How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Bathroom?

cost to remodel a bathroom

If you’re considering remodeling your bathroom, you’re likely wondering how much it will cost. There are many factors that go into pricing a bathroom remodel, from the size of the room to the type of materials you choose.

Bathrooms, which typically contain fixtures such as a bathtub or shower and a toilet, can be one of the most challenging areas of your home to remodel.

Whether you’re looking for ways to update an older bathroom or you want to build a new one from scratch, many times the job requires adding additional rooms–like a laundry and/or utility room–to house plumbing and related components. The bottom line: Bathroom renovations can be complex and costly.

In this blog post, we’ll outline some of the most common costs associated with bathroom remodels, so you can get a better idea of what to expect. Keep in mind that these prices are just estimates, and may vary depending on your specific circumstances.

Rule of Thumb: Consider Bathroom Remodel Costs As Percentage Of House Value

According to the National Kitchen And Bathroom Association (NKBA) you should estimate that your bathroom’s remodel costs as 5-10% of your home’s total value. For $200,000, you can renovate or remodel a bathroom for $10,000-$20,000 and similarly for a $400,000 property, it may cost $20,000-$40,000 (or higher).

This is for the main master bathroom of the house, and obviously, different types of bathrooms will cost differently to remodel when you see them as a percentage of your home’s value.

Remember, according to the NKBA, 80% of the ‘price decider’ in a bathroom renovation project depends upon the type and quality of raw materials that you will use.

Half Bathroom Remodel Cost

Also known as the powder room, half bathrooms just have a toilet and a sink. They are usually located near an entrance inside the house.

Half Bath remodel costs can range from $1,000 to $5000.  If you are looking to update the fixtures in your half bath, consider replacing them with better quality ones.

If you have an existing pedestal sink, adding a pedestal to the cabinet where you keep your towels and spare toilet paper, can give your bathroom a unique look.

Guest Bathroom Remodel Cost

Guest bathrooms are usually found on the main floor of a house, attached to a guest room. These bathrooms consist of a toilet, sink and shower. Average bathroom remodel cost for guest baths can range from $2000 to $8,000 depending on the size and the amount of renovation you’re going to carry out here.

If you’re looking to completely redo the plumbing (including pipes in the floor), then plumbing costs will push this estimate to the higher range.

Master Bathroom Remodeling Costs

Investing in a master bathroom remodel can increase your home’s value and improve the overall feel of the space. According to Agni average cost for changing out all the fixtures in a master bathroom is between $10,000 and $25,000. 

The size of the bathroom and your raw material preferences will decide whether you should budget on the higher side or average.

If you are looking for an affordable solution that will increase your home’s value, consider replacing only the sink fixtures with new ones. The average cost for  a complete sink remodel is approximately $3,750.

Deciding to have cabinets refaced is another affordable option  that will increase the value of your home’s bathrooms without causing too much damage to your budget. Cabinet refacing costs an average of $2,700 per bathroom.

Average Cost Per Square Foot

Remodeling costs will always vary between ranges – sometimes ranges that can be deemed ‘too broad’ by homeowners. These ‘all over the place’ costs are for a reason though: If you have a large house, your main bath renovation cost will be different to if you lived in a smaller house.

Space is one primary difference and, ofcourse, the quality, brand and number of things you’re getting for your bathroom differs (comparing a main bathroom in a large house vs. one in a smaller house). Luxurious house owners also prefer high-end fixtures rather than choosing something ‘that’ll just do’.

Here, it helps to go by average cost per square foot. Agni states average bathroom remodel costs by standard bathroom sizes:

  • 3 by 5 (15 square feet): $1,500 to $2,250
  • 4 by 6 (24 square feet): $2,400 to $3,600
  • 4 by 8 (32 square feet): $3,200 to $4,800
  • 5 by 8 (40 square feet): $4,000 to $6,000
  • 7 by 9 (63 square feet): $6,300 to $9,450
  • 8 by 10 (80 square feet): $8,000 to $12,000
  • 9 by 10 (90 square feet): $9,000 to $13,500

Average Primary Bath Remodeling Cost By Location

Location is a BIG factor when it comes to the budget for your bathroom remodeling project. For one, areas near the city center will have higher labor charges and generally higher renovation costs. As you move out to the suburbs, these same costs can go down by as much as half.

Agni shares average costs for main bath by location:

  • Arlington Heights, IL: $5,900–$15,020 ($10,450 average)
  • Cedar Rapids, IA: $5,360–$13,270 ($8,880 average)
  • Bar Harbor, ME: $4,000–$8,380 ($6,060 average)
  • Boone, NC: $3,130–$12,330 ($7,080 average)
  • Denver: $5,070–$14,350 ($9,580 average)
  • Eugene, OR: $7,370–$12,910 ($9,390 average)
  • Dallas: $5,810–$15,070 ($10,340 average)
  • Casper, WY: $6,300–$7,660 ($6,980 average)
  • Surprise, AZ: $6,590–$16,450 ($11,190 average)
  • Redondo Beach, CA: $13,090–$26,280 ($19,340 average)

Allocation Of Remodeling Costs

You might have wondered what portion of cost is usually associated with which costing head. The NKBA (National Kitchen And Bathroom Association) presents a basic cost allocation table:

Labor20%
Cabinetry16%
Fixtures15%
Plumbing14%
Floor9%
Countertop7%
Lighting5%
Walls & Ceiling5%
Doors & Windows4%
Other5%

Bathroom Remodel Cost – Part By Part

This section estimates the average cost range you’ll likely incur for each part of your bathroom remodeling project. All estimates by Agni.

Demolition

Taking out all fixtures from your bathroom (from sink to fan) will cost between $1000 to $2300.

Permits

If you choose to get permits yourself for a DIY renovation, than it’ll cost you between $350 to $1800.

Paint

For a complete paint job of your bathroom, it’ll cost between $150 to $550, again depending upon the total area in square feet.

An interior painter ranges from $20 to $50 an hour.

Toilet and Sink

Depending upon the brand and quality of fixtures you’re looking to install, a toilet and a sink can cost from $200 to $1800 (and beyond). Or maybe you’re looking to add a double vanity to your main bath?

Plumbing

If you keep the plumbing floor plan the same then expect to spend between $250 to $1450, otherwise this expense could go all the way upto to $3000.

Bathtub

Average bathtubs go for $400 to $3400, but if you’re planning to get something really fancy then be prepared to fork over $10,000 for a single, high-end bathtub.

Shower

As with bathtubs, showers come in all price ranges, on average costing from $300 to $3000. Although if you wish to have something more specific and custom made for your bathroom then the cost can go as high as $4500.

Flooring and Retiling

Average costs for bathroom floor retiling per square are $12.50; changes to this average depend upon the quality of tile that you choose and labor charges. Different square foot costs for tiles are produced:

  • Ceramic: $0.50-$15 per square foot
  • Travertine tile: $2-$3 per square foot
  • Slate: $3-$4 per square foot
  • Granite tile: $3-$7 per square foot
  • Limestone tile: $5 per square foot
  • Marble tile: $8 per square foot

The average total cost for bathroom retiling is $2000 including labor, but it can be lower or higher depending upon the size of the bathroom, tile choice and whether it’s DIY or through labor.

Electrical Work

Keep a budget of $500 when changing your current light fixtures although if you’re changing your lighting points, then cost will go up.

Labor charges vary between $80 to $300 for electrical work in your bathroom.

The Bottom Line

Bathroom renovation costs will vary based on the size of your bathroom, the condition of the walls and flooring , what type of fixtures you want to install, and what you want to do with the space. For example, if you plan to add a shower stall, your costs might go up because you’ll need to increase your bathroom’s size.

Every Project Has Unique Elements that Affect Cost

While it’s difficult to predict the exact cost of your bathroom renovation, there are some ways you can prepare yourself for the expense.

If you’re thinking about updating or removing plumbing fixtures that require connections, be prepared to spend more than you would in a typical renovation: Pipes and drainage lines in an existing bathroom may need to be accessed and repaired, which can be costly.

Factors That Affect the Total Cost of Bathroom Remodeling

The size of the bathroom is one of the most significant factors. A small bathroom renovation can cost between $1,000 and $5,000 while larger bathrooms that include new flooring or additional fixtures can run upwards of $50,000.

If you are planning on switching out your tub with a walk-in shower, tiled surround or custom glass enclosure, this will also incur additional costs.

In addition to the overall size of your remodel, factors such as the type of bathroom flooring that you choose will affect your total cost. Marble is a more expensive material compared to ceramic or vinyl and it also needs to be resealed every three years.

If you are planning on installing new bathroom cabinets or furniture, this can cost several thousand dollars as well. The size of your bathroom will determine how much storage space you have and the quality of the materials that are installed will affect the final cost of your renovation.

DIY Bathroom Remodeling

Some homeowners decide to tackle the remodeling process by themselves to cut costs and save money. However, you’ll want to hire a professional contractor if the renovation requires any structural changes.

How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom yourself?

The average price range in DIY bathroom remodeling is between $1000 and $4500. Although simple tasks such as changing a sink or changing a bathroom vanity can be done by yourself, the DIY task like this can often be haphazard or lacking the professional touches that come from a bathroom remodel done by an expert.

Environmental Concerns and Remodeling Costs

Homeowners who want natural materials should be prepared to pay slightly more for bathroom renovations. Tile, cultured marble and solid-surface material are relatively expensive compared to other types of materials. In addition, large tiles or solid-surface material which has been molded to create shape and color add to the cost of remodeling projects.

Home owners who choose wallpaper, paint or paneling to remodel their bathrooms should be able to keep their renovation expenses within the low cost range.

Homeowners who want granite counters, ceramic tile floors and glass shower doors can expect to pay more for bathroom renovations. The cost of these materials is usually between $8 and $10 per square foot.

FAQ

How Much Does It Cost To Demo A Bathroom?

$1000-$2000

How Much For A Powder Room or Small Bathroom Remodel?

$1000-$5000

How Much For A Guest Bath Remodel?

$2000-$8000

How Much Will A Primary Bath Remodel Cost?

$10000-$25000 depending upon the size of the bath and the materials used.

How Much Will A Bathroom Disability Remodeling Cost?

According to HomeAdvisor, it’ll cost an average of $9000 to remodel an accessible/disability bath.

Bathroom Remodeling Costs in 2022

The cost of a bathroom remodel can vary greatly depending on the size of your bathroom, the materials you choose, and labor costs. By planning ahead and doing your research, you can get an idea of what to expect for your specific project. We hope this article has been helpful in giving you a general idea of the costs associated with renovating a bathroom.

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