Bathroom Remodeling in Orange County & Los Angeles

A bathroom remodel is small in square feet but packed with work you'll never see again once it's done: waterproofing, drain slopes, valves, venting and electrical. That hidden work is what decides whether a new bathroom lasts. IA Builders is a licensed general contractor based in Culver City, remodeling bathrooms across Orange County and Los Angeles.

Bathroom remodels we do

Primary bathrooms

Larger showers, double vanities, freestanding tubs, better lighting and storage. Primary bath remodels often include moving fixtures or borrowing space from a closet, which we plan with the plumbing and framing in mind.

Guest and hall bathrooms

Durable, easy-to-clean finishes, a tub or shower that suits the people using it, and a vanity that fits the space.

Tub-to-shower conversions

Replacing a seldom-used tub with a walk-in shower is one of the most common requests we get. It involves new waterproofing, a properly sloped shower pan or a linear drain, and often a new valve.

Accessible and aging-in-place bathrooms

Curbless showers, wider doorways, blocking in the walls for grab bars, comfort-height toilets and slip-resistant tile. These can be built so they look like any well-designed bathroom.

What goes into a bathroom remodel

• Demolition down to the studs or subfloor where needed, so we can see and fix any water damage.
• Plumbing. New supply lines and drains where the old ones are failing, new valves, and relocated fixtures if the layout changes.
• Waterproofing. A continuous waterproof membrane in showers and wet areas, which matters more than the tile you choose.
• Ventilation. An exhaust fan vented to the outside, sized for the room, to keep moisture and mold out of the walls.
• Electrical. GFCI-protected outlets, vanity lighting, recessed lighting and heated floors if you want them.
• Tile, vanity, fixtures and glass. Floor and wall tile, vanity and countertop, toilet, shower glass, mirrors and accessories.

Our process

1. Site visit to look at the existing plumbing, the floor structure and how the room is used.
2. Layout and selections. Tile, vanity, fixtures and glass chosen early so they're on site when needed.
3. Permits for plumbing, electrical and any layout changes, plus HOA approval where required.
4. Demolition and rough work, inspected before walls close.
5. Waterproofing, tile and finishes.
6. Final walkthrough and city sign-off.

If you're remodeling more than one bathroom, or the kitchen as well, doing them in one project saves time and cost because the trades are already on site. See whole-home remodeling and kitchen remodeling.

What affects the cost

• Keeping fixtures in place or moving the toilet, shower and vanity
• Shower size, glass and whether it's curbless
• Tile choice and how much of the wall area is tiled
• Vanity, countertop and fixture selections
• Condition of the existing plumbing and subfloor
• Access, especially in condos and second-floor bathrooms

Frequently asked questions

How long does a bathroom remodel take?

A bathroom that keeps the same layout is one of the faster projects we do; moving fixtures, building a curbless shower or waiting on custom glass adds time. Permit inspections at the rough stage also set the pace. We give you a schedule with your estimate.

Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom?

If the work involves new plumbing, moving fixtures, electrical changes or a new exhaust fan, generally yes. We pull the permits the project needs and schedule the inspections.

Can you convert a tub to a walk-in shower?

Yes. It's one of the most common bathroom projects. If it's the only tub in the house, it's worth thinking about resale before removing it; we're happy to talk that through.

Do you remodel bathrooms in condos?

Yes. Condo bathrooms often need HOA approval, have rules on work hours and noise, and require extra care with shared plumbing stacks and the units below. We plan for that from the start.

How much do I pay upfront?

California caps the down payment on a home improvement contract at $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less. The rest is paid on the schedule written into your contract, and any change to price or scope needs a signed written change order.

Last reviewed October 2026