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Bathroom Remodeling in Michigan

In Michigan, we plan bathroom remodeling projects in Detroit and Grand Rapids. A bathroom remodel replaces fixtures and finishes and fixes what sits behind them: plumbing, waterproofing, subfloor and ventilation. It can be an update in the same footprint, a tub-to-shower conversion, or a full gut with a new layout. Because a bathroom handles water every day, the work you cannot see matters as much as the tile. It is worth doing when fixtures leak or fail, grout and caulk keep breaking down, the room is hard to use, or someone in the home needs safer access.
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Mid-century modern bathroom in an Ann Arbor-area home with a walnut floating vanity, clerestory window and terrazzo-look floor.
Illustrative image

Michigan context

Planning bathroom remodeling in Michigan

  1. One construction code, enforced locally

    Michigan's construction code act and code apply throughout the state. A city, village or township can take on enforcement by ordinance. Where it does not, a county that administers the code may step in, and otherwise the state does. That is why the permit office for a project can be a city, a county or the state.

  2. Homes still use the 2015 residential code

    One- and two-family homes and townhouses up to three stories are built under the 2015 Michigan Residential Code. Updated residential and energy rules based on the 2021 editions were set to start in August 2025, but they are on hold because of a builders' lawsuit, which was still listed as ongoing in September 2026. Commercial buildings moved to the 2021 Michigan Building Code in 2025. Confirm the edition in force with the building department when you apply.

  3. Three energy-code climate zones

    Michigan's energy code climate table puts the state in zones 5A, 6A and 7. Southern Lower Peninsula counties such as Wayne, Macomb, Kent, Washtenaw, Ingham, Kalamazoo and Genesee are 5A, Grand Traverse and Marquette are 6A, and Houghton is 7. Residential energy rules are based on the 2015 IECC with Michigan amendments. Commercial energy rules are based on the 2021 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2019, effective April 2025.

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Permits

Bathroom work that moves or adds plumbing, adds electrical circuits or fixtures, changes ventilation or alters walls commonly needs a permit and inspections. Replacing a vanity or toilet in the same location may not. Rules differ by jurisdiction, so the local building department confirms what is required for your project.

Contractor licensing

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)

Michigan licenses residential builders and residential maintenance and alteration contractors under Article 24 of the Occupational Code, which LARA administers. The license applies to paid construction, remodeling, repair or demolition work on a residential structure, meaning a one- or two-family home or a townhouse up to three stories. The law exempts some work, including jobs under $600 in total value (unless the job is split up to evade the law) and owners working on a structure for their own use and occupancy. Electricians, plumbers and mechanical contractors are licensed separately under the Skilled Trades Regulation Act. Article 24 is written for residential structures, so for commercial work, ask the building department what contractor credentials it checks at permit time. Before you hire anyone, look up the company and license type in LARA's MiPLUS license search.

Check a contractor’s status (opens the official Michigan site in a new tab)

Building permits

Permits in Michigan

Building permits in Michigan come from the city, village or township that enforces the state code, or from the county or state where the local unit does not. For example, Grand Traverse County issues building permits for most of the county, while Garfield Township issues its own. Cities such as Grand Rapids issue a building permit plus separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits, and Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor let property owners apply for their own permits. Local historic district rules can add a review step before exterior permits. Permit needs vary by address and scope, so they are confirmed during planning, before work is scheduled.

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What’s included

Bathroom Remodeling in Michigan: scope and options

  • Demolition down to studs and subfloor where the condition calls for it
  • Shower and tub installation, including tub-to-shower conversions
  • Waterproofing behind tile in showers and other wet areas
  • Floor, wall and shower tile installation
  • Vanity, sink, toilet and faucet installation
  • Exhaust fan installation or replacement, vented to the outdoors
  • Plumbing and electrical updates coordinated with licensed trades where required
  • Wall blocking for grab bars, plus lighting, mirrors and accessories

Common options

Tub, shower or both
Keep a tub for bathing, convert to a walk-in shower for easier access, or install a tub and shower combination.
Shower base
A prefabricated pan installs quickly and simply. A tiled base allows custom sizes and low or curbless entries but involves more steps.
Wall surfaces
Tile, solid-surface panels or acrylic surrounds. Panels have few grout lines to clean, while tile offers more design choice.
Vanity style
Freestanding, wall-hung or built-in, with one or two sinks, sized to the storage you need and the space around it.
Accessibility features
Grab bars, a handheld shower, a bench, lever handles and a comfort-height toilet can be installed now or planned with wall blocking for later.

What this service does not cover

  • Remediation of widespread mold, which is handled by remediation specialists
  • Asbestos or lead-based paint abatement, which is handled by certified specialists
  • Replacing main water or sewer lines outside the bathroom
  • Repairs to water damage in rooms below the bathroom, unless added to the scope in writing

Budget planning

What affects cost

  • Layout changes

    Moving the toilet, shower or drains means more plumbing and floor work than keeping fixtures in place.

  • Shower type

    Custom tiled showers with niches, benches or curbless entries take more labor than prefabricated units.

  • Tile selection

    Tile size, material, pattern and how much of the walls are covered all affect labor and materials.

  • Subfloor and framing condition

    Water-damaged subfloor or framing has to be repaired before new finishes can go in.

  • Ventilation

    Adding or rerouting an exhaust fan so it vents outdoors can require work through walls, ceilings or the attic.

  • Fixtures and glass

    Shower valve types, specialty fixtures and custom glass doors vary widely.

  • Access and staging

    Tight rooms, upper floors and homes with only one bathroom affect how the work is sequenced.

Scheduling

What affects the schedule

  • Whether this is the only bathroom in the home
  • Custom shower glass, which is measured after tile is complete
  • Special-order vanities, tile and fixtures
  • Inspection timing for plumbing and electrical rough-in
  • Drying and curing time for waterproofing, mortar and grout
  • Water damage found after demolition

How to prepare

  • If this is your only bathroom, arrange another place to shower during the key stages
  • Remove toiletries, towels, rugs and anything stored in the vanity
  • Choose tile, vanity and fixtures early so they arrive before demolition
  • Note any current leaks, ceiling stains in the room below, or soft spots in the floor
  • Think about future needs, such as grab bars or a step-free shower

Process

How Bathroom Remodeling Projects Work

  1. 1

    Consult

    We look at the room, check for signs of leaks and soft spots in the floor, and talk through who uses the bathroom and how. Storage and accessibility needs come up here.

  2. 2

    Plan

    We settle the layout, tub or shower, tile, fixtures and ventilation, and write down the scope. Fixtures and tile are selected and ordered before demolition so the room is not left open waiting on materials.

  3. 3

    Build

    Demolition, plumbing and electrical rough-in, and inspections come first. Waterproofing is installed and checked before tile covers it, followed by fixtures, glass and trim.

  4. 4

    Enjoy

    A final walkthrough covers how fixtures and the fan work and how to care for grout, stone and glass. Punch-list items are completed before closeout.

Service areas

Where we plan bathroom remodeling projects in Michigan

Availability is confirmed for each project address before anything is scheduled.

Other communities

Related services in Michigan

Questions

Bathroom Remodeling FAQs

Can I convert my tub to a walk-in shower?

In most bathrooms, yes. The drain location, floor framing and wall conditions decide how simple it is. A low or curbless entry takes more floor work than a shower with a standard curb.

Why does waterproofing matter if tile resists water?

Grout and many tile materials let some water pass through over time. A waterproofing layer behind the tile keeps that water out of the walls and subfloor, where it would otherwise cause rot and mold.

Do I need a bathroom exhaust fan?

A fan that vents outdoors removes moisture that would otherwise collect on walls, ceilings and inside cabinets, leading to peeling paint and mold. Whether a fan is required depends on local code and whether the room has a window that opens.

What if this is my only bathroom?

The work can be sequenced to limit how long the toilet and sink are out of service, but there will be stretches without a working shower. Decide where you will shower during those stages before work starts.

Should I choose a prefabricated shower or tile?

Prefabricated units install faster and have few seams to clean. Tile gives more size, shape and design choices and allows niches and benches. Both perform well when installed correctly.

Can grab bars be added later?

Yes, if solid blocking is installed inside the walls during the remodel. Adding blocking while walls are open is simple compared with cutting into finished tile later.

Ready to Plan Bathroom Remodeling in Michigan?

Share the scope and the address. We'll confirm availability and follow up to talk through options and next steps.

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