Bathroom remodel checklist for Lexington homeowners

Choose what the room needs to do

Decide whether you want to keep a bathtub, replace it with a shower, improve storage, or make the room easier to use. Note who uses the bathroom and whether it is the only working bathroom in the home.

If accessibility matters, discuss entry height, clear floor space, seating, grab-bar locations and reachable controls. A curbless shower is not just a style choice: ask the contractor to assess the floor structure, drainage and waterproofing before assuming it is suitable.

• Tub, shower, or a combination
• Vanity storage and counter space
• Lighting and ventilation
• Accessibility and future needs
• A working bathroom during construction

Ask what is underneath the tile

The estimate should identify the shower waterproofing system, substrate preparation and how the drain and plumbing connections will be handled. Tile and grout are only part of the assembly; ask how the water-management details will be completed.

Tell the contractor about soft flooring, loose tile, staining or leaks. Ask what the initial estimate includes for demolition and how additional damage will be documented and priced if it is uncovered. A written change process is more useful than an unsupported promise that there will be no surprises.

Separate selected products from allowances

Record the vanity size, faucet type, toilet, shower fixtures, tile and glass enclosure you are considering. Where a product has not been chosen, ask for the allowance and whether installation is included.

Compare the scope as well as the total. Confirm whether each proposal covers removal, debris disposal, plumbing, electrical, ventilation, wall repairs, painting and final cleanup. Ask who checks local permit and inspection requirements for the proposed changes.

Take the photos that explain the job

Include a wide view from the doorway, every wall, the tub or shower, the vanity and the floor. Add close-ups of damage and photos showing nearby doorways or tight clearances. Measurements help communicate the space, but final product fit and construction details require verification.

Before agreeing to a start date, discuss product availability, glass measurement, the order of work and how your household will manage without the room. Ask how progress updates, changes and the final walkthrough will be handled.