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In the Kansas City Metro, your bathroom needs to handle the morning rush and the hard water that flows through the pipes. Whether you are restoring a vintage tile bath in a Brookside Shirtwaist or updating a master suite in Overland Park, the project requires local expertise. You need a team that understands how to work on both sides of the State Line.
Mr. Remodel is your connection to the top remodeling talent in the area. We partner with licensed contractors who are registered with bothJohnson County Contractor Licensing and the City of Kansas City, Missouri. The experts in our network know how to navigate everything from the CompassKC permit portal to the specific plumbing codes for historic homes in Waldo and Hyde Park.
Get a free, no-obligation quote from a vetted KC bathroom remodeler.
Why Kansas City Homeowners Use Mr. Remodel
1. Bi-State Licensing Knowledge
Remodeling in KCMO requires different paperwork than in Leawood or Olathe. Our network pros carry the correct credentials for your specific jurisdiction. This includes the required Class A, B, or C licenses for Johnson County and the business licenses needed for KCMO. This protects you from fines and ensures your project is legal.
2. Shirtwaist Home Specialists
The classic Kansas City Shirtwaist home usually has one main bathroom on the second floor. These spaces are often small and share a wall with a bedroom. The contractors we connect you with are experts at optimizing these narrow layouts. They know how to add modern functionality without destroying the historic charm of your vintage home.
3. Hard Water Solutions
Kansas City water has a high mineral content. This limescale destroys faucets and glass shower doors over time. Our partners specialize in installing whole-home water softeners and using fixtures with PVD finishes that resist corrosion. This keeps your new bathroom looking clean for years.
Average Cost of Bathroom Remodeling in Kansas City
Labor rates in the Midwest are generally lower than on the coasts, but materials for historic repairs can add to the cost. Below are estimates for typical Metro projects.
|
REMODEL TYPE |
AVERAGE COST |
TYPICAL PROJECT SCOPE |
TIMELINE |
|
Cosmetic Update |
$8,000 to $12,000 |
New vanity, toilet, paint, and fixtures. Keeping the existing layout. |
1 to 2 Weeks |
|
Tub-to-Shower |
$10,000 to $15,000 |
Removing the old tub and installing a walk-in shower with tile surround. |
2 to 3 Weeks |
|
Full Gut |
$18,000 to $30,000 |
New plumbing lines to replace galvanized pipes, subfloor repair, and tile. |
3 to 4 Weeks |
|
Master Suite |
$35,000 to $60,000+ |
Moving walls, dual vanities, freestanding tub, high-end stone. |
4 to 6 Weeks |
Common Bathroom Challenges in the Metro
1. The Cast Iron Stack
Homes in Waldo and Brookside built before 1970 often rely on cast-iron waste pipes. These vertical stacks rust from the inside and eventually crack. The pros in our network often recommend replacing this main stack with PVC during a major remodel. This prevents sewage leaks behind your new walls.
2. The Shared Hall Bath
Many historic KC homes have only one full bath upstairs. Renovating this space is tricky because you cannot be without a toilet for weeks. Our partners are skilled at phased remodeling to minimize downtime. They work efficiently to get your facilities back online quickly.
3. Basement Plumbing Depth
Adding a bathroom to a basement in Shawnee or Liberty can be complicated. If the main sewer line is higher than your basement floor, you need an ejector pump. The experts we work with check your sewer depth immediately to see if this pump is required before giving you a quote.
4. Lath and Plaster Walls
In older KCMO neighborhoods, walls are often made of thick plaster over wood lath. This is messy to demo and hard to patch. The contractors we connect you with use dust barriers and negative air pressure to keep fine plaster dust out of the rest of your house.
Historic Shirtwaist Bath vs. Suburban Master Suite
The approach to remodeling depends heavily on where you live in the Metro.
Option A: The Historic Shirtwaist Update
- Best For: Homes in Brookside, Midtown, and Hyde Park.
- The Goal: Maximizing a small 5x8 footprint while keeping the vintage vibe.
- The Strategy: Pros often replace the bulky radiator with a toe-kick heater to save space. They use subway tile and pedestal sinks to maintain the era look while improving flow.
- The Benefit: It preserves the value of your historic home and fixes underlying plumbing issues.
Option B: The Suburban Master Suite
- Best For: Homes in Overland Park, Lenexa, and Blue Springs.
- The Goal: Creating a spa-like retreat with separate zones.
- The Strategy: Pros remove the large corner garden tubs common in 1990s homes to make room for massive walk-in showers. They add dual vanities and heated tile floors.
- The Benefit: It modernizes the home and increases resale value in competitive school districts.
Expert Advice: Do not try to force a modern suburban layout into a historic Shirtwaist. It usually hurts resale value. Work within the footprint and focus on high-quality finishes.
How Mr. Remodel Works
We streamline the confusing permit process for you.
- Permit Management: The contractor submits plans through the CompassKC portal for Missouri homes or the specific city hall for Kansas suburbs.
- Trade Coordination: A bathroom remodel involves plumbers, electricians, and tile setters. The general contractor schedules them all to avoid delays.
- Final Inspection: The contractor ensures the work passes all city or county inspections before the project is closed out.
Serving the Entire Bi-State Area
Mr. Remodel connects you with pros across the state line.
- Missouri Side: Kansas City (KCMO), Brookside, Waldo, Liberty, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Blue Springs.
- Kansas Side: Overland Park, Olathe, Leawood, Shawnee, Lenexa, Prairie Village, Mission.
FAQ: Bathroom Remodeling in Kansas City
Do I need a permit to remodel my bathroom in Kansas City?
Yes. In KCMO, you need a permit for most plumbing and electrical work. You apply through the CompassKC system. In Johnson County suburbs, each city (like Overland Park or Lenexa) has its own permit office. Our network pros handle this paperwork for you.
How do I know if the pros I hire have a Johnson County Contractor's License?
Contractors working in Johnson County must hold a Class A, B, or C license. You can verify a contractor's license status on theJohnson County Contractor Licensing website. Never hire an unlicensed contractor in JoCo.
How do I stop white buildup on my shower fixtures?
Kansas City water is moderately hard (high mineral content). This causes white limescale to build up on faucets and glass doors. We recommend two solutions:
- Install a whole-home water softener during the plumbing rough-in.
- Choose PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) finishes for faucets, which resist corrosion better than standard chrome.
Can I add a bathroom to my basement?
Yes, but check your sewer depth first. In many older KC homes, the city sewer main is higher than the basement floor. This means gravity won't work. The experts we connect you with will inspect your stack to see if you need an ejector pump to push waste up to the sewer line.
What about old lead pipes in Midtown homes?
If your home was built before 1950, you might have lead supply lines. Our pros can perform a simple scratch test on your pipes. If they are lead, we strongly recommend replacing them with PEX piping back to the service entry to ensure your water is safe.
Get Your Free KC Bathroom Remodeling Quote
Don't let a cramped layout or old pipes ruin your morning. Whether you need a historic restoration in Hyde Park or a modern update in Leawood, Mr. Remodel is your link to the best pros in the Metro.
Ready to upgrade your home? Request Your Free Quote Today.