Bathroom-specific vetting
Ask about waterproofing systems and who performs tile work.
- In-house tile vs subcontracted
- Shower pan and membrane brand
- Ventilation to exterior — not just into attic
Bid comparison
Ensure each bid includes the same shower size, tile allowance, and fixture specs.
- Glass shower allowance
- Plumbing fixture brands and models
- Paint and ventilation scope
Ask to see a shower they waterproofed last year
A kitchen GC who “also does baths” may never have flood-tested a pan. You want someone who can name the membrane, the flood-test, and who grouts. Recent photos of their own wet-area work beat a truck wrap.
- Call a reference and ask whether the shower leaked in year one
- Ask who shows up when the glass company mis-measures
- A contractor who will not name the waterproofing brand is improvising
Ventilation is a hiring filter
A beautiful tile job with a fan that dumps into the attic is a mold job. Ask how they route duct, what CFM they spec for the room volume, and whether they will replace a builder fan that only rattles. That answer separates bath people from painters with a wet saw.
- Duct to outdoors, insulated in cold attics
- A humidity-sensing fan is cheap insurance in a windowless bath
- GFCI and a dedicated circuit for the fan/light combo should be on the bid