Bathroom remodel punch list checklist

47 things to check before a bathroom is done. Most bathroom callbacks are water, so the list starts there.

A bathroom is small, but it has more ways to fail than any other room: water gets behind tile, glass doors leak, fans vent into the attic, and caulk that looked fine on day one cracks by month three. Walk it in this order, and run water before you sign anything off.

Tile and grout

• No cracked, chipped or hollow-sounding tiles
• Grout lines are even, full and clean, with no haze
• Lippage between tiles is not noticeable to the hand
• Cuts around the toilet flange, valves and drain are clean
• Tile edges finished with trim, bullnose or a clean edge
• Soft joints (caulk, not grout) at every inside corner and where tile meets the tub
• Floor tile slopes to the shower drain with no standing water

Shower and tub

• Shower pan or waterproofing was tested before tile (ask for the flood test photo)
• Water stays inside the shower when running at full pressure
• Drain is secured, clean and drains quickly
• Niche and bench slope toward the drain
• Tub is level, secured and has no chips in the finish
• Caulk around the tub and shower is continuous, smooth and fully cured

Glass and doors

• Glass door swings freely and closes on its own if designed to
• Door sweep and seals are installed and do not leak
• Hinges and clamps are tight and aligned
• No scratches on the glass
• Fixed panels are sealed to the tile

Vanity and storage

• Vanity is level, secured to the wall and sits tight to the floor
• Doors and drawers aligned, soft-close working
• Countertop and sink sealed to the vanity and backsplash
• Medicine cabinet or mirror is level and secured
• Linen cabinet doors aligned

Plumbing fixtures

• Hot on the left and cold on the right everywhere
• Shower valve temperature limit set so it cannot scald
• No drips at any faucet, shower head or tub spout
• No leaks under the vanity after running water for a few minutes
• Escutcheons and trim plates tight to the wall
• Toilet does not rock, is caulked at the base where required, and flushes and refills properly
• Toilet supply line and shutoff are not leaking

Electrical and ventilation

• GFCI outlets trip and reset
• Exhaust fan is ducted outside, pulls air (test with a tissue) and is not noisy
• Fan timer or humidity switch works
• Lights work, are centred and trims sit flush
• Heated floor or towel warmer works and is on its own control
• All cover plates installed and straight

Accessories

• Towel bars, hooks and paper holder are level and anchored into blocking
• Grab bars, if any, are into blocking and do not move
• Shower rod or glass hardware secure

Paint, trim and door

• Paint is a moisture-resistant finish and has no drips or roller marks
• Caulk at trim and where tile meets paint is neat
• Door latches, does not rub, and clears the floor tile
• Door stop installed

Final

• All protective film and stickers removed
• Grout and stone sealed if the material calls for it
• Leftover tile and grout labelled and left for the owner
• Owner shown the shutoffs and how to clean the glass and grout

The items that cause the most callbacks

In our experience, these five bring contractors back more than anything else: caulk where there should be caulk and grout where there should be caulk (inside corners and the tub line need caulk), a shower door sweep that was never adjusted, an exhaust fan that vents into the attic, a toilet that rocks, and a vanity that was never secured to the wall. Check those five twice.

Prefer paper? Use the free printable punch list.