De Mattei’s Guide to Bathroom Remodels in San Jose

Understanding Bathroom Remodeling

A Bathroom remodel in San Jose can take anywhere from 2 months to 4 months, depending on the scale and intensity of the transition from the existing space. Creating the new space within your home opens an avenue for increased property value and potentially can help your home sell faster when you do want to sell it. Everyone loves a new and updated bathroom. Often a topic of conversation in any home that features a luxury one. A bathroom remodel is the first step into transforming your home into your own personal spa getaway. Your morning routine starts off daily with the same outdated and mundane routine. Giving life to your bathroom is the equivalent to giving life to the rest of your day.

San Jose Bathroom Remodel

Planning Your Bathroom Remodel in San Jose

In every bathroom remodel there must be a plan. Creating this plan can be assisted by the team over at De Mattei but most of this does come from what you want. You need to understand the costs incurred with higher end tiles. Plumbing fixtures that both perform and look the part. The tile design within the shower, but also on the rest of the bathroom. Bathroom remodeling is a daunting task without the correct help. There is so many small pieces that play a part in creating your finished and perfected space. The cabinets need to be custom curated to fit the space. Are you going to feature heated tiles in the floor? All the finishing touches matter. You need to have a clear idea of what is available and what you want from that list.

Creating a budget is a daunting task for every owner. Everyone always wants to “not spend too much” It’s a phrase we hear all the time but also gives no clear direction as no one wants to assign a number to anything. The size of your bathroom plays a huge effect on this. If you have a higher end bathroom in a large home. This can drastically affect tile costs. Which dramatically affects the overall budget. Typically for a true high-end remodel you would be in the $800-$1200 per square foot range. For a more entry level remodel closer to around $500 per square foot. When deciding this budget. Things always change. We always ask owners to mentally prepare themselves for an extra 10-15% for changes they decide. Working with a bathroom modeler such as De Mattei allows you the freedom to change your mind and grow your ever evolving idea of the perfect bathroom. We have received calls/texts from clients in the middle of night when they have that aha! Moment asking use to do this detail different. While as a business we fully support all of your decisions you often need to understand these decisions come with a cost incurred.

This leads into our next part of remodeling your bathroom in San Jose! Who is going to design your bathroom. De Mattei does offer an in-house design team which allows for custom curate and tailored elevations reflecting the finished design before building even takes place. This design process is vital as it gives you an actual map of what you are expecting to spend throughout the project. Material cost is most of the wavering cost in a bathroom remodel. Tiles can cost $10 a square foot, and they can also cost $40 a square foot. Then there comes the decision if you’d like an entire slab to feature a wet room aesthetic.  The possibilities are endless, and we will be transparent through every cost on the project.

Finding the Best Bathroom Remodel Contractors in San Jose

The first question to ask any contractor is what you expect the cost to be per square foot. They should respond with something along the lines of that is entirely up to you. Give them a realistic expectation of what you desire. If their numbers are not in-line with the numbers I have provided earlier in this article. You should be worried they are cutting corners to support their bottom line. If your contractor is not a name known and respected in the community then it means they don’t care about their brand. At De Mattei everything we do reflects our business. We aren’t going to under bid your project to get a job as in the long run when costs come up it will reflect negatively on us. We feature a full transparency clause. This involves every cost on the project being shown to the client allowing the client to know every single cost incurred on the project.

There is a million ways to verify your contractor’s credentials. If you are working with a small contractor, be sure to check for proper licensing and insurance. If you are working with a more known contractor in the area these become less important (as they would not have their name without these). It would become a game of user reviews. I often urge clients to read reviews, but not for the good experiences for the bad ones that still left a good impression. When everything goes right everyone loves their contractor. Finding a contractor that keeps you grounded even when everything goes wrong is how you find a winner. Certain things are out of a contractor’s control. Things go wrong it happens. What you want to know is how do they handle that. If a pipe burst your hardwood floor in your house is ruined. Is the contractor dodging phone calls. Is it hard to get them to commit to fixing problems that arose. It is a matter of chance if something goes wrong on a project. It’s not a matter of if it’s a matter of when and making sure these are handled without going through dreadful legal proceedings and letting us handle the problem for you. De Mattei is known for their commitment to their client and ensuring they are made whole.

De Mattei is known for being a top-rated remodeling company in San Jose. Trust you family home to a contractor with over 40+ years’ experience in construction in the area. From having relationships with vendors and sub-contractors to knowing city inspectors who respect our work. A contractor in the business this long has made many lasting relationships which bolster the clients project much further than a traditional contractor could do.

Bathroom Design Trends

Check list for designing your shower

1. Shower Type & Location

• Type: I prefer a walk-in shower with a frameless glass enclosure for a sleek, modern look.

• Size: The shower should be a minimum of 4' x 6' if space allows, ensuring comfortable movement.

• Entry: I want a curbless (zero-threshold) entry for a seamless transition and accessibility.

• Placement: Ideally positioned in a corner or along one wall to maximize the rest of the bathroom’s floor space.

2. Plumbing Layout

• Showerhead: Install a main rain showerhead centered on the ceiling for even coverage.

• Handheld Spray: Include a handheld sprayer on a slide bar, mounted on the wall for flexibility in rinsing and cleaning.

• Body Sprays (optional): If budget and space allow, add a few body jets on one wall for spa-like relaxation.

• Valve Controls: Position the controls just inside the entrance so I can turn on the water without stepping in.

3. Niches & Storage

• Include one or two recessed shower niches for shampoo, conditioner, soap, and razors.

• Niches should be at eye or waist height, around 12" tall and 24" wide.

• Consider an extra lower ledge or corner shelf for foot placement when shaving legs.

4. Bench Seating

• Add a built-in bench along the back wall (approx. 15–18" high and 12–15" deep).

• Surface should match or complement the wall tile for a cohesive design.

• Waterproofed and sloped slightly for drainage.

5. Materials & Finishes

• Walls: Use large-format porcelain or natural stone tiles in neutral tones, with contrasting or accent tile in the niche or one feature wall for visual interest.

• Floor: Slip-resistant small mosaic tiles (2x2 or smaller), preferably textured for safety.

• Glass Enclosure: Frameless tempered glass with minimal hardware—consider matte black, brushed nickel, or brass finishes depending on overall bathroom theme.

• Grout: Use epoxy grout for low maintenance and mold resistance.

6. Lighting & Ventilation

• Install recessed waterproof lighting overhead, with optional LED lighting in niches or under the bench for mood lighting.

• Ensure there's a strong exhaust fan nearby to prevent moisture buildup.

• Consider a skylight or transom window if privacy and natural light are priorities.

7. Extras for Comfort & Luxury

• Add heated floors in and around the shower zone.

• Include a steam shower feature if desired (ensure proper vapor barriers and controls).

• Install a waterproof Bluetooth speaker system or a niche with power access for future tech use.

  FAQS regarding San Jose Bath Remodels

• How much does a bathroom remodel cost in San Jose

  • In the mid-range about $500 per square foot

  • In the High range $800-$1200 per square foot

• How long does a remodel take?

  • Construction usually is from 1-4 months depending on scale

  • Permitting and planning can range from 3 week to 8 weeks

• Do I need a permit for my remodel?

  • Yes, it likely requires changes to plumbing, electrical, and structural. De Mattei will handle all the permitting and inspections for you

• Can I stay in my home during the remodel?

  • Clients often do if we are only working on the bathroom. At times we may require a full shutdown of water which means for comfort you might want to plan only for a few days out of home