Bathroom Remodeling in Kirkland
Walk in showers, tubs, tile and vanities for Kirkland houses and condos, designed, permitted and built by one licensed team.
- A toilet or sink swapped in the same spot is permit exempt here; when one moves, we file the plumbing permit.
- Fans, lights and heated floors are permitted and inspected by the City of Kirkland, and we handle that too.
- Your itemized written price comes before any tile is ordered.
By appointment. Limited start dates.
- Over 200 projects
- 4.9 on Google
- 20+ years building
- WA license VOLCABI792C6
Kirkland permit rules that shape a bathroom
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The Kirkland rule
Retiling is exempt, stripping the walls is not
Kirkland exempts tiling, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work from permits, provided existing accessibility features are not altered. Removing or installing drywall is on the city list of work that needs a permit, and so are interior remodels. Taking an old tub surround down to the studs usually crosses that line.
What we doBefore demolition we tell you whether your bathroom stays finish work or needs a building permit, and when it does we apply on MyBuildingPermit.com.
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The Kirkland rule
Moving a fixture adds a plumbing permit
A toilet or sink replaced like in kind in the same location is exempt, as long as no plumbing line, gas line or electrical circuit is modified. Moving a drain, converting a tub to a shower or adding a second sink is plumbing work, and the city plumbing application asks for a sheet listing each fixture to be relocated, replaced, installed or removed. A new water heater needs a permit as well.
What we doWe count every fixture in your plan, complete that supplemental sheet and book the plumbing inspections with Kirkland.
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The Kirkland rule
Your wiring is permitted by the city, not L&I
Kirkland is one of the Washington cities that issue their own electrical permits and inspect the work themselves, so bathroom wiring here does not go through Washington L&I. Extending or altering a circuit for an exhaust fan, vanity lights or a heated floor needs that city electrical permit.
What we doOur electrical scope is permitted with Kirkland, and a city electrical inspector checks the rough wiring before the walls are closed.
One Kirkland home in four (25.2 percent) was built in the 1970s, the largest decade in the city's housing, and 40.4 percent went up before 1980 (US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1 year). On lakefront, wetland, flood hazard and steep slope lots the city says none of its permit exemptions apply, so we check the parcel before calling any bathroom work exempt.
Bathroom projects we build in Kirkland
From a tub and tile refresh to a primary suite rebuilt to the studs, one project manager runs the room from design to final inspection.
Showers and tub conversions
Tubs replaced with walk in showers, glass enclosures, linear drains, lit niches and dual shower valves, with the waterproof layer built before any tile goes up.
Vanities, mirrors and storage
Single or double vanities with stone or quartz tops, lit mirrors, new vanity lighting and drawers sized for what you keep in the room.
Tile and flooring
Large format wall tile, sculpted feature walls, pebble shower floors and porcelain or plank flooring, picked with our designer and shown to you in 3D.
For everything a bathroom project with us can cover, visit our main bathroom remodeling page. Planning more work in the same house? See kitchen remodeling in Kirkland or Kirkland home remodeling for basements, additions and ADUs.
Kirkland bathrooms we have finished
Three bathrooms built in Kirkland. Each card opens its project page with the before and after photos and the timeline.
Bathroom clients on working with us
I recently hired Bar from Volcano Builders to remodel my bathroom. Overall, the experience was satisfactory. Bar was professional and communicated well throughout the project. The work was completed on time and within budget. The quality of the remodel met my expectations, though there were a few minor details that could have been improved. I would recommend Bar for anyone looking for a reliable contractor for bathroom renovations.
Just completed my inital meeting with Volcano Builders about my bathroom remodels and couldn't be happier with the interaction. On time, professional and extremely knowledge. Highly recommend you invite them out to see your next home improvement project!
I had an amazing experience with Volcano Builders! Bar was incredibly kind, communicative, and made the whole process smooth. We completely redid the bathroom,new flooring, vanity, tub, and wall tiles, and it turned out fantastic. I'm so happy with their work that I'm already planning my second bathroom and hopefully the kitchen too. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality work and great service!
Bar's team completely transformed my outdated Seattle bathroom with their exceptional work. Their communication was excellent, keeping me informed every step of the way. The quality of their workmanship exceeded my expectations, turning my old bathroom into what I wanted. I highly recommend Bar and his team for any remodeling project; they're professional, efficient, and produce outstanding results.
Bar and the team at Volcano Builders did a great job! Professional service, great communication throughout the whole process, and everything was done with care and attention to detail. Highly recommend!
We were nervous about hiring a contractor because we were first-time homeowners, but Volcano Builders made it easy to understand. They made everything clear and helped us stick to our budget. I'm very happy with how everything turned out.
How a Kirkland bathroom gets built
Three steps, one team, and a written price before anyone picks up a tool.
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Visit and measure
We look at the bathroom with you, measure it, check the floor and the access to the plumbing, and ask what the room has to handle on a busy morning.
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Selections, price and permits
You choose tile, fixtures and a vanity with our designer and see the room in 3D, approve an itemized written price, and we file whatever Kirkland permits the plan needs.
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Build, inspect, hand over
Demolition, rough plumbing and wiring, city inspections, waterproofing, tile, glass and trim, run by one project manager and finished with a walkthrough together.
Kirkland bathroom remodel questions
Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom in Kirkland?
It depends on what changes. New tile, a vanity and a countertop count as finish work and need no permit, and a toilet or sink swapped in the same spot is exempt too. Removing drywall, moving plumbing, altering a circuit or installing a water heater each needs a permit from the City of Kirkland, applied for on MyBuildingPermit.com. On shoreline, wetland, flood hazard or steep slope lots the exemptions do not apply. More in Do You Need Permits to Remodel a Bathroom?
How long does a bathroom remodel in Kirkland take?
Our three Kirkland project pages list 2 weeks, 5 weeks and 8 weeks of work: a tub and tile bathroom, a bathroom rebuilt around a glass walk in shower, and a primary bathroom with a double shower. Design, ordering and any permit review come before that. See How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take?
Can I remodel the bathroom in my Kirkland condo?
Usually, yes. Washington law lets a condo owner alter a unit when the work does not impair the structural integrity or the mechanical or electrical systems of the building (RCW 64.90.255), and your declaration and association rules still apply. Drains and vents in a condo often serve more than one unit, so we get the association's approval and working hours in writing before we order anything.
Can you turn my tub into a walk in shower?
Yes, and in Kirkland it is permitted plumbing work, because the fixture changes and the drain usually moves to suit the shower pan. We list it on the city plumbing application, waterproof the new shower walls and floor before tiling, and book the inspections. If it is the only tub in the house, we talk that through with you first.
How much does a bathroom remodel in Kirkland cost?
It comes down to the size of the room, whether fixtures move, and the tile, vanity and glass you choose. After we measure, you get a written price itemized line by line before anything is scheduled. For what drives the number, read How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost?


