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 Heights, Woodland Heights, 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 Houston specifics worth flagging
1990s–2020s subdivisions across Kingwood, Atascocita, and other townhomes are usually the cleanest, fastest scopes, framed alcoves with builder-grade tubs ready to swap, on slab. Mid-century 1950s–70s Bellaire, Meyerland, and other nearby areas / Nassau Bay / Webster / Seabrook stock more often has original cast-iron drains, lead-bend connections, undersized supply lines, slab cracks from decades of expansive-clay movement, and aging slab penetrations worth scoping carefully. 1900s–1940s Heights, Houston Heights, and other nearby areas / shotgun / Tudor stock more often has plaster walls, knob-and-tube remnants, shallow joist bays, and damp pier-and-beam crawlspaces.
- Plaster or older drywall behind original tile (affects demo time in 1900s–1940s intown bungalow / four-square / shotgun stock)
- Subfloor and joist moisture damage from damp pier-and-beam crawlspaces, prior tub leaks, and Gulf Coast humidity
- Hidden mildew or soft subfloor from prior Harvey / Imelda / Beryl water intrusion
- Vent fan replacement, undersized, soffit-vented, or humidity-degraded fans common in older intown stock and 1950s–70s ranch bathrooms fail faster in Gulf Coast year-round humidity
- Slab-on-grade vs. pier-and-beam plumbing (intown pre-1950 bungalow / four-square / shotgun stock is mostly pier-and-beam; 1950s–2020s ranch, subdivision, and townhome stock is mostly slab-on-grade)
- Expansive-clay slab cracks discovered at demo (most common in pre-2000 Bellaire, Meyerland, and other nearby areas)
- Hard-water-friendly finish choices in moderately hard City of Houston Public Works water
- HOA / deed-restriction rules in master-planned communities (Kingwood, Atascocita, and other nearby areas) and condo-association rules in Downtown / Midtown / Uptown / Galleria / Medical Center high-rises
- Historic-preservation overlay review in The Heights, Houston Heights, and other nearby areas
- Glass enclosure choice (frameless, semi-frameless, sliding)
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Frequently asked questions
Is one full bathroom enough for resale in Greater Houston?+
On primary-residence Bellaire, Meyerland, and other family homes, buyers usually expect at least one tub somewhere in the home. On long-tenure aging-in-place stock across River Oaks, the Memorial Villages, West University Place, Tanglewood, and older Heights / Houston Heights / Garden Oaks homes, walk-in showers are increasingly the norm and not having a tub rarely affects resale on the primary bath. On Downtown / Midtown / Uptown / Galleria / Museum District / Medical Center lofts and condos, walk-in showers are standard.
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See your personalized remodel plan in 2 minutes
Tell me a bit about you and I'll tailor the plan to your home and budget. No pressure, no obligation.