Bathroom remodels fail in a specific, expensive way more than any other room: water gets behind the tile. Here's what a quote should address to prevent that, and what else tends to get glossed over.
The part that matters most and gets skipped
Waterproofing membrane behind the tile — not just backer board — is what actually keeps water out of your walls in a shower. If a quote doesn't mention a waterproofing system by name, ask about it directly before assuming it's included.
Other things worth confirming
- Exhaust fan capacity matched to the room's size (measured in CFM) — undersized fans lead to lingering moisture and mold over time.
- Plumbing rough-in changes, if you're moving a toilet or sink — this adds real cost and sometimes a permit that a quote might not flag upfront.
- Fixture and tile allowances that are specific dollar amounts, not vague placeholders.
- Timeline — if it's your only bathroom, ask how many days you'll be without it, since that's a real quality-of-life factor most quotes don't mention unprompted.