NYC Renovation Case Study
Long Island City Bathroom Gut Renovation
A modern Long Island City bathroom gut renovation with a frameless walk-in shower, complete waterproofing, large-format tile, floating oak vanity, and coordinated apartment-building logistics.
Get Your Free On-Site EstimateA full bathroom gut renovation in Long Island City typically requires about 6–9 weeks of construction once building approval, permits, and materials are ready. Comparable projects commonly plan around $35,000–$70,000+, depending on plumbing changes, waterproofing, tile, custom cabinetry, shower glass, and concealed conditions.
The Project
A Modern Bathroom Planned for a Long Island City Apartment
This 2022 Long Island City bathroom gut-renovation case study focuses on the work required to rebuild a compact apartment bathroom from the substrate out. The finish direction combines warm-gray large-format porcelain tile, a terrazzo-style floor, a frameless walk-in shower, a floating white-oak vanity, and matte-black fixtures.
The layout keeps every element practical for daily use. Clear shower glass preserves the room’s sightlines, vanity drawers provide accessible storage, a recessed niche keeps products off the shower floor, and layered lighting brightens the sink and wet area without making the space feel clinical.
Image note: These original design visualizations illustrate the finished scope and material direction described in this case study; they are not documentary site photographs.
Design Visualization
Modern Long Island City Bathroom Design Details
Original visualizations show the coordinated shower, vanity, tile, storage, lighting, and drainage details planned for this compact apartment bathroom.
Scope of Work
What a Complete Bathroom Rebuild Includes
- Protection and controlled demolitionProtect the apartment and common route, disconnect fixtures, and remove finishes down to sound framing and subfloor.
- Plumbing and electrical rough-inCoordinate shutoffs, inspect concealed lines, update fixture connections, and provide code-compliant lighting, outlets, and ventilation.
- Substrate and waterproofingPrepare stable wall and floor assemblies, form the shower slope, and install a continuous wet-area waterproofing system.
- Large-format tile installationPlan balanced tile layouts, accurate cuts, aligned grout joints, finished edges, and slip-resistant shower-floor material.
- Vanity, glass, and fixturesInstall the floating vanity, quartz top, mirror, toilet, shower trim, recessed niche, frameless enclosure, and accessories.
- Testing and close-outTest supply and drainage, inspect sealant joints and electrical devices, complete the punch list, and clean the work area.
Cost & Timeline
Current Planning Ranges for LIC Bathroom Renovation
| Comparable scope | Current planning range | Construction time |
|---|---|---|
| Same-layout full bathroom renovation | $35,000–$50,000 | About 5–7 weeks |
| Gut renovation with walk-in shower and custom vanity | $50,000–$70,000 | About 6–9 weeks |
| Layout changes or extensive plumbing work | $70,000+ | About 8–10+ weeks |
These are current NYC planning ranges, not the private invoice for the 2022 project. Final cost depends on the existing bathroom, building requirements, design documents, permits, licensed trade work, material selections, access, and conditions revealed after demolition.
Six Steps
How a Long Island City Bathroom Gut Renovation Moves Forward
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On-site assessmentMeasure the bathroom and review the existing plumbing, electrical service, ventilation, access route, and building alteration rules.
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Scope and finish selectionsConfirm the layout, fixtures, tile, vanity, lighting, glass, responsibilities, allowances, and realistic budget before work begins.
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Approvals and logisticsPrepare required documents, insurance certificates, permits, protection plans, delivery schedules, and water-shutoff requests.
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Demolition and rough workOpen the room, evaluate concealed conditions, and complete approved plumbing and electrical work before closing assemblies.
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Waterproofing and finishesBuild stable substrates, waterproof the wet area, install tile, cabinetry, fixtures, lighting, and measured shower glass.
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Testing and final walkthroughVerify drainage, plumbing, outlets, ventilation, hardware, sealants, and finish quality before completing the punch list.
LIC Apartment Planning
Building Rules Matter as Much as the Finish Schedule
Many Long Island City apartments are in condominiums, co-ops, and newer multifamily buildings. Management may require an alteration agreement, contractor insurance, licensed-trade documentation, work-hour limits, elevator reservations, dust control, and advance notice for water shutoffs. Building approval is separate from any NYC Department of Buildings permit that the scope may require.
For a durable result, ask how demolition protection, waterproofing, plumbing, electrical work, ventilation, tile preparation, shower glass, inspections, and final cleaning are handled in the proposal. WhiteStar coordinates complete bathroom renovations across Long Island City, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island.
Explore our NYC bathroom renovation service, understand the gut-renovation process, browse more renovation case studies, review where we work, or request a free on-site estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Long Island City Bathroom Renovation FAQs
How much does a bathroom gut renovation cost in Long Island City?
Comparable Long Island City bathroom gut renovations commonly plan around $35,000u2013$70,000 or more. Layout changes, plumbing work, custom cabinetry, premium tile, shower glass, permits, and concealed conditions can increase the total.
How long does a complete LIC bathroom renovation take?
Construction commonly takes about six to nine weeks after approvals and materials are ready. Building review, permits, long-lead fixtures, custom glass, and unexpected conditions can extend the overall schedule.
Does a Long Island City apartment bathroom renovation need permits?
Some same-location finish replacements may not require a DOB permit, while plumbing, electrical, ventilation, layout, or structural changes can require permits and licensed trades. The exact scope should be reviewed before work begins.
Do condo or co-op rules apply separately from NYC permits?
Yes. Building management may require an alteration agreement, insurance certificates, drawings, contractor information, work-hour limits, elevator protection, and scheduled water shutoffs even when the city permit scope is limited.
What waterproofing should a walk-in shower include?
A reliable shower needs stable substrates, a properly sloped base, a continuous waterproofing system, sealed corners and penetrations, compatible drain detailing, and testing before tile conceals the assembly.
Does WhiteStar renovate bathrooms throughout Long Island City and Queens?
Yes. WhiteStar provides full-scope bathroom and interior renovation services in Long Island City and across Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island, subject to project size and site assessment.
Plan With Clear Numbers