MR Construction
Tub & Shower Surround Installation in Wakefield, MA & Nearby Towns
Tub and shower surrounds that keep the bath and fix the walls.
New tiled walls around your tub, built on cement board and a waterproof layer, with a recessed niche and a glass door if you want one.
- 5.0 on Google22 reviews
- MA RegisteredHIC #212260
- Licensed & InsuredMassachusetts
- Since 200815+ years in Wakefield
- Free EstimatesIn your home, in writing
Who replaces tub and shower surrounds in Wakefield, MA?
MR Construction Revolutions replaces tub and shower surrounds in Wakefield, Stoneham, Woburn and nearby Massachusetts towns, taking soft or cracked walls down to the studs and rebuilding with cement board and a waterproof membrane lapped over the tub flange. Recessed niches replace the shelf caddy. The state-registered company has remodeled bathrooms since 2008.
Updated October 15, 2026 · MR Construction Revolutions, Wakefield, MA · (781) 866-1835
Keep the tub, lose the cracked tile and the soft wall
Plenty of homeowners in Wakefield, Stoneham and Woburn don't want to give up a bathtub, especially in a family bathroom. What they want gone is the cracked tile, the mildew in the grout and the spot by the faucet where the wall flexes when you push on it. A new tub and shower surround solves that without converting the room.
A soft spot means water has already got behind the old tile. We take the walls down to the studs, replace anything that's rotted, and rebuild with cement board and a waterproof membrane lapped over the tub flange so water runs into the tub instead of behind it.
The sea-glass blue subway surround and the white tile surround with a blue mosaic band on this page are tub walls our crew built, both with recessed niches for bottles instead of a shelf caddy. If it's your only bathroom, tell us at the estimate. We plan the order of work to keep the days without a working tub as few as we can, and put them in the schedule.
What's included
Tear-out to the studs
Old tile, backer and any water-damaged framing removed, with the bathroom closed off to keep dust out of the rest of the house.
Tub checked or replaced
We check that the tub is level and solidly supported. A new tub is set level, bedded where the manufacturer calls for it, and fastened at the flange.
Cement board and waterproofing
Cement backer board, never drywall, with a waterproof membrane lapped over the tub flange and sealed at seams.
Recessed niche
A niche framed between studs at a height that works for the people using the shower, waterproofed and tiled.
Tile to the ceiling or to a line
Tile run to the ceiling, or to a finished edge with trim, plus accent bands and a matching niche back if you want them.
Caulk joint and glass
A flexible caulk joint where tile meets tub, then a sliding or hinged glass door, or a curtain rod.
Tile, acrylic panels or a full tub replacement
Tile gives you the most choice in color, size and pattern, and done right it lasts for decades. It's also the most labor, and the grout needs occasional cleaning and sealing if you use cement grout. Glazed ceramic or porcelain subway tile is a safe, easy-to-clean choice. Glass tile, like the sea-glass surround here, reflects light well in a windowless bath but needs careful setting.
One-piece or multi-panel acrylic and solid-surface surrounds go in faster and have few or no grout lines. They make sense on a tight budget or in a rental. The catch is that they come in set sizes, they can look plain next to tile, and a poorly supported panel can flex. In an old house with out-of-square walls, getting a tight fit takes care.
Should the tub go too? If it's a solid cast iron tub in good shape, keep it. They're heavy, hard to replace and better than many new tubs. If it's a cracked fiberglass tub, rusted steel, or the drain and overflow are leaking, replace it while the walls are open, because that is the one moment it's easy. Reglazing is an option for sound tubs with worn finishes.
Where the niche goes matters more than how big it is
Niches have to sit between studs, and they can't go on a wall that has plumbing or, in many older houses, an exterior wall without extra insulation work. We find the studs and pipes before deciding where it goes.
A niche placed so the shower head doesn't blast straight into it, with its shelf pitched slightly toward the tub, stays cleaner and drains properly.
Photos from our projects
Tap any photo to see it larger. More in our before & after gallery.
Feel Confident Working With Us
We know you have options when it comes to your home. Thank you for considering MR Construction Revolutions.
Licensed & insured
MR Construction Revolutions is fully licensed and insured. Ask for our certificate of insurance at your estimate.
Since 2008
More than fifteen years remodeling homes in Wakefield and the towns around it.
MA registered contractor
Registered Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor, HIC #212260, and a 5.0 rating on Google.
Tub & Shower Surrounds: Frequently Asked Questions
We don't recommend it. Tiling over old tile hides whatever is behind it, adds thickness that the tub flange and valve trim weren't designed for, and gives you no way to add proper waterproofing. If the old wall has any soft spots, water is already getting in, and new tile on top won't stop it.
Cement backer board fastened to the studs, with the seams taped, plus a waterproof layer, either a liquid-applied membrane or a sheet membrane. Regular drywall and older moisture-resistant green board aren't suitable behind a tiled tub wall. The membrane laps over the tub flange so water ends up in the tub.
For a typical tub surround with the tub staying in place, it's usually around a week of work, including demo, any framing repair, backer and waterproofing, tile, grout and caulk. Replacing the tub, moving the valve or waiting on a custom glass door adds time. We put the timeline in writing at the estimate.
Often it makes sense. With the wall open, a licensed plumber can replace an old two-handle valve with a pressure-balancing valve that keeps the temperature steady when someone flushes. Once the new tile is up, changing the valve means cutting tile. We'll coordinate the plumber if you want to change it.
A curtain is cheaper, easy to replace and makes bathing small kids easier. A sliding glass door keeps water in better and looks more finished, but the track needs cleaning. A single fixed glass panel is a middle ground. The door is measured after tile, so you can decide late in the job.
Related: Walk-In Showers · Bathroom Tile · Bathroom Remodeling · Drywall Services · All bathroom remodeling
Reviews From Our Satisfied Clients
Marcio scheduled a visit to my home and we went through the renovation I was looking to have done in our master bathroom. After providing us the final estimate we scheduled demo and his team arrived promptly to start their work. They did a good job covering the bedroom items to avoid dust which helped quite a bit. During construction Marcio kept me informed the entire time and we made a couple minor changes to the scope of work without any issues… Overall, Marcio was a great contractor to work with at a good price.
Marcio and his team did an amazing job with our bathroom remodel! Very detailed oriented and went above and beyond! Also did a great job installing some doors for us! I highly recommend them!
Marcio and his team are the real deal! Super professional and quick turnaround for services provided. Will definitely do business with again in the future and will likely use them for all my remodeling needs. Thanks again MR Construction Revolutions for my bathroom remodeling.
I had my bathroom remodeled recently, and the results are stunning. The team was professional, efficient, and paid attention to every detail. They turned my outdated bathroom into a modern, functional space that I absolutely love.
Excellent work installing my kitchen backsplash. Good attention to detail. They covered my floors for protection and thoroughly cleaned up when done. I will also have him do my 1/2 bath as well.
MR Construction Revolutions quality of work and professionalism is unmatched. We appreciate the quick responses and open channels of communication. We appreciate the amount of consideration into being as cost effective as possible given the size of the job… We have very much enjoyed working with the MR Construction team!
Tell Us About Your Project
Use the form below and we'll call you to set up your free in-home estimate.
