- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Bathroom Renovation
Posted on 3/17/26 at 9:35 am
Posted on 3/17/26 at 9:35 am
Looking for some direction here. I have two bathrooms I'd like to renovate. Scope would be as follows:
-remove old tile flooring and shower tile
-remove wall tile
-remove & replace stone vanity top
-remove/ replace tubs
-fabricate shower + glass
I plan to retain all plumbing as currently configured. My preference is to use my own plumber for the rough-ins. How would I go about getting a project like this done? I know of places in New Orleans (e.g. "Floor de lis" flooring) that do these projects but I'm not necessarily looking for a turn-key project. I have worked with a great GC who I would use again, but this does not seem large enough to warrant a GC. Any direction/recommendations are welcomed and appreciated!
-remove old tile flooring and shower tile
-remove wall tile
-remove & replace stone vanity top
-remove/ replace tubs
-fabricate shower + glass
I plan to retain all plumbing as currently configured. My preference is to use my own plumber for the rough-ins. How would I go about getting a project like this done? I know of places in New Orleans (e.g. "Floor de lis" flooring) that do these projects but I'm not necessarily looking for a turn-key project. I have worked with a great GC who I would use again, but this does not seem large enough to warrant a GC. Any direction/recommendations are welcomed and appreciated!
5
Posted on 3/17/26 at 9:55 am to tigerbater
I faced same exact scenario few years ago. What I did was go to Facets (showroom for LCR Plumbing), walk in and meet with an employee there. They gave me contact information of three local contractors that specialize in home/bathroom reno. Contacted all, got quotes, chose one, was a great experience.
So maybe look for a local plumbing showroom and ask for some recommendations.
So maybe look for a local plumbing showroom and ask for some recommendations.
Posted on 3/17/26 at 10:05 am to tigerbater
there are bathroom only renovation companies I would get quotes from them. Otherwise you could part it out yourself depending on the time you have available (it will take longer most likely)
Posted on 3/17/26 at 10:16 am to Baers Foot
Good call. I have been into LCR a few times and had great experiences.
Posted on 3/17/26 at 10:26 am to tigerbater
quote:
My preference is to use my own plumber for the rough-ins
If you like and trust your plumber this much that you would insist on using him, have you considered starting here to see if he has any recommendations?
Also, walk through your plans with your plumber before you do anything. There is a possibility that as soon as you start removing things, it could impact your plumbing (especially if you have cast iron) and you could be looking at having to replace all of this. Or at the very least, it could be highly recommended since the walls & floors will be open.
Posted on 3/17/26 at 11:29 am to Weekend Warrior79
Not opposed to consulting with my plumber.
As far as piping goes, all plumbing in the house was replaced after Katrina, so hoping there are no issues there.
As far as piping goes, all plumbing in the house was replaced after Katrina, so hoping there are no issues there.
Posted on 3/17/26 at 12:38 pm to tigerbater
I'm in midst of a complete DIY renovation.
For the plumbing rough in, I was quoted over $1200 by two diff companies. I watched some youtube vids, bought some Pex tube, sharkbite pieces and a crimp tool. I even added a separate handheld head in the shower with an diverter that I didn't have previously. Entire thing took me about 30 mins and I'd never done it before.
ps - the rough in was simply swapping out the existing valves and adding a handheld head and diverter.
For the plumbing rough in, I was quoted over $1200 by two diff companies. I watched some youtube vids, bought some Pex tube, sharkbite pieces and a crimp tool. I even added a separate handheld head in the shower with an diverter that I didn't have previously. Entire thing took me about 30 mins and I'd never done it before.
ps - the rough in was simply swapping out the existing valves and adding a handheld head and diverter.
This post was edited on 3/17/26 at 12:40 pm
Posted on 3/17/26 at 12:43 pm to The Mick
quote:
I'm in midst of a complete DIY renovation.
For the plumbing rough in, I was quoted over $1200 by two diff companies. I watched some youtube vids, bought some Pex tube, sharkbite pieces and a crimp tool. I even added a separate handheld head in the shower with an diverter that I didn't have previously. Entire thing took me about 30 mins and I'd never done it before.
ps - the rough in was simply swapping out the existing valves and adding a handheld head and diverter.
I'm currently doing the same thing. I was nervous about the plumbing but did the same as you -- Pex + Sharkbite + Youtube/talking to the dudes at Ace -- and it was really easy.
I'm ready to install a waterproof shower barrier and then tile at this point. I have a lot more reservations about doing that myself.
Posted on 3/17/26 at 7:23 pm to wm72
quote:
Sharkbite
I would steer clear of burying these fitting inside a closed wall.
Posted on 3/17/26 at 7:59 pm to tigerbater
You need a tile guy, the plumber, a granite/ countertop installer and a glass company. Get the tile guy or someone he recommends to demo. Get the plumber to update rough in as needed and install new tubs. Get the tile guy to install tile flooring and do the shower. Get the counter installer to install that. Get the glass guy to install the glass. Get the plumber to install fixtures.
You may also need a drywall guy depending damage done to that around tubs or shower.
I’ve subbed this out myself for one bathroom and saved thousands. Was pretty easy just having each guy come in as needed. I also just did another bathroom start to finish myself- took 6 weekends and some nights but I also had to dig into my slab to move plumbing to convert a shower to a tub. But I saved a lot of money because the plumbing would have cost thousands but it was only a few hundred besides the new tub.
You may also need a drywall guy depending damage done to that around tubs or shower.
I’ve subbed this out myself for one bathroom and saved thousands. Was pretty easy just having each guy come in as needed. I also just did another bathroom start to finish myself- took 6 weekends and some nights but I also had to dig into my slab to move plumbing to convert a shower to a tub. But I saved a lot of money because the plumbing would have cost thousands but it was only a few hundred besides the new tub.
Posted on 3/17/26 at 8:25 pm to PaBon
quote:
Sharkbite I would steer clear of burying these fitting inside a closed wall.
Ditto and I’ll add that I won’t use them for under the sink fittings. I really don’t trust their Non-compression fittings anywhere. I do use their copper compression fittings sometimes. I keep their dead end fitting for a possible emergency shut off but that’s it.
Posted on 3/18/26 at 7:26 am to zippyputt
Once upon a time sharkbite was all the rage and the greatest thing to happen to plumbing and now it's a punchline. 
Posted on 3/18/26 at 9:28 am to PaBon
quote:
I would steer clear of burying these fitting inside a closed wall.
The sharkbite connectors are in the crawlspace and I made the pine paneling in the closet behind the shower into an access point so I could get to all the plumbing.
Of course, I hope I never have to do that. Is there a good chance the sharkbites fail over time?
Posted on 3/18/26 at 9:33 am to wm72
quote:no more than any other multi-part connection. the vast majority of failures are due to installer error at the connector or the pipe prep. the rubber o-ring (gasket) is the most common weak link but 20 years or so is a reasonable lifespan.
Is there a good chance the sharkbites fail over time?
i prefer the crimp rings for pex (fewer parts to fail)
Posted on 3/18/26 at 9:58 am to wm72
Not any more than any other fitting. I've seen studies that show a 99.2% success rate when installed properly.
Posted on 3/18/26 at 12:06 pm to wm72
quote:I ripped out the old shower walls and shower pan (floor) down to the studs and concrete slab. I've got the new shower walls, pan, pony wall already built with Kerdi and it's waterproofed. I installed shower floor tiles and drain and it looks great. Ready to tile the shower walls next. It is nerve racking having never done it, but lots of research and taking my time it's coming along nicely.
I'm ready to install a waterproof shower barrier and then tile at this point. I have a lot more reservations about doing that myself.
Im also doing new tile for entire master bathroom and changing to a freestanding tub. I have to do slab work to move drain location and floor mount tub filler and handheld head. It's a lot of work but it's not rocket science. Research, watch a bunch of diff guys and their techniques, get game plan together, and go for it.
Posted on 3/18/26 at 1:09 pm to The Mick
Thanks for the reply. I have the kerdi kit with the pan and drain etc... next step I definitely need to watch a lot of youtube on the drain installation.
I've been doing this in stages at my mom's house the past year since she's getting older and I took out an old tub in a smaller bath to make a big, easier walk-in shower for her.
I've been doing this in stages at my mom's house the past year since she's getting older and I took out an old tub in a smaller bath to make a big, easier walk-in shower for her.
Posted on 3/18/26 at 4:09 pm to wm72
Is it on a slab or wood subfloor?
Posted on 3/18/26 at 9:30 pm to The Mick
Wood subfloor. I have the plywood subfloor and durock in. Next step is putting the pan / figuring out how to set the drain.
This post was edited on 3/18/26 at 9:34 pm
Posted on 3/19/26 at 7:04 am to wm72
What kind of pan and drain are you using?
Do you have access to the plumbing from underneath? I didn't because of the slab but it was still pretty easy to set the drain in the pan and connect to plumbing.
Do you have access to the plumbing from underneath? I didn't because of the slab but it was still pretty easy to set the drain in the pan and connect to plumbing.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News