Why plan the whole room at once
Most calls start with one problem. The shower leaks at the corner, the vanity has one drawer, the fan hums and does nothing. The real question is whether fixing that one item solves the room or just postpones the rest. When the floor, the shower and the vanity are all near the end of their life, replacing them in separate rounds means opening the same walls twice and trying to match new tile against old.
A full remodel lets you settle the big decisions first. Can the shower take over the tub's alcove? Does a wider vanity justify losing a linen closet? Should the toilet get its own nook? Those choices drive the plumbing, framing and electrical work, so they belong at the start of the project.
What a full bathroom remodel covers
- Layout and design planning for the whole room
- Shower, tub, or a shower/tub conversion
- Tile for the floor, shower surround and backsplash
- Vanity, countertop and fixtures
- Electrical and lighting updates, including the exhaust fan
- Plumbing relocation, when the layout calls for it
Plumbing and electrical are part of our scope. You do not need to hire and coordinate your own plumber or electrician.
Two full remodels we completed in Reston
The first Reston bathroom was a primary suite built around its window. A soaking tub sits under a large window that looks into mature trees, with a glass shower enclosure alongside and a new vanity. The second Reston bathroom put the money into the shower: a frameless glass walk-in enclosure with marble subway tile and a built-in niche, plus a vanity with chrome fixtures, a marble countertop and dark cabinetry.
They are very different rooms, and that is typical for Reston. A wooded-lot contemporary home, a townhouse in a cluster and a condo near the Town Center each set different limits on what can move and how materials get in.
Reston housing types and what they change
Contemporary single-family homes
Many Reston houses were designed with large windows and simple lines. A good remodel keeps the window as the focal point and avoids cluttering it, which affects where the tub, shower glass and vanity mirror can go.
Townhouses in clusters
Bathrooms in townhouses often stack above one another and share walls with a neighbor. That limits how far drains can move and makes sound and fire separation at the party wall something to protect, not cut into.
Condominiums
In a condo, the association typically controls access, work hours and shared systems such as plumbing risers and exhaust. Fairfax County also handles condo alterations under commercial permitting, which is different from a house. Our condo and townhouse guide covers what to ask your association.
Pricing a full remodel
Bathroom Brigade publishes three reference tiers for full remodels: a basic remodel that keeps the footprint with standard fixtures and tile, a mid-range remodel with new tile, vanity and shower and some layout changes, and a high-end remodel with a full layout change, a curbless or custom shower and premium fixtures.
| Tier | Typical Scope | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Same footprint, standard fixtures and tile. | $12,000–$25,000 |
| Mid-Range | New tile, vanity, and shower, with some layout changes. | $25,000–$40,000 |
| High-End | Full layout change, curbless or custom shower, premium fixtures. | $40,000–$70,000+ |
Typical Northern Virginia reference ranges from Bathroom Brigade's published cost guide. They are for planning only and are not a quote; the written scope for your Reston bathroom sets the actual price.
Tile coverage, how much plumbing moves, fixture choices and what turns up behind the old walls are what usually move a project within or between those tiers. The cost guide explains each one.
Do I need a permit for a full bathroom remodel in Reston?▸
Fairfax County lists bathroom remodels among interior alterations that need permits. Like-for-like replacement of plumbing, electrical or mechanical items in the same location generally does not. We review your scope against the county's rules before work starts.
Can you move the toilet or shower in a Reston townhouse?▸
Sometimes. It depends on the joist direction, where the drain stack runs and what is below the bathroom. We check the structure and plumbing before promising a new layout.
How long does a full remodel take?▸
It depends on scope and on inspections. A full remodel takes longer than a vanity swap. We give you a project-specific timeline with your estimate.
Who does the work?▸
Bathroom Brigade, a division of Kenney Construction. The same licensed, insured and bonded company handles the job directly, without a subcontracted third party.