Bathroom Remodeling: What to Consider Before You Start

A bathroom remodel is one of the best investments you can make in your home -- but it's also one of the easiest projects to get wrong if you skip the planning. Whether you've got a small guest bath or a full master suite, the plumbing decisions you make early on will determine how the whole project goes.

We've worked on bathroom remodels all over Brevard County -- from older homes in downtown Melbourne to newer builds out in Viera -- and the one thing they all have in common is this: plumbing is the foundation of everything. It's not the glamorous part. Nobody gets excited about pipe routing the way they do about picking out tile or a new vanity. But get the plumbing wrong, and nothing else matters.

Even if you're planning to do some of the work yourself, it's critical to have a licensed plumber review your plan before you start tearing anything apart.

Get the Pipe and Drain Sizing Right

Most residential bathrooms use 1.5-inch drain pipes, but we almost always recommend upgrading to 2-inch where your framing allows it. The cost difference is minimal, and the long-term benefit is real. Larger drains handle hair, soap buildup, and debris much better, which means fewer clogs and fewer calls to a drain cleaning service down the road.

Supply lines matter too. If you're upgrading to a rain showerhead or adding a second sink, your existing water supply lines may not deliver enough pressure. A professional can assess your water pressure and recommend the right pipe sizing to support your new fixtures.

Choose Fixtures That Add Value

We talk to a lot of homeowners in Palm Bay and Cocoa Beach who've already started picking out fixtures before thinking about how they connect to the plumbing. That's backwards. The fixtures you choose directly affect what plumbing work needs to happen behind the walls.

That said, the right fixture choices can genuinely boost your home's resale value. Wall-mounted vanities, touchless faucets, and WaterSense-certified toilets are popular with buyers in 2026 and they're better for your water bill too. A dual-flush toilet alone can save a family of four over 4,000 gallons per year.

Don't just chase the cheapest option. A slightly higher investment in quality fixtures pays for itself in durability and home value -- especially in a competitive Space Coast real estate market.

Budget for the Unexpected

If there's one piece of advice we give every homeowner, it's this: add 15-20% to your remodel budget for surprises. Once you open up walls in an older Melbourne home, you might find outdated galvanized pipes, previous DIY work that wasn't done to code, hidden water damage, or even mold from a slow leak nobody knew about.

These aren't "if" situations -- they're "when." In our experience, roughly half of all bathroom remodels uncover at least one unexpected issue. Having that financial cushion means you can address it properly instead of cutting corners.

Don't Overlook Ventilation

This is Florida. Humidity is a year-round reality, and it's especially brutal in a bathroom. Proper ventilation isn't optional -- it's essential for preventing mold, protecting your finishes, and keeping your bathroom comfortable.

Your exhaust fan should vent directly to the outside (not into the attic -- we see this mistake all the time in Brevard County homes). For a standard bathroom, look for a fan rated at least 50 CFM. For larger master baths, you'll want 100 CFM or more. Modern exhaust fans are quiet, energy-efficient, and some even include humidity sensors that turn on automatically.

Think About Water Efficiency

With water rates continuing to climb across Brevard County, a remodel is the perfect time to upgrade to water-efficient fixtures. Low-flow showerheads, WaterSense faucets, and dual-flush toilets can cut your bathroom's water usage by 30-40% without any noticeable difference in performance.

If you're curious about how much you could save, check out our guide on how to lower your water bills.

Consider Accessibility and Aging in Place

Even if you don't need accessibility features right now, a remodel is the most cost-effective time to plan for the future. Adding blocking behind the walls for future grab bars, choosing a curbless shower design, or widening the doorway by a few inches costs very little during construction but can cost thousands to retrofit later.

Brevard County has a large and growing retiree population, and ADA-friendly bathroom features are increasingly popular with homebuyers. A comfort-height toilet, a hand-held showerhead on a slide bar, and lever-style faucet handles are simple upgrades that make a bathroom more comfortable for everyone -- not just seniors.

Don't Skip the Permits

If your remodel involves moving plumbing, adding new fixtures, or making structural changes, you'll need a permit from Brevard County. Skipping permits might seem like a way to save money and time, but it creates real problems. Unpermitted work can complicate a home sale, void your insurance coverage, and result in fines if the county finds out.

A licensed plumber handles the permitting process as part of the job. We know the local codes, we pull the permits, and we make sure the work passes inspection the first time. It's one less thing you have to worry about.