How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Severance, CO?

Typical Severance bathroom cost ranges: powder room refresh $3,000 to $8,000; hall or kids bath full remodel $12,000 to $25,000; standalone tub-to-shower conversion $5,000 to $15,000 (acrylic kit at the low end, full tile with Schluter Kerdi waterproofing at the high end); primary bath mid-range remodel $20,000 to $45,000; primary bath premium remodel with custom tile, freestanding soaker tub, dual vanity, and walk-in shower $45,000 to $80,000+; basement bathroom finish-out from builder rough-in $10,000 to $22,000.

Can you remove the pony wall in my Severance primary bath?

Yes — pony wall removal is one of the most-requested Severance primary bath upgrades. Most Severance builder-grade primary baths include a pony wall (a partial wall 36-42 inches tall) separating the toilet from the vanity area. Owners often find it cramped and visually dated. Removing it opens up the room and creates the option to install a freestanding tub, larger walk-in shower, or expanded dual vanity. Removal typically runs $500 to $1,500 standalone but is usually rolled into a larger remodel. We check for any plumbing or electrical hidden in the pony wall before demo and reroute if needed.

Should I convert my Severance primary bath tub-shower combo to a walk-in shower?

It's the single most-common Severance primary bath upgrade. Most Severance new-builds came with a 60-inch alcove tub-shower combo in the primary — fine for a kids bath, not what most adults actually want long-term. Converting to a walk-in shower runs $5,000 to $15,000 depending on whether you choose an acrylic surround (low end), a tile surround over moisture-rated drywall (mid), or a full Schluter Kerdi or Wedi waterproofed tile shower with designer tile and a frameless glass door (high end). Resale note: a primary bath with a walk-in shower and no tub is no longer a resale negative in Severance — as long as another bathroom in the house has a tub, primary walk-in showers are now preferred by most buyers.

What is Schluter Kerdi waterproofing and why does it matter?

Schluter Kerdi (and the similar Wedi system) is a fully bonded waterproof membrane that goes between your tile and the wall behind it. Builder-grade tile showers in Severance new-builds were typically installed with tile directly over moisture-resistant drywall (greenboard) — which works for a while but is not actually waterproof, and grout failures, hairline cracks, or soap-scum penetration eventually let water reach the drywall behind. Once that drywall gets wet, you get mold, stud rot, and a leak that's invisible until something fails. Schluter Kerdi creates an actual waterproof envelope behind your tile so the wall stays dry permanently. It costs more upfront ($500 to $1,500 in materials for a typical shower) but it's the difference between a 30-year shower and a 10-year shower.

Can you finish out the basement bathroom rough-in my builder left?

Yes — basement bath finish-out is a common Severance project because most builders rough in the plumbing for a future basement bathroom but leave it unfinished to keep base pricing down. We finish it: frame the walls, install the toilet flange and drain plumbing, run supply lines, set the shower or tub, hang and finish drywall, tile, install vanity and toilet, and trim out. Typical $10,000 to $22,000 depending on size, shower vs. tub-shower, and finish level. Permit through SAFEbuilt (plumbing + electrical + drywall inspections). Pairs naturally with a full basement finishing project — see our Severance basement finishing page.

My builder-grade Severance shower valve is leaking. Is that just a valve fix or a bigger problem?

It depends on age and water history. Cartridge wear is normal on builder-grade valves at 8-12 years (and faster in Severance's hard-water area). A cartridge swap is typically $200 to $400. But if the valve has been dripping for months or years, water may have wicked into the wall behind the tile — at which point a 'simple valve fix' becomes a much larger project. We thermal-image the wall first to confirm there's no hidden moisture; if there is, we scope the repair properly rather than papering over it. If you're seeing soft spots on the wall opposite the shower, brown staining on the ceiling below an upstairs shower, or rising humidity in the bathroom, call us before you call a quick-fix plumber.

Bathroom Remodeling in Severance, CO | Tub-to-Shower, Pony Wall Removal & Spa Baths | GIMA Renovation

Severance Bathrooms: The Builder-Grade Template Owners Keep Replacing

Almost every Severance home was built in the last 15 years, and the bathrooms in those builder packages tend to share an identical template:

Primary bath: A 60-inch alcove tub-shower combo with a basic shower curtain rod or sliding glass door, a single 60-inch vanity (or sometimes a double-sink 60-72 inch vanity), a small linen closet, and a pony wall (a partial 36-42 inch wall) separating the toilet area from the vanity. Floor: 12x12 ceramic tile in a neutral color.
Hall / kids bath: A 60-inch alcove tub-shower combo with shower curtain, a single 30-36 inch vanity, vinyl plank or 12x12 tile floor, basic mirror, basic light bar.
Powder room: A pedestal sink or a small 24-30 inch vanity, basic toilet, basic mirror, basic light.
Basement bathroom: Often rough-in only — the builder stubbed plumbing for a future toilet, sink, and shower drain but didn't finish the room.

That builder template gets the house to closing. It doesn't actually match how most Severance owners live in their homes 5-7 years later, and it definitely doesn't match the primary-bath-as-spa expectations of buyers in the Hidden Valley, Tailholt, Belmont Farms, Steeplechase, Saddler Ridge, and Highpointe Estates price points. We're a Greeley-based remodeling and restoration company about 25 to 30 minutes from Severance, and bathroom remodels are one of our most-requested Severance project types.

What Severance Bathroom Remodels Actually Cost

Powder room refresh: $3,000 to $8,000. New vanity, mirror, light, toilet, faucet, and paint. Often the highest-ROI single-room project.
Tub-to-shower conversion (acrylic surround): $5,000 to $9,000. Tub out, acrylic shower kit in, valve and drain converted. Fast (5-8 days).
Tub-to-shower conversion (tile with Schluter Kerdi): $9,000 to $15,000. Tub out, Schluter Kerdi waterproof membrane, designer tile walls and floor, glass door (frameless or semi-frameless). 10-14 days.
Hall / kids bath full remodel: $12,000 to $25,000. Vanity, toilet, tub or shower (keeping or replacing), fixtures, tile, paint, mirror, lighting.
Primary bath mid-range remodel: $20,000 to $45,000. Tub-to-shower or shower expansion, dual vanity, designer tile, new fixtures, pony wall removal.
Primary bath premium remodel: $45,000 to $80,000+. Custom tile work, freestanding soaker tub, walk-in tile shower with multiple shower heads, dual vanity with quartz top, premium fixtures, heated floor.
Basement bathroom finish-out (builder rough-in to finished bathroom): $10,000 to $22,000.
Aging-in-place upgrade (grab bars, comfort-height toilet, curbless shower): $4,000 to $18,000 as a standalone scope.

Every Severance estimate we send is a written, line-item scope. You see exactly what each fixture, tile slab, vanity, and labor line costs — not a bundled bid with hidden allowances.

The 10 Most-Requested Severance Bathroom Upgrades

1. Tub-to-Shower Conversion in the Primary Bath

The single most-common Severance bathroom project. Most builders installed a 60-inch alcove tub-shower combo in the primary because it kept costs down and let the listing say “tub in primary.” In practice, most adults don't bathe in their primary bath — they shower. Converting to a true walk-in shower:

Removes the tub and apron.
Reframes the curb (or leaves a curbless, zero-entry option for aging-in-place).
Installs Schluter Kerdi waterproof membrane on walls, floor, and curb.
Tiles walls, floor, and bench (if added) with designer porcelain or natural stone.
Installs frameless or semi-frameless glass shower door and panel.
Updates shower valve, head, and hand-held wand (often adds rain head or body sprays at the premium tier).

2. Pony Wall Removal

Most Severance builder-grade primary baths have a pony wall separating the toilet area from the rest of the room. It made the toilet feel slightly private at the cost of making the entire bath feel chopped up. Removing the pony wall opens the room dramatically and lets us reconfigure the floor plan — freestanding tub, larger shower, expanded dual vanity, or simply a more open feel. Typical removal: $500-$1,500 standalone, but normally rolled into a full primary remodel. We confirm there's no plumbing or electrical inside the pony wall before demo.

3. Dual-Vanity Upgrade

Many Severance primary baths have a single 60-inch vanity even though the wall space supports a true double vanity. Replacing the single with a dual-sink vanity (or two separate vanities with a make-up counter between) is one of the highest-ROI moves for households where both partners get ready at the same time. Typical: $3,500-$9,000 including new vanity, top, sinks, faucets, mirrors, and lighting.

4. Walk-in Tile Shower with Schluter Kerdi Waterproofing

For premium primary baths, the centerpiece is typically a large walk-in tile shower — 48" x 48", 48" x 60", or even larger if the layout supports it. We waterproof every tile shower with Schluter Kerdi (the orange fabric you've seen on This Old House) or the equivalent Wedi board system. This is the single biggest quality differentiator vs. builder-grade installs, which typically used tile-over-greenboard. Schluter Kerdi creates an actual waterproof envelope so the wall behind your tile stays dry permanently — the difference between a 30-year shower and a 10-year shower.

5. Freestanding Soaker Tub Installation

Once the pony wall is gone and the alcove tub-shower is out, many Severance owners want a freestanding soaker tub in the primary bath — the spa-look every Pinterest board shows. We handle the plumbing rough-in (the floor drain relocation, supply lines, freestanding tub filler), the tile surround if any, and the install. Tubs range from $800 (basic acrylic) to $5,000+ (cast iron or copper). Installation labor typically $1,500-$3,500.

6. Curbless / Zero-Entry Shower (Aging in Place)

A curbless shower — sometimes called zero-entry, barrier-free, or roll-in — eliminates the curb you step over, creating a continuous floor from bathroom into shower. Essential for aging-in-place, wheelchair access, or simply for the modern minimalist look. Curbless requires careful slope design (1/4" per foot to the linear drain), recessed floor framing, and waterproofing that wraps the entire wet zone. Typical add: $1,500-$4,000 over a standard curbed shower.

7. Designer Tile (Floor & Shower Wall)

Builder-grade Severance bathrooms typically have basic 12x12 neutral ceramic floor tile and either no shower wall tile (just an acrylic surround) or basic 4x4 white tile. Upgrading to large-format porcelain plank, hexagon mosaic, herringbone, marble, slate, or natural stone is what separates a $20k bath from a $45k bath visually. We work with local tile showrooms (CTA Floors, Daltile distributors in Greeley and Fort Collins) and handle the design coordination.

8. Powder Room Refresh

The Severance powder room is often the cheapest, most builder-grade room in the house — pedestal sink, basic toilet, builder mirror, basic light. A full powder room refresh runs $3,000-$8,000 and includes a real vanity (typical 24-30 inch with stone top), upgraded toilet, designer mirror, statement light fixture, fresh paint, and often a feature wall (board-and-batten, wallpaper, or shiplap). Highest-ROI single-room project in the house because guests use it constantly.

9. Basement Bathroom Finish-Out

Most Severance builders rough in the plumbing for a future basement bathroom but leave the bathroom unfinished — the buyer sees stubbed pipes coming out of the basement slab and an empty area framed for “future bath.” Finishing the basement bath out runs $10,000-$22,000depending on size and finish level: framing, plumbing completion, electrical, drywall, tile, vanity, toilet, shower or tub-shower, fixtures, and trim. Pairs naturally with full basement finishing.

10. Comfort-Height Toilet & Aging-in-Place Upgrade

Most builder-grade Severance toilets are standard 15-inch bowl height. Comfort-height (17-19 inches, ADA-compatible) is significantly easier on knees, hips, and backs — and the upgrade is a $250-$500 toilet swap. Add blocking-backed grab bars, slip-resistant tile in the shower, and a comfort-height toilet, and you have an aging-in-place upgrade that doesn't look like a hospital room.

Hard NoCo water is killing your builder-grade fixtures. Severance water is hard (high calcium and magnesium content), which builds mineral deposits on shower heads, etches glass doors, and destroys cartridge valves faster than other regions. Replacing your 10-year-old builder-grade shower valve, faucets, and shower head with quality pressure-balanced fixtures from Moen, Delta Trinsic, Brizo, or Kohler typically pays for itself within a few years on plumber-call avoidance alone.

Severance Subdivisions & Common Bathroom Projects

Hidden Valley. Established mid-2000s through 2010s subdivision. Bathroom fixtures are now 10-18 years old and squarely in the failure window. Common project: full primary bath remodel in the $25k-$45k range with tub-to-shower conversion, pony wall removal, dual vanity, Schluter Kerdi tile shower.
Tailholt. Newer subdivision. Builder-grade bathrooms in great shape but visually dated. Common project: targeted upgrades — tub-to-shower conversion ($9k-$15k), designer tile and fixture refresh ($12k-$20k), or basement bath finish-out ($10k-$22k).
Belmont Farms. 2018-2024 build years. Builder-grade fixtures still working but stylistically dated. Common project: tub-to-shower conversion + dual vanity + tile floor upgrade ($18k-$32k).
Steeplechase. Larger lots and larger primary baths. Common project: $30k-$55k full primary remodel with freestanding soaker tub, large walk-in tile shower, dual vanity, designer porcelain plank tile.
Saddler Ridge. Premium subdivision. Owners here typically go to $45k-$80k+ primary bath remodels with full custom tile, premium fixtures, freestanding tub, heated floor, and large walk-in shower with multiple shower heads.
Highpointe Estates. Higher-end subdivision with larger primary baths. Common scope: $50k-$95k+ premium remodel.
Mountain View Estates & other 2020s subdivisions. Brand-new construction. Common ask in the first 1-3 years: tile and fixture upgrades while the underlying layout is still acceptable, plus basement bath finish-outs.
Severance original-town homes. Pre-2000 homes near the historic Severance core. Layouts are smaller — these projects look more like our Evans or Loveland remodels (full layout reconfiguration, sometimes wall changes) than typical Severance new-build upgrades.

Schluter Kerdi vs. Builder-Grade Tile: Why It Matters

Almost every builder-grade Severance tile shower was installed the same way: cement board or moisture-resistant drywall (“greenboard”) on the wall, thinset over the board, tile over the thinset. That assembly is water-resistant, not waterproof. Grout joints absorb water. Hairline cracks form over years of thermal cycling. Soap scum coats the wall. Eventually water reaches the drywall behind, and the drywall fails silently — you don't see it until something cracks, smells musty, or breaks through.

We use Schluter Kerdi (orange fabric membrane) or the equivalent Wedi board system on every tile shower we install. Kerdi gets bonded to the wall with thinset, then thinset-and-tile go over the Kerdi. The membrane creates a continuous waterproof envelope that wraps walls, curb, and floor (if a tile pan). Even if a grout joint cracks five years from now, water that gets through the grout hits the membrane and runs down to the drain — never touching the wall behind. Cost: $500-$1,500 in extra materials for a typical shower. Lifespan difference: typically the difference between a 30-year shower and a 10-year shower.

Working With SAFEbuilt: The Severance Bathroom Permit Process

Severance contracts building department services through SAFEbuilt. Permit triggers for bathroom work:

Fixture swaps in the same locations (toilet replacement, faucet replacement, valve cartridge): typically no permit required.
Vanity replacement, same plumbing locations: typically no permit required.
Tub-to-shower conversion in place: usually a plumbing permit if the drain relocates from tub-center to shower-center, which it normally does.
Wall changes (pony wall removal, layout reconfiguration): building permit with framing inspection.
Electrical changes (new lighting circuits, GFCI additions, exhaust fan relocation, heated floor circuit): electrical permit required.
Basement bathroom finish-out from rough-in: plumbing + electrical + framing + drywall inspections.

SAFEbuilt plan review for permitted bathroom work typically runs 3 to 5 weeks per round. Card payments add a 3% convenience fee; e-check is free. We submit clean plans the first time and coordinate every inspection.

Insurance & Water Damage Discovered During Bathroom Demo

About 1 in every 6 bathroom remodels we open up reveals some pre-existing water damage behind the original walls or under the original tile — usually slow leaks from a valve, a drain, or a poorly-sealed tile shower. When we find it, we:

Photograph everything for documentation.
Confirm scope of saturated framing or subfloor.
Walk you through whether this is a homeowner's insurance claim (sudden discovery of hidden damage is sometimes covered, ongoing slow leak typically isn't).
Re-scope the repair as a documented change order with photos and itemized line items — never just adding cost to the back of the original invoice.

If you suspect existing damage in a bathroom you haven't opened up yet, we can run a thermal-imaging walkthrough before committing to a remodel scope. See our Severance water damage restoration page for full details on the mitigation side of that work.

Why Severance Homeowners Choose GIMA Renovation

Tub-to-shower conversion specialty. The single most-common Severance bathroom project, and one we've refined to a tight 10-14 day install for the full-tile Schluter Kerdi version.
Pony wall removal & layout reconfiguration. The Severance builder template gets opened up here regularly.
Schluter Kerdi waterproofing on every tile shower. Not an upcharge — the default standard. Worth the difference between a 10-year and a 30-year shower.
Basement bath finish-out specialty. Most Severance builders leave the rough-in; we finish it cleanly.
One contractor for everything — design, permits, demo, plumbing, electrical, framing, drywall, tile, vanity install, fixture install, paint, and final finish. No subs to chase.
SAFEbuilt-familiar. Same permit ecosystem as Windsor.
Hidden water damage handled transparently. If demo reveals pre-existing damage, you get photos, scope, and a documented change order — not a surprise.
Written, line-item scopes. Every fixture, tile slab, and labor line on paper before we start.
Licensed, bonded & insured. Full liability and workers' comp.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Severance bathroom remodel cost?

Powder room $3k-$8k; hall/kids bath $12k-$25k; tub-to-shower conversion $5k-$15k; primary bath mid-range $20k-$45k; primary bath premium $45k-$80k+; basement bath finish-out $10k-$22k.

Can you remove the pony wall in my primary bath?

Yes — $500-$1,500 standalone, usually rolled into a full primary remodel. We check for plumbing or electrical hidden in the pony wall before demo.

Should I convert my tub-shower combo to a walk-in shower?

For the primary bath in most Severance homes: yes. $5k-$15k depending on acrylic vs. tile vs. premium tile-with-Kerdi. A primary bath without a tub is no longer a resale negative as long as another bath in the house has a tub.

What is Schluter Kerdi and is it worth it?

A waterproof membrane bonded behind your tile. Yes — always. $500-$1,500 extra in materials and it's the difference between a 30-year shower and a 10-year shower.

How long does a Severance bathroom remodel take?

Powder room 5-10 days; tub-to-shower 5-14 days; hall bath 10-18 days; primary bath 18-30 days; basement bath finish-out 12-20 days. SAFEbuilt permit review (3-5 weeks) runs in parallel with fixture and tile lead times.

Can you finish out my basement bathroom rough-in?

Yes — $10k-$22k depending on size and finish level. Pairs naturally with full basement finishing.

Do you handle hidden water damage if you find it during demo?

Yes — documented with photos and a change order. Never silently added to the back of the invoice. We're also a full water damage restoration company, so the rebuild stays under one contract.

Do you charge a travel fee for Severance?

No. Severance is part of our standard NoCo service area. Same price structure as Greeley, Windsor, Loveland, Fort Collins, or Evans.

Ready to Start Your Severance Bathroom?

Call (970) 836-4334 to schedule a free on-site walkthrough, or send a message through our contact page with your Severance address and project details. We'll measure, talk through scope and budget honestly, and send a written, line-item estimate within a few business days — no pressure, no obligation.