In a lot of industries, you pay more to speed up the process. Is that the case with a one-day bathroom remodel? At least when you hire ZINTEX, the answer is no, it does not cost more to get a one-day bathroom remodel.

That said, our tubs and showers do come at a pretty significant price range of around $11,000 to $24,000 (with the average ZINTEX remodel costing roughly $18,000). Timeline isn’t a determining factor in how much your remodel costs, so what is?

• Scope: how extensive your remodel is
• Customization: how many custom accessories you include in your design
• Feature upgrades: how many standard features (like single-color walls or a standard showerhead) you upgrade to a premium option

At ZINTEX, we don’t advertise a one-day remodel in those exact terms because we understand that sometimes, unforeseen issues arise. For example, even the most experienced team may not realize the extent of something like water damage until they get behind your tub or shower walls. While many of our remodels are completed in one day, we don’t want to cut corners if more extensive repairs are needed and your team needs two days to complete the project.

How can you plan for a remodel if you don’t know how long it will actually take? Your Project Management team will keep you updated every step of the way, providing timeline estimates and updating you the second they need to be adjusted (if at all).

What if you’re interested in a speedy remodel from start to finish, not just a speedy installation? While we can’t speak for every bathroom remodeling company, we can tell you about our Fast Track Program, an increasingly popular way for ZINTEX customers to remodel.

The ZINTEX Fast Track Program allows you to go from consultation to remodel completion in three weeks or less. By keeping our most popular materials close at hand and pre-inspected, we cut down the lead time that typically takes an average of six weeks. This is the perfect program for any homeowner looking to remodel in a time crunch.

You may know from previous research that the cost of labor can account for an average of 25-40% of total remodel costs. It’s no wonder that you’re considering the DIY route, which allows you to cut out those costs by taking on the labor yourself.

This can be a solid option if you already have remodeling experience, and preferably plumbing experience specifically. It’s an even more appealing option if you already have all the tools for the job. Otherwise, you may want to keep reading to learn more before you commit to remodeling your bathroom yourself.

What Goes Into Replacing a Tub or Shower?

There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to tub or shower replacement. The most complex parts will involve the components behind your shower walls. Once you demolish the existing materials, you’re going to be faced with:

• Water lines and drains
• Subflooring
• Support beams, studs, and backerboards
• Potential water damage and mold

To understand just how complex something as seemingly simple as installing a shower is, it’s useful to learn more about the parts of a shower. Even with an all-in-one shower or tub installation kit, you’re still going to need the ability to address and repair the components mentioned above and properly install the parts that come with the kit itself. This will almost always require additional tools and equipment, and mistakes can be costly.

Can I Complete a DIY Bathroom Remodel in One Weekend?

There are more YouTube tutorials than we can count claiming that they’ll guide you through a one-weekend DIY bathroom remodel. In fact, those YouTubers are pretty convincing. You’re pretty sure you can do what they do in two days and have a new bathroom by Monday morning. Is this realistic?

Imagine that when you rip out your old tub or shower, you encounter cracked or damaged plumbing. Now, you need to call a plumber, because you don’t have the equipment or the know-how to replace entire pipes. The only problem? The plumber can’t come until next week, unless you’re willing to pay the emergency service surcharge.

This is just one example of the type of unexpected problems that can derail that one-weekend bathroom remodel when you don’t have bathroom remodeling experience. At the end of the day, the process is rarely as simple as a DIY YouTuber might make it seem.

Is Bathroom Remodel DIY Really Cheaper?

DIY bathroom remodel costs are really appealing at first glance. A shower insert kit can cost as little as $3,000 from some home improvement stores, where you can also purchase any additional tools for $500-$1000. You’ll also need to pay for large waste removal, which starts at around $100-$250. You may also need to hire a plumber for an additional $300+ if you run into plumbing problems, and possibly an electrician…

The point is, a DIY bathroom remodel is almost never as cheap as it seems when you start out, and you’re likely to run into more and more unexpected costs along the way. With no labor warranty, you’re also on the hook for any repairs, water damage remediation, or part replacements that come up down the line. In the end, that $3,000 kit can creep into the territory of a professional remodel cost without any of the benefits (like not having to spend your own time learning how to install a shower).