What a CRC bathroom remodel includes
A bathroom remodel with us can be a quick vanity swap or a complete gut-and-rebuild. We build bathrooms that look good and hold up to daily use and New England humidity.
Here is what that covers:
- Full bathroom remodels
- Tile showers and tub surrounds
- Vanities and fixtures
- Tub-to-shower conversions
- Grab bars and accessibility
- Flooring
We do carpentry and general contracting. We do not do electrical or plumbing work ourselves, but we can coordinate licensed electricians and plumbers for the job. Tub-to-shower conversions and layout changes involve plumbing, so a licensed plumber handles that part. Scope depends on the project, and your itemized quote shows what we are including. We go over it with you at the free consultation.
Vanity swap or full remodel?
Swap the vanity if the room works and the pieces are tired. Go to a full remodel if the layout, the plumbing or the waterproofing is the problem.
| Refresh | Gut-and-rebuild | |
|---|---|---|
| Fits when | The layout works and the fixtures are worn or dated | The layout, plumbing or waterproofing is failing or no longer suits you |
| What usually changes | Vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring | Layout, plumbing, waterproofing, tile |
| Moisture | The existing waterproofing stays | Waterproofing is rebuilt along with the tile |
| Permit | Depends on the town and the scope | More likely needed, see the permits section |
Tub-to-shower conversions: what is involved
A tub-to-shower conversion replaces the tub with a shower, and it is more than swapping fixtures. The tub comes out, the plumbing usually changes, and the new shower has to be waterproofed and finished.
In general, a conversion involves these steps:
- Removing the tub and the surround.
- Plumbing changes for the new shower valve and drain, done by a licensed plumber.
- Waterproofing behind and under the shower.
- A shower base or curb, and tile or a prefab surround.
- Ventilation, so moisture leaves the room.
What changes the price and the schedule is the size of the opening, the condition of the plumbing behind the wall, the surface you choose and any accessibility features. We go over how your conversion would work at the free consultation.
Accessibility upgrades: grab bars, safer showers and access
We list grab bars and accessibility work among our bathroom services. A grab bar only helps if the wall behind it is solid, so planning for it belongs early in a remodel. Tell us what you need at the free consultation, and we go over what makes sense for your bathroom.
Moisture, ventilation and waterproofing in New Hampshire homes
Bathrooms fail from moisture. Fans that do not clear the air, waterproofing that was never done behind the tile, and old plumbing are the usual causes.
A working exhaust fan moves humid air out of the room. Waterproofing behind and under tile keeps water out of the wall and floor, and a leak in aging plumbing can run for a long time before it shows. We build bathrooms to hold up to daily use and New England humidity.
Bathrooms in older homes
We work on older homes, and they can hide surprises behind the tile and under the floor. If your house was built before 1978, mention it up front, because older paint can contain lead. We do not handle lead paint on older homes. If your house was built before 1978, we test for lead, and if it turns up we work with regulated contractors as needed. Tell us the age of your house when you call or at the consultation.
What drives the cost of a bathroom remodel
Every bathroom is different, so the cost depends on the job and we do not post prices. A bathroom remodel costs what its scope costs, and a few choices set most of it. After a free consultation at your home, you get an itemized written quote, so each driver below shows as its own line.
| Driver | Why it moves the quote |
|---|---|
| Size of the room | More floor and wall area to waterproof, tile and finish |
| Layout change | Moving a toilet, tub or vanity means plumbing work and sometimes framing |
| Tub-to-shower work | Demolition, plumbing changes, waterproofing and a new base |
| Tile and fixtures | Material choices and how much surface is tiled |
| Plumbing and electrical condition | What is already in the walls and what has to be updated by a licensed plumber or electrician |
| Ventilation | Whether the room needs a new or relocated exhaust fan |
| Accessibility features | Blocking for grab bars, seats, a curbless entry |
| Older-home surprises | What turns up once a wall or floor is open |
Permits for bathroom remodels
Permit rules are set town by town. Some towns list a bathroom renovation as work that needs a building permit, so check yours before work starts.
Portsmouth lists renovating rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms as work that needs a building permit. Stratham lists painting, flooring, interior trim and direct replacement of cabinets and countertops as work that does not. Whether a vanity swap counts under that last item is not stated, so ask your town. See our Portsmouth and Stratham pages for the details. If your project needs a permit, we or one of our subcontractors can pull it. That includes electrical and plumbing permits when we coordinate those trades.
How long it takes and living without your bathroom
The length of the job depends on the scope, and a full remodel takes longer than a refresh. If it is your only bathroom, plan for the days it is out of use before work begins.
A bathroom job follows the same plain steps as any remodel:
- Free consultation. We visit your home, listen to what you want and take measurements.
- A clear, itemized written quote that spells out the scope.
- Permit, which we or our subcontractors pull where your town requires one.
- The build, with a clean site each day and updates as we go.
- A final walkthrough together. We review every detail and do not call it done until you are happy.
A second bathroom in the house, a neighbor or family member, or a gym membership can fill the gap while yours is out of use. We go over the schedule with you when we give the quote.
Bathroom remodeling by town
We remodel bathrooms across southern New Hampshire. These pages cover the details for individual towns:
If your town is not listed, call us.
Bathroom remodeling FAQ
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in New Hampshire?
It depends. Every bathroom is different, and the cost turns on size, layout changes, tub-to-shower work, tile and fixtures, the condition of plumbing and electrical, ventilation and any accessibility features. We do not post set prices. After a free consultation we give you an itemized written quote so you can see each cost.
Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom in NH?
Permit rules are set town by town. Portsmouth, for example, lists kitchen and bathroom renovation as work that needs a building permit, while Stratham says painting, flooring, interior trim and direct replacement of cabinets and countertops do not. Check your town's building office or ask us. Stratham does not say whether a vanity swap counts as exempt, so ask your town. If your project needs a permit, we or one of our subcontractors can pull it. That includes electrical and plumbing permits when we coordinate those trades.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
It depends on the scope. A refresh generally runs shorter than a full gut-and-rebuild, and a tub-to-shower conversion or a layout change adds work. We go over the schedule with you when we give your written quote. If it is your only bathroom, plan for the days it is out of use.
Can you convert a tub to a walk-in shower?
We offer tub-to-shower conversions, which are listed on our services page. The plumbing for the new valve and drain is done by a licensed plumber, and we can coordinate one for you. We go over how your conversion would work at the free consultation.
Do you do the electrical and plumbing work?
We do not do electrical or plumbing work ourselves. We do carpentry and general contracting, and we can coordinate licensed electricians and plumbers for your bathroom project. We or our subcontractors can pull the electrical and plumbing permits when we coordinate those trades.
Should I do a vanity swap or a full bathroom remodel?
Swap the vanity if the room works and the pieces are tired. Go to a full remodel if the layout, the plumbing or the waterproofing is the problem.
How do I live without my bathroom during a remodel?
If it is your only bathroom, plan a temporary option and ask for a day-by-day schedule so you know how long it is out of use. A second bathroom in the house, a neighbor or family member, or a gym membership can fill the gap.
How do you handle moisture and ventilation?
A working exhaust fan and waterproofing behind and under the tile are what keep a bathroom dry. We build bathrooms to hold up to daily use and New England humidity.
Can you remodel a bathroom in an older home with lead paint?
We work on older homes, but we do not handle lead paint. If your house was built before 1978, we test for lead, and if it turns up we work with regulated contractors as needed.
Which towns do you serve?
Across southern NH, including Exeter, Bedford, Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth, Stratham, Candia, Auburn, Epping and nearby towns. If your town is not listed, call us.
Get a free estimate
Call (603) 665-0447 or send the estimate form. The consultation is free, the quote is itemized and in writing, and we are fully insured. Related: kitchen remodeling and basement finishing.