Scarsdale Guest Bathroom Renovation

When this Scarsdale homeowner called us about their guest bathroom, the room told the whole story before we even talked numbers. Vintage green wall tile from the original build, a small pedestal sink, a cast iron tub that had been there for generations, and a layout that hadn’t been touched in decades. They wanted something clean, modern, and functional — a space their guests would actually enjoy using.

We delivered exactly that for $13,000 — labor and construction materials included. The homeowner supplied the finish fixtures.

The Starting Point

The original bathroom had character, but character only goes so far when the plumbing is aging, the layout feels cramped, and the finishes are stuck in another era. Every surface had to come out — tub, tile, walls, floor, fixtures, plumbing. Down to the studs and joists.

What We Did

Demolition

We started by tarping off the entire work area, protecting the adjacent rooms, and tearing out everything down to the framing. Cast iron tubs are heavy and brutal to remove — they have to be broken up in place with a sledgehammer and hauled out in pieces. The tile work came down next, followed by the old plaster and any rotted backing material we found behind the walls.

New Cast Iron Bathtub

The homeowner specifically wanted to replace the original cast iron tub with a new cast iron tub — and that’s exactly what we did. Cast iron is the gold standard for bathtubs. It holds heat far longer than acrylic or steel, it doesn’t flex when you step into it, and properly maintained it will outlast the rest of the house. This was the right call.

Plumbing Upgrade

All new copper plumbing throughout. We replaced the supply lines, the drain assembly, the trap, and the shower valve. Copper is durable, code-compliant, and the right choice for a long-term renovation.

Tile Work

The new shower surround and floor are marble-look porcelain in a large-format pattern. Porcelain gives the visual richness of natural marble without the maintenance — no sealing, no staining, no etching from soap and shampoo. The tile runs all the way up the shower walls and across the entire floor, including under the vanity.

Ventilation

The original bathroom had no proper exhaust. We installed a new bath fan and ducted it directly to the exterior of the home. This is non-negotiable in any bathroom renovation we do. Without proper venting, moisture stays trapped in the room, leading to mold behind walls, peeling paint, and damaged tile grout. A vented fan adds modest cost up front and saves thousands in long-term damage.

Lighting

Two new LED recessed lights replaced the dated wall sconce fixture. Recessed lighting in a bathroom this size makes the room feel larger, gives even illumination across the floor and vanity, and looks clean against the sloped ceiling.

Vanity and Toilet

A new white shaker-style vanity with a speckled quartz top replaced the pedestal sink, giving the homeowner real storage in a room that previously had none. A new comfort-height toilet replaced the older fixture.

Guest Bathroom Pricing

Not every bathroom needs a full gut renovation. Our guest bathroom renovations start as low as $6,000 for a quick-turnaround scope — typically tile replacement in the tub/shower area only, new floor tile, new vanity and toilet installation, fresh paint, and basic prep work.

Every job is quoted after an in-person walkthrough. There are too many variables — existing plumbing condition, subfloor condition, electrical, ventilation routing, room size — to give a real number without seeing the space.

Why Cast Iron Still Wins

A quick note on the tub choice, because we get asked about this a lot. Modern acrylic tubs are lighter, cheaper, and easier to install. They have their place — especially in second-floor installs where weight is a concern. But for a primary bathing tub that sees daily use, cast iron is still the right call:

• Holds heat dramatically longer than acrylic
• Doesn’t flex or feel hollow when you step in
• Resists chips, dents, and scratches
• Lasts 50+ years with basic care
• Adds resale value

The trade-off is weight and installation difficulty. A 5-foot cast iron tub weighs 300+ pounds. You need a strong subfloor and a crew that knows how to maneuver it without damaging the home. We do.