Bathroom Remodeling in Wilmington, DE
Full Bath Remodels · Powder Room Installation · Vanity Replacement · Aging-in-Place Modifications · $3,500–$30,000 Project Range · Kerdi & Schluter Waterproofing · 1-Year Warranty
Bathroom remodeling at Precision Home Worx covers everything from a $350 vanity swap to a full from-the-studs primary bath rebuild at $30,000. Powder rooms, hall baths, primary baths, and aging-in-place modifications — all the same standards, just different scope. Kerdi or Schluter waterproofing on every shower installation, shut-off valves replaced at every connection, and drop cloths from your front door to the work area before any tools come out.
Jimmy Grubb has been remodeling Northern Delaware bathrooms for two decades. From Wilmington row-home half-baths squeezed into 25 square feet to Hockessin primary baths with frameless glass and large-format porcelain — the work is the same standard. Kohler, American Standard, Moen, and Delta fixtures. KraftMaid vanities where the budget supports semi-custom. Honest pricing, written estimates, and no surprise charges mid-project.
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Call (302) 321-3577 or get a free in-home estimate. Jimmy walks you through the bath, talks through what you actually want versus what you think you want, and gives you a written quote in about a week.
When Wilmington Homeowners Call About Their Bathroom
Most bathroom remodeling calls fit one of these:
Dated 1990s builder bath
Oak vanity with cultured-marble top, brass fixtures, mauve or hunter-green tile, builder-grade mirror. Common across Bear, Newark, and 1990s Wilmington developments. The whole bathroom works fine — it just looks 30 years old. Full remodel scope, typically $15,000–$25,000 for a hall bath.
Cracked tile or failed grout in the shower or floor
The tile is the symptom; the waterproofing membrane behind it is usually the actual problem. Floor tile cracking is often a subfloor flex issue — we open the floor, fix the substrate, then re-tile.
Vanity swap or replacement
Quick standalone job — old vanity out, new vanity + countertop + faucet in. Published at $350 for the install labor (vanity and parts extra). Most common upgrade for selling homes or refreshing a hall bath without a full remodel.
Powder room install or refresh
Half-baths in unused closet space, under-stair nooks, or basement finish-outs. Adding a powder room to a home without one is a featured specialty. Refreshing an existing one is a quick job — new vanity, new fixtures, paint, sometimes new flooring.
Aging-in-place modifications
Grab bars at standard ADA locations, slip-resistant flooring, curbless shower conversions, and comfort-height toilets. Common requests from Concord-area 55+ communities and homes preparing for an aging parent moving in.
Primary bath remodel — full scope
From-the-studs remodel of a primary bath. Often $20,000–$30,000 in Wilmington/Claymont; $25,000–$45,000 in Hockessin/Greenville/Chadds Ford with premium tile and frameless glass. The biggest scope on this page.
Local Conditions That Affect Bathroom Remodels in Northern Delaware
Bathrooms reflect their era more than any other room. The 1920 Wilmington row home, the 1950 Westover Hills ranch, the 1990 Bear development, and the 2010 Hockessin custom build each have completely different bathroom realities — and very different remodel constraints.
Pre-1978 Wilmington row-home baths
Original Wilmington row-home baths are small — often 25 to 35 square feet — with plaster walls, original cast-iron tub, hex-tile floor, and a single small window. Plaster demos differently than drywall (it cracks in chunks and creates heavier dust). Cast iron tubs are heavy enough that we coordinate removal carefully — sometimes breaking them out in pieces if the doorway is too narrow. Pre-1978 also triggers EPA lead-paint protocols on any wall surface disturbed during demo.
Premium Brandywine Hundred primary baths
Hockessin, Greenville, Centreville, Chadds Ford, and Garnet Valley primary baths typically range from 80–120 square feet, with separate tub and shower areas, double vanities, water closets, and high-end fixtures. The remodel work itself is more involved (more fixtures, more tile, more plumbing connections), but the design tier and budget reflect the market — typically $30,000–$50,000 vs. $15,000–$25,000 for a hall bath in the same home.
Polybutylene supply lines (1985–1995 builds)
Bear, Hockessin, Newark, and parts of Claymont built between 1985 and 1995 sometimes have polybutylene supply lines feeding bathroom fixtures. Poly degrades over time and fails at fittings. When we open the wall for a bathroom remodel and find poly, we recommend replacing the bathroom supply runs at the same time. Adds a few hundred dollars; saves a much bigger headache when a fitting eventually fails behind the new tile.
55+ communities and aging-in-place conversions
Concord-area Columbia Place, Village of Brandywine, Rockland Place, and Foulkstone Park serve a substantial 55+ population. Aging-in-place bathroom conversions in these communities make up a meaningful share of our work — typically including grab bars at ADA locations, comfort-height toilet replacement, curbless shower conversion, and slip-resistant flooring. Mobility considerations drive every layout decision.
Pre-1978 plumbing — galvanized supply and cast-iron drain
Older Wilmington row homes often have galvanized steel supply lines and cast-iron drain stacks. Galvanized supply pipes corrode internally, reducing flow. Replacing the sink without addressing low water pressure means the homeowner will still have the same complaint after the new faucet is installed. Cast iron drains are typically still serviceable but can crack if disturbed. We test pressure at the estimate visit and quote pipe replacement separately when the supply is the actual issue.
Our Reviews
What's Covered
Full Bathroom Remodel
From-the-studs or layout-preserved remodels. Demolition, framing repair, plumbing rework (in handyman scope.
Vanity Installation
Five common scopes:
Freestanding vanity — drop-in installation with standard plumbing connections
Wall-mounted vanity — requires framing reinforcement; $50–$100 in additional labor
Single-sink vanity — most common; $350 installation per published price
Double-sink vanity — primary baths; longer plumbing run, typically $500–$700 installation
Custom vanity — built-in or special-finish; quoted as carpentry-plus-plumbing
Toilet Replacement
Standard round-bowl toilet swap: $150–$300 published. Comfort-height elongated toilet: $850. Smart/bidet-combo toilet: $1,200. Shut-off valve replaced on every install.
Powder Room Installation
Half-baths in new locations (under stairs, in former closets, in finished basements) or a refresh of existing powder rooms. Sub-services: layout design, framing if new, electrical for vent and lighting, plumbing rough-in, drywall, flooring, vanity + sink + toilet, mirror, accessory installation, and final paint. Typical scope $5,000–$12,000 for a refresh; $15,000–$25,000 for an addition to a home that didn't previously have a half-bath.
Aging-in-Place Modifications
Grab bars at ADA-standard locations — $100 per grab bar installed. Common locations: vertical bar at shower entry, horizontal bar on the long shower wall, horizontal bar next to the toilet. Comfort-height toilet swaps ($150–$300 published).
Stairlift installation, wheelchair ramp construction, doorway widening, and walk-in tub installation aren't services we currently offer — we're happy to refer you to a Delaware accessibility specialist for those.
Bathroom Tile Work
Floor tile, accent tile, niche tile, mosaic accents. Avalon Flooring in Wilmington is our primary tile supplier.
What's NOT included: We don't do walk-in tub installation, stairlift installation, or wheelchair ramp construction — all n/a. We don't move gas lines (licensed plumber territory). We don't do full structural wall removal beyond simple openings.
Pricing
Bathroom remodel pricing varies with scope — from a $350 vanity swap to a $30,000+ primary bath rebuild. Below are typical ranges from real Precision Home Worx projects.
| Service | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vanity, top + faucet install (single sink) | $350 | Restrictions apply |
| Toilet replacement (standard) | $150–$300 | Restrictions apply |
| Grab bar installation (per bar) | $100 | ADA locations |
| Powder room refresh | $5,000–$12,000 | Existing footprint |
| Powder room addition (new location) | $15,000–$25,000 | Includes plumbing rough-in |
| Full hall bath remodel | $15,000–$25,000 | Mid-tier finishes |
| Primary bath remodel — entry tier | $20,000–$30,000 | Wilmington/Claymont |
| Primary bath remodel — premium tier | $30,000–$45,000 | Hockessin/Greenville/Chadds Ford |
What affects the price
Tile selection
Tile selection — subway vs. large-format porcelain vs. marble swings the budget $2,000+.
Fixture tier
Fixture tier — Kohler/Moen entry vs. premium brushed-brass or matte-black finishes.
Vanity tier
Vanity tier — stock vs. semi-custom KraftMaid vs. custom built-in.
Plumbing era
Plumbing era — pre-1978 galvanized or 1985–1995 polybutylene supply may need replacement.
Layout changes
Layout changes — moving the toilet or sink involves drain reroute and adds carpentry.
How Your Bathroom Remodel Actually Happens
Written estimate within a week
Itemized estimate: demolition, framing, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tile, vanity, fixtures, paint, accessories, and disposal. Each selection comes with a link to the exact product.
Plumbing + electrical rough-in (days 2–3)
Supply lines replaced (especially if poly or galvanized was found). The drain is inspected and rerouted if the layout changes. Shut-off valves replaced at every fixture connection. Electrical for vanity lights, vent fan, and outlets handled in the handyman scope.
Final walk-through and warranty
Plumbing pressure-tested. All fixtures operated. Tile inspected for grout completion. Drop cloths removed, work area cleaned, debris hauled away. You walk through with Jimmy at the end. One-year comprehensive warranty on workmanship and materials.
Order lead-times
Stock vanities and standard fixtures: 1–2 weeks. KraftMaid semi-custom vanities: 4–6 weeks. Quartz tops via Elegantly Set in Stone (Claymont): 10 days after template. Tile through Avalon Flooring is usually in stock.
Waterproofing + tile (days 3–6)
Floor tile is installed first, then the walls. Shower waterproofing on a tile shower follows the standard process — Kerdi or Schluter membrane behind every tile in the wet area.
Discovery meeting (in-home, free)
Jimmy walks into the bathroom with you. Booties on. Samples brought — tile boards, vanity finishes, fixture chips. You talk through what you want — keep the tub or convert to a shower? Single or double vanity? Aging-in-place considerations? — and what you absolutely don't want.
Demolition day
Drop cloths and runners from your entry to the bathroom before any tools come out. Old fixtures disconnected (water shut off at the main if needed). Tile, vanity, toilet, and mirrors are removed and hauled away. Framing inspected for rot or water damage — anything found gets quoted as a written change order before we proceed.
Vanity, toilet, and fixture install (days 6–8)
Vanity set, plumbed, and leveled. Toilet installed with a new supply line and shut-off valve. Faucet, towel bars, mirror, and accessories are all set. Grab bars (if requested) installed at ADA-standard heights.
Why Precision Home Worx for Your Bathroom
Bathroom Remodeling Is One of Our Top Three Services
Per Jimmy, bathroom remodeling is one of the top three most profitable services at Precision Home Worx. We do this every week across all home types in Northern Delaware, from 25-square-foot Wilmington row-home half-baths to 120-square-foot Hockessin primary baths.
Kerdi and Schluter Waterproofing on Every Shower Installation
Shower waterproofing isn't an upgrade — it's standard practice. Adding Kerdi or Schluter takes about an extra day of labor ($400–$600 in cost) over a no-membrane installation. Skipping it means the framing rots in 5–10 years.
Shut-Off Valves Replaced at Every Connection
Sink supply, toilet supply, shower valve — every fixture gets new shut-off valves. The valve adds 15 minutes and $25 in parts. Skipping it costs you $400 when the old valve fails 5 years later, and a plumber has to cut open your new tile.
Drop Cloths From Your Front Door to the Bathroom — Every Job
Bathrooms are typically the back of the house — often 30–40 feet of carpet and hardwood between the front door and the work area. We use about 200 square feet of canvas runners on a typical bath job, taped at the seams. The setup adds 30 minutes before any tools come out.
Real Brands Stocked at Every Plumbing Supplier
Kohler, American Standard, Moen, Delta. Parts available at every plumbing supplier in the region. When something breaks in 8 years, any local plumber can find a replacement cartridge in stock. Off-brand fixtures from big-box installers go end-of-life within 5 years and the parts disappear.
FREE Second Opinions on Outside Quotes
Already have a quote from a bath-remodel chain or another local contractor? Jimmy reviews it for free — walks through what's included, what's missing (waterproofing, shut-off valves, demo disposal typically don't show up in cheap quotes), and tells you straight whether the price is fair.
Powder Room vs. Hall Bath vs. Primary Bath — Three Different Renovation Scopes, Three Different Budgets
"Bathroom remodel" covers three completely different projects. The scope, the timeline, and the budget vary by a factor of 5x between them — and the wrong contractor will quote them all the same way. Understanding which bathroom you have before the estimate visit lets you discuss the budget candidly.
A powder room is the smallest scope. Typically, 15–25 square feet, single sink, single toilet, no tub or shower. A refresh scope (new vanity, new fixtures, new floor, paint) typically costs $5,000–$12,000 and takes 5–7 working days. Adding a powder room to a home that doesn't have one — into a former closet, an under-stair nook, or a basement finish — is much bigger work because it requires a new plumbing rough-in, often electrical for the vent fan, and new drywall and flooring. That addition scope runs $15,000–$25,000 and takes 2–3 weeks.
A hall bath is the middle scope. Typically 35–60 square feet, with a single-sink vanity, a toilet, and a tub or shower (sometimes both in a tub-shower combo). A full hall bath remodel typically costs $15,000–$25,000 and takes 7–10 working days. The variables are tile selection, vanity tier, and whether you are keeping or converting the tub. Hall baths in pre-1978 Wilmington row homes typically come in at the lower end of the range despite needing more plaster demo, because the footprint is smaller.
A primary bath is the largest scope. Typically 60–120 square feet, a double vanity, a separate tub and shower, sometimes a water closet, and premium tile and fixtures. Entry-tier primary bath remodels in Wilmington/Claymont run $20,000–$30,000. Premium primary baths in Hockessin, Greenville, Chadds Ford, and Garnet Valley typically run $30,000–$45,000 with large-format porcelain, frameless glass, and double quartz vanity counters from Elegantly Set in Stone. Timeline: 2–3 weeks.
The honest test: walk into your bathroom and ask, " Is there a shower or bathtub? If no — it's a powder room. If yes, and only one sink — it's a hall bath. If yes, and double sink with a separate tub and shower area — it's a primary bath. Knowing which one you have before the estimate visit means the conversation starts at the right scope and budget.
Real Precision Home Worx Bathroom Project
Case Study
Ashbourne Hills Bath + Kitchen Remodel (D.H.) "I can't say enough good things about James Grubb (Jimmy). His work is impeccable. He is so hardworking and is always professional. He single-handedly remodeled our bathroom, and it is beautiful. He also worked on the remodel of a complete new Kitchen. Great at carpentry, electrical, and plumbing. If you need any work done on your home, don't hesitate to call Precision Home Worx. Friendly, reliable, reasonably priced.
D.H.'s primary bath remodel featured a lighted mirror (the homeowner's favorite finished detail), full tile work, and a vanity replacement. Multi-room project (bath + kitchen) managed by Jimmy directly with no estimator handoff or sub-crew swap.
Brands & Partners
These are the bathroom brands Precision Home Worx installs:
Kohler — full line of vanity faucets, toilets, and accessories.
American Standard — mid-tier reliable toilet and faucet trim.
Moen — finish options across chrome, brushed nickel, and matte black.
Delta — Touch2O technology and standard vanity faucets.
KraftMaid — semi-custom vanities in the same finishes as our kitchen cabinets.
Stock Vanities — Lowe's, Home Depot, and local supply sources.
Custom Built-In Vanities — Jimmy's carpentry work.
Elegantly Set in Stone (Claymont) — quartz fabrication for vanity tops.
Avalon Flooring (Wilmington) — floor tile, accent tile, and mosaic
FAQs
Powder room refresh: 5–7 working days. Powder room addition (new location): 2–3 weeks. Hall bath full remodel: 7–10 working days. Primary bath remodel: 2–3 weeks. Timeline depends on tile selection complexity and whether structural or plumbing changes are needed.
Yes, for the bathroom being remodeled. If you have another bathroom in the house, you're fine. If this is your only bathroom, most homeowners arrange to stay with family during the high-disruption days (demo through tile work) or use a gym membership. We'll talk through the staging at the estimate.
Standard bath plumbing — supply lines, drain hookups, fixture install, shut-off valve replacement — we handle in handyman scope. Major plumbing work like rerouting a drain across joist bays or replumbing polybutylene supply runs is also in scope. We don't do tankless water heater installs or sewer main work.
No — walk-in tubs are not in our scope. For aging-in-place, our scope is grab bar installation ($100/bar), comfort-height toilet replacement, and curbless shower conversion. For walk-in tubs, we'll refer you to a Delaware specialist.
Yes — typical locations are under-stair closets, former coat closets, or basement finish-outs near an existing waste stack. Cost is driven mostly by how far the new plumbing must extend to tie into existing drains. Typical scope: $15,000–$25,000 for the addition.
That's the labor for a standard single-sink vanity swap on existing plumbing — published. The vanity itself, the countertop, the faucet, and parts are extra. Wall-mounted or double-sink vanities cost more because they require framing reinforcement or longer plumbing runs.
Not currently. We accept major credit cards, Zelle, checks, and cash. For projects over $5,000, standard terms are 50% on order, balance at completion.
Our work is backed by a one-year comprehensive warranty dated at the end of project completion. The warranty covers workmanship and the materials we supply. Manufacturer warranties on Kohler, American Standard, Moen, Delta fixtures, and KraftMaid vanities pass through directly to you.