How to Find the Right Bathroom Contractor (and Avoid Costly Mistakes)

A bathroom remodel is one of the most impactful improvements you can make to your home—but only if it’s done right. The contractor you choose will determine not just how your bathroom looks, but how smoothly the process goes and how well the work holds up over time.

If you’re planning a bathroom remodel in the Atlanta metro area or City of Decatur, here’s how to find a bathroom contractor you can trust—and what to watch out for along the way.

1. Look for True Local Experience

Bathroom remodeling isn’t just about tile and fixtures. It’s also about understanding local codes, permitting requirements, and inspections.

In Atlanta and the City of Decatur, permits are commonly required when a bathroom remodel includes:

• Plumbing changes

• Electrical work

• Structural modifications

• New or relocated exhaust fans

• Expanding the bathroom footprint

• Converting a tub to a walk-in shower, especially when plumbing locations, drain sizes, waterproofing systems, or wall framing are modified

• In the City of Decatur, projects with a total project cost over $1,000 typically require a permit, even if the work seems minor

A contractor with real local experience knows what requires a permit, what doesn’t, and how to plan for inspections before work begins.

Just as important, experienced local contractors are familiar with city inspectors and what they typically look for, which helps prevent delays, rework, and failed inspections.

Tip: Ask whether the contractor regularly works in your city and if they handle permits and inspections for you.

2. Make Sure They Specialize in Bathroom Remodeling

Bathrooms are complex spaces. They involve plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, ventilation, and detailed finish work—all in a tight footprint.

Ask potential contractors:

• How many bathroom remodels do you complete each year?

• Do you handle full renovations or only surface updates?

• Do you manage all trades or coordinate them for the homeowner?

A bathroom specialist will anticipate challenges before they become problems.

3. Verify Licensing, Insurance, and Credentials

A professional bathroom contractor should carry:

• Proper licensing

• General liability insurance

This protects you if something goes wrong during construction. If a contractor hesitates to provide this information, that’s a red flag.

4. Review Real Projects (Not Just Pretty Photos)

Look for before-and-after photos of real bathrooms, ideally from homes similar to yours.

Pay attention to:

• Tile alignment and grout lines

• Trim and edge details

• Clean transitions between materials

Quality craftsmanship shows in the details.

5. Understand Their Process and Communication Style

A smooth bathroom remodel depends on clear communication.

Ask:

• What does the process look like from design through completion?

• Who will be my main point of contact?

• How are changes or surprises handled?

Clear expectations reduce stress and help prevent misunderstandings.

6. Be Careful If a Contractor Says “You Don’t Need a Permit”

In many bathroom remodels, permits are required. If a contractor quickly dismisses the need for one, it’s reasonable to ask follow-up questions:

• Why don’t you believe a permit is required for this scope of work?

• Which parts of the project are exempt from permitting?

• How many permitted bathroom projects do you complete each year?

A contractor who regularly pulls permits should be able to explain the reasoning clearly and confidently.

Permits help ensure the work is:

• Code-compliant

• Safe

• Properly inspected

Unpermitted work can create problems later—especially when selling your home or dealing with insurance claims.

7. Red Flag: Being Asked to Pull the Permit Yourself

Homeowners should be cautious if a contractor asks you to pull the permit in your own name.

This can indicate that the contractor:

• Isn’t properly licensed

• Is trying to avoid accountability

• Doesn’t regularly work with inspections

When the homeowner pulls the permit, the responsibility for the work often falls on the homeowner, including failed inspections or required corrections.

A professional contractor should pull permits under their own license and manage inspections as part of the job.

8. Don’t Choose Based on Price Alone

Bathroom remodeling isn’t the place to cut corners.

A quality estimate should clearly outline:

• Scope of work

• Materials and allowances

• What is and isn’t included

• Timeline expectations

If a quote seems unusually low, ask what’s missing.

9. Trust Your Gut

You’ll be working closely with your contractor for weeks. If something feels off—vague answers, pressure tactics, or rushed decisions—it’s okay to walk away.

The right contractor should make you feel informed, comfortable, and confident.

Looking for a Trusted Bathroom Contractor in Atlanta or Decatur?

At Blue Juniper Construction, we specialize in bathroom remodels throughout the Atlanta metro area and City of Decatur. We handle permits, inspections, and city coordination as part of our process—so homeowners don’t have to worry about the details.

👉 Schedule a consultation or call 404-594-4469 to talk through your bathroom project.