Photo: Walk-in shower with marble-look tile and frameless glass
Bathroom Remodeling in Central & Eastern Massachusetts
Waterfront Construction Inc, an owner-led general contractor based in Northborough, MA, remodels bathrooms from demolition to final finish: tile and walk-in showers with waterproofing behind the tile, vanities, fixtures and frameless glass. Plumbing and electrical work goes to trades who hold the required licenses. Bathrooms typically take about 2–3 weeks once materials are in.
- Owner-led
- Founded in 2017 in Northborough, MA
- Insured
Updated
Bathroom Remodeling: the essentials
- Typical timeline
- Bathrooms typically take about 2–3 weeks once materials are in.
- Permit in Massachusetts
- None for new tile, a vanity and finishes alone; a building permit when walls or structure change, plus plumbing and electrical permits pulled by those trades.
- Cost benchmark
- Bathroom remodel (midrange): $27,559 (New England average, 2025, Remodeling Cost vs. Value). Larger or custom scopes cost more; see the cost table below.
- Where we work
- Central & Eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, from our base in Northborough, MA.
A bathroom packs plumbing, electrical, ventilation, waterproofing, tile and finish carpentry into a small room, and most of what decides how long it lasts is hidden behind the tile. Good results come from planning the order of work and getting right the details you will not see later, like waterproofing behind tile and blocking for future grab bars.
We manage the whole remodel and schedule each trade. Plumbing and electrical work is done by trades who hold the required licenses and pull their own permits. The photos on this page come from several of our bathroom remodels; the town of each one is not recorded.
What's included
- Tile & walk-in showers
- Waterproofing behind tile
- Vanities & fixtures
- Frameless glass enclosures
- Exhaust fan vented outdoors
Our bathroom remodeling work: case studies and job photos
Every photo here is from a Waterfront Construction job, captioned with what it shows and, where the job's town is recorded, where it was taken.
Bathroom Remodels: Tiled Showers and Frameless Glass
Photos from several bathroom remodels by Waterfront Construction: tiled walk-in showers, two neo-angle glass showers, a tub-shower with a hinged glass panel, and frameless glass throughout.
Read the case study
Tub with a glass panel and subway tile with a mosaic accent band Bathroom Remodels case study 
Corner glass shower with brass fixtures beside a soaking tub Bathroom Remodels case study 
Neo-angle shower in beige stone-look tile with a built-in bench Bathroom Remodels case study
Bathroom remodeling: what matters behind the tile
- Walk-in showers and tub-to-shower conversions: the drain location, a curb or curbless entry and the type of glass set most of the scope.
- Waterproofing: cement board and grout are not waterproof on their own. Showers need a waterproof membrane or a properly lapped liner behind the tile.
- Ventilation: the exhaust fan must vent directly to the outdoors, not into the attic.
- Electrical safety: every receptacle in a bathroom needs GFCI protection.
- Planning ahead: blocking in the walls now makes it easy to add grab bars later.
- Glass: frameless and semi-frameless enclosures are measured after the tile is finished.
What does a bathroom remodel cost in Massachusetts?
As a regional benchmark, Remodeling magazine's 2025 Cost vs. Value report puts the New England average at $27,559 for a midrange bathroom remodel. Custom tile showers, glass enclosures and moved plumbing raise the price; we price each bathroom after a free visit.
| Benchmark project | Scope of the benchmark | Average job cost | Cost recouped at resale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom remodel, midrange | Update a 5 × 7 ft bathroom: new tub with ceramic tile surround, fixtures, solid-surface vanity top and tile floor | $27,559 | 90.5% |
These are published regional averages for a standard scope, not our prices. We give every homeowner an itemized estimate for their own house.
Source: Remodeling 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, New England (JLC / Zonda). © 2025 Zonda Media, a Delaware corporation. Complete data from the Remodeling 2025 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.
What moves the price
- Size of the bathroom and how much of it changes
- Moving the toilet, shower, tub, walls or windows
- Shower type: a tub, a tub-to-shower conversion or a walk-in shower, and its glass
- Tile size, pattern and how much wall area is tiled
- Hidden conditions in older homes, such as rot under a tub, old wiring or uneven floors
- Vanity and fixture level
More detail: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost in Massachusetts?
Permits, inspections and rules in Massachusetts
A bathroom remodel can involve several separate permits. In Massachusetts:
| Permit or rule | When it applies | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | When the remodel moves walls or changes the structure. Replacing tile, a vanity and other finishes alone needs none under the state building code. | The contractor's Construction Supervisor License holder applies to the town's building department; the written contract must say who obtains each permit. |
| Plumbing permit | Any new or moved toilet, shower, tub, sink, drain or water line. | A plumber holding a Massachusetts license, who pulls the permit in their own name. |
| Electrical permit | New circuits, outlets, lighting or fan wiring; every bathroom receptacle needs GFCI protection. | An electrician holding a Massachusetts license. |
| Smoke and CO alarms | Some remodels require bringing the home's smoke and carbon monoxide alarms up to current rules; your building department says whether yours does. | Checked by the building inspector. |
| Lead-safe renovation rules | Homes built before 1978, when the work disturbs more than 6 sq ft of painted surface in a room. | A contractor holding a Massachusetts Lead-Safe Renovation Contractor license, with a certified renovator directing the work. |
| Written contract | Home improvement work over $1,000 on an owner-occupied home in Massachusetts needs a written contract, and the deposit is limited. | The contractor, who must be registered with the state Home Improvement Contractor program. |
In New Hampshire
New Hampshire has no statewide contractor license. Building permits come from each town's building department, and plumbers and electricians need New Hampshire state licenses for their part of the work.
Free estimate
Tell us about your project
Free and no-obligation. Prefer to talk? Call (508) 816-2726 (Mon–Sat, 7am–6pm).
- Itemized estimates
- 500+ projects completed
- Insured
Homes built before 1978: lead-safe rules
Taking out old tile, a vanity or a medicine cabinet in an older home often disturbs painted walls and trim. On a pre-1978 home, a bathroom remodel that disturbs more than 6 square feet of painted surface in the room falls under the lead-safe renovation rules.
All the lead-safe rules for pre-1978 homes: containment, cleanup and licensing
How a bathroom remodel works, step by step
Bathrooms typically take about 2–3 weeks once materials are in.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Estimate visit | We measure, look at the plumbing, electrical and ventilation, and talk through layout, finishes and budget. You get an itemized written estimate. |
| 2. Selections and ordering | Tile, the vanity, fixtures and the shower glass are chosen; the glass is ordered once the tile is in. |
| 3. Permits | Building permit where needed; plumbing and electrical permits are pulled by those trades. |
| 4. Demolition and rough work | Old finishes come out; framing, plumbing, electrical and the exhaust fan are roughed in and inspected. |
| 5. Waterproofing and tile | Tile backer, the shower's waterproof membrane, then tile. |
| 6. Vanity, fixtures and glass | The vanity, toilet and fixtures go in, and the glass enclosure is installed after it is measured on the finished tile. |
| 7. Final inspections and walkthrough | Trade and building final inspections, touch-ups and a walkthrough with you. |
What clients said about this kind of work
“Ernando's crew remodeled our kitchen and a bathroom. Clean, on schedule, and the finish work is flawless. We get compliments constantly.”
- Karen M., Shrewsbury, MA
- May 2026
“Honest pricing and no surprises. Our bathroom looks like it belongs in a magazine. Will definitely hire again.”
- Rafael C., Hudson, MA
- Feb 2026
Shared with permission by our clients. Read our Google reviews or see all client feedback.
Bathroom Remodeling questions, answered
Have a different question? Call (508) 816-2726 or send us your project details.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Massachusetts?
Remodeling magazine's 2025 Cost vs. Value report puts the New England average for a midrange bathroom remodel at $27,559, covering new fixtures, a tile tub surround and a tile floor in a 5-by-7-foot bathroom. Custom tile showers, glass enclosures and moved plumbing raise the price.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
Bathrooms typically take about 2–3 weeks once materials are in. Custom glass is measured after the tile is finished, so its lead time, inspections and hidden damage found during demolition can extend that.
What is involved in a tub-to-shower conversion?
The tub comes out, the drain is moved or adapted for a shower, and the walls and floor get a waterproof shower system before tile. The glass is measured after tiling. Expect a plumbing permit, and consider keeping at least one tub in the house.
Why does waterproofing behind tile matter?
Grout and cement board let water through. A waterproof membrane or properly lapped liner behind the tile keeps water out of the wall and floor framing, where slow leaks can cause rot that stays hidden for years.
Does a bathroom exhaust fan have to vent outside?
Yes. A bathroom exhaust fan must vent directly to the outdoors, not into the attic, a soffit or a crawl space, so the moisture does not cause mold or rot.
Can the toilet or shower drain be moved?
Usually, yes, but it means new drain, vent and supply lines under a plumbing permit, and sometimes changes to the floor framing. Keeping the toilet and shower where they are is one of the most effective ways to control a bathroom's cost.
Who does the plumbing and electrical work in a bathroom remodel?
Massachusetts-licensed trades. The plumber pulls the plumbing permit in their own name for any new or moved fixture, and the electrician pulls the electrical permit for new circuits, outlets, lighting or fan wiring. We schedule them around the rest of the work.
Should I plan for grab bars now?
It helps. Blocking added inside the walls while they are open makes it easy to install grab bars later, wherever you may want them, without opening the tile again.
Guides for planning your bathroom remodel
- How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost in Massachusetts?A New England cost benchmark for a midrange bathroom remodel, how an upscale remodel differs, what moves the price in Massachusetts, permits, timing and why waterproofing matters.
- Do You Need a Permit to Remodel in Massachusetts?Which remodeling projects need a building permit in Massachusetts, who pulls each permit, what varies by town, and how New Hampshire differs.
- How to Choose a Remodeling Contractor in Massachusetts: A Pre-Hire ChecklistA 10-step Massachusetts pre-hire checklist: HIC registration, the Construction Supervisor License, insurance, contract rules, the deposit limit and who pulls the permit.
Related services
- Kitchen RemodelingCabinets, islands, countertops, backsplash and lighting, with the plumbing and electrical trades coordinated.
- Whole-Home & Interior RemodelingFirst-floor and whole-home remodels, layout and wall changes and basement finishing, with licensed trades coordinated.
- Interior PaintingWalls, ceilings, trim, doors and cabinets painted after patching, sanding and priming, with help choosing colors.
Where we've done bathroom remodeling, and every town we serve
- Shrewsbury, MAClient feedback from Karen M., shared with permissionOur bathroom remodeling page for Shrewsbury, MA
- Hudson, MAClient feedback from Rafael C., shared with permissionOur bathroom remodeling page for Hudson, MA
Based in Northborough (Worcester County), we work across Worcester County, MetroWest, Greater Boston, the North Shore, the South Shore & Bristol County, and southern New Hampshire: 193 cities and towns in 11 counties. See every town we serve, by county.
Bathroom Remodeling by town
Sources and page details
- Remodeling 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, New England (JLC / Zonda)
- Mass.gov: Lead-safe renovation for contractors
- Mass.gov: Home improvement contract requirements
Code and permit details are general: your town's building department has the final word on what applies to your project.
Published by Waterfront Construction Inc, an owner-led general contractor based in Northborough, Massachusetts. Ernando Nunes has 15+ years of hands-on construction experience and founded the company in 2017. Updated .
Planning a bathroom remodel?
Get a free, itemized estimate from Waterfront Construction Inc. Call (508) 816-2726 or use the estimate form on this page.