Durham shower alcove before tile, with waterproof backer board and a Schluter pan

Timeline guide

How long a bathroom remodel takes

Showers are tiled in 3 to 4 days, with the glass about two weeks after. Full bathrooms get a schedule before we start, and Shawn runs the job through to the walkthrough.

15 five-star reviews on Google · BBB Accredited, A+ · Fully insured

Send photos for a price range Call (208) 481-2298

The short answer

How long each job takes

These are the times we work to in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Durham. Where a job depends on its scope, you get the schedule with the quote, not after.

First reply
Within 24 hours, Monday through Friday
Send photos and you get a price range, not a sales call.
Send photos
Shower tile
3 to 4 days
Demo, waterproofing and tile on every package. Only the shower is out of use.
Shower packages
Shower glass
About 1.5 to 2 weeks after the tile
Measured once the tile is set, so it fits exactly, then installed.
What glass is included
Tub-to-shower conversion
Same as a shower
The tub comes out on day one and the shower goes in on the same schedule.
Conversions
Full bathroom
Set by the scope
Whether the work is permitted, what moves, and whether glass is part of it. You get a schedule with the quote.
Full bathrooms
Tile repair, regrouting, drywall
Fit between remodels
Scheduled from photos. Send everything that needs doing at once.
Tile work

Before the first day

From photos to a start date

01
Send photos
A few phone pictures and a note on what you want. We reply within 24 hours, Monday through Friday with a price range.
02
Site visit
If the range works for you, we come out, measure, and go through tile, fixtures and layout.
03
The quote
Showers are a package price. Full bathrooms get a line-item quote. Either way the number and the schedule come together, before anything starts.
04
Selections locked
We supply the materials and order them before demo, so the job never sits waiting on a delivery.

A shower, stage by stage

Tile in 3 to 4 days, glass about two weeks later

01
Demo and haul-away
The old tub or shower comes out completely, down to the framing. Plastic barriers go up first and the rest of the house is protected.
02
Waterproofing
A Schluter foam pan and bonded membrane over the walls and floor, so water never reaches the wood. This is the part a cheap shower skips.
03
Tile
Floor and walls, niches built in, epoxy grout. Usually 3 to 4 days from the first tile to the last grout line.
04
Valve and trim
The valve goes in behind the wall before tile; the trim, head and handheld go on after.
05
Glass
Measured after the tile is finished and installed about 1.5 to 2 weeks later. We walk the finished shower with you then.

A full bathroom, stage by stage

Set by the scope, scheduled before we start

01
Demo and plumbing
Everything out, haul-away, then any plumbing that moves. On a permitted job the inspections fall between these stages, and each one adds a little time.
02
Waterproofing and walls
A Schluter system on every wet wall and floor. Drywall patched or replaced where the old work needs it.
03
Tile
Floor first, then the shower or tub surround.
04
Vanity, fixtures and lighting
Vanity, top and faucet set, toilet back in, lights and mirrors up.
05
Paint and trim
Walls, ceiling, baseboard and door trim.
06
Glass and walkthrough
Glass installed once it is made to the finished tile. Then a final walkthrough with you, and the one-year warranty starts.

While we are there

Living in the house during the job

Only the shower is out of use. Sinks, toilets and laundry keep working the whole time. Plastic barriers and dust control keep the mess in the room we are working in, and the work area is cleaned up at the end of every day.

You do not need to be home. We need access and a way to reach you with questions, and you get an update at the end of each day either way.

What can move it

The four things that change a schedule

Permit inspections, which fall between stages on a permitted job
Something behind the wall nobody could see. We stop, show you, and get your approval before going further
A change of selections after the order has gone in
Glass, which is made to the finished tile and cannot be rushed

Reviews

What clients say about the schedule

See all 15 reviews on Google

Google review

As the house manager for a fraternity house at UNC Chapel Hill, I urgently needed a contractor for a bathroom renovation after our original contractor backed out last minute. Clear River Contracting stepped in and truly saved the project.

Shawn responded immediately, completed a thorough inspection, and provided a fair and transparent quote. His communication was outstanding—he kept me informed throughout the process and handled unexpected issues with honesty and practical solutions.

The workmanship was excellent, the team was professional, and they delivered everything on schedule despite the tight timeframe. Their pricing was clear, their adaptability was impressive, and they were considerate of the students living in the house throughout the project.

I highly recommend Clear River Contracting! They turned a stressful situation into a smooth renovation that exceeded expectations.

McKenna Good

Google review

I hired Shawn to install a fan in a bathroom that was built in the 80s without a fan. This included adding new electrical wiring, new ducting, and cutting a hole through the side of the house for the vent. Shawn was responsive throughout all the planning, including a visit to the home, providing a professional estimate, and email communication with me to coordinate on my requests around the specific fan and timer switch I wanted. The job started and finished exactly according to schedule; the final price was exactly as quoted (and on par with three other estimates I got); and all four people that worked in my home were professional, efficient, and cleaned up after themselves. If you’re reading this review then you are probably going through the nearly impossible process of finding a contractor that is honest, reliable, skilled, and sticks to budget - Shawn is all of those things!

Audra Kosh

Google review

We were so impressed with Shawn with Clear River Contracting. We had started our project with another individual who had overstated their abilities, did not show up, and left us with an attic that was worse off than we started. Shawn came in and was able to not only complete the job, but fix many of the glaring mistakes from the prior contractor and left us with a beautiful and functional space. Shawn has a very clear attention to detail, bordering on perfectionism. Possibly even more important, Shawn always showed up when he said he would, his pricing was transparent (excel spreadsheet with each line item priced out) and didn’t suddenly change for no reason, and full of integrity. By the end of the project we not only had found a go-to contractor, but a friend. We’re so glad we found Clear River Contracting.

Rachel Breuhaus

FAQ

Questions about the timeline

What’s the typical timeline for a shower remodel?

Most showers are tiled in 3 to 4 days. The glass is measured after the tile is finished and installed about 1.5 to 2 weeks later. Full bathrooms vary with the scope, whether the work is permitted and whether glass is part of the job. You get a schedule before we start. How long a remodel takes walks through the stages.

Will I be without water during the remodel?

Only the shower is out of use. Sinks, toilets and laundry keep working the whole time.

Do I need to be home during the project?

No. We need access and a way to reach you with questions. Some clients work from home through it, most carry on with their day, and you get an update at the end of each day either way.

Do you clean up daily?

Yes. The work area is cleaned up at the end of every day, and the rest of the house is protected while we work.

Will my home be dusty?

We hang plastic barriers and run dust control, so the mess stays in the room we are working in.

Is glass included in every package?

Yes. Refresh and Signature include a clear glass door, and Luxe Spa includes a frameless glass enclosure. Either way the glass is measured after the tile is finished and installed about 1.5 to 2 weeks later so it fits exactly. A sliding door costs a little more on any package.

All questions and answers

How long a bathroom remodel takes

Get a price range and a schedule

How long each job takes

First reply

Shower tile

Shower glass

Tub-to-shower conversion

Full bathroom

Tile repair, regrouting, drywall

From photos to a start date

Send photos

Site visit

The quote

Selections locked

Tile in 3 to 4 days, glass about two weeks later

Demo and haul-away

Waterproofing

Tile

Valve and trim

Glass

Set by the scope, scheduled before we start

Demo and plumbing

Waterproofing and walls

Tile

Vanity, fixtures and lighting

Paint and trim

Glass and walkthrough

Living in the house during the job

The four things that change a schedule

What clients say about the schedule

Questions about the timeline

More straight answers

What a bathroom remodel costs

What a shower remodel costs

Tub-to-shower conversions

Start with a few photos

Send photos for a price range