Should you install flooring before or after bathroom?

Author: Brooks Senger Jr.  |  Last update: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

When planning a bathroom remodel, it is important to consider the order in which tasks should be completed. Here are the recommended steps for the order of bathroom remodelling tasks: Install standard bathtubs before flooring, followed by wallboard.

In what order should I install my bathroom?

tile your walls first, then install the bath,sink and toilet, check for any leaks, when you are sure there is no leaks THEN tile the floor, and the adhesive you are planning to use, take it back to where you bought it and buy some proper adhesive and grout mate.

Do you install a bathroom vanity before or after flooring?

Vanity goes first (and likely can't go over your floating floor) so you can bring beadboard right to it. After bead, install flooring if you aren't using quarter round, then baseboard (otherwise baseboard, then floor, then quarter round).

Do you do the floor first or last in a bathroom remodel?

Once these steps are complete, tiling can begin. In most cases, the bathroom floor is tiled first, followed by the walls. This order helps ensure that any grout or adhesive that spills onto the floor can be easily cleaned up and doesn't interfere with the wall tiling.

Do you put flooring down before a toilet?

Install the new floor first before installing the toilet. This ensures a proper and stable flooring surface, and it makes it easier to position and seal the toilet later.

Do You Install Flooring Before Cabinets?

Do you put in the toilet or floor first?

Decisions About the Toilet

We recommend that the toilet bowl be placed on top of the tiles on a finished floor. That's the long and short of it, unless you used a thin material for your tile, like vinyl.

Do you install flooring before shower?

Potential for Leaks: Installing flooring before the shower can provide protection against possible leaks, ensuring that your subfloor and new flooring remain undamaged.

What is the correct order to remodel a bathroom?

  1. Gather Tools and Materials. First things first, you need to have the right supplies on hand before starting your project. ...
  2. Plan and Budget. ...
  3. Choose a Bath Design. ...
  4. Demolition and Removing Bathroom Fixtures. ...
  5. Plumbing. ...
  6. Electrical. ...
  7. Install Exhaust Fan and Ventilation. ...
  8. Update Lighting.

Should flooring be done first or last?

Once you have prepped your walls, you are ready to install the flooring in your home. You should do this before painting any of the walls. That way if you do cause any damage while installing the floors you don't have to repaint areas.

Do you tile the floor or wall first in a bathroom?

In the end, whether you tile your walls or floor first is down to you and your preferences. If you're working on it yourself and have more time to spare, then tile the floor first as this makes tiling the walls easier. Just bear in mind that you must wait for the adhesive to dry before you begin working on the walls.

Does vinyl flooring go under bathroom vanity?

Heavy cabinets, vanities, islands, and such, should never be installed on top of LooseLay flooring with limited adhesive. Instead, we recommend you install vinyl flooring next to cabinets. Pro Tip: Install the cabinets first if you believe the cabinets will remain a fixture for years longer than the flooring.

Should you install flooring before or after cabinets?

When it comes to the installation part of the remodel, everything needs to be done in a step-by-step fashion, and in an order that makes the most sense. If your remodel also includes laying new floors, most experts agree that it's better to install kitchen flooring before cabinets.

Does flooring go under a bath?

So you are installing a new bathroom and suddenly have hit a snag-which should you install first, the flooring or bathtub? The short answer is that standard bathtubs such as alcove and corner bathtubs should always be installed first, followed by the wallboard, the subfloor and the vinyl.

How much does it cost to remodel a 5x10 bathroom?

The national average cost to remodel a 5x10 bathroom is $6,000, and prices usually range from $3,750 up to $13,750.

What is the best flooring for a bathroom?

In terms of withstanding moisture and humidity, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), vinyl roll, and porcelain or ceramic tile are the best bathroom flooring options. Each of these flooring options is water-resistant and able to withstand humidity and temperature changes in a bathroom.

In what order should I remodel my house?

As you look to begin your whole home remodel, here's the general order of operations:
  1. Planning and Design. ...
  2. Demolition. ...
  3. Rebuilding/Framing. ...
  4. Mechanicals/Plumbing/HVAC/Electrical. ...
  5. Walls. ...
  6. Flooring. ...
  7. Cabinets. ...
  8. Appliances.

Do you install flooring before or after toilet?

Professional contractors generally recommend installing new flooring before placing the toilet.

Should flooring go under the dishwasher?

For instance, built-in appliances, like wall ovens or cooktops, often don't need flooring underneath since they are more permanent fixtures. In contrast, movable appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers benefit from having flooring underneath to prevent movement and protect against potential leaks.

Why don't you put flooring under kitchen cabinets?

Because of this installation process, its recommended cabinets go in before floating floors. Cabinets, especially those with heavy stone countertops, could damage your floating floors. These types of floors also shift, expand, contract and settle after installation, causing the cabinets on top of them to move.

In what order do you install a bathroom?

  1. Step 1: Before you get started… ...
  2. Step 2: Demolition and removal. ...
  3. Step 3: Pipework, electrics and plastering. ...
  4. Step 4: Installing the shower and bath. ...
  5. Step 5: Flooring overhaul. ...
  6. Step 6: Tiling. ...
  7. Step 7: Cabinets and vanity set-up. ...
  8. Step 8: Lighting enhancements.

What is a realistic budget for a bathroom remodel?

The average cost of a bathroom remodel in California ranges from $10,000 to $30,000 for a mid-range remodel, with high-end remodels going up to $70,000 or more. Costs can vary depending on the size of the bathroom, the quality of materials used, and your location within California.

Can I renovate my bathroom for $5000?

Home renovations can be expensive, but you can still give your bathroom a makeover on a relatively low budget. With a sum as small as $5,000, you can overhaul the space, but you'll need to make smart choices and be prepared to roll up your sleeves.

Do you put the bathroom floor first or last?

Why You Should Tile the Floor First. The tile installation principle is that the tiled wall 'hangs' over the tiled floor. The best way to achieve this outcome is by first tiling the floor so that the wall tile will then seem to be 'sitting' on the bathroom floor.

Do you install flooring before a vanity?

Cabinet installers like the floor to be in place so that the cutting and dust from the floor installation will not damage the vanity.

Do you put vinyl plank flooring under a shower?

Yes, it is definitely possible to lay vinyl flooring in the shower, as solid vinyl is absolutely waterproof. You don't have to do without vinyl in the wet cell and instead lay tiles. Here's how vinyl works even in heavily wet areas like the shower and bathtub: Seal the substrates absolutely watertight.

Previous article
When I wash my walls the paint comes off?
Next article
Can I add water to plaster?