Will a Tub or Shower Remodel Be Loud for Neighbors?

You might have a remodel coming up and want to make sure it doesn’t cause problems with your neighbors. Will there be days of jackhammering? Will someone knock on your door to complain? Not having answers makes the remodeling process feel uncomfortable.

Shugarman's Bath has completed over 6,000 tub and shower remodels. During that time, noise-related complaints from neighbors have been virtually nonexistent.

This article breaks down how loud a tub and shower remodel can be and what you can do to make the process go smoothly with your neighbors.

Table of Contents:

• How Loud Is a Tub and Shower Remodel?
•  
• What Is the Loudest Portion of a Shower Remodel?
• What Does the Rest of the Shower Remodel Sound Like After Demolition?
• How Is Noise Different With a Condo or Townhome?
• How Do HOA Work Hour Restrictions Affect Noise?
• Should You Tell Your Neighbors About Your Remodel in Advance?

How Loud Is a Tub and Shower Remodel?

On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being zero noise and 10 like you’re at a concert, a tub-and-shower remodel in a typical residential neighborhood lands around 3 or 4. In a condo, townhome, or any home sharing a wall with a neighbor, expect it to climb to a 5 or 6. Either way, it is nowhere near the noise level of a full home construction project.

What Is the Loudest Portion of a Shower Remodel?

The demolition phase is when most of the noise occurs. How long it takes depends on what is being removed. Removing tile typically takes longer than other materials. On a 2-day remodel, demo typically takes up most or all of day one. On a 1-day install, it is the first portion of the day.

During demolition, the crew uses tools such as pry bars and chipping hammers to pry tile off walls. Any reframing involves a miter saw for lumber cuts and an impact driver to fasten the new framing. If a drain needs to be relocated, a tool like a jackhammer would be used to break the concrete subfloor.

In a typical residential neighborhood where homes have space between them, neighbors likely won’t be bothered by the noise.

What Does the Rest of the Shower Remodel Sound Like After Demolition?

The amount of sound drops off considerably after the demo phase.

The crew may do some framing. That means a few saw cuts and the sound of an impact driver putting screws into lumber. The miter saw is operated outside, so neighbors may hear cutting throughout the day. Drilling happens inside the home, so the sound shouldn’t be overbearing. Cutting the wall panels is done with a utility blade.

Once the walls go up, then the work gets quiet. The panels are set with construction adhesive. There should not be power tools involved at that stage. By the time the first layer of walls is in place, most of what the neighbors hear is nothing at all.

How Is Noise Different With a Condo or Townhome?

Because a condo or townhome shares walls or floors, sound travels more easily. As a result, the sound will be more apparent to neighbors adjacent to your unit. That is why the noise estimate for those situations goes up to a 5 or 6.

How Do HOA Work Hour Restrictions Affect Noise?

HOA rules around remodeling are designed to limit noise in the community, which can stretch the timeline. Work-hour restrictions mean noise occurs only between set hours, so early mornings and evenings stay quiet.

For example, a tile demo that wraps up in one full day could take 2 or 3 days if the crew has to start at 9 a.m. and stop at 4 p.m. More days on the job mean more days of noise for you and your neighbors.

HOA rules can also limit where crews are allowed to set up equipment. In some buildings, there is no common area available, which means lumber cutting might be made inside the home instead.

If you live in an HOA community, it is a good idea to check the rules when scheduling your remodel. A project manager can work around most restrictions.

Should You Tell Your Neighbors About Your Remodel in Advance?

You are not required to. The noise is largely contained in the demo. Once that is done, the rest of the remodel is quiet enough that most neighbors will not notice much.

If you want peace of mind, let your neighbors know ahead of time that you are doing a shower remodel. Let them know the demo will happen on day one, and that things will quiet down significantly after that. Most neighbors appreciate the heads-up.

What Should You Do Before Your Remodel Starts?

It makes sense that you’re concerned about your remodel being too loud for your neighbors. Surprisingly, it’s less of an inconvenience than most homeowners expect. The loudest portion is the demolition. Everything else is quieter. A brief heads-up to the people next door is all the preparation you really need on that front.

Now that you better understand how loud your project could be for your neighbors, learn the step-by-step process of your tub or shower remodel.

Have other questions about your remodel and noise? Contact Shugarman's Bath to get the answers you’re looking for.

The opinions expressed in the referenced materials are those of the authors only, not necessarily of Shugarman’s Bath. While these referenced materials are useful in answering generalized questions, each bathroom is unique. For a particular question about your tub or shower remodeling project, contact your Shugarman’s Bath consultant.