Use a project roadmap for planning, comparing bids, and understanding the work sequence.
This is general homeowner planning information; it is not a bid, inspection, code determination, or guarantee of local service.
1. Define goals and inspect the existing shower
Write down the problems to solve: moisture, access, storage, cramped dimensions, cleaning, outdated fixtures, or a changed household need. Photograph the room and note the shower footprint. A qualified provider should investigate unexplained leaks or soft surfaces before promising that a surface-only repair will be enough.
2. Confirm design, scope and permits
Choose the intended layout, entry type, controls, drainage, wall materials, glass, and accessories. Check the local permitting authority for rules that apply to the actual property and work. Agree in writing on who applies for permits, arranges inspections, and coordinates licensed trades when needed.
3. Get a detailed proposal and order materials
Compare inclusions and exclusions, the waterproofing plan, product models, labor, disposal, any allowances, payment milestones, change orders, and warranty terms. Check delivery dates for a custom base or glass. A schedule is more useful when key products are available before demolition begins.
4. Prepare, remove and address the substrate
Protect adjacent flooring and rooms. Remove the old enclosure and assess framing, the subfloor, and plumbing. Repair underlying damage rather than concealing it. The specific sequencing depends on the selected system and which trades are involved.
5. Install the assembly and verify
Complete the approved plumbing, floor preparation, shower base and waterproofing, then finish walls and fit the enclosure and fixtures. Follow manufacturer-required curing and testing procedures. Ask for an explanation of care, warranty documentation, final inspection status where applicable, and how any unfinished details will be resolved.
Before work begins: make decisions that cannot easily change later
Agree on the scope, dimensions, base, drainage plan, wall finish, controls, glass arrangement, and any support for accessories. Confirm whether products are in hand before demolition and how the household will bathe while the shower is unavailable. Ask which building access, elevator reservations, association permissions, or protection measures apply at your address.
Clarify who obtains permits, schedules inspections, and coordinates plumbing or electrical trades where required. Put any unknown-condition process in the contract so damage uncovered during removal does not become a surprise negotiation.
During work: distinguish visible progress from completed systems
Removing the existing unit can reveal whether the substrate, framing, or plumbing are suitable for the planned installation. The base, drain, and waterproofing need to be correctly assembled before decorative finishes conceal them. Ask the contractor which checkpoints or tests apply to the chosen products and the local jurisdiction; not every project follows the same inspection sequence.
Photographs of concealed work, product labels, and approved changes may be useful project records. Ask how adjacent floors, dust, and debris will be managed, and when water may be turned off. A clean finish should follow a sound underlying assembly, not substitute for one.
At handover: get usable instructions and records
Check the entry, controls, door movement, drainage, visible joints, and how water is directed. Ask when the shower can be used, which cleaning products are approved, and how to contact the installer about a defect. Request the final agreed scope, product details, warranties, and evidence of any required inspections.
If a leak or deterioration motivated the project, ask what underlying condition was found and what action addressed it. Keep that explanation with the project paperwork rather than relying on a verbal assurance.
Use this guide when discussing your project
Decide what you want to change, note any leaks or access needs, and check whether a remodeling professional can discuss your project.
☎ Call 888-441-0554Independent partners may perform qualifying wet-space work where available. Service acceptance and availability depend on the provider and your address.