Field notes
Guides from the jobsite
What we've learned opening up Treasure Valley bathrooms — the permit process, what hard water does to a new shower, why old houses hide what they hide, and how to tell a solid bid from a thin one.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion Timeline vs. Full Remodel
Boise's own permit data shows lighter-scope reviews averaging 8 days to ready-to-issue, against 28 days for the tier a full remodel often lands in.
02 — walk-in tub vs. walk-in showerWalk-In Tub vs. Walk-In Shower: What the Fall Data Says
CDC injury data show where bathroom falls actually happen by age, so you can weigh a walk-in tub against a curbless shower using real numbers.
03 — DIY vs. professionalBathroom Remodel DIY vs. Professional: What Idaho Law Allows
Idaho lets homeowners do their own remodel work, but hiring anyone else for plumbing or electrical without a license risks fines and up to 30 days in jail.
04 — Permits & inspectionsDo you need a permit to remodel a bathroom in Boise?
When Boise requires plumbing and electrical permits, what the rough-in inspection checks, and why a bid that skips permits should worry you.
05 — Materials & finishesWhat Treasure Valley hard water does to a new bathroom
Treasure Valley water runs 6 to 15 grains per gallon. Which bathroom finishes survive it, which etch permanently, and the three specs worth insisting on.
06 — Hiring a contractorHow to read a bathroom remodel bid without getting burned
The four questions that separate a solid bid from a thin one, why the cheapest number has the vaguest scope, and what a real contingency looks like.