Mastering the Modern Bathroom Remodel: Insights from Fairfax Kitchen and Bath Experts

Hamit Kazancı: Hi, everyone. It’s Hamit from Fairfax Kitchen and Bath. I am one of the project managers. We are here with Sena today. Sena, can you please introduce yourself?

Sena Konya: Of course. Hi, my name is Sena Konya, and I’m one of the lead designers here at Fairfax Kitchen and Bath. Today’s discussion topic is going to be a tell-all on bathrooms.

Hamit Kazancı: Yep. Are you ready?

Sena Konya: I’m ready. Let’s get started.

Hamit Kazancı: Okay, let’s start with the first question. We always see a couple of videos like “we finished the bathroom remodeling in two days or one week.” So, the first question is about that. Are one-week bathroom remodels really worth it?

Sena Konya: That’s an easy answer. I would say one-week bathroom remodels are a bait-and-switch tactic. They’re unrealistic. You will never end up with a quality product within one week. If it sounds too good to be true, that’s probably because it is too good to be true. Rushing this process will not only result in a poor-quality bathroom, but you’ll most likely have to redo it or constantly get things redone because they weren’t done properly the first time around. So rather than going for a really attractive offer of a short renovation or something that’s maybe less expensive because of a shorter turnaround, you might end up having to spend more downtime. Or you get into the project, they’ve already sold it to you, and then they’re like, “Sorry, it’s going to take two or three weeks more than we had expected.” So, it’s very unrealistic and very unlikely that anyone can get it done in a week.

Hamit Kazancı: So, usually, what should we expect?

Sena Konya: I would say it typically takes about three to four weeks to complete a bathroom on average, and that’s for something like a five-by-eight bathroom. Especially if there’s a glass door that’s been custom cut or a countertop that needs to be fabricated. Plus, permitting and things like that are included as well because we like to get things done properly here. So, once you account for all of that, it does add up to three to four weeks. If it’s a master bathroom and we’re moving around a lot of plumbing, knocking down walls, it could be four to six weeks.

Hamit Kazancı: I got it. So, the second question—what should we expect in terms of investment? How much are we going to invest in bathroom remodeling?

Sena Konya: With us, a standard three-piece bathroom, which is a five-by-eight size, where you’ll have a single vanity, a toilet, and then a tub-shower combination—one or the other—that’ll typically range between $18,000 and $25,000. And to finalize that amount, it will come down to not only the materials but also the scope of work. So, if there are minor relocations or some fancier finishing touches, you’ll probably be closer to that $25,000 mark. Versus, you know, we can scale back and get you around that $18,000. But, that being said, if you have a larger bathroom, like a five-piece bathroom—also referred to as a true master bathroom—where you have a tub, a separate shower, a double vanity, and a toilet, in that case, it usually starts at $30,000 and can go up based on the size.

Hamit Kazancı: And the materials, right?

Sena Konya: Yep, exactly.

Hamit Kazancı: So, the third question is, what is the most expensive part of bathroom remodeling?

Sena Konya: I would say the most expensive part of bathroom remodels comes down to tile work and fixtures. In general, bathrooms are a bit more labor-intensive, so there’s a lot to get done there. The more tile work you have, one, the cost of the tiles themselves can range and climb up there. And then also, the installation process and making sure all of that is done properly is extremely important. Same thing with the fixtures and the plumbing behind those fixtures; it’s also an important factor, making sure those are done properly.

Hamit Kazancı: Yeah, it’s also important for safety, right?

Sena Konya: Correct. You want to get a bathroom done once. You don’t want to have to keep doing it, which is what we touched on in the first question. You also want to make sure that you have a good plumber, someone who knows what they’re doing, knows the most recent codes, knows where to put in new valves. We don’t like to cut corners either. So, if something needs to be updated, we’ll update it. It’s not a matter of “should we?” or “is the time right?” If it needs to be done, it needs to be done. Most of these are older homes, and having a faulty valve, cartridge, or things like that can really lead to costly repairs down the line. When there’s an issue with a plumbing fixture, that initial price of like, “Oh, I found this Amazon fixture for a hundred dollars” might seem like a great deal, but the tiniest part in that can cause a major problem, leading to having to rip out your entire shower and redo it just to find the issue and replace it. Because a lot of these things, once they’re installed, can’t be swapped out easily. It requires taking out tile, the grout in between, redoing all of that, and then you end up with an unpleasant patchwork.

Hamit Kazancı: So, from what I understand, we also take care of the things that are invisible, right?

Sena Konya: Correct. Things that you can’t see, like all the prep work. It might seem expensive because you don’t get to see it, but having that done and paying to get that done really gives you peace of mind down the line, and you feel like your home is secure and safe.

Hamit Kazancı: Okay, the next question is, some bathrooms have a bathtub, some only a shower, and some have both. So, what is the cost of converting a tub to a shower or a shower to a tub?

Sena Konya: The cost typically, especially if it’s an alcove tub where it’s sandwiched between two walls, to convert that to a shower involves moving the drain, most likely the shower fixtures, and then you’ll also probably need a glass door if you’re converting to a shower.

Sena Konya: So that’ll roughly add somewhere between three and eight thousand dollars to the overall cost. A shower is a little bit more expensive than just having a tub-shower combination with an alcove tub. But if you’re converting from a shower to a bathtub, you’ll see that price reduction of $3,000 as well.

Hamit Kazancı: The next question—Is there a best time to tackle a bathroom remodel, or is it all the same?

Sena Konya: Of course, the best time depends on your needs at that moment. But a lot of people seem to find spring and summer attractive for bathrooms. I think it’s actually the opposite; fall and winter are great times to tackle bathrooms. Just because most people want to get their kitchen done while it’s warmer—since it’s really difficult to live without a kitchen. Most homes only have one kitchen, and if you have kids or others in the household, it’s hard to find alternatives. So, spring and summer are busy seasons for kitchens. If you prefer a calmer experience for your bathroom renovation and don’t have a rush, waiting until fall or winter is great because you have shorter lead times, contractors aren’t as busy, and it allows us to focus on the project more.

Hamit Kazancı: What’s the right order to tackle a bathroom remodel?

Sena Konya: The first step in tackling a bathroom renovation should be figuring out your wants and needs and budgeting for the project. Once you have a general idea of what you’d like, what you’re into and not into, then it’s about doing your due diligence to find the right professional to work with. That starts the actual planning of the project. Get a general sense of “I like this, I don’t like that,” and then find the right professional who can carry that out for you—someone who understands your needs and can fulfill them.

There are usually two types of remodelers. One is a hired contractor, which means you hire someone to carry out the labor, and you likely provide the materials yourself. So, you have to be the project manager, handle permits, ordering, measuring, and double-checking everything. If you don’t have experience in this field, there are maybe 3,000 details to consider for a bathroom renovation. That might not be the best approach if you have a job, kids, or a busy life. The second alternative is finding a one-stop-shop remodeler or builder who can handle the project. You tell them what you need, and they source materials, manage the project, order everything, pull permits, etc. It’s like a one-stop shop where you tell them what you want, and they carry it out.

Hamit Kazancı: Also, they manage the delivery process?

Sena Konya: Correct—the entire process from start to finish. You get to be involved in checking it out and enjoy the process, which can be overwhelming. Many people don’t enjoy it but do it out of necessity. If it’s necessary, and you’re not into design or don’t have the time, it’s extremely hard to manage everything on your own.

Hamit Kazancı: If someone goes with the second option, one-stop shops, there will be one project manager to take care of everything?

Sena Konya: Correct. There will be a project manager. First, you’ll work with your designer in the planning phase, getting everything ready. You’ll be more involved here to ensure everything meets your expectations. Then, we hand everything over to the project manager. The designer and project manager make sure the project is executed flawlessly. The project manager’s most important role is communication, ensuring everyone is on the same page. It’s like playing telephone—information can get miscommunicated or not reach someone. The project manager ensures everything falls into place, meets deadlines, and communicates both good and bad news with the office, delivery team, county, and others.

Hamit Kazancı: I was also going to mention counter prices. Permits and inspections take time, and sometimes you have to go in person.

Sena Konya: Yep.

Hamit Kazancı: Sometimes you have to visit the county and talk to them.

Sena Konya: Definitely.

Hamit Kazancı: There will be lots of documents.

Sena Konya: Yes.

Hamit Kazancı: It’s another case entirely.

Sena Konya: Yep.

Hamit Kazancı: Pulling permits and dealing with the county is not for the faint-hearted, which is why we need a strong-minded project manager to handle it.

Hamit Kazancı: I know the answer, but I have to ask. How long does it take to complete a bathroom remodel from start to finish?

Sena Konya: Realistically, like we discussed earlier, a standard 5-by-8 bathroom will take about 3 to 4 weeks, and a larger bathroom will take about 4 to 6 weeks. The project begins with demolition—that’s phase one, hauling everything out, having the dump truck there. Then we handle all the pre-planning and prepping. That includes putting up new drywall, moving plumbing, electrical work, making updates, and potentially changing the subfloor if needed. Once we tear everything out, we prepare it to be put back together.

After that phase, we do the first inspection, then move on to closing everything up. That’s when the drywall gets taped and mudded. Then the tiles start going in, usually from the bottom up. Once the tiles are in and everything is dried, it begins to look like a bathroom again. Then we install the cabinets. There’s a bit of downtime with countertops, as we get them custom cut to fit perfectly. It can take up to a week once they’ve been measured. The same goes for the glass door, which can take up to two weeks if it’s not in stock.

Hamit Kazancı: Because it’s custom.

Sena Konya: And specialty. Yes, everything’s custom. It’s fit to the space, fits like a glove, so that does take some time, but that’s included in the 3 to 4-week or 4 to 6-week timeline.

Hamit Kazancı: Also, after demolition, we have to check the subfloors and walls. If something needs to be changed, it might affect the timeline by a day or two. That’s why we always say three to four weeks.

Sena Konya: Yes, that’s a really good point. These are older homes; you never know what the previous homeowner did. Most of the time, homeowners will say, “I don’t know why they did this.” We don’t know either. We don’t have an x-ray machine. Once we peel the layers back, we’ll be able to see what’s going on, and then we can communicate with the customer if anything comes up.

Hamit Kazancı: We don’t want to charge it upfront, right?

Sena Konya: Correct. If I had to assume the worst-case scenario for everything, each project would be over a million dollars. It’s extremely difficult to predict everything, but we are very thorough. I think we’re one of the most thorough companies when it comes to our initial estimate. Our designers are so experienced they can plan for things that newer industry professionals might overlook. General issues we can address, but specifics like needing extra dedicated lines, for instance, an electrician can only confirm after reviewing your panel. The same goes for relocating plumbing. Sometimes there’s a joist right where we plan to put the toilet. We can’t predict that, and we’re not going to just cut into a joist. We’ll have it evaluated, come up with the best solution or multiple solutions, present it to the homeowner, give them an option to choose, and provide an expectation for cost and timeline. Once they sign off, we proceed. We don’t just say, “Oh, we’re going to add $3K here, $4K there, $5K there,” and expect clients to accept it. It’s discussed, and once it’s approved, it goes into production.

Hamit Kazancı: I have another question. For example, if someone signs a contract for bathroom remodeling, how much should they expect for change orders? Since we can’t see under the walls and tiles, right? How much should they prepare for?

Sena Konya: I always recommend saving an additional 10 to 15 percent of your overall project cost for unexpected issues. That goes for both bathrooms and kitchens. 10 to 15 percent doesn’t mean it’s going to happen, but it’s always good to be prepared.

Hamit Kazancı: Next question about walk-in showers. Do you think they add value to a home, or will they decrease it?

Sena Konya: I’d say about 80 percent of people prefer showers to baths. Baths are more of a luxury. But there’s a general rule that you should have at least one bathtub in your home, preferably in the hall bathroom. We live in an area where many families have young kids, grandkids, or even pets. So, having a tub as an alternative can make things easier. While showers generally add value to the home, it’s still wise to have at least one bathtub in case it’s needed.

Hamit Kazancı: When we talk about walk-in showers, is it curbless or with a curb? Can you explain the difference?

Sena Konya: Typically, a walk-in shower will have a curb in our area. Due to the way homes are built, with a subfloor underneath, it’s often not possible to eliminate the curb. Sometimes, it’s extremely difficult and costly to remove it. So, a lot of people opt to keep a shower curb and allocate that money elsewhere or splurge on something else. We try to keep the curb as minimal as possible, but generally, when I say “walk-in shower,” it includes a curb.

Hamit Kazancı: So, if we want a new and fancy bathroom and also want to add value to our home, what’s the most important factor for adding value?

Sena Konya: It’s really important to pick quality materials and have them installed properly. That adds the most value. If you try to create a luxurious look, like a wet room—which is very popular right now—it creates a “wow” factor. You walk in and have this grand shower space with the tub included, wall-to-wall tiling, and it feels like a spa or hotel. But, if done with poor-quality materials, it won’t hold up, or it’ll start to deteriorate over time. It’s important to invest in quality materials and get it done right the first time rather than constantly replacing things. If you invest in a luxurious space like a wet room, upgrade the fixtures and tiles. Sometimes the overall look can fall flat without those details.

Hamit Kazancı: So, can we say quality materials with quality labor?

Sena Konya: Correct. You can’t have one without the other. It doesn’t work that way. You could buy the most beautiful tile and tub, but if the person installing them doesn’t know what they’re doing, it’ll look terrible. Then, all you’ll notice are the poor details.

Hamit Kazancı: I know it’s always changing, but what are the popular colors for bathrooms right now?

Sena Konya: Oh, it changes almost daily, but I’d say a modern organic look is very popular. We’re mixing a lot of textures with neutral colors and adding brass tones for interest. So even though you have neutral tones, it’s not just white and gray; there are transitions to include both cool and warm tones, along with a bit of brass, black, or polished nickel for added interest. Color is also in right now. People aren’t as afraid to add some liveliness to their space. I’m seeing a lot of blues, greens, yellows, and pinks. It’s exciting to see people embracing color and having more fun with it. Life is too short for a white bathroom, and you don’t want it to feel sterile. We were in a phase where everyone wanted white and gray, thinking of what the next homeowner might want, instead of focusing on their own preferences. Now, I think people are starting to do it for themselves. We’re also doing a lot of wallpaper, by the way.

Hamit Kazancı: But I know you love greens, right?

Sena Konya: Yes, I do love greens.

Hamit Kazancı: Green and gold combination?

Sena Konya: Yes, I love brass tones with green. I love adding a sand tone to that—it just feeds into the organic modern look.

Hamit Kazancı: I want to show her projects to you guys, but you can check our website. You can see lots of projects; she’s one of the best.

Sena Konya: Thanks, Hamit.

Hamit Kazancı: So, I think I know the answers, but…

Sena Konya: Of course, I hope you know the answers.

Hamit Kazancı: As a project manager, I have to know that. What comes first in bathroom remodels?

Sena Konya: The first phase is planning and design, which is the most crucial phase. It sets the foundation for the entire project. First, you want to budget—determine how much you’re willing to invest in this project and how much value it’s going to add to your home. Start with that and then decide on your design. Do you want contrast? Something more transitional, traditional, or modern? Do you want color, or a more neutral look? Figuring out your overall style is really important. From there, you get into planning the actual details, which is a whole separate phase. This includes final measurements. Then we move into permits—that’s the last phase before the fun begins. Once that’s all done, you can wait for your materials to arrive, and then we can get started.

Hamit Kazancı: So first of all, the design process, right?

Sena Konya: Design planning, yes. Preparing everything, doing your homework, doing your due diligence, researching. Figuring everything out first, yes. It’s like a science project.

Hamit Kazancı: For the DIYers out there, what are the pros and cons of each approach?

Sena Konya: Great question. Both have their advantages and drawbacks. Choosing the right approach depends on your budget, time availability, skill level, and the project’s complexity. For major remodels or tasks requiring specialized skills, hiring a professional is usually best. But for smaller, less complex projects, if you’re handy, you could take it on—like replacing a couple of recessed lights or adding decorative paneling if you’re good with a saw and staple gun, and have some practice. You might be able to make it a weekend project. But, to gut a bathroom entirely, move plumbing and electrical around, and find the right people to make it all work together is extremely difficult. Even as a professional, there are times we run into issues. So I can’t imagine someone with no skills or experience trying to manage all those details.

Hamit Kazancı: So, we can say you can have fun with decorative panels?

Sena Konya: Correct, yes.

Hamit Kazancı: But with plumbing, maybe don’t do it yourself?

Sena Konya: Right. Even you tried putting in crown molding at the Sterling showroom, and it took a long time to learn the cuts. Cutting those angles seems so easy; everyone thinks, “Oh, I could do that.” But it’s not that simple, especially when you have a life to live. Just cutting the crown molding took you hours! A few weeks ago, my parents built a new deck patio, and we decided not to hire anyone to stain it, thinking we could have some family time. By the end of the project, we almost weren’t a family anymore! It was so detailed and drove us crazy. You have to know what you’re getting into.

Hamit Kazancı: So, you guys were able to finish it?

Sena Konya: You can walk on it now, yes. Just don’t look too closely—it’s a five-foot project. Stand five feet away, and it looks fine.

Hamit Kazancı: How long did it take?

Sena Konya: From sunrise to about 9 p.m., with four people.

Hamit Kazancı: Four people?

Sena Konya: Yes.

Hamit Kazancı: So, the next question—for bathroom remodels, what are the main cost drivers?

Sena Konya: Square footage and the scope of work. The bigger the bathroom, the more expensive it’s going to be, as you’ll need more material—that’s kind of obvious.

Hamit Kazancı: And locations?

Sena Konya: Correct, and the labor involved. Often, we’re working on houses built in the 1920s, and the lifestyle and sizing were completely different then. Either we’re expanding the space or working with a large space that wasn’t designed for today’s lifestyle. That drives the cost significantly. Then, if you want a fancy shower with three fixtures—like a rain shower, sprays, and a handheld—or convert a standard tub to a freestanding tub, we have to move the plumbing for that as well. It’s really about the space’s size and how much work is needed. Of course, materials play a role too. You could pick tile that costs $2 per square foot, or you could go for one that’s $250 per square foot. It’s about finding a balance; you can’t save on everything, and you can’t splurge on everything. There needs to be a nice mix to create a good-looking result.