Bathroom Remodel

Bathroom remodels in older mountain homes often uncover issues—rotted subfloor around the toilet flange, outdated plumbing that doesn't meet current code, inadequate ventilation. We plan for contingencies because they're common at this age and elevation. We start with demo, protecting the rest of the house with plastic barriers and removing old fixtures, tile, and damaged substrate. If the subfloor is soft or stained, we replace it—usually with 3/4-inch plywood or cement board depending on the new floor finish. Plumbing rough-in includes relocating supply lines and drains if the layout changes, installing new shut-off valves, and running vent lines to code. If you're moving the toilet or adding a second sink, we rough in new drain lines and make sure they're properly vented. Tile work is where most of the visible quality shows. We use cement board or Kerdi membrane for waterproofing in wet areas—tub surrounds, shower pans, and floors. Tile layout matters; we avoid narrow slivers at edges and plan cuts so the design looks intentional. Grout and caulk joints are sealed properly to prevent water intrusion, which is critical in a climate with freeze-thaw cycles that exploit every gap. Vanity installation includes leveling, securing to studs, and connecting plumbing. We install toilets with new wax rings and check flange height—if it's below finish floor level, we use flange extenders. Ventilation is code-required in California bathrooms without operable windows—we install exhaust fans vented to the exterior, not into the attic where moisture causes mold and rot. Permitting depends on scope. If you're moving plumbing or electrical, you need a permit. Nevada County has its own process; we handle the paperwork and coordinate inspections at rough-in and final stages. Lead time for permits is typically 2-3 weeks. Material delays—especially for tile, fixtures, and custom vanities—add time, so we order early and confirm delivery before we start demo. Bathrooms are tight spaces with a lot of systems. Good remodels take time. Rushing creates leaks, tile lippage, and callbacks. We've seen the shortcuts other contractors take, and we've been called to fix them. We do it right the first time.

“Tile layout matters—we avoid narrow slivers at edges and plan cuts so the design looks intentional, not like we ran out of space.”