Why this guide starts with the people
According to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, 21.3% of Staunton's residents are 65 years and over, and the city's 11,309 households (2020-2024) average 2.14 persons each. This guide shows where a bathroom budget goes, which choices can make the room easier to use as needs change, and the order the work follows. It quotes no prices, since those come from your room, your selections and the current market.
The population figures
QuickFacts counted 25,750 people in Staunton in the April 1, 2020 Census and estimates 26,801 as of July 1, 2025. Population figures don't set a remodel's schedule, but your own planning does: ask each remodeler how far out they are booking, and settle every selection before demolition so the crew isn't waiting on a late choice.
What drives the price
- Layout. Moving a toilet or shower drain means opening the floor and rerouting pipe. Leaving fixtures in place keeps the job simpler.
- Tub to shower. Swapping a tub for a walk-in shower needs a new pan or sloped floor, fresh waterproofing and often new framing.
- Threshold. A curbless shower can mean recessing the subfloor or building up the rest of the room. Ask how your floor framing affects that.
- Tile coverage. Full-height tile and small mosaics take more labor per square foot than larger tiles and painted walls.
- The vanity. Stock sizes cost less than custom; a taller vanity or one with open knee space is a design choice to price separately.
- Glass or curtain. A curtain on a curved rod is the least costly; frameless glass is the most.
- Wiring. New lighting, a dedicated fan circuit, heated floors and added outlets each add electrical work.
- What's hidden. Soft subfloor under an old toilet or around a tub is common. Ask how it will be priced if found.
Features that keep a bathroom usable
These cost little during a remodel and much more as a retrofit. None is required; choose what fits your plans.
1. Blocking for grab bars. Solid wood between the studs at the toilet, tub and shower lets you mount bars later without opening the wall. 2. A hand shower. A slide bar lets a standing or seated person use the same head. 3. A shower seat. Built-in or fold-down, it needs blocking or a solid base planned in advance. 4. Comfort-height toilet. Ask to sit on a display model before choosing. 5. Lever handles. Easier to grip than round knobs. 6. Slip-resistant floor tile. Ask the supplier for the tile's rating for wet floors. 7. A clear floor area. Ask the designer to show the open space in front of each fixture on the plan. 8. Lighting at the door. A switch you reach before you step in, plus a low night light.
Income and how to phase a project
QuickFacts reports a median household income of $65,581 (in 2024 dollars) for Staunton in 2020-2024. Your own numbers are what count, but if a full remodel doesn't fit this year, a phased plan can:
- Phase one: blocking, waterproofing, plumbing rough-in and the shower, since these sit behind finished surfaces.
- Phase two: vanity, lighting upgrades and glass.
- Phase three: cosmetic items like mirrors, accessories and paint colors.
Ask the remodeler which parts are easy to add later and which must be done now to avoid tearing out new work.
The job from start to finish
1. Measure and design. Agree on the layout and the features list. 2. Selections. Choose fixtures, tile, vanity, glass and lighting before any demolition. 3. Permits. Ask which city permits the job needs and who pulls them. 4. Demolition. The old room comes out and hidden damage is recorded with photos. 5. Rough-in. Plumbing, wiring, blocking and fan ducting go in; any rough inspection happens now. 6. Waterproofing. The membrane goes on and the shower pan is flood-tested. 7. Tile and surfaces. Backer, tile, grout, paint. 8. Fixtures and trim. Toilet, faucets, valve trim, glass, accessories and the fan are installed and tested. 9. Walk-through. Finish any final inspection and write a punch list together.
Questions for every remodeler
- When I look your business up on DPOR's license lookup, what name should I search for?
- Who does the plumbing and electrical, and are they your employees or subcontractors?
- Which city permits does this job need, and who will pull them?
- Which waterproofing system do you use, and can I watch the flood test?
- Have you built curbless showers or installed grab-bar blocking before? Can I see photos?
- How will hidden damage be priced and approved?
- How long will the room be out of service?
- Can you provide proof of liability coverage and workers' compensation?
- What does your warranty cover, and for how long?
Keep the records together
Store the contract, permit and inspection papers, model numbers, tile and grout names, warranties and photos of the open walls (showing where the blocking sits) in one folder. They help with future repairs, warranty claims and a sale.