure for a large-scale project, it can be hard to manage the day-to-day expenses, and a budget can be completely blown before construction even starts.

Before signing any contract, read it thoroughly. It should include the scope of work, payment schedule, timeline and what happens in case of unforeseen issues or delays.

You should also check references and look at past work — reviewing previous projects will give you an idea of the contractor’s quality and style. If you aren’t sure where to start, consider looking on HomeAdvisor (Powered by Angi) or Houzz for local remodeling contractors in your area.

3. Compare a few quotes

Discuss your budget upfront once you find a contractor you want to work with, making sure it covers potential contingencies. Always ask for a detailed quote to understand where your money is going.

Keep in mind that contractor pricing varies widely depending on the type and complexity of the bathroom remodeling project. Complications, changing orders and increases in project scope can also affect your budget, so make sure you understand the bathroom remodeling costs before any work begins.

Some bathroom remodelers pursue additional certifications in specialty fields (e.g., interior decorating or plumbing). They usually charge more, regardless of what material you choose, but it could be worth it if you need customized cabinetry or complicated plumbing layouts and a tricky electrical plan.

If you’re only doing a basic facelift with standard material selections, however, you probably don’t need to pay a premium on the labor.

» LOOK OUT: Contractor scams on the rise

Once you choose the right contractor, having realistic expectations and open communication will make the process less stressful for everyone involved. Below are three tips to help your remodeling go smoothly.

1. Have a backup bathroom plan

You won’t be able to use the area during the remodeling process, so you need a backup bathroom plan. If you live in a one-bathroom home, it can be incredibly stressful on your home life (and possibly work life).

Many people choose to stay in a hotel while their bathroom is getting remodeled so they don’t have to worry about when they can shower or brush their teeth, according to Tom Nolan, founder of All Star Home, a home improvement company based in North Carolina.

2. Prepare ahead of time

Dust will get everywhere. Before any demolition starts, it’s smart to tape off the area and cover or remove furniture in rooms near the construction area.

You should also check what your home insurance covers while the bathroom is being remodeled. Some homeowners insurance companies cover damage to any property moved out of a room during renovations.

3. Ensure everyone is aligned on your desired outcome

Be clear and specific about your expectations and requirements for the remodel. Providing visual aids, such as photos or design sketches, can help.

To avoid any mistakes or misunderstandings, stay in communication throughout the project. You don’t want to “almost cry” every time you go into your bathroom, like one unhappy reviewer in Colorado told us they did.

This can be extra frustrating since these types of projects are so expensive. The same reviewer considered “tearing the whole thing out” and “trying to DIY it,” but that “would feel like throwing over $15,000 into the wind.”

Anton in Colorado told us about a bad installation job that left their panels looking weird: “I've got to live with that, but when the handrails start to come loose off the walls, that concerns me because we're older. The installer was a very friendly guy, but he was a rookie, and he even told us he's a rookie at it.”

Anton’s advice: It’s worth it to speak up if something doesn’t seem right, even if you “don’t like to step on people’s toes.”

Bathroom remodels can be classified into different types based on the scope and extent of the work involved. Each comes with its own set of considerations, costs and timelines.

Cosmetic remodel

Minor cosmetic upgrades enhance and update the look of your bathroom but don’t include any major, expensive changes. Cosmetic improvements include new light fixtures, wall paint, faucets, showerhead and cabinet knobs and pulls. Major cosmetic bath remodeling projects address these issues but also include new flooring, wall tile and sinks.

Remodel of a current bathroom

A complete remodeling replaces all existing surfaces, cabinetry and fittings but typically leaves in place large fixtures, such as the toilet and tub.

Pull and replace remodel

In this type of remodel, fixtures like sinks, toilets and bathtubs are replaced with new ones, but your bathroom's layout remains the same. It might also include updating cabinets, countertops or tiles.

Bathroom addition or expansion

Several companies can put a new tub over your existing one. For instance, both Bath Fitter and Re-Bath use your old tub as a base and install a new liner over the top, which takes only about a day to complete.

Bathroom repairs

This type of bathroom remodeling project addresses issues with the current bathroom and fixes problems such as leaky sinks, slow-draining bathtubs, running toilets and cracked floor tiles.

Ground-up bathroom remodel

When a total transformation is required, choose a ground-up approach. With this type of remodel, the entire bathroom is gutted and rebuilt from scratch. In some cases, this includes removing walls to enlarge the bathroom. Plumbing and electrical lines may be relocated, and fixtures like showers, bathtubs, sinks and toilets are usually replaced.

» FIND: Best walk-in bathtubs

Updating other parts of your home? Check out the following resources:

• Kitchen remodeling
• Basement waterproofing 
• Closet organizers 
• Siding replacement
• Sunroom additions 
• Bathroom fixtures and plumbing
• Blinds and window treatments
• Awning installation
• Fire and water restoration
• Mold removal and remediation
• Water treatment systems