Austin Bathroom Remodel: Week-by-Week Timeline

A bathroom remodel is one of the most disruptive and most rewarding projects you can do in your home. The disruption is temporary, but knowing what to expect week by week makes it much more manageable. We have remodeled bathrooms in every corner of the Austin metro, from compact guest baths in Pflugerville condos to full master suite overhauls in Lakeway, and the timeline follows a consistent pattern regardless of the size or scope.

Here is what a typical full bathroom remodel looks like, week by week, when everything goes according to plan. We will also cover what delays things, because something always does.

Before the Work Starts: Planning and Permits

Before any demo happens, there is a planning phase that typically takes two to four weeks. During this phase, we finalize the design, select materials (tile, vanity, fixtures, hardware), and order everything. Materials need to be on-site before demo starts, because we do not want to tear your bathroom apart and then wait two weeks for a backordered vanity.

If your bathroom remodel involves moving plumbing or adding electrical circuits, you will need permits from the City of Austin (or your municipality if you are in Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, etc.). Austin COA plumbing permits currently take two to three weeks to process from submission to approval. We submit permits during the planning phase so they are in hand before demo day.

Electrical permits in Travis County typically move faster, usually one to two weeks. If your project needs both plumbing and electrical permits, we submit them simultaneously so the timelines overlap.

Materials Lead Times

Tile, vanities, and fixtures are usually in stock or available within one to two weeks from local suppliers. Custom vanities, specialty tile, and imported fixtures can take four to eight weeks. We identify lead time items early and order them first to avoid delays. This is one of the biggest timeline risks in any remodel: waiting on materials that were not ordered early enough.

We recommend visiting tile and fixture showrooms in Austin early in the planning process. Floor and Decor, Austin Tile Gallery, and the Ferguson showroom on Burnet Road are good starting points. Seeing materials in person gives you a much better sense of color, texture, and quality than online photos can provide.

Week 1: Demolition and Rough-In

Demo day is the most dramatic day of the project. We protect the surrounding hallway and rooms with plastic sheeting and floor protection, then strip the bathroom down to studs and subfloor. Everything comes out: toilet, vanity, mirror, light fixtures, old tile, drywall on wet walls, and any deteriorated subfloor.

Demo of a standard bathroom takes one day. A larger master bath might take a day and a half.

We haul all debris to a dumpster so it is out of your way immediately.

After demo, the plumber comes in to do rough plumbing. This means repositioning drain lines and supply lines if the layout is changing, or simply inspecting and updating existing plumbing if it is staying in place. If you are converting a tub to a walk-in shower, the drain location typically moves, and the supply lines get repositioned to match the new shower valve location.

The electrician handles rough electrical work during the same week. This includes adding circuits for exhaust fans, moving switch locations, adding recessed lighting, and running wire for heated floors if your design includes them. Bathroom circuits need to be GFCI-protected per code, and we verify all wiring meets current NEC requirements.

Exhaust fan upgrades are something we recommend during every bathroom remodel. Older homes in Brentwood, North Loop, and East Austin often have undersized or noisy exhaust fans that do not move enough air to prevent moisture buildup. We install modern, quiet fans rated for the bathroom's square footage. Proper ventilation prevents mold and extends the life of every finish in the room.

By the end of Week 1, the bathroom is a stripped-down shell with new plumbing and electrical roughed in and ready for inspection.

The Inspection Pause

Rough plumbing and electrical work must pass inspection before we can close up the walls. In Austin, scheduling an inspection typically takes two to five business days from the request date. We schedule the inspection as soon as the rough-in is complete to minimize wait time. This inspection pause is built into the timeline, and we often use the wait to work on other parts of the project or prep materials.

Week 2: Waterproofing, Cement Board, and Tile Prep

Once inspections pass, we close up the walls. In wet areas (shower walls, tub surrounds, and the floor area around the shower), we install cement backer board rather than standard drywall. Cement board does not absorb moisture and provides a rigid, stable substrate for tile.

Over the cement board, we apply a liquid or sheet waterproofing membrane. This is one of the most critical steps in the entire project. The waterproofing membrane is what actually keeps water from penetrating into the wall cavity behind the tile. Tile and grout alone are not waterproof. Without proper membrane waterproofing, moisture will eventually reach the framing and insulation, causing mold and rot.

We use Schluter Kerdi or RedGard membrane systems depending on the shower design. Kerdi is a sheet membrane that gets embedded in thin-set mortar. RedGard is a liquid-applied membrane that gets rolled or brushed on.

Both are proven systems that meet code requirements for water containment.

For shower floors, we build the pre-slope (the slight angle toward the drain that ensures water flows to the drain and does not pool), install the waterproof liner, and build the mud bed that the floor tile will set on.

Custom shower floors with linear drains or bench seating take longer to waterproof and prep because there are more transitions and seams to seal.

By the end of Week 2, the shower is waterproofed and all surfaces are prepped for tile.

Week 3: Tile Installation, Vanity, and Fixtures

Tile work is where the bathroom starts to look like a bathroom again. Our tile crew sets wall tile first, starting from the bottom and working up, using spacers to maintain even grout lines. Shower niches, corner shelves, and accent strips get integrated into the tile layout.

Floor tile goes in after walls are complete. The floor tile must slope toward the drain in the shower area, and we verify this with a level before grouting. Bathroom floor tile outside the shower typically gets set level.

Shower niches, the recessed shelves built into the shower wall for shampoo and soap, get framed and waterproofed during Week 2 and tiled during this phase. We recommend planning niche locations during the design phase so they align with the tile layout and do not cut through wall studs in problematic locations. Most of our clients in Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Lakeway opt for at least one niche, and many master showers get two.

After the tile is set and has cured for 24 hours, we grout all joints. Grout needs another 24 to 48 hours to cure before it can get wet, so there is a built-in wait period here.

While tile is curing, we install the vanity, countertop, and sink. If you are doing a prefabricated vanity with an integrated top, this is a quick install.

Custom vanities with separate stone countertops take more coordination because the stone needs to be templated after the vanity is set, then fabricated and installed, which can add several days.

Light fixtures, mirrors, towel bars, and toilet paper holders go in during this week as well. The plumber returns to set the toilet, connect the faucet, and hook up the shower valve trim.

Week 4: Paint, Hardware, Final Connections, and Cleanup

The final week is about finishing details and quality control. We paint all non-tiled wall surfaces, including the ceiling. Bathroom paint should be a satin or semi-gloss finish because the higher sheen resists moisture better than flat paint and is easier to wipe clean.

We install the shower door (if applicable), caulk all transitions between tile and fixtures, and install the exhaust fan grille and any remaining hardware. The plumber does final connections and tests all fixtures for leaks. The electrician verifies all circuits, GFCI protection, and switch operation.

The last step is a thorough cleanup and final walkthrough with you. We check every detail: grout lines, caulk joints, fixture operation, door/drawer alignment, and overall finish quality. If anything is not right, we address it before we call the project complete.

Glass Shower Enclosures

Frameless glass shower enclosures are the most popular choice in Austin bathroom remodels. They are clean, modern, and make the shower feel open and spacious. However, glass enclosures require precise measurements and are custom-fabricated, which adds one to two weeks to the timeline. The glass cannot be ordered until the tile is installed because the measurements must account for the finished tile surfaces. We schedule the glass order as soon as tile is complete to minimize the gap.

Semi-frameless and framed enclosures are available in standard sizes and can be installed more quickly. If timeline is a priority and your shower opening is a standard dimension, a semi-frameless enclosure may be the better choice.

What Adds Time to the Timeline

The four-week timeline above assumes a straightforward remodel with no surprises. Here is what commonly extends the schedule.

Hidden Water Damage

When we open up walls during demo, we sometimes find water damage, mold, or rot that was not visible from the outside. This is especially common in older Austin homes in Brentwood, Crestview, and Tarrytown where the original plumbing is decades old. Addressing hidden damage adds two to five days depending on the extent, but it is work that absolutely must be done. We never cover up damage just to stay on schedule.

Permit Delays

Austin COA permitting timelines have fluctuated over the past few years. Sometimes permits come back in two weeks, sometimes it takes three or four. We cannot control the city's review timeline, but we mitigate delays by submitting complete, accurate applications that do not get kicked back for corrections.

Material Delays

Supply chain disruptions have improved since 2022 and 2023, but specialty items can still have unpredictable lead times. Imported tile, custom glass shower enclosures, and specific faucet finishes are the most common delay culprits. We verify lead times at the time of selection and order early.

Scope Changes During Construction

Once homeowners see their bathroom stripped to studs, they sometimes realize they want to change the layout, add features, or upgrade materials. We accommodate changes when possible, but every change during construction adds time and complexity. The more decisions you finalize during the planning phase, the smoother the build goes.

Subfloor Issues

When we pull up old tile or a tub, we sometimes find that the subfloor underneath is damaged, rotted, or not level. Subfloor replacement or leveling has to happen before any new work can go on top of it. In slab homes, this might mean grinding down high spots in the concrete or applying leveling compound to low areas. In pier-and-beam homes in older Austin neighborhoods, it might mean replacing rotted plywood subflooring. This work adds one to three days depending on the extent of the problem.

Living Without a Bathroom

If you are remodeling your only bathroom, plan for four weeks without that space. A portable toilet or access to a neighbor's or family member's bathroom may be necessary. If you are remodeling a master bath but have a second bathroom available, the disruption is much more manageable because you still have a functioning bathroom in the house.

We keep work areas sealed off from the rest of the house with plastic barriers and we run a negative air pressure fan during demo and sanding to keep dust out of your living space. Noise is unavoidable during certain phases (demo, tile cutting), and we communicate the schedule so you can plan accordingly.

Pets and Bathroom Remodels

If you have pets, plan for them during the remodel. Open doors, power tools, and construction debris create hazards for curious dogs and cats. We recommend keeping pets in a separate part of the house or with a friend during active demo and construction days. The dust and noise stress out most animals, and a gate or closed door between the work area and their space keeps everyone safer.

Our bathroom remodel estimates include a detailed timeline specific to your project, with clear milestones and expected completion dates. We serve the entire Austin metro area, and every consultation is free.