Bathroom Remodel in San Antonio: A Planning Guide

A bathroom is a small room with a lot of trades in it: demolition, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tile, glass, cabinetry and paint. Here's how to plan a bathroom remodel in San Antonio so those pieces come together in the right order.

Decide what the remodel needs to fix

Start with what doesn't work today: a cramped shower, too little storage, poor lighting, or a tub nobody uses. Common San Antonio scopes include converting a tub/shower combo to a walk-in shower, upgrading the vanity and countertop, new tile and flooring, and aging-in-place features such as grab bars, curbless showers and comfort-height toilets.

Cosmetic refresh or full gut?

• Refresh: new vanity, fixtures, paint, lighting and possibly flooring, keeping the layout.
• Layout change: moving the shower, toilet or vanity, which means new plumbing rough-in.
• Full gut and rebuild: demolition down to the studs, new plumbing rough-in, waterproofing and full tile installation.

The further you go, the more trades and inspections are involved. For budget ranges, see our bathroom remodel cost guide.

Choose selections before construction starts

Pick tile, vanity, countertop, fixtures, glass and lighting before demolition, so materials are on hand when each trade arrives. Porcelain, ceramic, natural stone and luxury vinyl plank each have tradeoffs. Our guide to quartz vs. granite countertops covers one of the most common decisions.

Licensed plumbing and electrical work

Moving or replacing fixtures usually involves plumbing, and new lighting, fans or heated floors involve electrical. In Texas, plumbers are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners and electrical contractors by TDLR. At 214 Veteran Solutions, that work is done by licensed trade contractors we coordinate with your scope.

Permits and inspections

Whether your bathroom remodel needs a permit depends on the scope and the jurisdiction. The City of San Antonio Development Services Department lists which work requires a permit. When a permit applies, licensed trades carry their trade permits, and inspections are scheduled before walls and floors are closed up. See the San Antonio building permit guide.

The typical sequence

1. Site visit and written scope
2. Selections and ordering
3. Demolition
4. Plumbing and electrical rough-in, then inspections where required
5. Waterproofing, backer board and drywall
6. Tile and flooring
7. Vanity, countertop, fixtures, glass and paint
8. Final walkthrough

Working with 214 Veteran Solutions

214 Veteran Solutions is a veteran-owned contractor in San Antonio. We define the layout, tile, vanity and fixture scope before construction begins, and we coordinate every trade as your single point of contact. See bathroom remodeling in San Antonio, or call (210) 796-3695 to book an estimate consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for a bathroom remodel in San Antonio?

It depends on the scope. Cosmetic work may not need one, while plumbing, electrical or structural changes usually do. Check the City of San Antonio Development Services Department's guidance for your address.

Who does the plumbing and electrical work?

Licensed trade contractors. In Texas, plumbers are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners and electrical contractors by TDLR. 214 Veteran Solutions coordinates that work as the general contractor.

Can you build an accessible bathroom for a veteran?

Yes. We plan aging-in-place features such as grab bars, curbless showers, comfort-height toilets and wider doorways. Funding programs, such as VA grants, set their own eligibility and approvals.