Bathroom Remodel in Bellevue & the Eastside
ECD rebuilds bathrooms from the joists up: subfloor and framing repair, relocated fixtures, curbless showers recessed into the floor structure, proper waterproofing and ducted ventilation. It fits bathrooms with water damage, a bad layout or a plan for a heavy tub or zero-threshold shower. Eastside bathroom remodels typically cost $40,000–$140,000; curbless or relocated baths run $90,000–$170,000.
Reviewed by Daniel R. Whitcomb, PE · Built by Marcus T. Alvarado
What is usually hiding under an old bathroom floor?
Bathrooms fail slowly. A tub surround with failed grout or a toilet with a worn wax ring can leak for years before anything shows on the surface. When the tile comes up in a 40- or 60-year-old Eastside bathroom, it is common to find soft subfloor, darkened joist tops or a sill plate that has been wet. Fixing the finish without fixing that is how a new bathroom fails in five years.
Because our engineer is part of the team, structural damage found during demolition is assessed the same day and repaired to a drawn detail, not patched by eye. The same applies to planned changes: a curbless shower usually needs the joists lowered or the floor recessed, and a stone or cast-iron tub filled with water and a person can weigh more than 1,000 pounds on a small area of floor.
What does an ECD bathroom remodel include?
- Layout design, fixture and tile selections, lighting and ventilation plan.
- Demolition to framing, inspection of subfloor, joists and walls, and structural repair to an engineered detail.
- Floor framing changes for curbless showers or heavy tubs.
- New drain, vent and supply piping in the remodeled area; fixture relocation.
- Bonded waterproofing membrane system for shower walls and floors, flood-tested before tile.
- Exhaust fan ducted to the exterior, GFCI-protected circuits, heated floor where specified.
- Tile, vanity, glass, fixtures, trim and paint, plus building, plumbing and electrical permits.
Not part of this service
Tub-to-shower liners, acrylic overlays and same-day bath conversions. Those cover the surface rather than the structure, which is the part we are hired to fix.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
- Site visit and design2–4 weeks
Layout, fixtures and tile chosen; floor structure checked from below where possible.
- Permits and orders2–6 weeks
Permits submitted; long-lead items such as glass and vanities ordered.
- Demolition and repairs1 week
Room taken to framing; any damage assessed by the engineer and repaired.
- Rough-ins and framing changes1–2 weeks
Plumbing, electrical, fan duct and floor recess for curbless showers.
- Waterproofing and tile2–3 weeks
Membrane installed and flood-tested before tile is set.
- Fixtures, glass and final1–2 weeks
Vanity, fixtures and glass installed; inspections closed.
What does a bathroom remodel cost on the Eastside?
| Scope | Typical cost | On-site time |
|---|---|---|
| Hall bathroom, same layout, full rebuild | $40,000–$70,000 | 5–7 weeks |
| Primary bathroom, same footprint | $70,000–$140,000 | 7–10 weeks |
| Curbless shower or relocated fixtures, floor reframed | $90,000–$170,000 | 8–12 weeks |
| New bathroom where none existed | $60,000–$120,000 | 8–12 weeks |
What permits and code items apply to bathrooms?
Most full bathroom remodels need plumbing and electrical permits, and a building permit when framing, floor structure or walls change. Bathrooms must have exhaust ventilation ducted to the outdoors under the residential code, and receptacles must be GFCI-protected. In some Eastside cities electrical permits are issued by Washington L&I rather than the city. The Permit Estimator includes a bathroom remodel option with typical fees.
Bathrooms in a project we completed
PROJECT · REDMOND · EDUCATION HILLSubfloor rot found and rebuilt during a whole-home remodelBoth upstairs bathrooms were taken to the joists; damaged framing was sistered to the engineer's detail before new curbless showers went in.Bathroom questions
Bathroom remodel FAQ
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Bellevue?
A full rebuild of a hall bathroom in Bellevue typically costs $40,000 to $70,000, and a primary bathroom $70,000 to $140,000, with mid to upper-mid finishes and permits. Curbless showers and relocated fixtures that require reframing the floor run $90,000 to $170,000. Hidden water damage adds cost and is priced at a pre-agreed rate if found.
Can I have a curbless shower on a wood-framed floor?
Yes. On a wood floor, the shower area is recessed by lowering or notching joists to an engineered detail, or by adding new framing below the existing joists, so the shower floor can slope to the drain while the bathroom floor stays level. The engineer confirms the joists can be modified without weakening the floor before the design is final.
What happens if you find rot when the floor comes up?
Our engineer looks at it the same day. Damaged subfloor is replaced; damaged joists are sistered or replaced to a drawn detail; a wet sill or rim is repaired from below. You receive photos, the repair detail and the cost before work continues. Our contract sets unit prices for common repairs in advance so there is no negotiation mid-project.
Does a heated bathroom floor need its own circuit?
Usually. Electric floor heating mats draw enough current that most bathrooms need a dedicated GFCI-protected circuit with its own thermostat. In older houses with a full panel, that circuit can require panel work. We size it during design so the panel capacity is known before you choose the heating system.
How do you make sure a new shower will not leak?
We install a bonded waterproofing membrane over the shower walls and floor, seal every seam and penetration, and flood-test the floor with standing water for at least 24 hours before tile is set. The drain, membrane and slope are inspected before tile. This is the step that separates a 30-year shower from a 5-year one.
Free estimate · Bellevue office
Talk to the engineer before you commit to a plan
A site visit, a scope conversation and a written budget range, at no cost.