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The Free Bathroom Planner
& Remodel Checklist

Plan and budget your bathroom remodel the easy way. Work through a complete selection checklist — shower, vanity, faucets, flooring, lighting, tub and storage — with expert guidance on every choice. Your plan saves automatically, so you can come back anytime.

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This free bathroom planner walks you through every decision in a bathroom remodel — a complete checklist for your shower, vanity, faucets, flooring, lighting, bathtub and storage, plus budgeting and the questions to ask any contractor. Check the options you're drawn to, get expert guidance, and save your plan to pick up anytime. No sign-up, no pressure.

Let's beginYour space
Plan Your Space

📐 Measure Your Space

Why this helpsYou don't need exact measurements — rough numbers are plenty. Having them ready makes your in-home estimate faster and more accurate, and helps us flag early whether your dream layout will fit. Tip: measure wall-to-wall at the floor, and note where the window, door, and existing plumbing sit.
The fun partChoose what you love
Where your day begins

🚿 Shower

Keep in mindThink about who uses the shower and how. A curbless, barrier-free design is smartest if anyone may age in place. Frameless glass looks open and modern but costs more and shows water spots — a framed door or curtain is budget-friendly. Plan a niche for soap and shampoo, and consider water pressure before adding multiple heads.
Your morning station

🚰 Vanity

Keep in mindBalance storage against floor space. Double vanities are great for shared baths but need about 60" of wall. Floating vanities feel open and make the floor easier to clean; furniture-style adds character. Consider "comfort height" (~36") counters, drawers vs. doors, and your sink type — undermount is easiest to clean, vessel sinks make a statement but splash more.
The finishing touches

💧 Faucets & Fixtures

Keep in mindPick one finish and carry it through the whole room — faucet, shower trim, lighting, and hardware — for a cohesive look. Matte black and brushed gold are on-trend; chrome and brushed nickel are timeless and hide water spots and fingerprints best. Widespread faucets suit larger vanities; single-handle is simplest. Look for WaterSense-labeled models to save water.
Underfoot

🟫 Flooring

Keep in mindBathroom floors need to be water- and slip-resistant. Porcelain tile is the durability gold standard; large-format tile means fewer grout lines to clean. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is warmer underfoot and more budget-friendly. Heated floors are a popular Minnesota upgrade and are easiest (and cheapest) to add during a remodel. Choose a matte or textured finish for grip when wet.
Set the mood

💡 Lighting & Ventilation

Keep in mindLayer your lighting. Light the vanity from the sides (sconces or a backlit mirror are most flattering — overhead-only light casts shadows), add recessed cans for ambient light, and an accent or natural source. Put everything on dimmers, keep a consistent warm color temperature (2700–3000K), and make sure fixtures over wet areas are damp/wet-rated. Don't skip a quiet, properly sized exhaust fan.
Soak it in

🛁 Bathtub

Keep in mindKeep at least one tub in the home for resale, even if it isn't your main bath. Freestanding soaking tubs are a luxury focal point but need floor space and a water heater that can actually fill them. Walk-in tubs add accessibility. If you rarely take baths, a larger walk-in shower may be a better use of the space — alcove tubs are the most budget-friendly option.
A place for everything

🧴 Shower Shelving & Storage

Keep in mindBuilt-in storage keeps the shower clutter-free. A recessed tile niche is the cleanest look — plan its height for the main user and place it away from the direct water spray, with a slight slope for drainage. A built-in bench doubles as seating (great for shaving or accessibility) and pairs well with a curbless design. Match the niche tile to the walls, or use an accent tile to make it pop.
Smart Planning

♿ Accessibility & Future-Proofing

Few remodelers ask this — but you'll be glad you didEven if you don't need these now, several are nearly free to add during a remodel and very expensive to add later. The big one: have us install blocking (solid backing) inside the walls so grab bars can be added anytime without opening the wall again. Check anything you'd like us to plan for.
Let's talk numbersYour budget
Your Budget

💰 Budgeting

Keep in mindAs a Twin Cities reference: an essential refresh starts around $12,000, most full remodels run $20,000–$45,000, and luxury or custom projects are $50,000+. Always set aside a 10–15% contingency for the surprises older homes can hide behind walls. Tile and labor are usually the biggest line items — splurging on a feature wall while keeping the rest simple is a smart way to stretch a budget.
  • Prefer a monthly payment? Try our financing calculator — projects start as low as $180.00/month.
  • Ask about phasing: some homeowners do the shower now and the vanity later.
  • Your in-home estimate will be exact and itemized — these ranges are just to help you plan.
Real Talk

🔍 What Actually Drives the Cost

The part most contractors won't break down for youMost of your budget is labor and tile — not the fixtures you pick off a shelf. The single biggest cost swing is whether the plumbing layout stays put. Knowing what moves the price lets you splurge where it matters and save where it doesn't.

↑ Tends to raise cost

  • Moving the toilet, sink, or shower drain (new plumbing)
  • Custom tile patterns, mosaics, and large feature walls
  • Frameless and oversized shower glass
  • Heated floors and detailed niche/bench tile
  • Natural stone and slab countertops
  • Structural or layout changes, moving walls

↓ Tends to save cost

  • Keeping the existing layout and plumbing
  • Standard-size tile with simple patterns
  • Acrylic / FlexStone walls instead of full tile
  • Quartz instead of natural stone
  • A prefab vanity vs. fully custom
  • Splurging on one feature, keeping the rest simple
Almost thereChoosing your pro
Know Before You Hire

❓ Questions to Ask Any Contractor

Ask us these — and ask everyone you talk toA contractor worth hiring welcomes every one of these and answers in writing. Check them off as you get a clear answer. If someone dodges, that tells you something.
Protect Yourself

🚩 Red Flags to Watch For

We'd rather you know this — even if you hire someone elseThe horror stories you've heard almost always start with one of these. If you see them, slow down.
  • No written, itemized contract — "trust me" pricing leaves you exposed.
  • No proof of license or insurance — ask to see it, and verify the license number with the state.
  • A vague, lump-sum bid — you can't compare it or hold anyone to it.
  • Pressure to "sign today" for a discount that disappears.
  • Cash-only with no paper trail.
  • A bid far below everyone else — usually means corners cut where you can't see, like waterproofing.
  • No local references from the past year.
No Surprises

🏚️ What Older Homes Can Hide & What to Expect

Honesty up front beats surprises laterOnce the old tile and walls come down, older Twin Cities homes sometimes reveal things no one could see during the estimate. This is exactly why we recommend a 10–15% contingency — so a surprise is a minor bump, not a crisis.
  • Hidden water damage, rot, or mold behind the old shower
  • Outdated galvanized or cast-iron plumbing worth replacing
  • Old or unsafe wiring near wet areas
  • Floors or walls that aren't level or square
  • Asbestos in very old flooring or insulation (more common pre-1980s)
Living through your remodelMost bathroom remodels take 1–3 weeks. We protect your floors and contain dust, keep water shut-offs brief and planned, and tell you each day what's happening next. If it's your only bathroom, ask us about sequencing to minimize downtime — and plan for pets and little ones to stay clear of the work area.
Speak the Language

📖 Quick Glossary

So nothing gets lost in translationA few terms you'll hear during your project — no jargon left unexplained.
Curbless / zero-threshold
A shower with no step to get in — sleek, easy to clean, and accessible.
Niche
A recessed shelf built into the shower wall for soap and shampoo.
Comfort height
Vanities (~36") and toilets set a little taller for easier use.
Undermount sink
A sink mounted below the counter for a seamless, easy-to-wipe edge.
LVP
Luxury vinyl plank — durable, waterproof, and warmer underfoot than tile.
Waterproof membrane
The hidden layer behind tile that actually keeps water out — the part cheap jobs skip.
Backer board
The moisture-resistant board tile is set on, instead of regular drywall.
Rough-in
The behind-the-wall plumbing and electrical done before the finishes go on.
Escutcheon
The decorative plate covering the hole where a faucet or valve meets the wall.

Save & Send Your Plan

Your selections already save automatically on this device. Add your info below to send your plan to us for a free, no-pressure consultation — or print it for your own records.

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Bathroom Planner FAQs

Is this bathroom planner free?

Yes. Our bathroom planner is 100% free with no sign-up required. Your plan saves automatically in your browser, and you can print it or send it to us anytime.

How do I plan a bathroom remodel?

Start by measuring your space and setting goals, gather inspiration, choose your selections (shower, vanity, faucets, flooring, lighting, tub and storage), set a budget with a contingency, and line up a licensed contractor. This free planner walks you through each step with expert guidance.

What should be on a bathroom remodel checklist?

A complete bathroom remodel checklist covers your shower, vanity, faucets and fixtures, flooring, lighting and ventilation, bathtub, and shower storage — plus accessibility planning, budget and financing, and the questions to ask your contractor.

How much does a bathroom remodel cost?

In the Twin Cities, an essential refresh starts around $12,000, most full remodels run $20,000–$45,000, and luxury or custom projects are $50,000+. Financing is available as low as $180.00/month.

Can I save my bathroom plan?

Yes. Your selections save automatically in your browser so you can return anytime on the same device. You can also print or save it as a PDF, or send it to Premium Bathrooms for a free, no-pressure consultation.