DIY basement shower and bathroom remodel

I finally finished my bathroom remodel! It took about 2 months working after work and on weekends, and it cost about $8000 in materials. I'll try to break it down with some of the materials I used below. I've been wanting to do this project for a while and finally got around to it. It's our "guest" bathroom since the guest room is across the hall. This is a space that's frequently used by our older parents when they come to stay with us. As such, the old fiberglass tub and shower was a problem since it had a high threshold and was slippery with little space inside it. We also hated the look of the old floor tile, and the built-in shelving behind the toilet had wood rot at its base. It needed to go. We knew we wanted a shower only without a tub since this was the best and safest option for the people who were going to use it most. It's a small bathroom (about 9'X6'), but we wanted a spa-like and modern feel with higher end materials and tile to create a relaxing and private space. I saw a post (by u/snowdallos - if you're reading this, your bathroom remodel was awesome lol) that inspired me for a lot of the look. I looked at options for shower kits and building materials, etc and decided that the Shluter system was the way to go. For the shower pan, I didn't really trust myself to do the tile work so wanted a preformed and finished base that would be almost even with the floor. For the vanity, we wanted something that was the same size as old vanity (42") but made of heavy solid wood and taller - surprisingly hard to find. I figured since I would have access to all electrical, I would just do a powered mirror and toilet to make it more modern. Our water pipes are copper, but I just soldered on a couple copper to pex adapters and used pex for all the shower plumbing since it's so easy to work with. Some of the my insights from this project: The demo was definitely the most fun but also the fastest part. I had all the old stuff out within a couple days. Keep in mind that although it's tempting to just start a project like this and demo everything, you need to plan ahead for what happens next if you want to finish in a reasonable timeframe. Order your materials ahead of time - a lot of the stuff I ordered took a while to arrive and made for days where I couldn't make any progress. For tools, I would recommend having a basic stable of battery-powered tools to get started (hammer drill, rotary hammer, reciprocating saw, framing nailer, oscillating saw, angle grinder, drywall/tile rotary bits for dremel-like tool). I used Milwaukee stuff primarily but I'm sure any of them are fine. A wet tile saw is also super helpful. Get lots of gloves, ear protection, and a nice dust mask. The price for your tools and PPE is negligible when you consider the money you save from doing all this yourself. If you don't know how to do something, there are resources out there to show you. Youtube will answer basically any question you have about how to get it done. There are lots of very good instructional videos on the Shluter system, waterproofing the pan, tiling tips, etc. The price that people who do this work charge to do it is absolutely ridiculous. You can DIY! Overall it was hard work, but I think very worth it. We created a more functional space that will likely add value to the home as well. As promised, here is a materials list: Vanity and quartz top: https://willowbathandvanity.com/product/pasadena-solid-teak-42-in-w-x-22-in-d-single-sink-bathroom-vanity-with-countertop-and-white-basins/ About $2300 plus $400 shipping, although you can find coupon codes to bring it down Shower tile: https://www.flooranddecor.com/dimensional-tile/ribbon-oak-ceramic-tile-101022655.html $800 Wall tile: https://www.flooranddecor.com/porcelain-tile/everest-white-polished-porcelain-tile-101141273.html $1100 Floor tile: custom natural stone tile used in a couple other rooms in basement. Had a bunch of it laying around. $Free Shower pan: https://www.showerpanliners.com/product/premium-shower-pan-30x-60/ This is a great stone resin pan that's very heavy. They have lots of custom sizes as well, can just email them. I ordered 64" I think. $1200 Shower glass panel: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Glass-Warehouse-Vela-36-in-W-x-78-in-H-Frameless-Fixed-Single-Panel-Shower-Door-in-Brushed-Nickel-Without-Handle-GW-SFP-36-BN/302689236 $330 Shluter shower kit: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Schluter-Systems-Kerdi-Orange-Styrene-Shower-Kit/1000733898?user=shopping&feed=yes&srsltid=AfmBOorWFYqZMDIcUSyyZ3KirJ1TVvjfEo8flBbkUadw5s69BuGSVf_LhKI&gQT=1 $650 Thin set for tile: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Schluter-Systems-All-Set-50-Pound-s-White-Powder-Thinset-mortar/5000281363?idProductFound=false&idExtracted=false $37 Used 5 bags (~$200) Somewhat expensive thin set but formulated for large format tiles and dries very fast. Grout for shower tile: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Custom-Building-Products-SimpleGrout-380-Haystack-1-gal-Pre-Mixed-Grout-PMG3801/100676315 $45 This

Mar 15, 2025 - 23:54

DIY basement shower and bathroom remodel

I finally finished my bathroom remodel! It took about 2 months working after work and on weekends, and it cost about $8000 in materials. I'll try to break it down with some of the materials I used below.

I've been wanting to do this project for a while and finally got around to it. It's our "guest" bathroom since the guest room is across the hall. This is a space that's frequently used by our older parents when they come to stay with us. As such, the old fiberglass tub and shower was a problem since it had a high threshold and was slippery with little space inside it. We also hated the look of the old floor tile, and the built-in shelving behind the toilet had wood rot at its base. It needed to go.

We knew we wanted a shower only without a tub since this was the best and safest option for the people who were going to use it most. It's a small bathroom (about 9'X6'), but we wanted a spa-like and modern feel with higher end materials and tile to create a relaxing and private space. I saw a post (by u/snowdallos - if you're reading this, your bathroom remodel was awesome lol) that inspired me for a lot of the look.

I looked at options for shower kits and building materials, etc and decided that the Shluter system was the way to go. For the shower pan, I didn't really trust myself to do the tile work so wanted a preformed and finished base that would be almost even with the floor. For the vanity, we wanted something that was the same size as old vanity (42") but made of heavy solid wood and taller - surprisingly hard to find. I figured since I would have access to all electrical, I would just do a powered mirror and toilet to make it more modern. Our water pipes are copper, but I just soldered on a couple copper to pex adapters and used pex for all the shower plumbing since it's so easy to work with.

Some of the my insights from this project: The demo was definitely the most fun but also the fastest part. I had all the old stuff out within a couple days. Keep in mind that although it's tempting to just start a project like this and demo everything, you need to plan ahead for what happens next if you want to finish in a reasonable timeframe. Order your materials ahead of time - a lot of the stuff I ordered took a while to arrive and made for days where I couldn't make any progress. For tools, I would recommend having a basic stable of battery-powered tools to get started (hammer drill, rotary hammer, reciprocating saw, framing nailer, oscillating saw, angle grinder, drywall/tile rotary bits for dremel-like tool). I used Milwaukee stuff primarily but I'm sure any of them are fine. A wet tile saw is also super helpful. Get lots of gloves, ear protection, and a nice dust mask. The price for your tools and PPE is negligible when you consider the money you save from doing all this yourself. If you don't know how to do something, there are resources out there to show you. Youtube will answer basically any question you have about how to get it done. There are lots of very good instructional videos on the Shluter system, waterproofing the pan, tiling tips, etc. The price that people who do this work charge to do it is absolutely ridiculous. You can DIY!

Overall it was hard work, but I think very worth it. We created a more functional space that will likely add value to the home as well. As promised, here is a materials list:

Vanity and quartz top: https://willowbathandvanity.com/product/pasadena-solid-teak-42-in-w-x-22-in-d-single-sink-bathroom-vanity-with-countertop-and-white-basins/ About $2300 plus $400 shipping, although you can find coupon codes to bring it down

Shower tile: https://www.flooranddecor.com/dimensional-tile/ribbon-oak-ceramic-tile-101022655.html $800

Wall tile: https://www.flooranddecor.com/porcelain-tile/everest-white-polished-porcelain-tile-101141273.html $1100

Floor tile: custom natural stone tile used in a couple other rooms in basement. Had a bunch of it laying around. $Free

Shower pan: https://www.showerpanliners.com/product/premium-shower-pan-30x-60/ This is a great stone resin pan that's very heavy. They have lots of custom sizes as well, can just email them. I ordered 64" I think. $1200

Shower glass panel: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Glass-Warehouse-Vela-36-in-W-x-78-in-H-Frameless-Fixed-Single-Panel-Shower-Door-in-Brushed-Nickel-Without-Handle-GW-SFP-36-BN/302689236 $330

Shluter shower kit: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Schluter-Systems-Kerdi-Orange-Styrene-Shower-Kit/1000733898?user=shopping&feed=yes&srsltid=AfmBOorWFYqZMDIcUSyyZ3KirJ1TVvjfEo8flBbkUadw5s69BuGSVf_LhKI&gQT=1 $650

Thin set for tile: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Schluter-Systems-All-Set-50-Pound-s-White-Powder-Thinset-mortar/5000281363?idProductFound=false&idExtracted=false $37 Used 5 bags (~$200) Somewhat expensive thin set but formulated for large format tiles and dries very fast.

Grout for shower tile: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Custom-Building-Products-SimpleGrout-380-Haystack-1-gal-Pre-Mixed-Grout-PMG3801/100676315 $45 This stuff is NOT GOOD! Takes forever to dry (multiple days) and leaves a very difficult-to-remove haze. Use the Mapei stuff instead.

Grout for wall tile: https://www.lowes.com/pd/MAPEI-Flexcolor-1-Gallon-Avalanche-Acrylic-Premix-Sanded-Grout/5013672085 $68. Very happy with this grout. Easy to work with, dries fast, haze removes easily.

Tile trim for edging: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Schluter-Systems-Rondec-0-375-in-W-x-98-5-in-L-Matte-black-Textured-Color-coated-Aluminum-Bullnose-Tile-Edge-Trim/5013737409 I actually used the Rondec for shower niche and outside corner of shower tile, quadec for wall/floor border, and a different transition piece for the wall/shower tile transition. Makes for nice, clean edges.

Toilet: https://www.homedepot.com/p/HOROW-Elongated-Smart-Toilet-Bidet-in-White-with-Auto-Open-Auto-Close-Auto-Flush-Heated-Seat-and-Remote-HR-0005/321158931 $1050.

Dimmer switches: Lutron Sunnata about $40 each. Love these things.

Various other supplies were used as well: Oatey drains, PVC pieces, PVC glue, PEX adapters/piping, Romex, GFCI outlets, tile drill bits, etc.

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