A straightforward look at what goes into a bathroom renovation — from scope and timeline to costs — written by a family-run team that has completed hundreds of bathroom remodels across Northern Illinois.
If you live in Lake Bluff and have been putting off a bathroom renovation, you are not alone. Bathrooms are easy to overlook because they are not the rooms guests see first. But a poorly functioning bathroom affects your daily routine more than almost any other room in the house. Leaky showers, outdated vanities, cramped layouts — these are problems worth solving.
My name is Jose. My wife Sarahi and I own Grand Remodeling, a design and build firm based in Lake Villa. We have been remodeling bathrooms across Lake County — including Lake Bluff, Gurnee, Grayslake, and Mundelein — for over 15 years. I am on every job site, and I handle every project personally from the first measurement to the final walkthrough.
When homeowners ask me about bathroom remodeling in Lake Villa or the surrounding areas, they often want to know exactly what the scope covers. Every project is different, but here is what a complete bathroom renovation typically includes when we handle it:
Flooring. We remove old flooring down to the subfloor, address any water damage, and install new tile, luxury vinyl plank, or stone flooring. We also install heated flooring systems for clients who want that upgrade.
Shower and Tub. Whether you want a walk-in shower with frameless glass, a soaking tub, or a tub-shower combination, we handle all the plumbing, waterproofing, tiling, and glass installation.
Vanity and Countertop. We install new vanities — either custom-built or semi-custom — with your choice of countertop material, sinks, and faucets. Storage is a big focus here; we help you choose a configuration that actually works for how you use the bathroom.
Toilet. We replace or relocate the toilet as needed. Many clients choose comfort-height models or dual-flush options during their renovation.
Lighting, Ventilation, and Finishes. We replace exhaust fans, add or relocate lighting fixtures, install mirrors, towel bars, and all hardware. These details make a big difference in how the finished bathroom feels.
A typical bathroom remodel in Gurnee IL or the neighboring communities takes us between two and four weeks, depending on the scope. Here is a breakdown of what that timeline looks like:
Days 1–3: Demolition and Rough-In. We tear out the old bathroom, dispose of debris, and complete any plumbing or electrical rough-in work. If we find water damage or code issues behind the walls — which happens fairly often in older Lake County homes — we address it during this phase.
Days 4–7: Drywall, Waterproofing, and Floor Prep. We hang and finish drywall, apply waterproofing membrane in the shower area, and prep the floor for tile or plank installation.
Days 8–14: Tile, Flooring, and Vanity Installation. This is where the bathroom starts to look finished. We install floor tile, wall tile in the shower or tub surround, and set the vanity and countertop.
Days 15–18: Trim and Finishes. We install plumbing fixtures, lighting, mirrors, glass shower doors, towel bars, and all trim work. The toilet goes in last.
Larger bathrooms, or projects that involve moving plumbing lines, may extend into the four-week range. I always give a clear timeline before we start and keep you updated if anything changes during construction.
The bathroom remodel cost in Northern Illinois varies significantly based on a handful of key factors. I believe in being upfront about pricing, so here is what actually drives the numbers:
Scope of Work. Are we keeping the existing layout, or are we moving the toilet, shower, or vanity? Moving plumbing fixtures adds labor and materials. A cosmetic refresh — new flooring, vanity, and paint — costs less than a full gut renovation.
Material Selections. The difference between a stock vanity from a home center and a custom-built vanity is significant. The same goes for tile: ceramic subway tile is one price point; large-format porcelain or natural stone is another. I help clients understand the trade-offs so they can prioritize where to spend and where to save.
Condition of the Existing Space. In older Lake County homes, we sometimes find issues when we open walls: rotted subfloors from old leaks, outdated wiring, or cast-iron plumbing that should be replaced. These are not things you can plan for, but they are things you should be aware of. We always budget a contingency for unexpected conditions.
Who Is Doing the Work. Licensed and insured contractors with a track record will charge more than unlicensed handymen. That is not a downside — it is protection. When you hire Grand Remodeling, you are getting a licensed, insured firm with 15 years of experience, a portfolio of completed bathrooms you can see, and an owner who is on the job site daily.
We are a small, family-run company by design. My wife Sarahi runs the office, and I run the job sites. This setup means there is no disconnect between the person you meet at the consultation and the person doing the work. When issues come up during construction — and in remodeling, they sometimes do — I am the one solving them, not a project manager you have never met.
We are licensed and insured. We pull permits. We do not cut corners on waterproofing, ventilation, or plumbing because those are the things that cause problems years later. I take pride in knowing that the bathrooms we remodeled five or ten years ago are still holding up beautifully.
We have completed bathroom remodels in Lake Bluff, Gurnee, Grayslake, Mundelein, Antioch, and throughout Lake County. If you would like to speak with a past client before making a decision, I am happy to connect you with someone whose bathroom we renovated.
If you are considering bathroom remodeling in Lake Bluff IL or anywhere in Northern Illinois, we would be glad to have a conversation. No pressure, no gimmicks — just an honest assessment of what is possible for your home and your budget.