NYC Bathroom Renovation Guide
Bathroom renovations are compact but coordination-heavy. A useful plan connects demolition, concealed conditions, waterproofing, tile, fixtures, trades, building requirements, and finish decisions before the room is rebuilt.
Bathroom planning guide
Document the existing bathroom
Record the current layout, fixture locations, ventilation, visible damage, access panels, floor transitions, and any known leak or plumbing history. Existing conditions shape the demolition and rebuild plan.
- Room measurements
- Fixture locations
- Visible damage
- Ventilation
- Floor and doorway transitions
Confirm the building process
In a managed apartment building, ask about alteration procedures, plumbing shutdowns, work hours, elevator use, protection, and required documentation before setting the schedule.
- Management approval path
- Water shutdown procedure
- Work hours
- Protection and access
- Permit or filing questions
Coordinate waterproofing and tile
Waterproofing, substrate preparation, tile size, layout, slope, niches, transitions, and cure times affect quality and sequence. These details should be planned together rather than treated as separate finish choices.
- Waterproofing approach
- Tile and grout selections
- Layout and transitions
- Niches and accessories
- Cure and access time
Resolve fixtures and trades
Vanities, toilets, tubs, showers, faucets, lighting, outlets, exhaust, heating, and accessories affect plumbing, electrical, framing, tile, and carpentry decisions. Confirm product specifications before rough work where possible.
- Fixture specifications
- Plumbing locations
- Electrical and lighting
- Ventilation
- Vanity and storage
Plan the finish and closeout
Include paint, trim, doors, hardware, caulk, accessories, final cleaning, walkthrough, and punch-list items in the scope. The bathroom is not complete when tile installation ends.
- Painting and trim
- Hardware and accessories
- Final fixture setup
- Cleaning
- Walkthrough and punch list