Is A ONE Day Bathroom Remodel Even Possible?

In the YouTube video “Is A ONE Day Bathroom Remodel Even Possible?”, Roger Wakefield tackles a question many homeowners ask when they see commercials promising a fully remodeled bathroom in a single day: is this really feasible, or is it just a flashy advertising gimmick? Joining him in the discussion is Ben Alexander, owner of Hank’s Handyman Services, who offers professional insights into what’s truly involved in a bathroom overhaul. Together, they explore the differences between legitimate remodeling processes and shortcuts that may skip permits, inspections, and licensed trades—all of which can potentially leave homeowners with shoddy work and major headaches.

Why the “One Day Remodel” Claims Raise Red Flags

Homeowners often hear tempting promises on TV—companies boasting they’ll come in at 8:00 AM and have your bathroom sparkling-new by dinner time. It sounds incredible, but there’s a major catch. Fully remodeling a bathroom generally requires:

• Plumbing work (often by a licensed plumber)
• Electrical work (often by a licensed electrician)
• Possible HVAC adjustments (if ducts or vents need moving)
• Carpentry (framing, cabinets, or countertops)
• Drywall repair or replacement
• Tiling or other types of wall and floor finishes
• Painting
• Proper permitting and inspections

The big question is: Can a single crew truly handle all of these tasks in just one day, while also following legal requirements, pulling permits, and scheduling city inspections? For most legitimate projects, the answer is a firm no—at least, not if you want a quality result that meets code and keeps your home safe.

The Issue of Permits and Licensed Trades

Depending on where you live, plumbing and electrical work generally require a state-issued license. In Texas, for example, any significant modifications to plumbing or electrical systems must be performed by (or overseen by) licensed professionals. They also typically require a permit from the city, which triggers inspections at certain stages of the project.

These inspections are there for your protection. They ensure that drains are set correctly, water lines and valves are installed properly, electrical wiring meets local code, and so on. But scheduling an inspection can be a time-consuming process—inspectors rarely show up on the same day you request an appointment. For this reason alone, a “one day bathroom remodel” often indicates that no legal permit is being pulled and no inspection is being requested, raising serious concerns about code compliance and long-term safety.

What a Legitimate Bathroom Remodel Involves

Ben Alexander and his team at Hank’s Handyman Services specialize in bathroom remodels. According to Ben, his company’s typical timeline is up to ten days from start to finish for a full remodel (though some projects wrap up sooner, like six or seven days). Here’s an overview of how this process usually unfolds:

1. Initial Demolition (Day 1)
   • Remove existing fixtures: toilets, sinks, shower or tub, flooring, old tile, and any necessary drywall.
   • Prioritize the plumbing area: once the relevant walls are open, a licensed plumber can update or reposition the pipes and install new valves or shower/tub drains.
   • By the end of Day 1, the new shower valve, shower pan, and any reconfigured plumbing lines are often ready for inspection.
2. Inspection (Day 2, if possible)
   • After the plumber finishes the rough-in work, an inspector comes to confirm everything is up to code.
   • The timeline can stretch if the city can’t inspect immediately, but the crew can still do other tasks (e.g., framing, drywall in areas away from the wet wall, or flooring) while waiting.
3. Tiling and Surface Work
   • Tiling a shower, walls, or floor is a labor-intensive job that requires meticulous cuts, leveling, and grouting. This can easily take multiple days, depending on the size of the bathroom and the complexity of the design.
   • Once the tile is set, it needs time to cure before grouting and sealing.
4. Electrical Updates
   • If the homeowner wants new lighting, switches, or outlets, a licensed electrician handles the wiring and installation.
   • If moving or adding circuits, an additional electrical inspection might be required before walls are closed up.
5. Finishing Touches
   • Painting, installing trim or baseboards, placing the vanity and mirror, and hooking up faucets, toilets, and other fixtures typically happen toward the end.
   • A final inspection or occupancy inspection may be necessary in some jurisdictions, ensuring everything is code-compliant.

Across this timeline, different specialized trades come in at various points. Could you theoretically do everything in a single day? Not without skipping permits, licensed trades, and thorough inspections. That’s where the “one day bathroom remodel” often reveals itself as primarily cosmetic—a quick covering up of old surfaces rather than a legitimate remodel.

What “One Day” Companies Often Do

When you dig deeper into those quick-turnaround offers, you’ll find that many focus primarily on the wet area—the tub or shower—rather than an entire bathroom. Typically, they:

• Install Acrylic Wall Liners: These fit over existing tile or walls, or they come as a “one-piece” enclosure.
• Replace the Tub or Shower Pan: An acrylic pan or a prefabricated shower base that can pop in quickly.
• Seal the Edges with Caulk: Some do a decent job, while others might cut corners.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with acrylic walls if installed correctly—they can be durable and easy to clean. But if they are pitched as a full remodel, you may not be getting new plumbing lines or a properly installed valve behind that new enclosure. You also might not have any formal inspection. And if there’s hidden mold or structural issues behind the old walls, these quick installations might simply seal the problem in rather than fix it.

Potential Issues with Skipped Steps

1. Unlicensed Plumbing Work
   If existing drain lines or valve connections weren’t replaced or tested properly, you could have leaks hidden behind that sleek new acrylic. Over time, this can lead to mold, wood rot, and even structural damage.
2. Lack of Electrical Upgrades
   Older bathrooms often have minimal or outdated electrical setups. If you wanted to add a new GFCI outlet or ventilation fan, that’s typically not part of a “one day” approach—unless, again, it’s done without a licensed electrician or permit.
3. No Inspection
   Without a thorough inspection, you have no official documentation that the work meets city or state codes. This can become an expensive problem if you try to sell your home, or worse, if a hidden defect causes water damage or creates a safety hazard.
4. Short-Term “Facelift” Only
   Replacing the tub and snapping on new wall liners might look great at first. But if there’s any major issue with your pipes or subfloor, you won’t see it until it escalates into a significant repair job later.

The Reality: Ten Days or Less (But Not One Day)

Ben Alexander’s mention of a ten-day or less timeline underscores how a legitimate remodel can still move swiftly if planned well:

• Demolition and plumbing happen on Day 1.
• Inspection occurs on or around Day 2 (depending on city scheduling).
• Progress continues with drywall, flooring, or other tasks while waiting for the inspector.
• Tiling and finishing take several days due to the nature of the work and the need for proper curing time.
• Final fixtures and finishing wrap up the project, ensuring each trade has done its part correctly.

Throughout these phases, the homeowner sees consistent progress—an entire bathroom gutted and reassembled in about one to two weeks. That’s impressively fast for a major home improvement job but still realistic enough to include licensed professionals and inspections.

The Question You Must Ask

Roger’s final advice is direct and crucial for any homeowner hiring a remodeling contractor: Ask whether they will pull a permit, and if you’ll receive a copy of the green tag (proof of inspection). This single step lets you confirm:

• Your contractor is operating legally and respects local regulations.
• You’ll have official documentation that the work meets code.
• If anything goes wrong, you have a paper trail to show the work was inspected and approved.

Failure to provide this assurance is a red flag that something in the process may be too good to be true.

What If the Contractor Says a Permit Isn’t Necessary?

They might claim they “aren’t moving any drains” or they “don’t need to touch electrical.” But more often than not, a true bathroom remodel involves relocating or updating something behind the walls. Even if you’re simply updating the shower valve or adding an outlet, many regions require at least a simple permit. Always check your city’s regulations, and don’t be afraid to contact the local building authority to verify.

Why Proper Permitting and Inspections Protect You

1. Ensures Quality
   Inspectors validate that your bathroom’s plumbing, electrical work, and structural elements are safely installed.
2. Legal Compliance
   If your city or state mandates permits for remodeling, skipping them can lead to fines or forced re-inspection (and possible tear-outs) later.
3. Future Home Sale
   When selling, prospective buyers (and their inspectors) often look for records of permits. A missing permit can delay or derail a sale.
4. Insurance Coverage
   Unpermitted work that leads to a flood or electrical fire might cause your insurance company to deny a claim. Proper documentation helps protect you financially.

A Closer Look at Acrylic Systems

Acrylic shower or tub systems typically come in large, molded pieces that fit over existing walls or attach to a newly installed shower pan. Advantages can include:

• Cost: They’re often less expensive than custom tile.
• Speed: Installation is relatively quick—certainly faster than a tile job.
• Ease of Maintenance: Fewer grout lines to keep clean.

However, the big difference is scope. Replacing a shower pan and attaching a wall liner is not a full remodel. If the project includes moving drains, upgrading supply lines, or adding new fixtures, a single day is insufficient for quality, inspected work. Acrylic can be a viable choice—just be sure you’re aware of the difference between a real remodel and a surface-level update.

When a One Day Remodel Might Be Genuine

In extremely rare cases:

• No plumbing moves: If you’re literally just swapping out a tub that’s in good condition with an acrylic shell, the plumbing under the tub remains untouched.
• No new valves: If you’re reusing the existing shower or tub valve, with no changes other than faceplate or handle.
• No electrical changes: No new lighting, no new fans, no new outlets.
• Simple finishing: Minimal or no tile work, focusing mostly on replacing surfaces.

In such a scenario, you might replace the tub and cover walls with acrylic, applying fresh caulk and sealant in less than a day. But it’s crucial to clarify that this is more of a cosmetic “refresh” than a remodel. Once plumbing or electrical lines are modified, you’re in a new ballgame—one that doesn’t end neatly in a single afternoon.

Protecting Yourself from a “Scam”

To avoid regrets and expensive repairs, adopt these best practices:

• Get Multiple Quotes: Compare the timelines, methods, and pricing of at least three contractors or companies.
• Verify Credentials: Ask for their plumbing or electrical license numbers, if your job involves those trades. Check them against official state boards.
• Demand Permits: A reputable contractor won’t balk at the permit process. If they do, walk away.
• Ask for References and Photos: Reputable remodelers should be proud to show off their past work.
• Understand the Timeline: Expect a multi-day or multi-week job for a full remodel, especially if you’re reconfiguring anything behind the walls.

The Bottom Line on One Day Remodels

Yes, it’s theoretically possible to install a new tub or shower walls in one day. But that’s not the same as remodeling your entire bathroom. When you see ads claiming a total, floor-to-ceiling transformation in 24 hours, you should be skeptical. Often, these projects either:

• Skip crucial steps like licensing, permitting, and inspections.
• Focus only on the “wet space” rather than the entire bathroom.
• Leave out updates to plumbing, electrical systems, or underlying structures.

Quality bathroom remodeling is a meticulous process that usually takes at least several days—if not a couple of weeks—especially when you want the job done legally and safely. Don’t risk your home’s plumbing, electrical wiring, or structural integrity by falling for a marketing gimmick.

Final Thoughts

Is A ONE Day Bathroom Remodel Even Possible? According to Roger Wakefield and Ben Alexander, the “one day” promise is almost always misleading when it comes to a true, full-scale remodel. While acrylic wall inserts and similar quick fixes can be legitimate for limited scopes of work, you should be extremely wary if the contractor suggests major plumbing or electrical work that somehow won’t need permits, inspections, or a licensed professional.

Always remember to ask for a permit and a green tag (inspection record). That single question can save you from hidden disasters and ensure your bathroom remodel is done by skilled professionals who follow the law. When done right, your new bathroom will be more than just a quick cosmetic upgrade—it’ll be a safe, comfortable space you can enjoy for years to come.