The OakWood Remodel Process: What to Expect from Start to Finish

A bathroom remodel is one of the most significant investments you'll make in your home. For most Sacramento-area homeowners, it's also one of the most unfamiliar experiences—you might remodel a bathroom once or twice in your lifetime, while we complete hundreds of bathroom renovations every year. That knowledge gap creates anxiety. What should the process look like? How long should each phase take? When should you be concerned?

At OakWood Remodel, we believe that transparency eliminates anxiety. When you know exactly what's happening at every stage—and why—the entire experience becomes manageable and even enjoyable. This guide walks you through our complete bathroom renovation process, from your first phone call to the moment you step into your finished bathroom.

Why Having a Clear Process Matters

The number one complaint homeowners have about remodeling contractors isn't quality or price—it's communication. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), 68% of homeowner dissatisfaction stems from unclear expectations about timeline, process, and communication frequency. A structured process prevents these issues by establishing clear milestones, decision points, and communication checkpoints throughout the project.

Our nine-step process has been refined over years of remodeling bathrooms across Rocklin, Roseville, Granite Bay, Folsom, Auburn, and the greater Sacramento region. Each step exists for a specific reason, and skipping or rushing any step creates problems downstream. Here's exactly what to expect.

Step 1: Free In-Home Consultation (Day 1)

Everything starts with a conversation in your home. This isn't a high-pressure sales pitch—it's a genuine assessment of your bathroom, your needs, and whether we're the right fit for your project.

What We Do During the Consultation

• Listen to your goals: What's driving the remodel? Aging in place? Outdated design? Functionality issues? Preparing to sell? Your goals determine the entire approach.
• Evaluate the existing bathroom: We examine the current layout, plumbing locations, electrical panel capacity, ventilation, window placement, and structural conditions. We check for hidden issues like water damage, mold, and subfloor deterioration.
• Take detailed measurements: Precise measurements are the foundation of accurate quoting and design. We measure everything—room dimensions, ceiling height, window sizes, door swing, and distance to the nearest water heater.
• Assess plumbing infrastructure: We identify pipe materials, check water pressure, evaluate drain conditions, and note any potential issues that could affect the project scope.
• Discuss budget range: We'll share realistic budget ranges for different levels of remodel based on your specific bathroom. This isn't a final quote—it's a framework to ensure we're aligned on expectations before investing time in detailed design.
• Review inspiration: Bring photos, Pinterest boards, magazine clippings—anything that shows the style you're drawn to. This helps us understand your aesthetic preferences and recommend appropriate materials.

The consultation typically takes 60-90 minutes. At the end, you'll have a clear understanding of what your project involves, a preliminary budget range, and a sense of whether OakWood Remodel is the right partner for your renovation.

Step 2: Design and Material Selection (Weeks 1-2)

Once you decide to move forward, we begin the design phase. This is where your vision takes shape through specific layout plans, material choices, and detailed specifications.

Design Development

Our design process includes creating a detailed floor plan showing the proposed layout, fixture locations, and dimensions. For complex projects, we produce 3D renderings that let you "see" your finished bathroom before any construction begins. These renderings are invaluable for making confident decisions about layout, proportions, and material combinations.

Material Selection Session

We schedule a dedicated material selection session where you choose tile, countertops, vanity, fixtures, hardware, and accessories. We guide you through options at various price points, explaining the pros and cons of each choice. Many clients find this the most enjoyable part of the process—it's when the bathroom truly becomes "yours."

Key material decisions include:

• Tile: Floor tile, wall tile, shower tile, accent tile, and trim pieces
• Countertop: Quartz, granite, marble, or solid surface
• Vanity: Style, size, configuration, and finish
• Fixtures: Faucets, shower system, toilet, and accessories
• Hardware: Finish, style, and placement for knobs, pulls, and towel bars
• Lighting: Vanity lights, recessed can placement, and any accent lighting
• Shower enclosure: Frameless glass, semi-frameless, or shower door style

We strongly recommend finalizing all material selections before construction begins. This prevents costly delays from backorders and ensures your budget is locked in before demolition starts.

Step 3: Contract and Pre-Construction (Week 2-3)

With the design finalized and materials selected, we prepare a comprehensive contract that details every aspect of the project.

What's in the Contract

• Detailed scope of work: Every task listed, from demolition to final cleanup
• Material specifications: Exact products, colors, quantities, and supplier information
• Project timeline: Start date, phase durations, and estimated completion date
• Payment schedule: Milestone-based payments tied to completed work phases
• Change order process: How modifications are handled if you want adjustments during construction
• Warranty terms: Coverage details for workmanship and materials
• License and insurance documentation: Our California Contractor's License #1125321 and current insurance certificates

Pre-Construction Preparation

During this phase, we also handle permit applications with Placer County or Sacramento County (as applicable), order all materials to ensure they arrive before construction begins, and schedule the project on our construction calendar. We'll provide you with a pre-construction checklist including clearing personal items from the bathroom and identifying your alternate bathroom for the construction period.

Step 4: Demolition Day (Construction Day 1-2)

Demolition day is when the transformation begins. It's also the most disruptive day of the project, so we take extra care to protect your home and minimize the impact on your daily life.

The construction phase involves careful demolition, plumbing rough-in, and waterproofing—all critical steps that ensure a lasting, quality bathroom renovation.

Our Protection Protocol

• Floor runners from the entry door to the bathroom to protect your flooring
• Plastic sheeting and zip walls to contain dust within the work area
• Moving blankets on door frames and hallway walls to prevent damage during material transport
• A dedicated debris removal plan—we never leave demolition waste overnight

What Happens During Demolition

The demolition team removes all existing fixtures, tile, vanity, toilet, and any items being replaced. Depending on the project scope, this may include removing drywall or cement board down to the studs in shower areas. The bathroom is stripped to its bare structure, giving us a clean canvas and the opportunity to inspect the framing, subfloor, and plumbing for any hidden issues.

This is a critical inspection point. If we discover water damage, mold, or deteriorated framing during demolition, we document it with photos and discuss the findings with you immediately. Any necessary repairs are addressed before construction proceeds.

Step 5: Rough-In Work (Construction Days 3-5)

Rough-in is the behind-the-walls work that most homeowners never see but is critical to a successful remodel. This phase includes plumbing, electrical, and any structural modifications.

Plumbing Rough-In

Our licensed plumber relocates or installs water supply lines, drain lines, and vent pipes according to the approved design. If you're converting from a tub to a walk-in shower, this involves rerouting the drain from the tub location to the new shower position, installing a new shower valve, and ensuring proper pipe sizing for adequate water pressure.

Electrical Rough-In

Our electrician installs or relocates circuits for lighting, exhaust fan, GFCI outlets, heated flooring (if applicable), and any other electrical requirements. All bathroom outlets are GFCI-protected as required by California Electrical Code. We also pre-wire for any smart features like motion-sensing lights or built-in Bluetooth speakers.

County Inspection

After rough-in is complete, a county building inspector visits to verify that all plumbing and electrical work meets current building codes. This inspection must pass before we can proceed to the next phase. We coordinate the inspector's visit and are present during the inspection to address any questions immediately.

Step 6: Waterproofing and Substrate (Construction Days 6-8)

This is arguably the most important phase of the entire project. Proper waterproofing prevents the water damage issues that plague poorly executed bathroom remodels for years after completion.

Our Waterproofing Process

We install cement board on all shower walls and floor areas, followed by a complete waterproof membrane system (Schluter-KERDI or equivalent). Every seam, corner, penetration point, and transition is sealed. The shower floor is built with a proper pre-slope toward the drain, followed by a waterproof liner or bonded membrane system. We document the waterproofing installation with photographs that become part of your permanent project file—proof that this critical step was done correctly.

For shower floors, we perform a flood test: filling the shower pan with water and monitoring it for 24 hours to verify there are no leaks before any tile is installed. This extra step catches any waterproofing issues when they're easy and inexpensive to fix, rather than after thousands of dollars of tile has been installed.

Step 7: Tile and Finish Installation (Construction Days 9-15)

With the infrastructure complete and waterproofing verified, the finish work begins. This is when the bathroom starts to take recognizable shape and the design vision comes to life.

Tile Installation

Our tile installers have years of dedicated experience in bathroom tile work. The process involves setting floor tile first (establishing the critical slope and drainage pattern), followed by wall tile, then shower tile. Accent patterns, niches, and decorative elements are carefully measured and laid out to ensure symmetry and visual balance.

After the tile sets, grout is applied to all joints. Grout color significantly affects the overall look—we help you choose a color during the material selection phase and apply a small test area for your approval before grouting the entire bathroom. All grout is sealed with a penetrating sealer to resist staining and simplify future cleaning.

Vanity and Countertop Installation

The vanity is set in position, leveled, and secured to the wall studs. The countertop is templated (if stone or quartz) and installed with under-mount sinks. Plumbing connections are made, and everything is tested for leaks. This is also when mirrors, medicine cabinets, and vanity lighting are installed.

Step 8: Fixture Installation and Final Details (Construction Days 16-18)

The final construction phase brings all the finishing touches together—this is when your bathroom truly comes to life.

The final reveal moment—when all fixtures are installed, grout is sealed, glass is polished, and your new bathroom is ready for its first use.

What Gets Installed

• Toilet: Set with wax ring seal, connected to water supply, and tested
• Shower glass: Frameless or semi-frameless glass panels are professionally measured, templated, and installed by a glazier specializing in shower enclosures
• Shower trim: Shower valve handle, shower head, handheld, and any body sprays
• Faucets: Vanity faucets installed and connected
• Accessories: Towel bars, robe hooks, toilet paper holder, and any other hardware
• Exhaust fan: Final connection and testing
• Paint: Final coat of paint on walls and ceiling
• Caulking: All transitions between tile and fixtures receive a clean, professional caulk line using color-matched, mildew-resistant silicone caulk
• Threshold: Door threshold installed if applicable

Quality Control Checklist

Before scheduling the final walkthrough, our project manager conducts an internal quality control inspection using a comprehensive 50-point checklist. This covers everything from tile alignment and grout consistency to fixture operation and caulk quality. Any items that don't meet our standards are addressed before you see the finished bathroom.

Step 9: Final Walkthrough and Handoff (Final Day)

The final walkthrough is our favorite part of the process—it's the moment when you see your completed bathroom for the first time. We walk through the entire space together, demonstrating how everything works and pointing out the craftsmanship details that make your bathroom special.

What Happens During the Walkthrough

• Full demonstration: We show you how every fixture operates, including shower controls, faucets, and any smart features
• Punch list review: We walk through the space together and note any items you'd like adjusted—a touch-up paint spot, a loose towel bar, anything at all
• Care instructions: Specific guidance on cleaning and maintaining your new tile, grout, countertop, fixtures, and glass
• Warranty documentation: A complete packet including our workmanship warranty, manufacturer warranties for all fixtures and materials, and a record of all products used
• Project photos: Waterproofing documentation, before/during/after photos for your records
• Final inspection: We coordinate the county final inspection to close out the permit

Once you're satisfied with everything—and only then—we consider the project complete. Any punch list items are addressed within 48 hours.

Complete Timeline Overview

Communication Throughout the Process

Throughout the entire project, you'll receive daily updates during the construction phase via text, email, or phone—whichever you prefer. Our project manager is your single point of contact for questions, schedule updates, and any decisions that need to be made. You'll never wonder what's happening with your project or have to chase down information.

We also provide photo updates at key milestones so you can see progress even when you're away from home. And you're always welcome to visit the job site during working hours—we believe in complete transparency and want you to feel confident in every step of the process.

Frequently Asked Questions