Skip to content
Get estimate
Request an estimate

Bathroom remodeling in Richardson, TX

A lot of bathroom remodeling in Richardson, TX happens inside a room about five feet wide. Many of the city's ranch homes from the 1950s through the 1970s have a compact hall bath that's done its job for decades. When you have that little space, every inch has to be planned.

Request an estimate in Richardson
Bright bathroom with a marble-tiled shower, a wood vanity with a marble top and a round brass mirror.

Walking through a mid-century Richardson bath

Start at the tub. In many of these homes it's a cast-iron tub set in an alcove, with tile running up the walls around it. Cast iron is tough, but the enamel wears thin and chips over time, and the tile around it may have been regrouted or caulked more than once.

Turn to the walls. Some baths still have their original tile, sometimes in pink, green, blue or yellow. Older tile was often set in a thick mortar bed, which makes it sturdy but heavy, and harder to remove than modern tile.

Look at the vanity. It's often narrow, with one sink, a single door and maybe a medicine cabinet above it. The light is frequently one fixture over the mirror or in the ceiling, which leaves your face in shadow.

Then there's what's behind it all. Homes from this era may still have galvanized steel water lines or cast-iron drains, sometimes partly replaced over the years. Galvanized pipe can corrode from the inside, which shows up as low water pressure or rusty water. Cast-iron drains under a slab can crack with age.

Talk through your Richardson bathroom

Tell us what isn't working. We'll call to talk it over and set up a visit if it's a fit.

Request an estimate

Planning a small bath that works

In a room this size, the layout usually stays put. The tub, toilet and sink are already in the only spots that really fit. What changes is what goes in each spot and how well it's built.

Many people keep a tub because it's the only one in the house. Others turn the alcove into a walk-in shower with a clear glass panel, which makes the room feel bigger right away. Either way, a modern waterproofing layer goes behind the new tile, which the original walls didn't have.

Storage gets creative. A recessed niche between the wall studs, a vanity with drawers instead of a door, a mirror cabinet set into the wall. Larger tile with fewer grout lines keeps cleaning easier and helps the room look less busy.

Older pipes are the biggest unknown. When the walls are open, it often makes sense to replace the old supply lines in that room. Drains under the slab are harder to judge, so a plumber may suggest a camera inspection before work starts.

We see the room before pricing anything and put the scope in writing, with any likely surprises called out so you're not caught off guard.

What to plan for in Richardson bathrooms

Mortar-bed tile walls

Original tile set in a thick mortar bed comes out in heavy chunks and can take the wall surface with it. Plan on the walls around the tub being rebuilt before new tile goes up.

Galvanized supply lines

Low pressure or brownish water can point to old galvanized pipe. Replacing the lines in the bathroom while the walls are open is often simpler than doing it later.

Cast-iron drains under the slab

Older cast-iron drains can crack or corrode. A camera inspection can show their condition before the new floor goes in, which is easier than finding a problem after.

Tight clearances

Small baths leave little room around the toilet and door swing. Fixture sizes, door style and vanity depth all need exact measuring, and a pocket door sometimes helps.

Bathroom ideas

View the gallery

Bathroom remodeling in Richardson: questions

Can you save my original colored tile?

Sometimes. If the tile is in good shape and you love it, the plan can work around it with a new vanity, fixtures and lighting. Matching broken pieces is hard, though, and old tile walls don't have modern waterproofing behind them. We'll give you an honest read on site.

Should I keep the tub in my only bathroom?

If it's the only tub in the house, many people keep one for small kids or resale. A new tub with a tiled surround and glass door can still feel very updated. If nobody in the house takes baths, a walk-in shower is an option. It's your call, and we'll talk it through.

Do I need to replace my old pipes when I remodel the bathroom?

Not always, but it's worth considering in a home this age. Supply lines in the bathroom walls are easy to reach during the remodel. Drains under the slab are harder, so a plumber may suggest a camera inspection first.

Can a cast-iron tub be refinished instead of replaced?

Often, yes, if it isn't badly rusted or cracked. Refinishing is a specialty job, and the result isn't as tough as the original enamel. If the walls around it are being rebuilt anyway, some people choose a new tub. We'll go over both options.

Bathroom remodeling nearby

Let's talk about your Richardson bathroom.

Answer a few questions about your kitchen or bathroom. It takes about two minutes. We'll call to talk it over and, if it makes sense, set up a time to come see the space.

Request an estimate
Marble-look island under glass pendants with dark stained cabinets in warm evening light.