BATHROOM REMODEL

It depends on scope. A cosmetic facelift on a standard 5x7 bathroom runs $20,000-$30,000 — new tile, tub replacement, and a fresh vanity without moving plumbing. A full master bathroom remodel with layout changes, walk-in shower, and upgraded fixtures runs $40,000-$70,000. Adding a bathroom where none exists starts around $75,000-$80,000 because all plumbing has to be pulled to the new location. The biggest cost drivers are tile coverage, whether plumbing moves, and the condition of existing pipes.

Your shower waterproofing is handled with the Schluter system on most Revolution projects. It adds approximately $2,000 to your project cost but comes with a lifetime warranty. A failed shower pan is the most expensive repair in home construction — water behind tile destroys framing, subfloor, and anything below it. The Schluter system eliminates that risk when installed correctly, which is why your waterproofing is done by in-house Revolution employees with years of experience — not a sub hired for one job.

A light cosmetic facelift takes about 4 weeks. A full gut-and-rebuild with layout changes, plumbing relocation, and specialty features can take several months. Before construction starts, add 3-5 weeks for pre-construction (estimate sharpening, selections, sub bids) and 3-5 weeks for permitting. Plumbing complexity is the biggest timeline driver — the more pipes that move, the more inspections required.

If your remodel involves plumbing or electrical changes, yes — permits are required in Pinellas County. Cosmetic work like new tile, cabinetry, or countertops without system changes does not require a permit. Bathroom projects that involve plumbing include a shower pan inspection, which is a bathroom-specific permit step. St. Pete permitting currently takes 3-5 weeks. Revolution handles all permit applications and building department coordination.

Yes. In homes with a concrete slab foundation — common in St. Pete — this requires cutting the slab to recess the drain below floor level. It’s more labor-intensive than a standard curbed shower but excellent for both accessibility and modern aesthetics. In homes with frame floors, the work involves careful routing around floor joists. Either way, the Schluter waterproofing system is essential for curbless showers because the entire floor surface becomes the water management system.

Design around how you actually use the space, not resale assumptions or magazine trends. If you never take baths, don’t build a tub — you’ll regret the wasted square footage. Freestanding tubs look striking in photos but many go unused, just like the 1980s jacuzzi tubs that became bacteria breeding grounds. If you have kids or genuinely enjoy baths, keep the tub. Your design process starts with how you live in your bathroom daily — so your finished space matches your real habits, not a magazine layout.

The three biggest surprises in St. Pete bathroom remodels: cast iron plumbing replacement ($10,000-$20,000 if pipes are corroded), slab cutting for drain relocation (significant labor cost when moving drains in slab-on-grade homes), and scope changes that turn a facelift into a full gut (price can double when you decide to move plumbing or change layout). Revolution mitigates surprise #1 with a camera scope before quoting, and surprise #3 with a pre-construction phase where 75% of line items become fixed-price before demo starts.

Yes. Accessibility modifications include zero-threshold roll-in showers, ADA-compliant grab bars in modern finishes that don’t look institutional, widened doorways to 36 inches, and roll-under vanities. Expect accessibility features to add 10-20% to a standard bathroom budget. Revolution approaches accessibility as good design — these features make bathrooms safer and more comfortable for everyone, not just those with mobility challenges.