Waterproofing · Ventilation · Stone & millwork
Bathroom Remodeling
In a tropical climate, a bathroom remodel is a waterproofing project with tile on top.
Overview
Ambient humidity in Costa Rica rarely drops far enough for a poorly detailed wet room to ever fully dry. That is why the failures we are called to fix are almost always the same: membrane that stopped at the curb, a fan vented into a soffit instead of outside, or tile set directly on block with nothing behind it. We rebuild from the substrate out, because that is the layer that decides whether the room still looks good in year eight.
What's included
- Full wet-area membrane waterproofing, walls included, not just the floor
- Correctly vented extraction discharging outside the envelope
- Curbless and linear-drain showers with verified slope
- Custom vanities in treated hardwood or marine-grade substrate
- Local stone, porcelain and terrazzo with a documented sealing schedule
- Pressure, hot water and drainage corrections where the existing system is undersized
How it runs
Four stages, in this order.
- 01
Demolition & diagnosis
Open the wet wall and find out what actually failed before deciding what to specify.
- 02
Substrate & waterproofing
Slope, membrane and drain assembly built and flood-tested before any finish material arrives.
- 03
Rough-in
Plumbing, ventilation and electrical corrected to current standard rather than matched to what was there.
- 04
Finish
Tile, stone, millwork and fixtures installed, sealed and handed over with a maintenance schedule.
Local practice
Built to Costa Rican standards, not imported ones.
Whatever the service, the underlying method is the same. Structure is reinforced concrete block and beam or light-gauge steel, sized against the seismic zone your lot sits in. Overhangs are deep enough to keep driving rain off the walls. Foundations are raised and drained. Timber is treated or naturally resistant, and detailed to stay out of ground contact.
These are not preferences. They are what has been shown to survive here, and they are why we do not simply execute a set of plans drawn for a different climate without redesigning the parts that would fail.
See the full build standard- Delivered in
- Santa Ana Lindora · Pozos · Río Oro
- Escazú San Rafael · Guachipelín · Jaboncillos
- Santa Cruz Tamarindo · Playa Langosta · Senderos
- Carrillo Playas del Coco · Playa Hermosa · Ocotal
- Curridabat Guayabos · Lomas de Ayarco · Hacienda Gregal
- Belén Cariari · La Asunción · San Antonio
- Garabito Herradura · Los Sueños · Jacó hills
- Peninsula Papagayo Nacascolo · Papagayo master plan
- Nicoya & Cóbano Nosara · Playa Guiones · Santa Teresa
Questions
Bathroom Remodeling in Costa Rica
Why do bathrooms fail so quickly in Costa Rica?
Two reasons, almost always. Waterproofing membrane that was treated as optional or stopped short of full wall height, and extraction fans that vent into a ceiling cavity instead of through the envelope. Both are invisible at handover and both are expensive at year five.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
A single full bathroom typically runs several weeks, with the schedule driven mainly by material lead times rather than labour. Imported fixtures and specified stone are the usual constraint, so we confirm availability before demolition starts.
Can I keep the existing plumbing layout?
Often yes, and keeping fixtures in place is one of the cheapest decisions available to you. But if the supply lines are undersized, corroded or the drainage slope is wrong, moving fixtures is not the expense — replacing what is behind them is.
Next step
Tell us about the lot.
Send us the plano catastrado and a rough idea of what you want to build. We will come back with a feasibility read on what the site actually allows, what it is likely to cost, and how long permitting will take in your cantón.
Replies within one business day. Consultations in English or Spanish.