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Bathroom Remodeling in Tennessee

In Tennessee, we plan bathroom remodeling projects in Nashville and Memphis. 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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Renovated mid-century Memphis ranch bathroom with sage-green tile, a white oak vanity, terrazzo-look floor and brushed-brass fixtures.
Illustrative image

Tennessee context

Planning bathroom remodeling in Tennessee

  1. State minimum codes, local enforcement in larger cities

    Tennessee's State Fire Marshal's Office sets statewide minimum codes. On April 17, 2025, the state moved to the 2021 International Building Code with state amendments, while homes remain under the 2018 International Residential Code. Cities approved as exempt jurisdictions, including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Jackson and Johnson City, do their own plan review and inspections for buildings that would otherwise need State Fire Marshal approval. They must adopt codes within seven years of the most current published edition, so the edition in force varies by city. Metro Nashville lists the 2024 International Codes, while Chattanooga, Clarksville and Johnson City list 2018 editions.

  2. Energy code and climate zones

    For homes, Tennessee's statewide energy code is the 2018 IECC with state amendments, in effect since July 16, 2020, and the commercial energy code moved to the 2021 IECC on April 17, 2025. On the 2018 map, 14 West Tennessee counties, including Shelby and Madison, are in climate zone 3A and the rest of the state is in zone 4A. The 2021 map moved 21 counties, including Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson and Hamilton, from zone 4A to 3A. Confirm the edition and zone your local building department applies before insulation, window and HVAC choices are made.

  3. Tornadoes and flash flooding

    On March 3, 2020, a tornado with a 60-mile path, the longest in Middle Tennessee since records began in 1950, reached EF-3 strength in East Nashville. In May 2010, 13.57 inches of rain fell at Nashville over two days and the Cumberland River crested at 52.55 feet. Plan roofing, windows and site drainage with storm exposure in mind, and check your address on FEMA's flood maps before planning additions, lower-level rooms or equipment locations.

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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

Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance)

Tennessee licenses contractors through the Board for Licensing Contractors, which also regulates home improvement contractors and limited licensed electricians and plumbers. A state contractor license is required for prime contractors on projects of $25,000 or more, for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC and roofing subcontractors doing $25,000 or more of work, and for masonry subcontractors when the masonry portion is $100,000 or more. Each license has a monetary limit per project, and projects may not be split into phases to get around the law. In Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford and Shelby counties, residential remodeling projects from $3,000 to $24,999 require a home improvement license. Some cities add their own contractor licensing, such as Metro Nashville. Before hiring anyone, look up the contractor's license and classification at verify.tn.gov and ask your local building department what it requires.

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

Building permits

Permits in Tennessee

Building permits in Tennessee come from local building departments or, where there is no local program, the State Fire Marshal's Office. The state residential permit program covers one- and two-family homes and townhouses in areas that have not opted out or been exempted; it applies to new construction and additions over 30 square feet, and renovations do not need a state permit. Larger cities, including Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Jackson and Johnson City, issue permits through their own building departments under the code editions they have adopted. Their rules can reach further than the state program: Metro Nashville and Clarksville, for example, also permit renovation work. What needs a permit depends on the jurisdiction and the scope of work, so Tennessee Construction Pros confirms the permit path with the local office during planning, before work is scheduled.

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What’s included

Bathroom Remodeling in Tennessee: 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 Tennessee

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

Other communities

Related services in Tennessee

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 Tennessee?

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

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