How to Select a Bathroom Remodel Contractor
Most people start a bathroom remodel by looking at tile, vanities, and fixtures. That’s the fun part. But the decision that matters most is the bathroom remodel contractor you hire. Behind the tile are supply lines, drains, shower valves, and waterproofing. If any of that is done wrong, you won’t find out until water shows up in the ceiling below or the floor starts to soften. By then, you’re paying to tear out the new bathroom.
We’ve spent years working on projects where inspections are strict and shortcuts aren’t an option, including healthcare construction. Here’s the checklist we’d use if we were hiring someone for our own homes.
1. Verify the License of your Bathroom Remodel Contractor
(It Takes Two Minutes)
Every contractor working on your bathroom should hold an active license from the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). You can look anyone up for free at cslb.ca.gov using their name or license number.
When you check, look for:
Status: Active, not expired or suspended.
Classification: A B (General Building) license for a full remodel, or a C-36 (Plumbing) license for the plumbing work.
Complaints or disciplinary actions: These show up on the license record.
California does let unlicensed people handle very small jobs, but the limit is $1,000 total, and only if no permit is needed and they don’t have anyone working for them. A bathroom remodel blows past all three conditions. If someone bidding on your remodel doesn’t have a license, that’s the end of the conversation.
2. Confirm Insurance and Bonding
Ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. If a worker gets hurt in your home and the contractor isn’t covered, you could be on the hook. Liability insurance covers damage to your property, like a supply line that fails after the job and floods the hallway.
Don’t take “yes, we’re insured” as the answer. Ask for the certificate and check the dates.
3. Ask Who Pulls the Permits
Moving a toilet, relocating a shower drain, adding a circuit, or replacing a water heater usually requires a permit from your city. A good contractor pulls permits as a normal part of the job and builds inspection time into the schedule.
A contractor who suggests skipping permits to “save you money” is creating problems for you:
Unpermitted work can show up during a home sale and stall escrow.
Insurance companies can push back on claims tied to unpermitted work.
You lose the independent inspection that catches mistakes before the walls close up.
Cities like Huntington Beach, Irvine, and Long Beach each have their own permit process. Your contractor should know it.
4. Get Detailed, Written Bids
A one-line bid that says “Bathroom remodel — $28,000” tells you almost nothing. A solid bid breaks out:
Scope: demolition, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tile, fixtures, paint, cleanup.
Materials: specific products, or allowances with dollar amounts if you haven’t picked yet.
Exclusions: what is not included (drywall repair in adjacent rooms, mold remediation, fixture upgrades).
Timeline: start date and estimated duration.
Get at least three bids. When the numbers look far apart, it’s usually because the scopes are different. Line them up side by side and compare item by item. The cheapest bid is often the one that left something out.
5. Understand California’s Payment Rules
California law protects homeowners on home improvement jobs. The down payment can’t be more than 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less. On a $25,000 remodel, that means a maximum of $1,000 down.
After that, payments should follow a written schedule tied to work actually completed or materials actually delivered. You should never be paying ahead of the work.
If a contractor asks for 30% or 50% up front, they’re either unaware of the law or ignoring it. Neither is a good sign.
6. Check Reviews and References of your Bathroom Remodel Contractor
Google reviews are a good starting point. Look for patterns, not just star ratings:
Do customers mention the crew showed up when promised?
How did the company handle a problem when something went wrong?
Does the owner respond to reviews, including the negative ones?
Then ask for two or three references from recent bathroom jobs, ideally in your area. A contractor who’s proud of their work will be happy to connect you.
7. Ask the Plumbing Questions
This is where bathroom remodels go right or wrong. Before you sign, ask:
Are you relocating any drains or valves? Moving a drain can mean cutting into the slab or reworking venting. It should be in the bid.
How are you waterproofing the shower? Ask what membrane or system they use and whether they flood-test the shower pan before tile goes on.
Is my water heater big enough? A larger soaking tub or a multi-head shower can outrun an older tank. Better to know now than on your first shower.
What shape are my pipes in? Many homes in Orange County and Long Beach still have galvanized steel or aging copper. If the walls are open anyway, that’s the cheapest time to replace them.
If the contractor can’t answer these clearly, they’re probably subcontracting the plumbing and don’t know much about it.
8. Red Flags to Watch For
Walk away if you see any of these:
Cash only, or a request to pay a personal account
Pressure to sign today for a “special price”
No license number on the bid or contract
A large down payment requested before work starts
A vague contract with no payment schedule
Questions to Ask Every Bathroom Remodel Contractor
Print this list and bring it to every estimate:
What is your CSLB license number and classification?
Can you send your certificates of insurance?
Will you pull all required permits?
Who will be doing the plumbing, and are they your employees?
How do you waterproof and test the shower?
What’s your payment schedule?
What’s not included in this bid?
What warranty do you offer on labor?
Can I speak with two recent customers?
Who is my point of contact during the job?
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bids should I get for a bathroom remodel? Three is a good number. It’s enough to spot pricing outliers and scope gaps without dragging the process out.
What’s the maximum down payment a California contractor can ask for? For home improvement projects, the lesser of 10% of the contract price or $1,000.
Do I need a permit for a bathroom remodel in California? Usually, yes, if you’re moving or adding plumbing, changing electrical, or doing structural work. Cosmetic updates like paint or swapping a faucet typically don’t need one. Check with your city or ask your contractor.
Should I hire a general contractor or a plumber for my bathroom remodel? For a full remodel, a licensed general contractor typically manages the project. Either way, make sure a licensed plumber handles the plumbing, since that’s where the costliest mistakes happen.
How do I check if a contractor is licensed in California? Search their name or license number at cslb.ca.gov. It’s free and shows license status, classification, and complaint history.
The Bottom Line
The right bathroom remodel contractor is licensed, insured, pulls permits, puts everything in writing, follows California’s payment rules, and can explain exactly what’s happening behind your walls. Take the time to vet them, and you’ll get a bathroom that lasts.
If you’re planning a bathroom remodel in Orange County or the Long Beach area, Nido Plumbing & Mechanical can walk you through the plumbing side of the project and give you a clear, line-item estimate. Call us at (888) 722-1388.
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