Bathroom Remodel in Star, ID
From outdated layouts to modern, efficient spaces — we handle design, demolition, plumbing, tile, fixtures, and every detail in between.
Star, Idaho's newest homeowners did not move here for the builder bathrooms. They moved for the lots, the schools, the small-town character, and the promise of a community that is still becoming what it will be. The bathroom that shipped with their new home — the cultured marble vanity top, the builder-grade shower surround, the chrome faucets that looked acceptable in the model home — was always a placeholder. Iron Crest Remodel specializes in the transformation that Star homeowners have been planning since closing: turning a functional but generic post-2015 bathroom into a spa-caliber personal retreat that reflects how this family actually lives, relaxes, and prepares for the day.
Transform your bathroom with a remodeling plan built around function, comfort, and long-term value.
Licensed and insured general contractor in IdahoDetailed written scope of work and fixed-price contractsDedicated project manager for every bathroom remodelManufacturer-certified waterproofing installation
A bathroom remodel can range from a simple fixture and finish update to a complete gut renovation involving new plumbing lines, electrical circuits, waterproofing, tile work, and custom vanity installation. The scope depends on what you want to change — layout, fixtures, storage, accessibility, or all of the above. In the Treasure Valley, bathrooms built before 2000 often have galvanized plumbing, inadequate ventilation, and small footprints that no longer match how families use the space. A well-planned bathroom remodel addresses all of these issues while upgrading to modern materials, efficient fixtures, and a layout that works for daily life. Whether you are converting a tub to a walk-in shower, expanding a cramped primary bath, or fully renovating a hall bathroom, the key is planning every element — plumbing rough-in, waterproofing, tile layout, vanity selection, lighting, ventilation, and finish hardware — before demolition begins.
Every subdivision that has gone up in Star since 2015 has delivered the same bathroom package: a primary suite with a double vanity, a tub-shower combination or standalone soaking tub with a separate shower, and builder-selected tile that was chosen for its ability to look neutral and offend no one. The hall bathroom shares the same DNA — narrow vanity, builder-grade mirror, chrome towel bars, and a shower-over-tub combination that is functional but inspired by nothing. These bathrooms are not broken. They just are not finished.
The homeowners who purchased in The Lakes at Pristine Springs, in the Countryside Estates developments, and in the dozens of other Star subdivisions that have come online in the last decade are not passive about their spaces. They have spent time on social media, in design showrooms, and in their neighbors' finished bathrooms. They know what is possible: frameless glass shower enclosures, large-format marble-look porcelain tile, floating vanities with integrated lighting, freestanding soaking tubs positioned to capture the backyard view, heated tile floors that make Idaho winters feel manageable. The gap between what the builder delivered and what this generation of Star homeowner wants is the entire opportunity.
Star's housing stock also has specific physical characteristics that shape bathroom remodeling in ways that differ from older communities. These are large homes — the average square footage in new Star subdivisions is notably higher than the Treasure Valley average — which means primary bathrooms often have the square footage to be truly transformed rather than merely updated. A bathroom that was spec'd with a freestanding tub and a 36-inch shower can be reconfigured into a serious walk-in shower with dual heads, a built-in bench, a niche system, and frameless glass that makes the space feel twice as large as the tub setup it replaced.
The settling characteristic of new construction is relevant here in a specific way: tile and grout in new-construction bathrooms are among the first things to show settling stress. Hairline cracks at grout joints, particularly at floor-to-wall transitions and at the corners of shower bases, appear in the majority of post-2015 Star homes by year three to five. These are not structural failures — they are cosmetic indicators of normal settling — but they are also a practical trigger for many Star homeowners to initiate the bathroom transformation they were already planning. When the grout starts cracking, the timing is right to address the shower comprehensively rather than patch it.
Star's larger lots and outdoor living culture also factor into bathroom design in ways that are unique to this community. Primary suites in Star that face the backyard have genuine potential for private outdoor access — a Dutch door to a private patio, a soaking tub positioned for backyard views, an outdoor shower station adjacent to the pool or hot tub. These are not fantasy amenities in Star; the lot sizes and the layout of post-2015 homes genuinely support them.
Star homeowners pursue bathroom remodeling for a variety of reasons. Here are the most common situations we see:
- ✓Homeowners with outdated bathrooms built in the 1980s or 1990s that need a full refresh
- ✓Families who need better storage, double vanities, or improved morning-routine flow
- ✓Aging-in-place homeowners who need accessible walk-in showers, grab bars, and barrier-free entries
- ✓Homeowners preparing to sell who want to maximize ROI with an updated primary or guest bathroom
- ✓Anyone dealing with water damage, mold, or failing tile and grout who needs a complete rebuild
Not every bathroom remodel project is the same. Here are the most common project types we complete in Star:
Primary Bathroom Remodel
Full renovation of the main bathroom including layout changes, double vanity installation, walk-in shower or freestanding tub, new tile, lighting, and ventilation upgrades. This is the most common high-value bathroom project.
Guest or Hall Bathroom Remodel
Update a secondary bathroom with new fixtures, tile, vanity, and finishes. These projects focus on function and visual refresh without major layout changes.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion
Remove an existing bathtub and replace it with a walk-in shower, including new drain placement, waterproofing, tile or panel walls, glass enclosure, and updated fixtures.
Accessible Bathroom Remodel
Design and build a barrier-free bathroom with zero-threshold shower entry, grab bars, bench seating, anti-slip flooring, and wider doorways for wheelchair or mobility aid access.
Powder Room or Half-Bath Remodel
Refresh a small half-bath with a new vanity, faucet, lighting, mirror, paint, and accent tile or wallcovering. A high-impact upgrade for a modest budget.
Star's housing stock is overwhelmingly post-2015 construction. Modern systems throughout, but builder-grade finishes that homeowners customize over time.
Pre-2010 (limited)
A small number of older homes in the original townsite. These may need system and finish updates.
2015–present (majority)
New construction with modern systems, open floor plans, and builder-grade finishes. Most remodeling focuses on finish upgrades and outdoor living additions.
Common issues in Star homes
- •Builder-grade finishes that homeowners want to personalize
- •Standard builder landscaping and outdoor living that needs development
- •Limited storage in builder-designed kitchens
- •Basic builder lighting packages
Material selection affects the look, durability, and cost of your bathroom remodel. Here are the most popular options we install in Star:
Porcelain Tile
$8–$25 per sq ft installedThe most popular choice for bathroom floors and shower walls. Porcelain is dense, water-resistant, available in hundreds of styles including wood-look and stone-look patterns, and extremely durable in wet environments. Large-format porcelain tiles (12x24 and larger) create a modern, seamless look with fewer grout lines.
Best for: Shower walls, floors, accent features, and niches
Ceramic Tile
$5–$15 per sq ft installedA versatile and budget-friendly tile option for bathroom floors and backsplash areas. Ceramic is slightly softer than porcelain and available in a wide range of sizes, colors, and patterns. It works well for walls and dry-area floors.
Best for: Budget-conscious floor and wall applications
Natural Stone (Marble, Travertine, Slate)
$15–$50+ per sq ft installedNatural stone delivers a premium, one-of-a-kind look. Marble is the classic choice for luxury bathrooms, travertine offers warmth and texture, and slate provides a rugged, natural feel. All natural stone requires sealing and ongoing maintenance.
Best for: Feature walls, shower surrounds, vanity tops, and floor accents
Quartz Vanity Countertop
$50–$120 per sq ft fabricated and installedEngineered quartz is the top choice for bathroom vanity countertops. It is non-porous, stain-resistant, available in a wide range of colors and patterns, and does not require sealing. Quartz resists water spots and soap buildup better than natural stone.
Best for: Vanity countertops, shelving surfaces
Acrylic or Solid Surface Shower Panels
$3,000–$7,000 per shower installedFor homeowners who want a grout-free, low-maintenance shower, solid surface panels provide a smooth, seamless wall system. Available in stone-look patterns, these panels install faster than tile and require minimal upkeep.
Best for: Low-maintenance showers, accessible bathrooms, budget-friendly updates
Tile selection is the single most impactful material decision in a Star bathroom remodel, and the direction the market has moved in 2024–2025 is clear: large format, vein-matched porcelain in marble-look or stone-look patterns. The 24x48 format is dominant in primary shower walls because it creates the fewest grout lines and maximum visual continuity. Rectified porcelain tiles in this format can be book-matched across walls to create a seamless stone effect that is genuinely difficult to distinguish from natural marble at a fraction of the cost and with significantly better performance in a wet environment.
For floors, heated radiant systems under large-format porcelain are the near-universal choice for Star primary bathrooms — Idaho winters are real, and stepping onto a warm tile floor at 5:30 AM transforms the morning routine. Schluter or equivalent heated floor systems add $1,500–$3,500 to a bathroom project and represent consistently one of the highest satisfaction scores of any bathroom upgrade. The tile format for floors often shifts to a smaller format — 12x24 or even 4x8 handmade-look tile — to create traction and visual interest as a contrast to the large-format shower walls.
Vanity materials in Star bathrooms have moved decisively toward quartz with waterfall edges, matching the kitchen direction. Cultured marble — what nearly every Star builder installed — is functional but reads immediately as builder-grade. Quartz in white, light gray, or warm beige over a floating vanity cabinet with integrated drawer systems transforms the bathroom's perceived quality more than almost any other single material change.
Hardware finishes in Star bathrooms: brushed gold (warm brass) and matte black are the two dominant choices, with brushed gold trending slightly ahead in primary bathrooms for its warmth and contrast against white tile and white cabinetry. Matte black reads crisper and more graphic, and works particularly well in bathrooms with darker tile selections or more minimal design languages. Chrome — the builder default — is being replaced in virtually every Star bathroom remodel we execute.
Here is how a typical bathroom remodel project works from first contact to final walkthrough:
1
Discovery and Design Consultation
We visit your home, measure the existing bathroom, discuss what is and is not working, review your goals and budget range, and photograph the space. You will receive a preliminary scope outline within a few days that includes layout options, material direction, and a ballpark estimate range.
2
Design Development and Material Selection
We create a detailed design plan including tile layouts, vanity specifications, fixture selections, lighting placement, and color palette. You select materials from our supplier partners or bring your own. We finalize the scope of work, confirm lead times, and prepare a fixed-price contract.
3
Permitting and Pre-Construction Planning
If your project involves plumbing relocation, electrical changes, or structural modifications, we pull the required permits through your local jurisdiction. We also coordinate scheduling with our tile installer, plumber, electrician, and glass supplier so every trade is lined up before demolition day.
4
Demolition and Rough-In
We protect adjacent rooms with dust barriers and floor coverings, then carefully demolish the existing bathroom down to studs and subfloor as needed. Plumbing and electrical rough-in happens next — this is when drain locations, water supply lines, recessed lighting, exhaust fan ducting, and any structural framing changes are completed.
5
Waterproofing and Substrate Preparation
Every shower and wet area receives a proper waterproofing membrane system — either sheet membrane, liquid-applied membrane, or a foam panel system like Kerdi or GoBoard. We verify proper slope to drain, inspect the substrate for flatness and stability, and prepare all surfaces for tile.
6
Tile, Vanity, and Fixture Installation
Tile installation begins with floor tile, then shower walls and niches, then any accent features. The vanity is set and plumbed, the mirror and lighting are installed, and all fixtures — faucets, showerhead, toilet, towel bars, and hardware — are connected and tested.
7
Final Inspection, Punch List, and Walkthrough
We complete a detailed punch list inspection, verify all plumbing and electrical connections, test every fixture, and confirm caulk lines, grout joints, and finish details are clean. A final walkthrough with you ensures everything meets expectations before we consider the project complete.
Here is what to expect for project duration when planning a bathroom remodel in Star:
| Phase | Duration | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Planning | 2–4 weeks | Initial consultation, measurements, design development, material selections, and contract finalization. Material lead times (tile, vanity, glass) often extend this phase to 4-6 weeks if custom items are involved. |
| Permitting | 1–3 weeks | Permit application, review, and approval through Ada County or Canyon County. Straightforward projects may clear in a few days; projects with structural changes take longer. |
| Demolition and Rough-In | 3–5 days | Remove existing fixtures, tile, drywall, and subfloor as needed. Complete plumbing and electrical rough-in. Schedule and pass rough inspection. |
| Waterproofing and Tile Installation | 5–10 days | Apply waterproofing membranes, install cement board or backer panels, set tile (floor, walls, shower, niches), grout, and seal. This is typically the longest phase of active work. |
| Fixture and Finish Installation | 3–5 days | Install vanity, countertop, sink, faucet, toilet, mirror, lighting, exhaust fan, glass shower door, towel bars, and all finish hardware. |
| Final Inspection and Walkthrough | 1–2 days | Complete punch list, pass final inspection, and conduct walkthrough with homeowner. Ensure all caulk, grout, and finish details are clean. |
Star range: $18,000 – $75,000
Most Star projects: $38,000
Star bathroom remodels are priced around the comprehensive customization scope rather than a patch-and-repair model. Primary bathroom full transformations — new tile throughout, frameless glass enclosure, floating vanity, and heated floors — typically run $35,000–$60,000. Hall bathroom overhauls including tile, vanity replacement, and new tub-to-shower conversion range from $18,000–$32,000. The cost premium over comparable work in older communities reflects the expectation of quality finishes — Star homeowners are not replacing failing components with equivalent ones; they are upgrading to a significantly higher standard.
The final cost of your bathroom remodel in Star depends on several factors. Here are the biggest cost drivers:
Scope of Layout Changes
high impactMoving plumbing drain locations, relocating fixtures, or expanding the footprint of the bathroom significantly increases cost due to plumbing rough-in, framing, and potential subfloor work.
Tile Selection and Coverage Area
high impactTile is often the single largest material cost in a bathroom remodel. Floor-to-ceiling tile in a large shower, intricate mosaic patterns, or premium natural stone can add thousands to the budget compared to standard subway tile.
Vanity and Countertop Selection
medium impactA stock vanity with a cultured marble top might cost $400-800. A custom or semi-custom vanity with a quartz top, undermount sinks, and soft-close hardware can run $2,000-5,000+.
Fixture and Hardware Quality
medium impactBuilder-grade faucets and showerheads start around $150-300. Mid-range fixtures from brands like Delta, Moen, or Kohler run $400-1,000. Premium or custom fixtures can exceed $2,000.
Plumbing and Electrical Updates
medium impactOlder homes may need updated water supply lines, new drain plumbing, GFCI outlet installation, recessed lighting, or exhaust fan upgrades. These hidden costs are common in pre-2000 homes.
Accessibility Features
low impactZero-threshold shower entries, blocking for grab bars, bench seating, wider doorways, and comfort-height toilets add cost but are increasingly popular for aging-in-place planning.
Permits and Inspections
low impactProjects involving plumbing or electrical changes typically require permits. Permit costs in Ada County range from $75-300 depending on scope, plus inspection scheduling time.
These are the real-world projects we see most often from Star homeowners:
Primary Suite Spa Transformation
The signature Star bathroom project: a primary suite with a builder-installed soaking tub and adjacent shower gets fully reconfigured. The tub is removed (Star's honest truth: most homeowners use their soaking tub fewer than ten times per year in practice) and the combined space is converted to a single large walk-in shower with dual rainfall heads, a linear drain, a built-in bench, and a three-niche system. Large-format porcelain tile — 24x48 in a marble-look pattern — covers the floor and runs full height on all shower walls. A frameless glass enclosure with a single door maximizes the open feel. The vanity wall gets a floating dual-vanity with integrated LED mirrors and a quartz top with under-mount sinks. Heated tile floors are added throughout. The result is the bathroom that the builder's model home implied but did not deliver.
Typical cost: $42,000–$68,000Timeline: 5–7 weeks
Hall Bathroom Overhaul
The secondary bathroom in a Star home often gets less attention in initial planning but matters enormously for day-to-day function in a household with children or guests. This project replaces the builder shower-over-tub combination with a fully tiled tub surround or converts it to a dedicated shower depending on household needs, replaces the cultured marble vanity top with quartz, installs a new framed or frameless mirror, upgrades the toilet to a comfort-height elongated model, adds a heated floor, and replaces all hardware and lighting. The result is a bathroom that can host guests without apology.
Typical cost: $18,000–$30,000Timeline: 2–3 weeks
Tub-to-Shower Conversion with Large-Format Tile
One of the most requested single-scope projects in Star: converting a builder tub-shower combination into a dedicated walk-in shower with large-format porcelain tile, a frameless glass enclosure, and upgraded plumbing fixtures. The additional floor space gained by removing the tub deck and surround allows for a walk-in entry with a partial glass panel or a full frameless enclosure, a built-in bench, and a niche. This project dramatically changes the daily experience of the bathroom and, in primary suites, is the single highest-satisfaction upgrade per dollar spent.
Typical cost: $14,000–$24,000Timeline: 2–3 weeks
Floating Vanity and Tile Accent Upgrade
For Star homeowners who want to transform the look of a bathroom without a full gut renovation, replacing the builder vanity with a floating model — a wall-mounted cabinet with integrated lighting underneath, a quartz top, and under-mount sinks — plus adding large-format tile on the floor and an accent wall creates a hotel-caliber transformation at a fraction of full renovation cost. This scope works particularly well in hall bathrooms and secondary master baths where the shower enclosure itself is acceptable but the vanity area reads as generic.
Typical cost: $9,000–$16,000Timeline: 1–2 weeks
Outdoor Connection: Backyard Access and Private Patio
A genuinely Star-specific project: adding a private outdoor access point from the primary bathroom to a dedicated patio space, potentially with an outdoor shower and privacy screening. Star's larger lots and the layout of post-2015 primary suites often make this feasible — the primary bathroom may back up to the yard with nothing but a standard window between the soaking tub area and the outdoors. Adding a Dutch door, upgrading the window to allow backyard light, installing an outdoor shower station adjacent to a hot tub or pool, and creating a private teak deck immediately adjacent to the bathroom creates a resort-quality experience that is specific to Star's lot sizes and lifestyle.
Typical cost: $18,000–$40,000Timeline: 3–5 weeks
Problem: Outdated layout with wasted space and poor flow
Solution: We redesign the layout to maximize usable floor space, improve traffic flow, and create logical zones for the shower, vanity, and toilet areas.
Problem: Failing tile and grout with water damage behind walls
Solution: We demolish to studs, inspect and repair any water-damaged framing or subfloor, install proper waterproofing, and rebuild with modern materials.
Problem: Inadequate ventilation causing mold and moisture issues
Solution: We install a properly sized exhaust fan ducted to the exterior, with a timer or humidity-sensing switch, to control moisture and prevent mold growth.
Problem: Small or dark bathroom that feels cramped
Solution: Strategic lighting placement, lighter tile and paint colors, glass shower enclosures instead of curtains, and large-format tile with minimal grout lines all help a small bathroom feel larger.
Problem: Accessibility challenges for aging family members
Solution: We design barrier-free shower entries, install grab bars with proper blocking, add bench seating, use anti-slip flooring, and ensure doorways accommodate mobility aids.
Star shares the Treasure Valley climate. Open terrain and rural-edge location mean more wind and UV exposure.
Wind and Open Exposure
Higher wind loads and more UV exposure than sheltered locations. Durable exterior materials are important.
New Construction Settling
Homes 3-7 years old may show minor settling cracks in drywall — cosmetic and common in new construction on Treasure Valley soils.
Downtown Star
The original town center with a mix of older homes and newer infill. Some properties date back several decades and offer full renovation potential.
Common projects in Downtown Star:
- •Full home renovations
- •Kitchen and bathroom remodels
- •Home additions
- •ADU construction on larger lots
The Lakes at Pristine Springs / Newer Subdivisions
Post-2015 master-planned communities with modern homes. Builder-grade finishes are the primary upgrade target.
Common projects in The Lakes at Pristine Springs / Newer Subdivisions:
- •Kitchen upgrades with better cabinets and countertops
- •Bathroom finish updates
- •Flooring replacement
- •Outdoor living — decks, patios, pergolas
Every Star neighborhood has different housing stock, homeowner priorities, and project considerations. Here is what bathroom remodel looks like in each area:
The Lakes at Pristine Springs
Bathrooms in The Lakes are consistent with the broader post-2015 Star housing stock: large floor plans with generous square footage in the primary suite, builder-grade finishes throughout, and a lot of untapped potential. The primary bathrooms in this community were spec'd with soaking tubs and separate showers as a selling feature, but a significant majority of homeowners who have been living in these homes for 3–7 years report that the soaking tub has become storage space. Tub-to-shower conversions are the single most common bathroom project we execute in The Lakes, followed by full primary suite transformations. The hall bathrooms in this community tend to be the same size as those in comparable Meridian or Eagle subdivisions, but the homeowners here have higher design expectations and are more likely to invest in a full overhaul rather than a surface refresh.
Countryside Estates and Newer Developments
The newest subdivisions on Star's western and northern edges often have slightly larger homes and therefore larger primary bathroom footprints. This creates an opportunity for more ambitious transformations — wet rooms with dual showers and a freestanding tub in the same space, dual-entry showers with separate rainfall and handheld zones, and large-format tile installations that would feel overwhelming in a smaller bathroom but are perfectly scaled here. Homeowners in these newest developments are often in the planning phase rather than the ready-to-build phase, which is an ideal time to start the design conversation. Iron Crest Remodel offers pre-construction planning meetings for homeowners who want to scope their bathroom project before they are ready to commit.
Downtown Star
The older homes in downtown Star's original neighborhoods present bathroom remodeling in its more traditional sense: real renovation with structural and plumbing challenges. Homes from the 1920s through the 1970s in the Star Road area often have galvanized plumbing, substandard waterproofing, and bathrooms with original fixtures in various states of aging. These projects require more investigation before scoping — opening walls to assess plumbing condition, checking subfloor integrity before laying tile, evaluating ventilation adequacy in rooms that were built before shower exhaust was standard. The results, however, can be extraordinary: a primary bathroom in a 1920s farmhouse with period-appropriate subway tile, a clawfoot tub, and modern plumbing behind the walls is a genuinely beautiful and historically resonant space.
Permit authority: City of Star Building Department
- ✓Permits required for plumbing, electrical, and structural work
- ✓Rapidly growing building department keeping pace with development
- ✓ADU and addition projects subject to zoning review
- ●Tile layout planning — setting a centerline, planning cut tiles, and choosing grout width and color can dramatically change the final look
- ●Niche placement — shower niches should be positioned at a usable height and sized to fit standard bottles; recessed niches need proper waterproofing
- ●Lighting layers — combine overhead recessed lighting with vanity sconces for even, shadow-free illumination; consider a dimmable option for nighttime use
- ●Ventilation sizing — the exhaust fan should be rated for the room's cubic footage; undersized fans are the number one cause of bathroom moisture problems
- ●Storage planning — recessed medicine cabinets, vanity drawer organizers, and built-in niches reduce countertop clutter and improve daily function
- ●Color and finish coordination — select faucet, showerhead, towel bar, and hardware finishes early and keep them consistent throughout the room
Here are the design trends we see most often in Star bathroom remodel projects:
- →Modern farmhouse and transitional aesthetics
- →Personalizing builder-grade homes with premium finishes
- →Large kitchen islands with seating
- →Outdoor living — large decks, covered patios, fire pits
- →LVP flooring and modern tile selections
Star's rapid growth and desirable small-town character make updated homes highly sought after. Finish upgrades in Star homes provide strong returns in a competitive resale market. The community continues to attract buyers willing to pay a premium for updated, personalized homes.
✓Licensed and insured general contractor in Idaho
✓Detailed written scope of work and fixed-price contracts
✓Dedicated project manager for every bathroom remodel
✓Manufacturer-certified waterproofing installation
✓All plumbing and electrical work performed by licensed tradespeople
✓Post-project warranty covering workmanship and installation
Star bathrooms are different from the rest of the Treasure Valley because they are being customized, not renovated. There is no damage to repair, no leak to address, no outdated plumbing that is about to fail. The motivation is entirely aesthetic and experiential — these homeowners know what they want, they know their current bathroom is not it, and they are ready to invest in getting there.
This motivation produces a different quality of engagement throughout the project. Star homeowners who hire Iron Crest Remodel for bathroom work come to the project with inspiration boards, specific product preferences, and a vision they have been refining for months or years. Our job is to translate that vision into a buildable scope with accurate costs and a reliable timeline. The design conversation is richer, the material selections are more considered, and the end results are consistently among the most dramatic transformations we execute anywhere in the Treasure Valley.
The lot size factor also appears in bathroom work in ways that are unique to Star. A primary bathroom that backs up to a half-acre lot in Star has genuine opportunities that a bathroom backing up to a postage-stamp lot in a Meridian townhome does not. Outdoor shower connections, private patio access, backyard window upgrades — these are real options in Star, and they represent a category of bathroom work we execute here far more frequently than anywhere else we serve.
Waterproofing is the most critical non-negotiable in any Star bathroom remodel, and the approach must account for the specific conditions of post-2015 new construction. Builder-installed shower surrounds in Star homes used a range of waterproofing systems — some used traditional felt paper and metal lath, others used sheet membrane, and the most recent construction often used liquid-applied systems. When we open a builder shower during a remodel, we evaluate the existing waterproofing system and always upgrade to a current best-practice approach — typically Schluter Kerdi or equivalent sheet membrane on all shower walls and floors — regardless of what was there before. The cost of proper waterproofing is a fraction of the cost of water damage remediation.
The semi-arid Star climate means that bathroom ventilation is simultaneously less urgent (no long periods of extreme cold that concentrate moisture) and more important (the low ambient humidity means the body produces more moisture relative to air capacity during showers). An undersized or poorly positioned exhaust fan allows moisture to concentrate on cold surfaces — particularly in winter when window temperatures drop — and can create mold conditions even in Idaho's dry climate. We spec exhaust fans at 110 CFM minimum for primary bathrooms and specify timer switches as standard.
City of Star building permits are required for any bathroom work involving plumbing changes, electrical changes, or structural modifications. Cosmetic replacements — swapping vanity tops, replacing mirrors, changing hardware — do not require permits. Iron Crest Remodel handles all permit applications for permitted bathroom work in Star.
Bathroom remodeling in Star produces some of the most compelling investment cases in the Treasure Valley because the baseline is so universally recognized as substandard. Every buyer in the Star resale market has either lived in a new-construction home with builder bathrooms or toured enough of them to know exactly what they are looking at. A Star home with professionally remodeled primary and secondary bathrooms commands a measurable premium over identical homes with original builder finishes, and it sells faster — often meaningfully so in a market where competing listings are sitting at original builder spec.
Typical ROI for bathroom remodeling in Star: primary bath full transformation returns 60–75% of project cost at resale in the current market, with higher returns in the $35,000–$55,000 project range. More importantly, homes with finished primary bathrooms spend significantly less time on market than comparable homes without — in a market where carrying costs matter, faster sale time represents real financial value beyond the sale price premium. For homeowners who plan to live in their Star home for 5+ years before selling, the combination of daily enjoyment value and eventual resale premium makes bathroom customization one of the clearest investment decisions available.
Avoid these common pitfalls Star homeowners encounter with bathroom remodel projects:
Mistake: Installing tile halfway up the shower wall instead of full height
Better approach: Builder showers in Star homes almost universally have tile installed to 72 inches — approximately where the showerhead is — with painted drywall above. This creates a visual line that makes the shower feel shorter and cheaper than it needs to. Full-height tile to the ceiling costs approximately 25–30% more tile and installation time but produces a dramatically more finished and more durable result. In post-2015 homes where the ceiling height is often 9 or 10 feet, running tile to the ceiling creates the spa aesthetic that Star homeowners are pursuing. Full-height tile is now our standard specification for all Star shower remodels.
Mistake: Choosing trendy fixtures that will look dated within five years
Better approach: Matte black and brushed gold are both strong finish choices in 2024–2025, but some of the more exaggerated fixture designs — dramatically geometric spout profiles, oversized dramatic showerheads that are more visual statement than functional tool — have a shorter design half-life than the materials around them. Choose fixtures that are design-forward but not design-dependent: a well-proportioned brushed gold faucet will look appropriate for fifteen years; an ultra-avant-garde fixture might feel dated in seven. Consult with our design team about which specific models have durability of style versus peak-trend appeal.
Mistake: Skipping the waterproofing upgrade when opening the shower walls
Better approach: Star homes built between 2017 and 2022 used a range of waterproofing systems, and some of the production builders during the rapid-growth phase used systems that are technically code-compliant but not robust enough for decades of performance. When we open the shower walls for a remodel, we always assess the existing waterproofing and recommend upgrading to a current best-practice system — Schluter Kerdi, RedGard, or equivalent — rather than tiling over whatever the builder used. The incremental cost is modest; the risk of moisture intrusion from inadequate waterproofing is significant.
Mistake: Underestimating the scope needed for a satisfying result
Better approach: Many Star homeowners approach their first bathroom remodel conversation with a partial-scope proposal — just the shower tile, or just the vanity, or just the flooring. After seeing the completed work, the builder elements that were left in place read significantly worse than they did before the upgraded elements were installed. In almost every case, partial bathroom remodels result in a second project within 12–18 months to address the remaining elements. It is generally more economical and more satisfying to scope the project comprehensively from the beginning, even if that means extending the planning timeline to save additional budget.
Mistake: Not considering the hall bathroom in the same project cycle
Better approach: Star homeowners frequently invest heavily in the primary bathroom and defer the hall bathroom, then discover that the contrast between a beautifully finished primary suite and a builder-original hall bath creates a jarring inconsistency that is particularly visible during showings. Coordinating both bathrooms — even if the hall bathroom receives a more modest scope — produces a more cohesive home presentation and is often more cost-effective to coordinate in a single project mobilization than two separate visits months apart.
Star has been one of the fastest-growing communities in Idaho, with subdivision development accelerating since 2015. The city's residential landscape is dominated by new construction with builder-grade finishes, though some older properties in the original townsite offer renovation opportunities. Star homeowners remodel to personalize builder-grade homes, add outdoor living space, and upgrade finishes to match their lifestyle. The community attracts families and professionals who want a suburban lifestyle with larger lots and a small-town feel.
Most popular remodeling projects in Star
- ✓Kitchen finish upgrades
- ✓Bathroom remodels
- ✓Outdoor living construction
- ✓Flooring replacement
- ✓Home office additions
Bathroom Remodeling Cost in StarHow Long Does Bathroom Remodeling Take in Star?Best Materials for Bathroom Remodeling in StarBathroom Remodeling Design Ideas for Star HomesKitchen Remodeling Cost in StarHow Long Does Kitchen Remodeling Take in Star?Best Materials for Kitchen Remodeling in StarKitchen Remodeling Design Ideas for Star HomesHome Additions Cost in StarHow Long Does Home Additions Take in Star?
Should I remove my soaking tub or keep it in my Star primary bathroom?
This is the most common question we receive from Star homeowners, and the honest answer is: remove it in the vast majority of cases. The soaking tub was a selling feature in your subdivision's model home, and it looked beautiful in the staged photos. In practice, most families with children use the soaking tub fewer than ten times per year, and it occupies floor space that — converted to a walk-in shower — would be used daily. The exception: if you genuinely love long soaking baths and use a bathtub regularly, keeping or upgrading the tub is entirely reasonable. But if your soaking tub has been a shelf for bath toys and shampoo bottles for the past three years, the conversion to a large walk-in shower will transform your morning routine in a way you will notice every single day.
What tile size works best for a Star new-construction bathroom?
Large format is the consistent answer for primary bathrooms in Star's post-2015 homes: 24x48 or 24x24 porcelain on shower walls and bathroom floors creates the fewest grout lines, the most visual continuity, and the most current aesthetic. The large-format trend is well-established enough that it will remain current through at least the next decade of Star resale market cycles, which matters if you are thinking about eventual resale value. For floor surfaces specifically, we often recommend a slightly smaller format — 12x24 or similar — to provide adequate texture for slip resistance while maintaining the clean look. Heated floor systems under any tile format are a standard recommendation for Star primary bathrooms.
How long does a primary bathroom remodel take in a Star home?
A full primary bathroom transformation — tile throughout, frameless glass, floating vanity, heated floors — typically takes 5–7 weeks from demolition to final walkthrough in a Star home. The timeline includes one week for demolition and rough-in inspection, two to three weeks for tile installation (this is the longest phase because mortar setting times cannot be rushed), one week for glass installation and vanity work, and several days for fixture installation, punch list, and cleanup. We provide a detailed schedule before work begins and communicate any timeline adjustments immediately. Star homeowners who need to sequence around specific dates — school calendar, family visits, work travel — should plan their start date accordingly.
Is a heated tile floor worth the cost in Star's climate?
Absolutely, and the satisfaction rate among Star homeowners who have added heated floors is essentially unanimous. Idaho winters are real — Boise's average January low is around 25°F, and Star's open terrain means wind chill compounds the cold. The difference between stepping onto a cold tile floor at 6 AM and stepping onto a warm one is a genuinely material improvement in daily quality of life. The system cost — typically $1,500–$3,500 added to a bathroom project depending on size — adds less than $10–$15 per month to the electric bill when used seasonally. The ROI in daily comfort far exceeds the capital cost, and heated floors consistently register as among the highest-satisfaction items in our post-project surveys.
Can Iron Crest Remodel add an outdoor shower or backyard access to my Star primary bathroom?
Yes, and this is a project type that is uniquely viable in Star because of the lot sizes and layout of post-2015 homes. If your primary bathroom backs up to your backyard — which is true for a significant percentage of Star subdivision homes, particularly in The Lakes and the newer Countryside developments — we can evaluate the feasibility of adding a private outdoor access point. This might mean a Dutch door from the bathroom to a private tiled patio, an outdoor shower station with hot and cold water plumbing, or simply a window upgrade that lets you enjoy the backyard view from a freestanding soaking tub. We assess the feasibility during your initial project consultation at no charge.
How long does a bathroom remodel usually take?
A typical full bathroom remodel takes 4 to 8 weeks from demolition to completion, depending on scope, material lead times, and inspection scheduling. A straightforward fixture and finish update with no layout changes may take 2 to 3 weeks. Projects involving plumbing relocation, custom tile work, or structural changes take longer.
Do bathroom remodels require permits in Idaho?
Yes, most bathroom remodels that involve plumbing changes, electrical work, or structural modifications require permits in Ada County and Canyon County. A simple cosmetic update — paint, fixtures, and accessories — typically does not. We handle the permit application process and coordinate all required inspections.
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?
Tile and labor are typically the largest line items, followed by the vanity/countertop combination and plumbing rough-in. If the project involves moving drain locations or expanding the footprint, plumbing and framing costs increase significantly.
Can I keep my existing layout to save money?
Yes. Keeping plumbing fixtures in their current locations avoids the cost of rerouting drain and supply lines. Many homeowners save 15-25% by refreshing finishes, tile, and fixtures without changing the floor plan.
Should I choose a walk-in shower or a bathtub?
It depends on your household needs and resale considerations. Walk-in showers are more popular for primary bathrooms and aging-in-place planning. Having at least one bathtub in the home is generally recommended for families with young children and for resale value.
How do you handle waterproofing?
We use industry-standard waterproofing systems — either sheet membrane (like Schluter Kerdi), liquid-applied membrane, or foam panel systems — on all shower floors, walls, curbs, and niches. Proper waterproofing prevents leaks, mold, and structural damage behind tile.
What tile is best for bathroom floors?
Porcelain tile is the most popular and practical choice for bathroom floors. It is water-resistant, durable, available in many styles, and can mimic the look of wood or stone. We recommend a slight texture or matte finish for slip resistance in wet areas.
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