How to Hire a Licensed Contractor for a Bathroom Remodel: Checklist & Red Flags

Bathroom remodels are the second most popular home improvement project in the United States and also one of the most fraud-prone, because the combination of plumbing, tile, waterproofing, and electrical work creates many opportunities for substandard or unlicensed work to hide behind finished surfaces. A systematic approach to hiring and verification protects your investment and prevents the water damage and mold problems that poor bathroom construction routinely causes.

What Licenses Does a Bathroom Remodel Contractor Need?

A bathroom remodel typically involves a general contractor coordinating plumbing and electrical subcontractors. All three trades require licensing in most states. The general contractor must hold a state contractor license appropriate for the project value. The plumber must hold a state plumbing license (Master Plumber in many states). The electrician must hold a state electrical contractor license.

Some states have separate tile or flooring contractor classifications, but most tile work falls within the general contractor's scope. Waterproofing — the critical substrate layer applied before tile in wet areas like showers — is performed by the tile setter or general contractor and is not typically separately licensed. However, it is one of the most important and commonly skipped steps in bathroom remodeling.

Before hiring, identify your state's contractor licensing requirements and verify each trade credential. In California, verify the general contractor at cslb.ca.gov, the plumber's C-36 classification, and the electrician's C-10. In Florida, verify at myfloridalicense.com. The state-specific verification process takes ten minutes and provides significant protection.

Why Is Waterproofing the Most Important Step in a Bathroom Remodel?

Water damage from failed bathroom waterproofing is one of the most expensive and common home repair problems. The Insurance Information Institute reports that water damage accounts for nearly 24% of all homeowner insurance claims, and a significant portion of those losses originate in bathrooms where tile was installed over inadequate waterproofing.

Proper waterproofing for a tiled shower or wet area requires a continuous waterproof membrane applied to all surfaces before tile is installed. This membrane — whether it is a sheet membrane, liquid-applied membrane, or foam board system — is invisible after the tile is installed. The only way to know it was done correctly is to be present during installation or to hire a contractor with documented quality practices.

Ask every bathroom remodel contractor specifically how they waterproof shower walls and floors. Acceptable answers involve named systems: Schluter Kerdi, RedGard, Wedi, or similar established products. An answer of “we use cement board” is wrong — cement board alone is not waterproof and is not a complete waterproofing solution for tiled showers.

What Permits Are Required for a Bathroom Remodel?

Any bathroom remodel that involves moving or adding plumbing fixtures, relocating electrical outlets, adding circuits, adding exhaust ventilation, or changing the floor plan requires permits. A simple cosmetic update (replacing a toilet, painting, installing a new vanity in the same location) may not require permits, but any structural or MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) changes do.

A contractor who says no permits are needed for your remodel — when your project involves moving plumbing or adding an electrical circuit — is either wrong or dishonest. Always confirm permit requirements with your local building department before accepting a contractor's assurance that no permits are needed.

How Do You Vet a Bathroom Remodel Contractor?

The bathroom remodel vetting checklist:

• Verify the license:Check the general contractor, plumber, and electrician credentials before any meeting. Use the state licensing board's website or CheckLicensed.com for a fast combined check.
• Ask to see recent bathroom work: Request photos or site visits to similar recent projects. Tile work quality, grout consistency, and trim detail are visible indicators of workmanship.
• Ask specifically about waterproofing: This question immediately separates experienced tile setters from unqualified operators.
• Ask about their subcontractors: Who is the licensed plumber? Who is the licensed electrician? Request their license numbers separately.
• Ask about lead paint and asbestos: Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint on bathroom walls. Homes built before 1980 may have asbestos in floor tile or popcorn ceilings. Contractors working on pre-1980 homes in most states must follow EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rules.
• Review the contract for material specifications: Tile brand and series, grout type and color, fixture models, and hardware finishes should all be specified. Vague material descriptions allow substitution.

How Much Should You Pay Upfront for a Bathroom Remodel?

For a typical bathroom remodel costing $10,000 to $30,000, an initial deposit of 10-15% is reasonable. The contractor may need funds to order materials and fixture deliveries. However, no legitimate bathroom remodel contractor should require 40-50% upfront before any work has started.

Structure your payment schedule around inspections and milestones: after rough-in inspections pass, after waterproofing is complete, after tile is set, and at final completion with punch list resolved. Milestone payments align the contractor's incentive with quality at each stage.

Before signing any bathroom remodel contract, verify the contractor's license at CheckLicensed.com. For $0.99, you get an instant license verification report covering status, classification, expiration, and disciplinary history — the single most important step before authorizing work that will be hidden behind tile and walls for decades.