If you're planning a bathroom remodel, you’ve probably asked the same question countless Colorado homeowners wrestle with:
“Should I do this myself, or should I hire a professional?”
It’s a fair question — especially when you're trying to balance a realistic budget with the desire for quality work that lasts. And, you’re not alone. Most homeowners feel both excited and overwhelmed standing at this crossroads — wanting to save money, but not wanting to risk a major mistake. It’s normal to feel unsure about which path is right. The DIY route can be tempting: saving on labor, picking your own timeline, and getting the satisfaction of doing it yourself.
But bathrooms aren’t like painting a bedroom or replacing a light fixture. Water, electrical systems, permits, and long-term durability introduce a level of complexity that can cost you thousands if things go wrong.
This guide breaks down the real differences between DIY and professional installation across the four most common bathroom projects:
You’ll learn the pros, cons, and warranty implications so you can choose the right path for your home, your skills, and your timeline.
There’s a quote — often attributed to Louis Nizer — that feels tailor-made for bathroom remodeling:
“A man who works with his hands is a laborer. A man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman. But a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.”
Bathrooms need more than labor. They require craftsmanship — and sometimes artistry.
Anyone can apply caulk.
Not everyone knows how to prevent water intrusion behind a shower wall or ensure a curbless shower drains correctly. And a small mistake can have big implications down the line.
When deciding between DIY and professional installation, ask yourself:
Which level does my project really require — labor, craftsmanship, or artistry? Can I afford to make a big mistake in my remodel that could potentially drain my wallet further? Will small imperfections in my work hurt my home’s value?
Before we break down specific projects, let’s acknowledge the advantages that make DIY appealing, and why good old fashioned know-how and elbow grease are a common choice for homeowners.
1. Saving Money on Labor: Labor often accounts for 40–65% of a bathroom remodel. If you already own tools and have some experience, DIY can slash upfront costs.
2. Personal Satisfaction: There’s pride in doing things yourself — and that feeling is real.
3. Full Control of the Timeline: You’re not waiting on callbacks or juggling contractor schedules.
4. Learning and Skill Development: If you love home improvement, DIY can be rewarding and educational.
Professional installation has undeniable advantages. Projects are typically done faster with the right tools and materials, especially in wet spaces where small mistakes cause big problems.
1. Expertise and Craftsmanship: Certified installers have done hundreds — often thousands — of projects. They’ve seen problems before you know they exist.
2. Speed and Efficiency: What might take you several weekends (or months) is often completed by a professional team in days or weeks. DIY problems sit half-done for a long time, leaving your space out of commission.
3. Premium Materials and Tools: Contractors often access materials, tools, and pricing unavailable to homeowners.
4. Warranties You Can Only Get With Certified Installers: This is critical. A warranty is your insurance policy and peace of mind that if something goes wrong, you’re covered financially.
All offer limited lifetime warranties ONLY with certified installation. DIY installation often drops this to one year — or voids it entirely.
5. Code Compliance and Permits: Professionals understand Colorado building codes and manage inspections.
DIY Almost Always Costs More Than Expected
Before you commit to DIY, it’s important to understand that saving on labor is only one piece of the equation. Many homeowners start a project thinking they’ll cut costs, only to find themselves spending more due to tool purchases, mistakes, delays, and rework. Bathroom remodels demand extreme precision — and the margin for error is slim.
Even small mistakes carry expensive consequences. Consider:
1. Time: DIY bathroom projects almost always take longer than expected.
2. Tools: Specialty tools — especially for plumbing or tile — can cost hundreds or thousands. And in many cases, you won’t use these tools much in the future once you finish the job. These costs add up.
3. Mistakes: Common DIY errors that can wipe out your labor savings.
Failed waterproofing
Leaks
Electrical hazards
Unlevel tile
Poor fixture installation
4. Voided Warranties: DIY installation often voids manufacturer warranties for premium systems.
5. Permit Issues: Unpermitted work can cause complications when selling your home.
When homeowners compare DIY to hiring a professional, the conversation usually stops at labor costs. But to make a confident decision, you deserve a clear, realistic picture of what professional installation actually costs in Colorado — without sugarcoating or sales pressure.
These ranges reflect typical pricing across the Front Range and mountain communities. Your exact cost may fall below or above these numbers depending on materials, plumbing changes, layout, and the age of your home.
The average bathroom remodel in Colorado ranges from $14,000 to $40,000, depending on the scope and materials. Here's a typical breakdown:
Walk-in tubs typically range from $18,000 to $25,000 installed, depending on:
For many, that money they simply do not have.
Not every bathroom update requires a professional. Smaller cosmetic projects can be great DIY wins — especially if you enjoy hands-on work and want to refresh your space without a major renovation. These projects carry minimal risk and typically don’t involve plumbing, electrical, or waterproofing.
DIY can be a great choice for:
Another time DIY makes sense? When you have specific expertise (for example, if you’re a licensed plumber or electrician).
Certain bathroom upgrades simply shouldn't be attempted without a trained professional. These projects involve safety, waterproofing, complex systems, or warranty-sensitive products. Attempting them yourself introduces too much risk — financial, structural, and personal.
Call a pro when your project involves:
A New Shower Seems Simple… Until You Start
On the surface, installing a new shower can feel like a relatively straightforward home upgrade. After all, it’s a common project, and YouTube is full of step-by-step videos that make the process look manageable. But what those videos don’t show you is what happens when the subfloor isn’t level, or when your old plumbing doesn’t match new fixture requirements, or when moisture sneaks behind a panel because a seal wasn’t applied quite right.
A shower is one of the most vulnerable spaces in your home. Every square inch must be waterproof. Every connection must be aligned. Every layer must be installed in the right order. It’s far more than assembling parts — it’s constructing a system designed to keep water where it belongs.
If you’re considering doing this yourself, it’s important to understand exactly what the job entails.
DIY: What You’re Signing Up For
A new shower installation requires multiple steps that blend plumbing, carpentry, waterproofing, and finish work. Homeowners must take on tasks such as:
DIY Difficulty: Low to Moderate — but only with experience.
Watch a testimonial of a Colorado Springs homeowner who made the choice to go pro after his neighbor’s remodel took over a month
The Biggest Risk: Waterproofing
Waterproofing is the invisible area where most DIY projects go sideways. One small gap or improperly applied sealant can lead to:
And these aren’t small issues. They’re the kind that require thousands of dollars in repairs and often involve tearing out the entire shower to fix what was missed the first time.
Professional: Why It Matters
Professional installers bring the expertise needed to create a watertight, code-compliant system. They:
And if you’re installing KOHLER or ONYX Collection shower systems, there’s an additional advantage:
Professional installation is required to maintain your limited lifetime warranty.
A small upfront saving isn’t worth losing decades of protection.
Before You Even Think About DIY
Walk-in tubs are one of the most life-improving upgrades you can add to a bathroom — especially for homeowners looking to age in place or improve daily safety. But the complexity of installing a walk-in tub is dramatically different from replacing a standard bathtub. These systems combine plumbing, electrical components, door seals, mechanical systems, and precise leveling requirements. And because they’re designed to contain large volumes of water, even the smallest installation mistake can create serious safety hazards or expensive structural damage.
In other words: this is not a “learn as you go” kind of project. Walk-in tubs require a level of precision and technical knowledge that goes far beyond typical DIY skill sets — even for experienced homeowners.
DIY: Strongly Discouraged
Installing a walk-in tub isn’t just difficult — it's a blend of highly specialized trades, safety considerations, and manufacturer requirements. These projects involve:
DIY Difficulty: Not Recommended — under any circumstances.
Even a minor sealing mistake can cause catastrophic water damage.
Professional: What You Get
When you hire certified walk-in tub installers, you’re not just paying for labor — you're investing in safety, longevity, and warranty protection. Professionals handle:
The Warranty Issue You Can’t Ignore
Walk-in tubs are premium products, and manufacturers protect their systems with strict installation requirements.
KOHLER Walk-In Baths offer a limited lifetime warranty —
but only when installed by KOHLER-certified professionals.
DIY or uncertified installs often receive:
When you’re investing $5,000–$15,000+, protecting that investment with a valid warranty isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Bottom line: Walk-in tubs should always be professionally installed.
The Most Ambitious DIY Project of Them All
A full bathroom remodel is one of the most complex home improvement projects you can take on. Unlike a single fixture replacement or cosmetic upgrade, this type of renovation touches nearly every system in the home — plumbing, electrical, structural elements, ventilation, waterproofing, and finishes.
Many homeowners underestimate the amount of coordination, sequencing, and problem-solving required. What looks manageable on YouTube quickly becomes overwhelming in real life. And because bathrooms are small, highly functional spaces with zero tolerance for water issues, even small mistakes can snowball into expensive repairs or safety concerns.
If you're considering a full remodel yourself, think honestly about the skills, time, and tools required.
DIY: A Massive Undertaking
A full remodel requires managing nearly every trade:
DIY Difficulty: Low, unless you're an experienced contractor.
DIY bathroom remodels can take significantly longer than professional work. As Chartway points out, DIY bathroom projects often take 6 months to a year when working nights and weekends, compared to 4-6 weeks for professional contractors.
The Hidden Challenge: Unexpected Issues
Bathrooms hide problems well. Once demolition starts, homeowners often discover:
Professionals know how to handle these. DIYers often don’t, and don’t have the right tools or materials on hand (professional blowers, etc.) to handle these jobs with ease.
Professional: Full Project Management
A professional remodeling company coordinates the entire process, and maintains warranty coverage for KOHLER and ONYX products.
Choosing DIY or hiring a professional shouldn’t be a guess — it should be a clear, informed decision. Before you pick up a tool, ask yourself:
✅ Have I completed projects like this before?
✅ Do I have the time?
✅ Do I have the right tools?
✅ Do I understand permits and codes?
✅ What happens if I make a mistake?
✅ Will this void my warranty?
✅ What’s my backup plan if things go wrong?
✅ Can my family tolerate weeks of disruption?
Why Manufacturers Care Who Installs Their Products
Manufacturers like KOHLER and ONYX require certified installation because they know one truth homeowners often learn the hard way:
Even the best products fail if installed incorrectly.
Certified installation ensures:
✅ Manufacturer specifications are followed
✅ Safety standards are met
✅ Code compliance
✅ Full warranty coverage
✅ Support if issues arise later
This is peace of mind DIY simply can’t match.
If Cost Feels Hard to Justify, Remember This
When homeowners hesitate on professional installation, it’s usually because of the upfront cost. But what you're really investing in is confidence. Proper installation protects your home, your time, and your long-term comfort. When you consider the months of disruption, the cost of errors, and the value of full warranties, professional installation delivers far greater long-term value.
You’re investing in:
DIY is great for small updates—but when it comes to walk-in tubs, walk-in showers, new shower installations, or full bathroom remodels, the stakes are simply higher. Premium products and lifetime warranties only perform as promised when they’re installed correctly. If you want a bathroom that’s safe, durable, and built to last, professional installation isn’t a luxury; it’s the smart investment. Your home deserves craftsmanship, not guesswork.
When your project goes beyond simple DIY updates, experience matters. HomePride Bath has completed thousands of bathroom remodels across Colorado, is BBB+ accredited, and holds a 4.6-star Google rating—because we specialize in exactly three things: bathroom remodels, kitchen cabinet restyling, and making them beautiful and amazingly affordable.
If you’re starting to feel like DIY may not be the safest or smartest path, our licensed professionals are here to help you make a confident decision. For a no-hassle, no-obligation quote, simply fill out the quick form by clicking this link.
DIY can appear cheaper upfront because you avoid labor costs, which often make up 40–65% of a bathroom remodel. However, most Colorado homeowners find DIY costs more than expected due to tool purchases, mistakes, extended timelines, and rework. Professional installation typically costs more initially but often saves money long-term by preventing water damage, ensuring code compliance, and protecting manufacturer warranties.
DIY is strongly discouraged for walk-in tubs, walk-in or curbless showers, full bathroom remodels, and any project involving major plumbing, electrical work, waterproofing, permits, or structural changes. These projects require certified installation, precise waterproofing, and code compliance. Attempting them DIY can lead to serious safety risks, voided warranties, and costly repairs.
Yes, in many cases. Premium systems such as KOHLER walk-in baths, KOHLER LuxStone showers, and ONYX Collection shower systems typically require certified professional installation to maintain their limited lifetime warranties. DIY installation often reduces coverage to one year or voids the warranty entirely, leaving homeowners financially unprotected if problems arise.
DIY bathroom remodels often take several months—and sometimes up to a year—when done on nights and weekends. Professional remodels are typically completed in days or weeks, depending on scope. Faster completion matters, especially in one-bathroom homes, where extended downtime can significantly disrupt daily life.
DIY makes sense for low-risk, cosmetic updates that don’t involve plumbing, electrical systems, waterproofing, or permits. Examples include painting, replacing cabinet hardware, updating mirrors, swapping light fixtures, or changing a toilet seat. Larger projects that affect water management, safety, or structural systems are best left to professionals.