A general contractor can manage and coordinate a bathroom renovation, but they typically cannot personally perform the licensed plumbing, electrical, or mechanical work — those trades require licensed subcontractors in Colorado. What a GC brings is project coordination: scheduling trades, managing the sequence of work, pulling the general permit, and making sure the project moves forward without delays. Whether that coordination is worth it depends on the scope of your project and how comfortable you are managing subcontractors yourself.

What Colorado Law Requires for Plumbing in a Renovation

In Colorado, plumbing work that goes beyond simple fixture replacement requires a permit pulled by a licensed plumbing contractor. The state licenses plumbers at the Journeyman and Master Plumber levels, and the entity pulling permits must hold a contractor license. A general contractor who is not also a licensed plumber cannot legally perform or self-perform the plumbing work — they hire a licensed plumbing subcontractor to do it.

This matters for homeowners because it means you want to know who the plumbing sub is and verify they are properly licensed, regardless of who your GC is. The GC’s coordination value is real, but the quality and compliance of the plumbing depends on the plumber, not the GC.

What Bathroom Plumbing Work Typically Involves

  • Rough-in plumbing for relocated or added fixtures (toilet, sink, shower, tub)
  • Drain and vent stack modifications when moving fixtures
  • Supply line changes for new fixture locations
  • Installation of new shower valves, tub fillers, and trim
  • Hooking up new toilets, vanity sinks, and freestanding tubs
  • Exhaust fan venting tied into the drain-waste-vent system (if applicable)

In Denver-area homes, older cast iron or galvanized drain lines inside the walls are a common surprise during bathroom remodels. If existing drain lines are corroded or undersized, a renovation is often the right time to replace them — a cost to budget for that a licensed plumber should assess early in the project.

When You Need a GC vs. When You Can Go Direct to Trades

For a straightforward bathroom refresh — same fixture locations, no walls moving, no layout changes — you often don’t need a GC at all. You can hire a plumber for the plumbing, an electrician for any electrical updates, and a tile contractor for the finish work, and coordinate the sequence yourself. This approach can save the GC’s markup (typically 15–25% of the project cost) if you have the time and tolerance to manage the scheduling.

A GC earns their fee on more complex projects: a full gut-and-reconfigure, a master bath addition, a project where load-bearing walls are involved, or any situation where multiple trades need to work in close sequence and someone needs to be accountable for the whole project. The GC’s network of vetted subs and their ability to keep a project on schedule has real value when complexity is high.

Questions to Ask Any GC Before Signing

If you are hiring a GC for a bathroom renovation, ask specifically: Who is your licensed plumbing sub? Can I see their license and insurance? Will plumbing permits be pulled and inspected? The answers tell you a lot about how the project will be run. A GC who is vague about subcontractor credentials or discourages you from asking is a yellow flag.

Going Direct to a Licensed Plumber

Many homeowners doing bathroom renovations hire the plumber directly — letting the plumber handle rough-in and finish plumbing while other contractors handle tile, drywall, and cabinetry. This is a perfectly legitimate approach and keeps accountability clear. The plumber you hire is responsible for their work, pulls their own permits, and coordinates directly with you on timing.

Done’s licensed plumbers handle bathroom renovation plumbing throughout the Denver and Front Range area — rough-in, fixture installation, and everything in between. Visit our kitchen and bath plumbing page to learn more about what we do in renovation projects, or our plumbing services page for the full picture. If your renovation is also adding or updating fixtures that affect water pressure or quality, our pressure and backflow services may be relevant as well.