Bathroom Remodel San Antonio | Full Remodels, Priced First

Bathroom remodeling in San Antonio

A full remodel takes the room back to the studs and rebuilds it around a new shower or tub, with the plumbing and wiring that layout needs. Tell us what you want changed and an independent local remodeler calls you back to measure.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Sources listed at the end

A bathroom with two sinks, a toilet and a glass shower

A second sink needs its own drain and supply lines, which is plumbing work. Photo: Clay Banks / Unsplash

What a full remodel usually covers

Demolition down to the studs and subfloor. This is where an older San Antonio bathroom shows what it has: a mortar-bed floor, cast iron drain lines, galvanized supply pipe or a soft subfloor around the toilet.
Rough plumbing. New supply lines, a new shower valve, and drains moved if the layout changes. In Texas this is licensed plumbing work. Under Texas Occupations Code Section 1301.351, a person may not do plumbing work without the proper state license, and the work must be supervised by a licensed plumber. Anyone who advertises plumbing must secure the services of a responsible master plumber.
Electrical. GFCI outlets, lighting, an exhaust fan vented outside, and a heated floor if you want one. Texas Occupations Code Section 1305.151 bars anyone without a state electrical license from doing electrical work or offering to do it.
Waterproofing and the shower. A membrane behind tile, or a prefab pan and wall system. Tile or prefab?
Finishes. Tile and the vanity first. Glass and paint go in last.

What it costs

Job	Published range	Source
Bathroom remodel, typical project	$6,000 to $18,000, $12,000 average	Fixr, Jan 2026
Cosmetic refresh (paint, fixtures, vanity)	$2,400 to $10,000	Fixr, Jan 2026
Full gut remodel	$9,000 to $30,000	Fixr, Jan 2026
Primary bathroom	$7,000 to $30,000	Fixr, Jan 2026
Half bath or powder room	$1,200 to $15,000	Fixr, Jan 2026

National published ranges, not a San Antonio average and not a quote.

The price moves most with three choices: whether any fixture moves, what kind of shower you build, and how much tile goes on the walls. Full cost guide.

Permits in San Antonio

The City of San Antonio says a building permit is typically required to build or remodel a structure, with a few exceptions for some general repairs. The city's No Permit Required list includes cabinets and countertops. Flooring and tiling are on it too, as are painting and drywall repair. A full remodel nearly always includes plumbing or electrical work, so expect permits and inspections. To pull a permit for non-structural remodeling inside San Antonio city limits, a contractor must be registered with the city as a Home Improvement Contractor. Permit guide.

The city issued 4,943 residential repair permits in the 12 months to October 23, 2026. See where.

What to ask before you sign

Is the price itemized: demolition, plumbing, electrical, shower, tile, fixtures, permits, haul-off?
How are surprises behind the wall priced? Get a per-sheet or per-foot price for subfloor and pipe repair in writing.
Who is the licensed plumber and the licensed electrician, and what are their license numbers? (How to check them.)
Who pulls the permits, and when are the inspections?
What written warranty covers the work, and for how long?

Questions San Antonio homeowners ask

Can I keep the tub and just redo everything else?

Yes. Keeping the tub where it is, or replacing it in the same spot, avoids moving the drain and is one of the easiest ways to hold the price down. Ask the remodeler to price the tub surround separately so you can compare tile with a panel system.

Do I have to move out during a bathroom remodel?

Usually not, if the house has another bathroom. If it is your only bathroom, ask for a written schedule that shows how many days you will be without a working toilet and shower.

Do I need a designer?

Not for most hall baths. For a primary bath with a new layout, a remodeler with design help, or a separate designer, can save money by settling the layout before the walls are open.