We had such a great experience working with Gabriel and his team at Bencke’s Tile Bath Remodel. From the very beginning, Gabriel was incredibly communicative, responsive, responsible, and someone we felt we could completely trust. He always kept us updated, answered every question, and made what could have been a stressful renovation feel easy.
Our Jack-and-Jill bathroom was 25 years old and very builder-grade and felt cramped with way too many doors. Gabriel helped completely transform the space into a bathroom that feels so much larger, brighter, and honestly looks like something out of a magazine.
The quality of the work is exceptional. They waterproofed the bathroom properly, insulated the tub, installed a linear drain with a perfectly sloped floor so the water drains exactly where it should, and the tile work is absolutely flawless. The floating vanity, mirror, and every finish were installed with so much attention to detail.
What I appreciated just as much was that Gabriel truly stands behind his work. If we noticed even the smallest thing, he was happy to come back and make it right without any hesitation. It’s rare to find a contractor who genuinely wants everything to be perfect.
We interviewed several contractors before choosing Gabriel, and I am so glad we did. The final result exceeded our expectations, and the whole process was smooth from start to finish. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Gabriel and his team to anyone looking for a bathroom remodel. They do beautiful work, they’re honest, and they’re the kind of people you actually enjoy working with. Adding the before and after pictures for reference!
Shower Remodel in Richmond, VA
Bencke’s Tile remodels showers in Richmond, VA: walk-in showers tiled wall to wall, with niches, benches and tile floors. Ask for a free estimate and we will come measure your shower.
Call for Remodeling Service:804-244-6737- 5.0 16 Google reviews
- Free in-home estimate
- Licensed & insured
A shower that leaks, stains or feels tight can be rebuilt
Grout that turns dark, tile that sounds hollow when you tap it, a curb that holds water, a door that never seals. Those are the signs to watch for in a Richmond shower.
A new shower starts at the wall. Tile only looks as good as what sits behind it, so a shower remodel is more than swapping the surface.
Shower details you get to choose
Walk-in layout
No tub and no curtain: a tiled shower with a clear way in.
Niches and benches
A built-in shelf for bottles and, if you want one, a bench. Both show up in the showers pictured below.
Tile for walls and floor
Marble-look, subway, mosaic or wood-look tile, in the pattern you like. A small tile on the shower floor gives your feet more grip.
Showers we have set
The tile decisions that matter most in a shower
The floor. Small tile, like mosaic or hexagon, has more grout lines and more grip. Large tile on the shower floor looks clean but needs a floor sloped just right so water does not sit.
The walls. Large panels have fewer grout lines to clean. Small tile, like subway, gives a classic look and bends around corners and niches with ease.
The grout. A color close to the tile hides the lines. A dark grout against white tile draws a pattern. Either is a fine choice, and our grout guide explains what holds up best in a wet room.
The finish. A matte or textured tile on the floor is safer when wet. A glossy tile on the walls is easier to wipe.
Center drain or linear drain: how to choose
The drain decides how the floor is built. A center drain sits in the middle, and the floor slopes toward it from every side, like a very shallow bowl. It works well with small tile, because small tile bends to follow the slope.
A linear drain is a long, narrow channel, usually along a wall or at the entry. The floor only has to slope in one direction, so you can use large tile with fewer cuts and fewer grout lines. One Google review describes a linear drain with a carefully sloped floor.
Both can work well. A better question is how each one will be cleaned. A center drain has a small cover that catches hair. A linear drain has a long grate or a tile-in cover, and the channel needs a rinse now and then. Pick the one you will actually keep clean.
Glass, fixed panel or curtain: what each one means
Frameless glass door
A clean look with no metal frame to collect scale. It needs clear wall space for the hinges, so plan the swing to miss the toilet and the vanity.
Fixed glass panel
One piece of glass and no door at all. A walk-in shower with a panel feels open and wipes clean, if the room is big enough that spray does not reach the floor outside.
Framed door
A metal frame holds the glass. The look is simpler, and a frame can suit an odd opening. Ask how the track is cleaned.
Curtain
The easiest option and the most flexible. Hang the rod high, and wash the liner now and then.
No enclosure
A very large shower can work with only a short wall, if the layout keeps water where you want it. Ask how far the spray travels.
Where the niche and the bench should go
Put the niche where you can reach it without leaning into the spray, usually on the wall beside the shower head, not behind it. Think about height: low enough for a child to reach the shampoo, high enough that bottles do not sit in the water. If the wall faces the outside, ask whether a recessed niche will cut into the insulation. A shelf that sits on the surface is another way to go.
A bench helps with shaving, with washing a child, or with sitting when you are tired. A corner seat saves space, and a full-width bench feels generous. A good bench tilts slightly toward the drain so water does not pool, and its inside corners get flexible caulk, not grout. Add a grab bar while the wall is open, even if you do not need one yet.
A shower floor that does not slide
Slippery floors cause more shower falls than people expect. Look for tile made for wet floors, and ask for its wet slip rating, a figure that makers publish. A textured or matte finish grips better than a polished one. A small mosaic gives you more grout lines, and those lines add traction.
Remember that soap and body oil make any tile slicker over time. A floor that is easy to scrub stays safer, so think about cleaning when you choose.
How a project runs.
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Free in-home estimate
We come to your home, measure, and talk through what you want.
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Your price
You get the price for your job before any work starts.
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The build
Demo, prep, tile and grout, in that order.
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Walkthrough
You look over the finished room before the job is closed.
5.0 on Google from 16 reviews.
We love our new kitchen tile backsplash! Working with Bencke’s was a great experience, from the start with good communication and professionalism to the finish with a beautiful job well done!
Gabriel came by to give an estimate on doing tile work and was very thorough in articulating his approach, timeline and cost. He gave a wonderful idea to put a marble counter ledge which turned out really beautiful. He was so quick in starting the project and kept everything so clean with protecting furniture surround the bathroom. His crew were so polite and did an amazing job. I’m so grateful for them completing this so quickly. Gabriel went above and beyond to get everything done quickly but also with excellence. I would highly recommend him and his crew!
We needed an access panel for our tile bathtub and Gabriel was able to give us a quick estimate. He delivered flawlessly and we are very happy!
I can't say enough about Gabriel and his team. I put in an emergency request for kitchen and bathroom tile repairs/replacements on a Tuesday, and they were out fixing it and doing an amazing job by Thursday!! Highly recommend. Can't say enough good things! Thank you!
Ask how the shower is waterproofed
Tile and grout are not waterproof on their own. Water gets through the joints, so a shower needs a waterproof layer behind the tile and a floor that slopes to the drain. That layer is what decides whether the shower still looks good in year ten.
Ask any contractor how the walls and floor are waterproofed and how it is tested before tile goes on. We wrote a plain-language guide to help you judge the answer.
What to have ready for the estimate
Take a few photos of the shower from the door and from inside. Note what bothers you most, and save two or three pictures of showers you like. That is enough for a good first talk.
If you can, also check whether the wall behind the shower has a bathroom, a closet or an outside wall on the other side. It helps the crew plan the work.
Frequently asked questions
Don’t see your question? Call or write and we will answer it.
Size, tile and what is behind the old walls move the price more than anything else. The estimate is free, and the number follows it.
A kit goes in fast and has few joints. Tile gives you any size, shape and look, and it takes more skill to set well. That is why the person setting it matters.
A low or no step is easier to enter than a tub wall. A bench and a place to grab help too. Mention it at the estimate, and the layout can be built around it.
Wipe down walls after use, let the room dry, and use a gentle cleaner. The type of grout makes a big difference, and our grout guide explains the options.
A well-built tiled shower can last a very long time. What shortens that life is water getting behind the tile, which is why the layers behind the wall are the part to ask about.
Related pages.
ServiceTub to Shower Conversion
A tub to shower conversion takes out the bathtub and puts a tiled shower in its place. Bencke’s Tile does conversions in Richmond, VA, and the free estimate tells you what your bathroom needs.
Learn more
ServiceBathroom Remodeling
Bencke’s Tile remodels bathrooms in Richmond, VA, from demo to the last grout line, and tile is our trade. Ask for a free estimate: we come to your home, measure the room and talk through what you want.
Learn more
GuideShower Waterproofing: What Goes Behind the Tile
Tile and grout do not stop water. This guide shows the layers behind a tile shower, where leaks start, and how a flood test proves the work.
Read the guide
GuideGrout Types: Sanded, Unsanded or Epoxy?
Sanded, unsanded and epoxy grout compared: joint widths, where each works best, sealing, and why corners should get caulk instead.
Read the guide
GuideWalk-In Shower Ideas and What They Cost
Six walk-in shower ideas shown in real tile work, and the 2026 cost ranges by type, tile, glass door and waterproofing.
Read the guide
GuideSeats in Showers: Bench and Seat Options
The four kinds of shower seat, how each one is built, what changes in the waterproofing, and what to decide before the walls close.
Read the guide
