What order does a bathroom remodel go in?

The order matters because almost every step hides the one before it. Once tile is on the wall, nobody sees the valve behind it again without breaking the tile. That is why inspections happen in the middle of the job and why waterproofing comes before tile, not after. Tile work is where most of the steps stack up, so the tile shower page is the related service.

1. Plan, measure and permit

Decide the layout first: whether the toilet, tub or shower and sink stay where they are. Keeping fixtures in place is the biggest single way to keep the job simpler, because moving a fixture three feet or more runs $500 to $1,000 (Angi, cost to run new bathroom plumbing, national, updated September 22, 2026) on its own. Then apply for the permit if the job needs one. The permit guide covers each town.

If you are converting a tub to a shower, check the size now. Illinois sets a minimum shower floor of 1,024 square inches with no side under 32 inches; the shower size guide shows what that means in a tub alcove.

2. Demolition

The old fixtures, tile, drywall and flooring come out. Angi puts demolition at $1,000 to $2,300 (Angi, bathroom remodel cost, national, updated October 27, 2026). In a house built before 1978, a paid crew that disturbs painted surfaces has to work lead-safe, and demolition of painted surfaces is always covered by the rule.

3. Framing and subfloor repair

With the room open, any water damage shows. Soft subfloor around a toilet or under a tub gets cut out and replaced now. This is also the time to add blocking in the walls for grab bars or a heavy vanity, which costs almost nothing with the studs open and a lot later.

4. Rough-in plumbing and electrical

New drains, supply lines and the shower valve go in, and so does any new wiring: outlets, lights, a fan, a heated floor. Every new shower valve in Illinois has to be an anti-scald valve.

5. Inspection

The rough work is inspected before the walls close. In Rockford the permit has to be posted where it can be seen from the street or at the main entrance, and inspections are requested one full business day ahead. Nothing gets covered until the inspection passes.

6. Close the walls and waterproof

Cement board or another tile backer goes on in wet areas, drywall elsewhere. A built-up shower gets its pan, and the code is specific about it.

The waterproofing is the step people never see and the one that decides whether the shower lasts. It goes on before tile, and a good crew lets it cure before setting anything on it.

7. Tile

Shower walls and the floor are tiled, then grouted. Angi puts shower tile at $2 to $17 per sq ft (Angi, walk-in shower cost, national, updated October 30, 2026) for the tile itself, and a tiled floor at $10 to $50 per sq ft (Angi, bathroom remodel cost, national, updated October 27, 2026) installed. The acrylic versus tile guide covers when a panel system makes more sense.

8. Paint, then fixtures

Paint goes on before the vanity and toilet so nobody has to cut in around them. Then the vanity, top and faucet go in, the toilet is set, the shower trim and glass are installed, and the fan and lights are finished. Angi puts a vanity installed, with the vanity, at $400 to $2,200 (Angi, vanity installation cost, national, updated September 11, 2026), and a toilet install at $224 to $533 (Angi, toilet installation cost, national, updated May 30, 2026) for labor.

9. Final inspection and walkthrough

A permitted job gets a final inspection. Then walk the room with the contractor: run the shower hot and check that it stops at a safe temperature, flush the toilet, fill the sink and watch the drain, and check the caulk lines. Hold the final payment until the punch list is done.

Costs, all in one place

Every price above is a national figure from a named cost guide. The bathroom remodel cost page puts them together by job.