Shower Remodel Playbook: The Questions Pros Wish You’d Ask (Before Demo Day)
Behind the Build — by Alpha
Why the right questions matter
Most shower headaches start before demo—unclear scope, hidden water issues, or “we thought that was included.” Ask tight, practical questions and you’ll win three things: a cleaner scope, a realistic schedule, and a watertight shower that still looks good a year from now.
How to use this guide: These are the same questions we walk through with our clients—and the standards we hold ourselves to at Alpha.
Part 1 — Ask yourself (before you call anyone)
Goals & constraints
What problem are we solving first—leaks, layout, style, accessibility, or all of the above?
Must‑haves vs. nice‑to‑haves: niche, bench, handheld, rain head, steam, curbless.
Budget range: base / realistic / walk‑away.
Any timeline constraints—holidays, guests, travel?
Look & maintenance
Tile size/pattern? (Large‑format needs flatter walls and careful layout.)
Stone vs. porcelain? Stone looks rich but needs more care; porcelain is easier.
Grout type and color tolerance (epoxy = low maintenance; cement = more porous).
Accessibility
Is curbless important? It may require framing changes, lowering the subfloor, and a linear‑drain plan.
Part 2 — Ask your contractor (and what strong answers sound like)
Waterproofing (non‑negotiable)
Which system—sheet membrane, liquid, or foam board—and where does it start/stop?
Look for a named system and a clear plan: walls, niche, bench, curb, and pan all tied together.Flood‑test the pan before tile? How long?
24‑hour flood test is standard; longer is better.
Shower pan & slope
How is the pan built and sloped?
Expect about ¼″ per foot to the drain with proper drain height.
Curbless or curb
If curbless, what structural changes are needed?
Recessed floor, sistered joists, or a linear drain to control water at the entry.
Drain & plumbing
Are we relocating the drain/valves? If yes, what’s the plan for slab patching or framing and venting checks?
Penetrations & movement
How will you waterproof niches, valve penetrations, benches, and fasteners?
Where are movement joints planned? (They reduce cracking on larger tiled areas.)
Glass
When is glass measured and what’s the lead time?
Measured after tile; plan for 1–3 weeks before install.
Schedule
What are the milestones and sequence?
Typical: demo → rough plumbing/electrical → inspections (if required) → pan + waterproof → flood test → tile → grout → glass → punch list.
Allowances & exclusions
What’s included in your price vs. allowance vs. owner‑supplied?
Confirm tile, grout, thinset, drains, valves/trim, niche trim, and glass.What’s excluded? (Common: paint, baseboards, transitions, vent fan, drywall beyond wet area.)
Change orders
If I change tile/fixtures mid‑stream, how is pricing handled?
Simple change‑order form and a daily delay rate if the crew is waiting on decisions.
Protection & cleanup
How will you protect adjacent floors and control dust?
What’s the daily cleanup standard and the final haul‑off plan?
Warranty & documentation
What’s your labor warranty, and do you photo‑document waterproofing before tile?
Get the warranty in writing, and make sure the shower pan and waterproofing are explicitly covered.
Part 3 — Compare bids (without getting burned)
Line items over lump sums. Quantities in writing: tile SF/LF, pan type, niche/bench count, glass, drain type, plumbing moves.
Waterproofing called out by brand/system. Make it a line item; include flood‑test notes.
Allowances that match your taste. A $250 “shower trim” allowance won’t cover luxury fixtures.
Schedule assumptions. Custom glass usually adds 1–3 weeks.
Change‑order language. Clear forms + clear rates = fewer “gotchas.”
Part 4 — Curbless showers: gorgeous, but plan for them
Structure: lowering the pan or recessing joists may be required.
Drain strategy: linear drains simplify slope and reduce tile cuts at the entry.
Water containment: plan glass layout and opening width on day one.
Continuous waterproofing: pan, walls, and entry must be one system.
Part 5 — Aftercare that protects your warranty
Use the cleaner the tile/grout manufacturer recommends (skip harsh acids).
Squeegee glass and wipe corners; run the fan during and after showers.
If something looks off, take photos and email your contractor—small issues are easiest to fix early.
Why partners matter (and who we trust)
A contractor with trusted vendor partners saves you time, reduces order errors, and keeps quality high. We don’t hand you a shopping list and wish you luck—we connect you with the exact people who make selections easy and get orders right the first time. It’s not laziness; it’s professional delegation to pros who live in product and logistics all day.
Tile & Surfaces — Yates Flooring Center
We send square footage, your notes, and your contact info. They handle samples, quotes, and orders.
Contact: Destini King — Yates Flooring Center — ✆ (432) 556-5043 | 📧 Destini@yatesflooring.comPlumbing Fixtures — Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
For valves, trims, faucets, sinks, and vanities we recommend Ferguson for quality, parts availability, and warranty support.
Contact: Eric Gonzalez — Ferguson — ✆ (432) 352-7284 | 📧 Eric.Gonzales1@ferguson.com
Will we install homeowner‑purchased items from elsewhere? Yes. But if this is your primary residence, you’re already investing thousands—splurge on the valve/trim you’ll use every day and that actually carries strong warranty support.
Our method at Alpha (how we build for the long run)
1) Pan and surface waterproofing (belt + suspenders)
We build the pan to code and flood‑test it, then use a surface‑applied waterproofing (e.g., RedGard) on the walls, niche, bench, and curb so water never travels through the substrate. It’s more labor and cost—but it protects your home and our name. We follow a single, continuous system so the assembly dries as designed.
2) Lasers, levels, and smart sequencing
We set tile with lasers and long levels to keep planes true and lines dead‑straight. We wait to tape and bed drywall around the shower until tile is in so the tile edge becomes the perfect reference, there’s no mud dust in fresh thinset, and your reveals/trim lines stay clean.
3) Workmanship over “just the look”
Pretty photos don’t stop leaks. Prep, slope, coverage, sealed penetrations, and movement joints are what make a shower last. We document waterproofing, flood‑test the pan, and stand behind it with a written labor warranty.
Red flags (press pause if you hear these)
“We don’t flood‑test.”
“We just RedGard everything.” (with no system plan or thickness checks)
“Drywall is fine in the shower if you seal it.”
“We’ll set the glass, then see where it leaks.”
“No fan needed—just crack a window.”
What to do next:
Grab the checklist and mark your must‑haves.
Lock materials with a pro salesperson (tile + fixtures) so orders land clean.
Sit down with your contractor and walk the plan: waterproofing, flood test, schedule, allowances, and warranty.
