What's actually involved
The crew removes the existing tub and surround, inspects the framing, joists, and subfloor (or slab) for moisture damage (common in 1900s–1940s Hyde Park, Old West Austin, and other nearby areas), installs a new shower pan, builds the new shower walls (acrylic insert, semi-custom acrylic, or tile), reworks plumbing as needed, and sets glass or a curtain rod. Permits are typically pulled when plumbing is moved.
Greater Austin specifics worth flagging
Newer Circle C Ranch, Avery Ranch, and other nearby areas / Leander phases are usually the cleanest, fastest scopes, framed alcoves with builder-grade tubs ready to swap, on slab or post-tension slab. Mid-century Allandale, Brentwood, and other nearby areas / Cedar Park / San Marcos cores more often has original cast-iron drains, lead-bend connections, undersized supply lines, and aging slab penetrations worth scoping carefully. 1900s–1940s Hyde Park, Old West Austin, and other nearby areas Craftsman stock more often has plaster walls, knob-and-tube remnants, shallow joist bays, and damp pier-and-beam crawlspaces. Hillside West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, Lakeway, Bee Cave, and Jester Estates stock adds material-staging and access on slope.
- Plaster or older drywall behind original tile (affects demo time in 1900s–1940s intown stock)
- Subfloor and joist moisture damage from damp pier-and-beam crawlspaces, prior tub leaks, and Central Texas humidity swings
- Vent fan replacement, undersized, soffit-vented, or humidity-degraded fans common in older intown stock and lake-edge cottages fail faster in Central Texas humidity
- Slab-on-grade vs. post-tension slab vs. pier-and-beam plumbing (intown bungalow / four-square stock is mostly pier-and-beam; mid-century Allandale / Brentwood / Crestview / Northwest Hills stock is mostly slab-on-grade; newer Circle C / Avery / Steiner / Brushy Creek / Wolf Ranch / Belterra subdivisions are mostly post-tension slab)
- Post-tension slab specialty cutting and rebar-mapping when drains move
- Hillside-lot material staging in West Lake Hills, Rollingwood, Lakeway, Bee Cave, and Jester Estates
- Hard-water-friendly finish choices in moderately hard limestone-influenced Austin Water / Round Rock / Georgetown / Brushy Creek MUD water
- HOA rules in 1990s–2020s master-planned subdivisions and downtown / Domain / Mueller condo associations
- Glass enclosure choice (frameless, semi-frameless, sliding)
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Frequently asked questions
Is one full bathroom enough for resale in Greater Austin?+
On primary-residence Allandale, Brentwood, Crestview, Northwest Hills, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Circle C Ranch, Avery Ranch, Brushy Creek, Sun City Texas (non-age-restricted resale aside), Kyle, Buda, and newer Hutto / Leander / Liberty Hill homes, family buyers usually expect at least one tub somewhere in the home. On long-tenure aging-in-place stock across Sun City Texas, Northwest Hills, Tarrytown, Westlake, Lakeway, and the older intown Hyde Park / Travis Heights / Bouldin Creek stock, walk-in showers are the norm and not having a tub rarely affects resale. On downtown / Domain / Mueller / East Austin lofts and condos, walk-in showers are standard.
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Tell me a bit about you and I'll tailor the plan to your home and budget. No pressure, no obligation.