Centennial Heights Primary Bathroom Remodel With Freestanding Tub Addition

Big Horn expanded the shower, opened the 3/4-inch plywood subfloor, added PEX supply lines and new tub drain plumbing, tied into the existing vent line strategy, waterproofed the wet areas, installed a Kohler freestanding tub, coordinated custom 3/8-inch frameless glass, and passed City of Las Vegas rough plumbing, shower pan, and final plumbing inspections.

This page is a project case study. For broader services, pricing guidance, waterproofing standards, and planning information, use Big Horn Remodeling's bathroom remodeling in Las Vegas page.

Client Goal: Add The Tub The Bathroom Should Have Had

The clients had a primary bathroom with room for a tub, but no actual tub. Their only soaking option was another bathtub downstairs, which was inconvenient for the way they wanted to use the primary suite.

The goal was simple: add a freestanding tub upstairs, make the shower larger, keep the room practical for the family, and finish it with a modern look that felt intentional rather than forced into an empty corner.

Original Bathroom: Shower Only, No Tub Plumbing

Before the remodel, the bathroom had a shower to the left and unused space where a tub could fit. The missing piece was the plumbing. There was no tub drain or dedicated supply configuration in place for the freestanding tub the clients wanted.

Because this was an upstairs bathroom, the work had to be planned around the subfloor, joist layout, venting, and inspection sequence before finish materials went in.

The Plan: Expand The Shower And Add A Permitted Freestanding Tub

Big Horn planned the project around two connected goals: make the shower feel larger and add a real soaking tub without compromising the hidden plumbing and waterproofing. The crew opened the 3/4-inch plywood subfloor to access the plumbing path, added PEX water supply lines, added the new tub drain line, tied into the existing shower vent line, and repaired the subfloor after rough plumbing was completed.

Technical Scope: What Big Horn Did And Why It Mattered

This was not a surface-only bathroom update. Adding the tub required opening the upstairs floor system, routing new plumbing, coordinating inspection checkpoints, then closing and waterproofing the room before tile, tub, fixtures, and glass went in.

Permits And Inspections: City Of Las Vegas Plumbing Scope

Because the tub plumbing did not exist, Big Horn Remodeling pulled a City of Las Vegas plumbing permit and passed three inspection checkpoints: rough plumbing, shower pan test, and final plumbing.

That inspection sequence matters because the most important parts of a bathroom remodel are often hidden under the floor, behind the wall, or below the tile before the client sees the finished room.

For broader planning, review Big Horn's bathroom permits and inspection planning information before changing plumbing, electrical, or wet-area layouts.

Waterproofing And Wet-Area Build

The visible tile is only the finish layer. For this bathroom, Big Horn used Kerdi for the shower pan, AquaDefense for the walls, and DensShield as part of the wet-area wall assembly.

The shower pan test was completed and passed before the finish tile went in. That step gives the homeowner confidence before the work is buried under tile, grout, glass, and trim.

Design Details: Warm Wood-Look Tile, Black Fixtures, Kohler Tub, And Custom Glass

The finish direction combines warm and modern materials. The wall behind the tub and shower uses vertical wood-look tile, which adds warmth and makes the freestanding tub area look planned rather than empty.

Matte black shower hardware, a large square rain head, a handheld wand, black-trimmed niches, a scallop-style shower pan, and custom 3/8-inch frameless glass make the shower feel open and cohesive next to the freestanding tub.

Cost Analysis: Approximate $30,000 Completed Project Investment

This completed primary bathroom remodel was approximately $30,000. That number reflects this completed project, not a fixed price for every bathroom remodel or tub addition. Similar projects can change in cost depending on subfloor access, joist layout, venting, tile selections, tub and fixture selections, glass configuration, permit scope, inspection timing, waterproofing details, and hidden conditions discovered after demolition.

For broader Las Vegas bathroom remodel price ranges by bathroom type, shower scope, waterproofing, permits, and finish level, see our bathroom remodel cost guide.

Timeline: 26 Active Construction Days

The active construction timeline was 26 days. That timeline followed scope review, material direction, fixture planning, permit coordination, and schedule alignment.

Finished Result: A Practical, Modern Upstairs Primary Bath

The finished bathroom gives the homeowners the primary-suite soaking option they wanted without forcing them to use a downstairs tub. The expanded shower, freestanding tub, continuous wood-look tile wall, custom glass, and black fixtures work together as one design rather than separate upgrades.

The strongest part of the project is not only what is visible in the photos, but what was handled before the final finish: permitted plumbing, subfloor repair, vent coordination, waterproofing, shower pan testing, and final plumbing approval.

Project Location Map

This project was completed in the Centennial Heights gated community in the Centennial Hills / Northwest Las Vegas area. The exact address is withheld for client privacy.

Related Project And Planning Links