How to Choose a Bathroom Contractor in Tampa

Most bathroom disasters aren't design problems. They're contractor problems — and they're avoidable. The homeowners who get burned almost always skipped one of the steps below.

Get three written bids. Compare lines, not totals.

This is the entire game. Three detailed, itemized bids. Then compare them line by line: waterproofing, tile, fixtures, permits, disposal, payment schedule. The cheapest bid usually wins by omitting things — no membrane, no permit fees, no disposal. A $5,000 cheaper bid with no line items isn't a deal; it's a surprise.

Verify the license yourself

Florida contractors must be licensed. Ask for the license number, then check it at the state's license portal. Also ask for general liability and workers' comp certificates — and actually call to confirm they're current. Five minutes of checking prevents five months of regret.

Florida red flags: walk away when you see these

• The contractor asks you to pull the permit
• More than 20% demanded upfront, or cash-only terms
• "Sign today" discounts and high-pressure tactics
• No written contract — just a handshake and a number
• No local references you can call (not just photos)
• A bid that's dramatically lower than the others with vague scope

Ask these five questions

1. "What's your waterproofing system, exactly?" 2. "How do you handle hidden water damage found at demo?" 3. "What's the payment schedule?" 4. "Who pulls the permits?" 5. "What's your change-order process — in writing?" The quality of the answers tells you everything about how the project will go.

Why we publish this

Yes, we're a contractor telling you how to vet contractors — including our competitors. We'd rather win your project by being the obvious right choice than by you never learning what right looks like. When you're ready: we'll earn it at the estimate.