Planning a Shower Remodel
How long a shower remodel takes, day by day
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Short answer
Most single-shower projects take one to two and a half weeks on site. The schedule is set less by labor than by waiting: waterproofing and mortar need to cure, grout needs to cure, and glass is fabricated only after the finished walls are measured.
Key takeaways
- Demolition and framing repair: one to two days.
- Plumbing and inspection: one day, plus scheduling time if a permit applies.
- Waterproofing and cure: one to two days, including a flood test.
- Tile setting, grouting and curing: three to five days.
- Glass: measured after tile, typically one to two weeks to fabricate and install.
Before anyone shows up
The part of the timeline homeowners underestimate happens before demolition. Selections have to be confirmed and materials have to be on site — not ordered, on site. Starting demolition while waiting on a tile delivery is how a two-week project becomes a five-week project with a tarp over the doorway.
- 1Walkthrough and measurements
- 2Written estimate and scope agreement
- 3Selections confirmed: tile, grout color, valve, trim, glass type
- 4Materials ordered and received, with tile quantity checked against the layout
- 5Permit applied for where the scope requires one
- 6Start date scheduled
The on-site sequence
| Stage | Typical duration | What sets the pace |
|---|---|---|
| Protection and demolition | 1-2 days | Whether the unit is one-piece and how debris exits the house |
| Framing and subfloor repair | 0-2 days | What demolition reveals |
| Plumbing rough-in | 1 day | Drain relocation and inspection scheduling |
| Waterproofing and pan | 1-2 days | Cure time and the flood test |
| Tile setting | 2-4 days | Tile format, layout complexity, niches and benches |
| Grout and cure | 1-2 days | Product cure time and room humidity |
| Glass | 1-2 weeks after measure | Fabrication lead time |
In a one-bathroom home, we plan the sequence around your out-of-service days and tell you the number in advance. It is usually shorter than the total project length, because glass installation does not stop you using the shower.
Frequently asked questions
- Can we use the shower before the glass arrives?
- Usually yes, once grout has cured and sealant is in place. A temporary curtain rod covers the gap while glass is fabricated.
- What most often delays a shower project?
- Selections that are not finalized before the start date, and materials that arrive short. Both are avoidable, which is why we do not start demolition until everything is on site.
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