Tearing out an old, leaking shower and putting in a new shower is one of the best upgrades you can make to your home. But if you live here in Santa Clarita, you already know our dry heat, shifting soil in places like Stevenson Ranch, and hard water can cause problems for any home project. All Star Bathroom & Kitchen has seen plenty of shower remodels run into trouble simply because people did not know what to expect. A realistic plan is very important so you can get your Shower Remodel done right the first time.
Understanding the Timeline
How long is your bathroom going to be out of commission? That is usually the first question people ask All Star Bathroom & Kitchen. For a standard shower replacement, you are generally looking at about one to two weeks of actual active work once the crew starts. Demolition takes a day, plumbing adjustments and framing take another day or two, waterproofing needs proper curing time, and then comes the tile work or setting a prefabricated pan and surround. If you are ordering custom glass doors, remember those can take a couple of weeks to fabricate after the opening is measured.
What to Expect During the Process
Dust gets everywhere if you let it. A good contractor will seal off the work area with plastic zippers, but you should still expect some grit outside the zone. Water will need to be shut off to your bathroom, and sometimes the whole house, for short stretches during plumbing tie-ins. You will hear noise, lots of it, especially during the demo phase when old tile and cement board are being hammered out. Crew members will be walking through your house, so laying down floor protection from your front door to the bathroom is standard procedure.
How to Prepare Your Home
Clear out the bathroom completely before day one. Take down medicine cabinet items, clear the vanity, and remove any artwork in the hallway. If this is your only full bathroom, make arrangements with neighbors or family for shower access during the middle days of the project. Protect your pets by keeping them in a separate room or away from the house entirely while the front door is propped open for tools and materials.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Never sign a contract until you have cleared up a few key details. Ask who is actually doing the labor, such as in-house employees or subcontractors you have never met. Find out how they handle unexpected water damage behind the old tile, which is very common around here. Make sure you understand the warranty on both labor and materials. All Star Bathroom & Kitchen provides Bathroom Remodeler services for homes in Santa Clarita.