So, you’ve been staring at that dated bathroom tile (baby blue? avocado green? or pepto bismol pink?) since you moved in. You’ve pinned a hundred ideas, watched countless hours of home reno shows, and you’re ready to take the plunge. You’re a resourceful Pittsburgh homeowner, you’ve got the grit, and you’re determined to tackle a refresh yourself without hiring a full-service firm for the entire job. We love that spirit!

A budget of $5,000 can absolutely transform the "dry" areas of your bathroom: the paint, the vanity, the lighting, and the floor. But a successful renovation is about being strategic. It’s about knowing what you can realistically accomplish on a weekend and understanding when a project escalates into a major undertaking requiring a specialized team.

Our mission is to help the average Pittsburgh homeowner understand the ins-and-outs of construction. We have a wealth of experience and we've seen it all!

Here's our guide to navigating a DIY-focused bathroom refresh and understanding the line between a simple update and a full-scale wet area remodel.

Part 1: The High-Impact DIY Refresh (The Sub-$5,000 Project)

With some planning and elbow grease, you can completely change the look and feel of your bathroom.

1. Paint, Hardware & Lighting (The Easy Wins)

This is the fastest path to transformation. A fresh coat of moisture-resistant paint, new cabinet pulls, a modern towel bar, a stylish mirror, and a new light fixture can make a huge impact for a few hundred dollars.

• Pro-Tip: When it comes to lighting, if you're not 100% confident with electrical work, this is a perfect, low-cost job for a licensed electrician. It’s always better to be safe.

2. The Vanity & Toilet Swap (A Step Up in Skill)

Replacing a vanity or toilet is a common DIY project. With careful attention to your home's plumbing, this is achievable.

• The Reality Check: Watch plenty of tutorials on shutting off water lines and properly setting a wax ring for a toilet. A small mistake here can lead to slow leaks. For peace of mind, a local plumber can handle a toilet or vanity swap in just an hour or two. Internal plumbing is one of the greatest miracles of civilization but water is also one of nature's greatest destructive powers. Keeping water in one place and not in other places is why plumbers is one of the highest paid trade jobs out there!

3. Flooring (What Lies Beneath?)

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is a DIY champion. It's waterproof, durable, and modern click-and-lock systems are installer-friendly. This is a great way to cover old, dated flooring and unify the look of your space.

• The Reality Check: If you pull up the old floor and find soft spots or water damage to the subfloor, stop immediately. This is a sign of a bigger issue, often originating from an old leak in the shower or tub area.

Part 2: The Full Wet Area Remodel (Where Professionals Step In)

You’ll notice the projects above stop at the edge of your tub or shower. There’s a reason for that. The "wet area" is the heart of your bathroom, and it's where a simple refresh ends and a major renovation begins.

A surface-level fix like re-caulking is one thing. But if your vision involves any of the following, you've crossed the threshold into a full-scale remodel:

• Tearing out an old fiberglass tub/shower unit.
• Converting a tub into a modern, walk-in shower.
• Replacing old, cracked tile walls with a new, fully waterproofed system.
• Relocating plumbing for a different shower layout.

This is no longer a DIY weekend project; it’s a complex job involving demolition, framing, intricate plumbing, and - most importantly - multi-layered waterproofing. An improperly waterproofed shower is one of the most destructive and expensive failures in a home, leading to mold, rot, and structural damage.

Don't just take our word for it. Here is Nickiey's story:

We called Alex in dire need of replacing our shower, after we realize the previous owner of our house did not remodel the bathroom properly. We needed a new shower pan, drains, and removal of mold in the walls. Alex was very friendly and professional & he sent Ed to do the work.. who has amazing work ethic and completed the job all by himself (during a heat wave too which I know was not easy in our 100 year old house). Ed communicated thoroughly throughout the project letting us know what he found and how long things would take. Everyday he would check in with us and let us know the progress.Not only did Alex and Ed help us have a shower again but they created the shower of our dreams...there is more room, it's safe, and works properly.We will definitely call them again for other projects. We highly recommend Enlightened Remodeling.

This is Where We Come In.

At Enlightened Pittsburgh, we are wet area specialists. While we don't handle small service calls for a new light fixture or vanity swap, our expertise is in completely transforming the shower and tub area of your bathroom. We manage the entire process - from demolition to the final polish on your new glass door - to ensure it is beautiful, functional, and flawlessly waterproofed for decades to come.

A professional, full-scale wet area transformation is a significant investment in your home's value and your daily comfort. In the Pittsburgh market for 2026, a complete, professionally installed shower system (including demolition, plumbing, tile and fixtures installation) typically starts at $10,000. This investment guarantees the project is done right, to code, and with the expert craftsmanship this critical area of your home demands.

So embrace the DIY challenge for the dry areas of your bathroom! Paint the walls, lay that new LVP floor, and install that vanity you found. But when your plans turn to the tub and shower, let’s talk.

Planning a full-scale shower or tub transformation? Contact Enlightened Pittsburgh today for a consultation. Let us handle the most critical part of your bathroom remodel, so you can enjoy the results with complete peace of mind.