Case Study: When “It Looks Possible” Isn’t Enough
Some remodeling projects stand out not because of what happens, but because of what doesn’t.
This case began with a phone call from a homeowner who was clearly frustrated. After firing a previous contractor and speaking with several others, the project had stalled. Each company they met with expressed confidence that the bathroom could be built exactly as designed, yet no one had provided a clear, detailed scope of work. The space had been gutted to the studs, materials were staged throughout the home, and the family was living in a construction zone without real progress.
A site inspection was scheduled for the following day. When we arrived, we found a second-story master bathroom fully opened, a narrow staircase limiting access, and a layout that, on paper, appeared ambitious but reasonable.
What quickly became clear, however, was that the success of the project depended on something rarely discussed during early design conversations: the structural framing beneath the room.
Looking Beyond the Surface
During many bathroom remodeling projects in Syracuse, structural limitations can affect plumbing layouts. Before discussing finishes or fixtures, we needed to understand what was supporting the bathroom. That meant physically inspecting the floor system by accessing a tight attic space above the garage to measure the joists beneath the bathroom.
This step is frequently skipped, particularly when a room is already open and appears ready for reconstruction. It takes time and does not immediately move the project forward, but it is essential.
The existing floor joists measured only 7 inches in height.
For the plumbing configuration being proposed, that depth was insufficient.
While the room dimensions appeared large enough to support the design, the framing beneath it was not.
Why Joist Size Matters
Floor joists are engineered to carry loads and resist deflection within specific limits. When plumbing is added or relocated, building codes strictly regulate how joists may be modified.
Holes cannot exceed roughly one-third of the joist’s depth, must be centered vertically to preserve structural fibers at the top and bottom, and should not be placed in the middle third of the span where bending stress is greatest.
The proposed design required long horizontal drain runs through multiple joists. Proper drainage demands consistent slope—typically ¼ inch per foot—which further reduces available space within the framing.
When joist depth, allowable bore size, slope requirements, and span location are evaluated together, the configuration simply did not work within safe structural limits.
An important detail is that we were not the first to evaluate this project. The homeowners had met with three separate contractors before contacting us, and each had indicated the layout could be completed as drawn.
None had measured the joists or raised concerns about structural limitations.
Proceeding under those assumptions would have required significant boring through multiple 7-inch joists to accommodate the plumbing runs, introducing long-term risk of deflection, cracking finishes, or drainage issues.
From a visual standpoint, the design appeared feasible.
Structurally, it was not.
The Cost of Doing It Correctly
The only responsible way to execute the original design safely would have been to install a new vertical plumbing stack from the second floor down to the basement, tying into the home’s primary waste system.
In an occupied, finished home, that scope involves opening walls and ceilings, protecting structural members, coordinating inspections, and restoring finishes throughout multiple levels of the house.
That work alone would likely have placed the project in the $40,000–$50,000 range before finish selections or unforeseen conditions were considered.
This is often where frustration arises. Much of the cost in structural renovations is hidden behind walls and ceilings, and it can feel disproportionate to what is visible.
Material and Specification Concerns
During our review, our operations team, led by Josh Brodnicki, also evaluated materials the homeowners had already purchased.
Even at a preliminary level, we identified multiple specification and ordering issues within the shower system. This is a common pattern when materials are sourced without coordinated project management.
Frequent issues include:
- incorrect sizing
- missing trim components
- incompatible plumbing configurations
- overlooked lead times
While homeowners often purchase materials intending to save money or accelerate the timeline, professional contractors typically buy in volume at trade pricing. The perceived savings are rarely significant once corrections and delays are factored in.
The Outcome
After reviewing the structural limitations and understanding the true cost of executing the original design safely, the homeowners elected to revise the layout to reduce plumbing complexity and preserve the integrity of the floor system.
Ultimately, they chose to proceed with another independent contractor whose proposal came in at a lower price.
We respect that decision. Every homeowner must select the partner they feel most comfortable with.
However, pricing in remodeling can vary significantly depending on whether structural verification is included in the evaluation process.
If framing depth is assumed rather than measured, or if limitations are not fully accounted for early in planning, proposals may appear more favorable on paper.
The difference often comes down to whether a project is priced based on verification or assumption.
Update (Real-World Outcome)
Since this project was originally evaluated, we’ve learned that the contractor ultimately selected for the work did not complete the job and left the project mid-construction.
Unfortunately, this is something we see from time to time—especially on projects involving structural changes, plumbing modifications, or improperly planned wet spaces.
In many cases, the cost to correct and complete a partially finished bathroom ends up exceeding what it would have cost to hire the right contractor from the beginning. This is exactly the type of situation these structural mistakes can lead to when they aren’t identified and addressed early in the project.
Lessons From This Project
Projects like this illustrate a few important realities about bathroom remodeling, particularly in older homes.
- Structural framing should always be physically verified, not assumed from drawings or visual inspection.
- Plumbing layouts must work within the limits of the floor system, not the other way around.
- Costs that seem high often involve work hidden behind walls and ceilings, where structural and plumbing systems intersect.
- Early verification can prevent expensive changes or delays later in the project.
In many cases, the most important part of a remodeling project happens before construction begins. Beyond cost, situations like this often mean weeks—or months—without a functional bathroom, coordinating multiple contractors, and dealing with uncertainty that could have been avoided with proper planning upfront.
Choosing the Right Remodeling Partner
For second-story or structurally sensitive renovations, homeowners should consider asking prospective contractors a few important questions:
- Do you physically verify framing and structural members before finalizing layout changes?
- How long have you been operating under the same ownership?
- What happens if structural limitations are discovered mid-project?
- Who is responsible for ordering and verifying materials?
- Have you ever advised a client not to proceed with a specific design?
A contractor willing to say “no” when something is not feasible is often the one most invested in protecting the long-term integrity of your home.
Why This Matters When Choosing a Contractor
We share examples like this because most homeowners aren’t shown this side of the work until something goes wrong. Structural issues, improper planning, and rushed installations can turn what should be a straightforward project into a much more complicated and expensive situation.
When choosing a contractor, it’s important to look beyond finishes and pricing, and understand how the work is being approached at a structural level. The difference between a project that looks good initially and one that actually lasts comes down to how well it’s built from the inside out.
If you are planning a bathroom remodel and want a professional assessment before committing to a layout or ordering materials, our team is always happy to help.
Catching a problem early is far easier than fixing it after the walls are closed.
Call (315) 217-1151 today to speak with an experienced member of the Bath Pros team.