ServicesBathroom Remodeling
Bathroom Remodeling in Bedford
We rebuild bathrooms from the studs and subfloor out: shower pans sloped to the drain, a waterproof membrane behind every wet wall and tile set flat with full mortar contact. The finish you see lasts because of the layers you never see.
What a bathroom remodel actually involves
Most failed bathrooms fail behind the tile. Water gets past grout, which is not waterproof, and soaks into drywall or a cracked mortar bed. Months later you see loose tile, a soft floor near the tub or a musty smell that never clears. We remodel with that in mind, so the work starts with the substrate, the drain and the membrane before we talk about finishes.
A remodel is the right call when the problem is in the structure of the room, not just the surface. If the shower pan leaks, the subfloor flexes or the layout no longer works for you, regrouting or new fixtures will not fix it. We open things up, show you what we find with photos and tell you plainly whether a full remodel is needed or a smaller repair will hold.
If you are also planning work in the kitchen, our kitchen remodeling and whole home remodeling pages explain how we schedule rooms together.
What the work includes
Demolition down to sound material
We remove tile, backer and old mortar beds until we reach dry framing and a solid subfloor. Anything rotted or water stained gets replaced, not covered.
Shower pans and drainage
Shower floors are built with a quarter inch per foot of slope toward the drain, so water never sits in corners. We use a drain with an integrated flange that ties directly into the waterproofing membrane, because the joint at the drain is where many older showers leak.
Continuous waterproofing
Walls go up in cement board or foam board, then a liquid or sheet membrane covers every wet surface, with reinforced seams and corners. We flood test the pan before tile goes down.
Tile set for full contact
Large tile needs full mortar coverage, so we back-butter and check coverage by pulling a tile early. Changes of plane get flexible sealant instead of grout, because grout in a corner cracks as the house moves.
Plumbing and ventilation
We replace shower valves with pressure-balancing valves, add blocking for future grab bars and duct the exhaust fan to the outside instead of the attic.
Tub replacements and conversions
We swap old tubs for new ones or convert a tub to a walk-in or low-curb shower, reworking the drain location and framing as needed.
Clues your bathroom needs more than new finishes
- Grout cracks that come back
- When cracks keep returning, the floor or wall behind them is usually shifting. Fresh grout will just split along the same lines.
- A spongy floor by the tub or toilet
- Flooring that flexes when you step on it has often been taking on water for years. The subfloor, and at times the joists, have to be replaced.
- A hollow sound from the tile
- Knock on the tile. If it sounds hollow, the bond has let go, and water can move underneath it.
- Mildew that keeps coming back
- Mildew that won't stay away usually means weak ventilation or moisture held inside the walls. Foundation shifts, common on North Texas clay, can also open gaps where water gets in.
- Stains on the ceiling underneath or the wall behind
- Staining on the other side of a shower wall nearly always comes from a failed pan, a leaking valve or an unsealed opening.
How the job runs
- 1
Walkthrough and free quote
We look at the room, check the floor for movement and ask how you use the space. You get a written line-item quote so you can see what each part of the work costs.
- 2
Permits and ordering
We pull the permit when plumbing or electrical work calls for one and order materials before demolition starts, so the room is not torn open while we wait on parts.
- 3
Demo and rough-in
We seal the doorway with plastic, cover the floors to the room and remove the old finishes. Framing, plumbing and fan ducting are corrected, and inspections happen at this stage when required.
- 4
Waterproofing and tile
The membrane goes on, the pan is flood tested, then tile is set and grouted. We check flatness with a straightedge as we go.
- 5
Fixtures, sealant and cleanup
Fixtures are installed and tested for leaks, sealant goes into every change of plane and we clean the room and the path through your home before we hand it back.
What moves the cost of a bathroom remodel
The size of the room matters less than people expect. What drives the number is how much is hidden damage, how much plumbing moves and how labor-intensive the tile is. We price each item separately so nothing shows up later as a surprise.
- Condition of the subfloor and framing
- Rot or water damage behind the old shower adds carpentry. We cannot see it until demolition, so the quote explains how we handle it if we find it.
- Moving plumbing
- Keeping the toilet and drain where they are costs far less than relocating them. On a slab, moving a drain means cutting concrete.
- Tile size and pattern
- Small mosaics, large-format tile and patterns like herringbone take more layout and cutting time than a standard grid.
- Shower type
- A curbless shower needs the floor recessed or built up to keep the slope, which adds work compared with a standard curb.
- Permits and inspections
- Valve, drain and electrical changes often need a permit and inspection, which adds a little time and a fee.
Common bathroom remodel questions
- How long will I be without my bathroom?
- A full remodel usually runs a few weeks from the start of demolition. Waterproofing and mortar have to cure, and we don't hurry them, since they determine how long the shower holds up. The quote includes a schedule so you can plan ahead.
- Can you tile right over my old tile?
- We advise against it. Covering old tile buries whatever caused the problem and adds weight and thickness at the drain and doorway. Removing it lets us inspect the substrate and build the waterproofing properly.
- Does a bathroom remodel need a permit?
- Replacing a shower valve, moving a drain or changing wiring usually calls for a permit in Bedford and nearby cities. We pull it and book the inspections. Work that is only cosmetic often doesn't need one.
- Should I turn my tub into a shower?
- It makes sense for many households, particularly if the tub sits unused. Keeping at least one tub in the home is wise if you have small children or care about resale. We can go over both choices when we quote.
- What if you find damage after opening the walls?
- We pause, photograph it and show you before doing anything extra. You get the added cost in writing and choose how to go forward.
Ready to rebuild your bathroom the right way
Tell us what is wrong with the room now and what you want from it. We will come out, look at the floor and walls and give you a written, line-item quote.