Keep plumbing out of the cold
Reno winters are cold; Washoe County's residential design criteria use a 17°F winter design temperature, and NOAA's engineering weather data for the Reno airport records about 123 freeze-thaw cycles a year. When you remodel a bathroom, avoid running water lines in exterior walls if you can. If a sink or shower must go on an outside wall, make sure the pipes are on the warm side of the insulation, the wall cavity is well insulated and air sealed, and the plumbing isn't exposed to cold drafts. A pipe that freezes and splits inside a newly tiled wall is an expensive problem.
Heated floors
Tile floors feel cold in a Reno winter. Electric radiant floor heating installed under tile is a popular bathroom upgrade. It needs a dedicated circuit with GFCI protection and a thermostat. Ask the contractor and electrician about installation, the circuit and expected operating cost.
Dry air and comfort
The National Weather Service notes Reno's high-desert setting, and indoor air can be very dry in winter. Some homeowners add humidifiers for comfort. Bathrooms produce plenty of moisture during showers, but dry air the rest of the time means grout and caulk can shrink and crack, and wood vanities can move. Use quality grout and sealants, and choose vanity materials that tolerate both humidity spikes and dry conditions.
Ventilation
Even in a dry climate, bathroom moisture needs to go outside. In winter, warm, moist air from showers condenses on cold surfaces: windows, exterior walls and attic sheathing if the fan vents into the attic. A properly sized fan, ducted outdoors with insulated ductwork where it passes through cold spaces, prevents frost and mold in the attic. A timer or humidity sensor helps.
Water heaters
Bigger showers and soaking tubs need enough hot water. Reno's cold incoming water in winter means water heaters work harder. Ask your plumber whether your water heater can handle your new fixtures, and whether a larger tank, a tankless unit or a heat pump water heater makes sense.
Permits
Bathroom remodels with plumbing or electrical changes need permits from the City of Reno, City of Sparks or Washoe County, depending on your location.
Before you hire
Ask Reno bathroom remodelers for an itemized proposal, how they'll keep plumbing out of cold walls, which waterproofing system they use, how they'll vent the fan, and what their workmanship warranty covers. Look up the contractor with the Nevada State Contractors Board.
Accessibility
If you plan to stay in your home long term, consider a low-curb or curbless shower, grab bars anchored into blocking, a handheld shower, a bench and slip-resistant tile while the walls are open.
Schedule
If it's your only bathroom, plan where you'll shower during the work, and ask for a written schedule that shows inspections and material lead times.