Bathroom Remodeling in Minneapolis, From Longfellow to Nokomis

Bathroom Remodeling in Minneapolis, Built for the City's Older Homes

Minneapolis bathrooms come with their own quirks, and after 25 years working the metro we know most of them on sight. A lot of the city's housing stock is the older stuff, 1920s bungalows in Nokomis and Longfellow, 1950s and 60s ramblers in Kenny and Armatage, that still have original tile and galvanized supply lines behind the wall. When we open one of those bathrooms, what's underneath is usually part of the job, not a surprise we bill you for later. We assess the plumbing layout, the subfloor, and the wall condition before we quote, so the number you get is the number that holds. Whether you're updating a powder room near downtown or gutting a full bath in a South Minneapolis home, the crew that gives you the estimate is the crew that does the work. No subcontractor handoff.

Bathroom Remodeling in South Minneapolis Older Homes

We work bathrooms across Minneapolis, and the neighborhood usually tells us what we're walking into before we take the first measurement. A remodel in Longfellow isn't the same job as one in a newer build out past the city line, because the age of the house decides most of what's hidden behind the tile.

<aside class="my-6 rounded-md border border-border bg-card p-4 text-sm"><strong>Why we name the neighborhood:</strong> in Longfellow, Nokomis, Standish, and the surrounding pre-war Minneapolis pockets, the bathroom that looks fine on the surface is often sitting on plumbing and framing from the original build. Knowing that going in is the difference between a quote that holds and a quote that balloons on demo day.</aside>

Here's what we actually see in older Minneapolis homes, and why we check for each one before we quote:

<ul class="my-6 space-y-3 list-disc pl-5"><li><strong>Cast-iron drain lines.</strong> Common in homes built before the 1960s. Cast iron corrodes from the inside, and a stack that looks solid can be paper-thin at the hub. If we're opening the floor anyway, that's the moment to address it, not two years after the tile is set.</li><li><strong>Uneven or moisture-damaged subfloors.</strong> Decades of a slowly failing wax ring or cracked grout soaks into the subfloor around the toilet and shower. Tile set over a floor that flexes cracks at the joints within a year or two. Any softness gets replaced before anything new goes down.</li><li><strong>Undersized or improperly routed venting.</strong> Older bathrooms were often built with minimal venting, or a fan ducted straight into the attic instead of outside. Minnesota code requires mechanical ventilation in a bathroom without an operable window, and we correct that as part of the scope.</li><li><strong>Galvanized supply lines.</strong> These clog with mineral scale from the inside and drop your water pressure over time. When the wall is already open, swapping them out is straightforward.</li></ul>

<blockquote class="my-6 border-l-4 border-primary pl-4 italic text-foreground/85">"We'd rather tell you about the cast-iron drain during the consultation than discover it for you halfway through demo. That's the whole reason we look behind the wall before we hand you a number."</blockquote>

Whether your home is in Longfellow, Nokomis, Standish, or anywhere across South Minneapolis, the assessment is the same and it happens before you ever get a price. If you want a straight read on what your older bathroom actually needs, call (612) 445-4352 and we'll come look.

Choosing a Bathroom Remodeling Contractor in Minneapolis

Choosing a bathroom remodeling contractor in Minneapolis comes down to a few honest questions worth asking before you hire anyone: Are they actually licensed in Minnesota? Do they self-perform the work or farm it out? And will they tell you what's behind the wall before they tear it open? TWS Remodeling is licensed in Minnesota (BC773859) and has carried a 4.5-star rating across more than 1,000 Google reviews since 2001. We handle permits where the scope requires them, we walk you through the plumbing and code questions during the consultation, and we put pricing in writing before anything gets scheduled. Minnesota code, for what it's worth, requires mechanical ventilation in bathrooms without an operable window, something a lot of older Minneapolis bathrooms either lack or have ducted incorrectly into the attic. We catch that during the assessment, not after.

Bathroom Remodelers in Minnesota, Scope and Price Tiers

Bathroom remodelers in Minnesota price by scope, not by the square foot, because two bathrooms the same size can be wildly different jobs once you account for what's behind the wall. We break most projects into three tiers so you can see where yours likely lands before the consultation. A refresh keeps your existing layout, swapping the vanity, fixtures, flooring, and lighting without moving plumbing, which is the fastest and most affordable path. A tub-to-shower conversion replaces the tub with a walk-in solid-surface shower, often with a low or zero threshold, and is one of the most common projects we run in the metro. A full gut-and-rebuild takes the bathroom down to the studs, addresses any subfloor or plumbing issues, and rebuilds with a custom shower, new fixtures, flooring, and finishes. Costs scale with that scope, plus your finish selections and any plumbing relocation. Every job is different, contact TWS Remodeling for an accurate estimate, and ask about $0 down, 0% interest financing for 12 months so the right scope isn't out of reach.

What's Included in a TWS Bathroom Remodel

We offer complete, one-stop bathroom remodeling solutions, which means you're not coordinating three different contractors to finish one room. Our scope covers bathtub removal and walk-in shower conversions, solid-surface wall surrounds, new shower enclosures and doors, vanity and countertop replacement, flooring, lighting, fixtures, and accessibility upgrades. We work with Onyx bath systems because their solid-surface products are engineered to resist moisture, hold their finish for decades, and require almost no maintenance compared to tile grout. You'll choose from a wide range of wall colors, finishes, and fixture styles, our design team walks you through every option so the final result feels like it was built for your home, not pulled off a showroom floor. Honestly, the number of choices surprises most homeowners. That's by design.

Tub-to-Shower Conversions With The Onyx Collection

A tub-to-shower conversion is the single most common bathroom project we run across South Minneapolis, and in an older home it's usually the right call. Most Minneapolis alcoves that hold a standard tub are 30 by 60 inches, which is enough room to build a comfortable walk-in shower with a solid-surface base and surround. We use The Onyx Collection as our shower and wall system because it's the product that holds up in this climate, and we've installed enough of them to stand behind that choice.

<aside class="my-6 rounded-md border border-border bg-card p-4 text-sm"><strong>Why solid surface beats tile here:</strong> Minneapolis runs hard water, and hard water is what leaves the chalky calcium buildup you see caked into tile grout. The Onyx Collection is a non-porous solid-surface material with no grout lines, so there's nothing for scale to grab onto and nothing to regrout in five years. It wipes clean.</aside>

Here's how a tub-to-shower conversion actually goes on a standard alcove:

<ul class="my-6 space-y-3 list-disc pl-5"><li><strong>We pull the old tub and open the wall.</strong> This is when we check the drain and the subfloor. In pre-war homes we regularly find a corroded cast-iron drain or a soft spot around the old tub where the wall has held moisture for decades. If we find it, we show you before we go further.</li><li><strong>We confirm the drain location and rough-in.</strong> A conversion is straightforward when the existing drain lines up. If the plan calls for moving it, that's a scope change we price up front, not a surprise on the invoice.</li><li><strong>We set the Onyx base and surround.</strong> Every Onyx base, wall, and trim piece is custom made to your alcove's exact measurements, so the system fits your space instead of forcing your layout around a stock size. You choose the color and finish.</li><li><strong>We can build in a low or zero threshold.</strong> On most conversions we can drop the step-over height for easier entry, and we can add grab bars rated for 250-plus pounds or a built-in bench if you want it.</li></ul>

<blockquote class="my-6 border-l-4 border-primary pl-4 italic text-foreground/85">"On a standard alcove with the drain where we need it, we finish most tub-to-shower conversions in about two days. It's the age of the house behind the wall that decides the rest, which is exactly why we look before we quote."</blockquote>

<h3 class="font-display text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">When a tub-to-shower conversion is the wrong call</h3>

We won't talk you into this if it doesn't fit your household. If you have young kids who still take baths, or you're the only home on the block without a tub and you're thinking about resale, keeping at least one bathtub in the house is often the smarter move. A shower-only home can be a harder sell to families. We'll tell you that at the consultation rather than after the tub is in the dumpster. If a walk-in shower is genuinely the right fit, we'll build it with The Onyx Collection and stand behind it. Call (612) 445-4352 and we'll come look before you commit to anything.

The Onyx Collection, Why We Use Onyx Bath Systems

Not all bath systems are the same, and we've installed enough of them over 25 years to know the difference. The Onyx Collection is built on solid-surface technology that's non-porous, seam-minimized, and far easier to keep clean than standard tile. No grout lines means no grout to scrub, no grout to crack, and no moisture sneaking behind your walls. Every Onyx system is custom made to your bathroom's exact measurements, so bases, walls, and trim fit your space instead of forcing your layout around a stock size. These products come backed by a manufacturer warranty, and TWS Remodeling stands behind every installation we do. You get craftsmanship that holds up and a warranty that means something.

Our Bathroom Remodeling Process, No Hidden Surprises

We start with an in-home consultation where we measure the space, walk through your goals, and give you clear pricing before any work is scheduled. No vague estimates that balloon after demo day. Here's how the project flows: first, we remove existing fixtures and prep the space, addressing any subfloor or wall issues we find before they become your problem later. Then our factory-certified installers fit your new solid-surface system, set fixtures, and complete any flooring or vanity work. Final walkthrough happens with you present, not without you. Most full bathroom remodels wrap in a few days. If something unexpected comes up mid-project, we tell you about it immediately, we don't wait until the invoice to have that conversation. That's how we've built customers for life in Minnesota and across the Twin Cities for 25 years.

Financing That Makes the Right Remodel Affordable

We offer $0 down, $0 monthly payments, and 0% interest for 12 months on qualifying bathroom remodeling projects. The reason we lead with this is simple: too many homeowners settle for a partial remodel, replacing just the vanity or just the floor, because they think a full project isn't in reach right now. With our financing, it usually is. You don't have to compromise on the scope to stay within your budget. We'd rather help you do the project correctly once than have you call us in two years because the shortcuts caught up. Every job is different, contact TWS Remodeling for an accurate estimate.

What Our Minnesota Customers Are Saying

TWS Remodeling carries a 4.5-star rating across more than 1,000 Google reviews, and that number reflects 25 years of showing up, doing clean work, and standing behind it. Our bathroom customers consistently mention three things: the installers were professional and fast, the finished product looks better than expected, and the process didn't have any surprises. One customer replaced a 30-year-old bathroom, new vanity, new lights, new toilet, new floor, and a custom shower that was a full foot deeper than the original. Projects like that take coordination. We've been doing this long enough that the coordination is the part our customers never have to think about.

See the Work, Bathroom Remodeling Before and After

Photos tell the story faster than words. Our gallery includes completed bathroom remodels from Minnesota and surrounding Twin Cities communities, bathtub-to-shower conversions, full bathroom gut-and-rebuilds, walk-in shower installations with solid-surface surrounds, and accessibility upgrades with grab bars and built-in seating. Every project in the gallery was installed by our own team, not a subcontractor. If you see a finish, a fixture configuration, or a layout that matches what you have in mind, bring it to your consultation. We'll tell you exactly what it takes to make that happen in your space.