Project Summary
This guest bathroom remodel in Baldwinsville, New York transformed a worn builder-grade bathroom into a durable, family-friendly space for the homeowners’ two young daughters. The project included a premium porcelain-enameled steel bathtub, Fabuwood Indigo vanity, Cambria “Montgomery” quartz countertop, Tarkett ProGen luxury vinyl flooring, a new toilet, and updated plumbing fixtures. During demolition, we also corrected an unexpected drain and vent piping issue beneath the bathtub before completing the renovation. Several months later, the homeowners told us they were still thrilled with the finished result.
Before the Remodel
Although the bathroom had been well cared for over the years, it was beginning to show the effects of everyday family life. The original builder-grade vanity had accumulated years of wear, the bathtub had lost much of its original finish, and the room no longer reflected the quality of the rest of the home.
Because the bathroom served primarily as the children’s bathroom, durability was just as important as appearance. The homeowners wanted materials that could withstand years of daily use while remaining easy to clean and maintain, without sacrificing the clean, timeless aesthetic they envisioned.
Structurally, there was no need to reinvent the layout. The existing footprint worked well, making this project an ideal candidate for a comprehensive renovation focused on upgrading the finishes, fixtures, and overall quality rather than relocating plumbing or walls.
A Bathroom Designed for Everyday Family Life
Not every bathroom remodel needs to involve moving walls or completely reinventing the space. Sometimes the goal is much simpler: replace worn-out builder-grade materials with products that will stand up to another twenty or thirty years of daily use. That was exactly the case for this Baldwinsville family.
The guest bathroom had become the primary bathroom for their two young daughters. Years of baths, toys, busy mornings, and everyday family life had gradually taken their toll on the original fixtures and finishes. While the layout still worked well, nearly every surface in the room was ready for an upgrade.
Before contacting Bath Pros, the homeowners had also received a proposal from another local bathroom remodeling company. After comparing their options, they ultimately felt more comfortable moving forward with our team.
Preserving the Bathtub Was the Right Choice
One of the biggest discussions early in the design process was whether to convert the existing bathtub into a walk-in shower. Although walk-in showers continue to grow in popularity, they’re not always the best solution.
Since the home’s second full bathroom already contained a walk-in shower, keeping a bathtub in this bathroom provided far more flexibility for a family with young children. It also helps preserve functionality for future homeowners who may also have children.
To improve durability, we replaced the original builder-grade tub with a premium porcelain-enameled steel bathtub. Porcelain enamel provides a harder, more durable surface than many entry-level tubs and is better suited for years of everyday family use.
Premium Cabinetry & Cambria Quartz
The existing 60-inch vanity was replaced with a Fabuwood Variant vanity finished in Indigo. Built with solid maple hardwood, ½-inch plywood construction, and full-extension soft-close drawers and doors, the new vanity provides a significant upgrade in both appearance and long-term durability over typical builder-grade cabinetry.
Instead of selecting one of The Onyx Collection’s cultured stone vanity tops, the homeowners decided to upgrade even further with a custom-manufactured Cambria Signature Collection “Montgomery” quartz countertop.
The installation included:
- Dual rectangular undermount ceramic sinks
- Matching quartz backsplash
- Coordinating side splash
- Two American Standard Rumson widespread faucets
As with every vanity installation we complete, all shut-off valves, supply lines, waste assemblies, and plumbing connections were replaced to ensure the new bathroom performs as well behind the walls as it does on the surface.
An Unexpected Lesson in Pricing
When we originally prepared the proposal, our countertop supplier quoted the Cambria “Half Slab Program,” which allows qualifying vanity tops to be fabricated from remaining portions of larger slabs when inventory is available. At the time, that provided excellent value for the homeowners.
Like many established remodeling companies, however, Bath Pros often schedules projects several months in advance. Between the initial consultation, design process, material selections, and installation, enough time had passed that the original slab had been allocated to another project. When it came time to order the countertop, the only remaining option was a full slab, increasing our material cost by more than double.
Because we had already committed to the original price, we honored our proposal and absorbed the additional cost. Since the issue occurred entirely behind the scenes, there was no reason to involve the homeowners. They received exactly the countertop they selected at the price they were quoted. While it was an expensive lesson, it also prompted us to improve our process. Today, we prepare Cambria proposals using full-slab pricing whenever availability cannot be guaranteed. If a qualifying half slab is available when materials are ordered, we’re happy to pass those savings along to our customers. We simply believe it’s better to surprise someone with a lower final cost than to ask them to pay more after they’ve already signed a contract.
New Flooring & Finishing Details
The bathroom floor was replaced with Tarkett ProGen Luxury Vinyl Tile in the Calcatta Marble pattern.
Luxury vinyl flooring continues to be one of our favorite options for busy family bathrooms thanks to its durability, water resistance, and ease of maintenance.
To complete the renovation, we also installed new 3½-inch square base trim throughout the room and replaced the existing toilet.
An Unexpected Plumbing Discovery
The only real surprise during the renovation came after demolition began. Once the bathtub was removed, we uncovered an unusually complicated network of PVC drain and vent piping beneath the floor.
Multiple plumbing vents and branch lines from other areas of the home had been tied together beneath the tub, creating a layout that required careful evaluation before reconstruction could begin. Situations like this aren’t uncommon, particularly in homes where additions or renovations have been completed over several decades.
Correcting the plumbing added approximately one day to the project schedule, with Director of Operations Joshua Brodnicki spending much of the day on-site supervising the work and ensuring everything was rebuilt correctly before installation resumed.
While unexpected discoveries are never anyone’s favorite part of a remodeling project, addressing them properly is always preferable to covering them up.
The Finished Bathroom
When complete, the bathroom looked dramatically brighter, cleaner, and more refined while remaining perfectly suited for everyday family life.
The combination of premium cabinetry, Cambria quartz, updated plumbing fixtures, luxury vinyl flooring, and durable porcelain bathtub created a bathroom that should serve this family well for many years to come.
A few months after the project was completed, we checked back with the homeowners. They told us they were still extremely happy with both the renovation and their decision to choose Bath Pros for the project. If you’d like to see more completed projects like this one, be sure to explore our bathroom remodeling portfolio, where you’ll find additional bathroom renovations completed throughout Syracuse, Utica, and Central New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to keep a bathtub in a family bathroom?
For many families, yes. If you already have a walk-in shower elsewhere in the home, keeping a bathtub provides greater flexibility for young children, guests, and future resale.
Why choose a porcelain-enameled steel bathtub?
Porcelain-enameled steel tubs offer a hard, durable surface that resists everyday wear and provides a more substantial feel than many builder-grade tubs.
Are Fabuwood vanities good quality?
Yes. Fabuwood vanities feature solid maple hardwood construction, ½-inch plywood cabinet boxes, and soft-close drawers and doors, making them a significant upgrade over most builder-grade cabinetry.
Why choose Cambria quartz for a bathroom vanity?
Cambria quartz is durable, non-porous, and never requires sealing. It resists stains, moisture, and everyday wear while offering the appearance of natural stone.
Is luxury vinyl flooring a good choice for bathrooms?
Absolutely. Luxury vinyl flooring is waterproof, durable, easy to maintain, and comfortable underfoot, making it one of the most popular flooring options for modern bathrooms.
Should I replace my bathroom vanity during a remodel?
If your vanity is outdated or showing signs of wear, replacing it during a remodel is usually the most cost-effective option. It allows you to upgrade the cabinetry, countertop, sinks, and plumbing all at once.
What happens if hidden plumbing problems are discovered?
We stop work, assess the issue, discuss the findings with you, and make the necessary repairs before moving forward. Correcting hidden problems properly helps prevent much larger issues down the road.
How long does a bathroom remodel like this usually take?
Most guest bathroom remodels similar to this project take approximately two to three weeks, depending on product selections and whether any unexpected conditions are uncovered during demolition.
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