How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Bathroom?

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Remodeling your bathroom is one of the most sought-after home improvements. The North American bath remodeling market crossed the $65 billion mark in 2024. During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns led to thousands considering major home improvement projects.

But how much does it cost to remodel a bathroom? In short, it depends. Size, style, and level of luxury all determine the average cost of remodeling a bathroom. 

Bathroom remodels can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on your plans. On average, bathroom remodels cost $10,000, but budget-friendly ones can happen for around $2,500.

If you’re wondering how much does it cost to remodel a bathroom so you can budget for your dream space, here’s everything you need to know.

What are the Largest Factors for Bathroom Remodel Costs?

Some homeowners consider repainting the bathroom and installing a new showerhead to be a type of remodel. Technically, it is, but the costs will vary dramatically between that and ripping out the toilet, tub, and vanity and starting the tiling from scratch.

The total cost range is enormous, meaning professional planning is crucial if you want to upgrade your home.

However, two factors significantly influence the total cost of your renovation.

Bathroom Remodel Labor Costs

Unless you opt for a DIY solution labor costs will form a large part of your budget. So, how much does it cost to remodel a bathroom using outside labor?

According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, you should budget 20% of the total remodel cost for labor. What does this mean on average? You can expect to spend $50 to $75 per hour on labor. In the case of some heavy remodels, you can expect to budget more than 50% of the total cost for labor.

The size of your remodel will decide whether you need to bring in a general contractor. Adding a coat of paint is something most homeowners can manage by themselves. However, you may need to hire an electrician or a plumber for more involved jobs.

Electricians may charge up to $100 an hour, whereas an experienced plumbing contractor could charge up to $2,000 daily.

Shopping around for quotes from reliable contractors is critical to keeping these costs down. But unfortunately, homeowners commonly underestimate how much labor can contribute to the final bill.

Bathroom Material Costs:

Material costs vary wildly based on what you want. The extent of your remodel will determine how much material you need, but also the types of materials chosen and how high-end they are.

In the context of the average bathroom remodel, expect to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $9,000 on materials. Of course, the cost can rise exponentially if you want luxury or imported materials.

Today, rising inflation has caused the cost of materials to rise, meaning your contractor will pass these costs onto you, the homeowner.

According to the Construction Cost Index, homebuilding materials and labor are expected to rise by 14.1%, with further increases expected throughout 2023 and 2024. These inflation-based price increases will revolve around how quickly the government brings inflation under control.

In other words, previous estimates you’ve come across may no longer be valid. Unfortunately, materials tend to have their prices standardized, so contractors usually charge similar prices for the same cabinets.

Average Remodel Cost by Size of Bathroom

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to homeowners that the size of bathroom you want to remodel will be a primary factor in how much you need to budget.

Let’s run through three of the most common bathrooms and how much you can expect to pay for each one on average.

Powder Room or Half-Bath Remodel

The powder room remodel cost will be significantly lower than any other type of bathroom because of its limited size and features.

Powder rooms are small bathrooms used purely to answer the call of nature. Half-baths typically contain just a sink and a toilet. These bathrooms are usually located close to the main entrance of a home.

Your half-bath remodel cost will come in as the least expensive. According to Fixr, average remodel costs of a half-bath range from $1,500 to $4,000. But, of course, if you live in more expensive metropolitan markets, such as Los Angeles or New York City, contractor quotes could easily burst this budget.

Guest Bath Remodel Cost

Your guest bathroom is usually attached to the guest bedroom or may be located down the hallway. Many households have a guest bathroom in the hallway, with the master bedroom possessing an ensuite.

Despite not being the primary bathroom, guest bathrooms usually contain everything your main bathroom does, including a shower, tub, toilet, and sink.

Expect to spend $4,500 to $9,000 on remodeling your guest bathroom.

Master Bath Remodel Cost

To get the most bang for your buck, focus your efforts on the master bathroom. Your master bath remodel cost will always be the priciest because it usually contains the most space and features of any bathroom.

These bathrooms are usually connected to the largest bedroom in your home and include a sink, toilet, shower, and tub. Alternatively, you could have a three-quarter bathroom, which doesn’t include the tub.

Some of these bathrooms may have a separate water closet housing the toilet, dividing it from the rest of the bathroom.

Remodeling a primary bathroom should cost between $10,000 and $25,000, according to Angi. Larger bathrooms with luxury elements can see remodeling costs soar to $50,000 or more. Elaborate designs may even climb to $70,000.

Average Cost by Size of Bathroom

Size matters when determining how much does it cost to remodel a bathroom. The bigger your bathroom, the more materials you’ll need and the longer it’ll take to complete the project.

Calculating remodeling costs must account for the square footage of the bathroom in question. As always, these figures are averages. Therefore, your costs may come in at lower or higher than the below ranges.

Here are the average cost ranges for standard bathroom sizes.

·        15 Square Feet – $1,500 to $2,250

·        24 Square Feet – $2,400 to $3,600

·        32 Square Feet – $3,200 to $4,800

·        40 Square Feet – $4,000 to $6,000

·        63 Square Feet – $6,300 to $9,450

·        80 Square Feet – $8,000 to $12,000

·        90 Square Feet – $9,000 to $13,500

Knowing how to calculate the square footage of your bathroom will help you plan for your upcoming remodel. First, grab a tape measure and figure out the length and width of your bathroom. Then, multiply them together to get your bathroom’s square footage.

Average Cost by Location

Average home prices vary based on where you live. For example, for the price of a one-room apartment in New York City, you could buy a sprawling mansion in rural Kentucky. Like prices differ between cities, remodeling costs also vary.

Here is the average cost to remodel a bathroom in select cities across the country:

·        Chicago, IL – $5,600 to $13,600

·        Los Angeles, CA – $12,000 to $25,600

·        New York City, NY – $7,000 to $16,000

·        San Francisco, CA – $6,400 to $15,300

·        Seattle, WA – $6,400 to $15,300

Note that these estimates cover some of the country’s most prominent major metropolitan areas. Small-town remodeling costs will nearly always fall below these estimates, but your state’s cost of living will determine how much you can expect to pay.

Average Cost of Bathroom Renovation Features

One of the most challenging aspects of budgeting for a bathroom remodel is factoring each aspect of the room into your equation.

How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom if breaking it down by the various features? Here’s a rundown of the average costs of the most common bathroom amenities.

Cabinets and Vanities

All bathrooms need extra storage space for those lotions and potions. Some bathrooms have no cabinetry, but you can boost the usability of any bathroom by adding a storage cabinet or vanity.

You can save on costs by refinishing existing cabinetry, but if you want new cabinets, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 at the lower end to $3,800 for high-end cabinets.

Countertops

Countertops are typically separate from your vanities. It enables homeowners to customize their bathrooms to suit their tastes. It’s also where people opt to add a luxury finish to their bathrooms.

Sink cutouts, custom edges, and exotic materials are three factors that can increase the price of a countertop. Generally, bathroom countertops cost between $200 and $1,000.

Bathtubs

Bathtubs range in size and style—a standard soaking bathtub averages $1,000, with freestanding bathtubs averaging $2,500.

Freestanding bathtubs need extra space to fit because all four sides are visible. Some of the more luxury freestanding bathtubs can cost up to $12,000.

Wall and Floor Tile

Tiling a bathroom floor or wall can be as affordable as incorporating peel-and-stick tiles. Adding tiles to an existing floor or wall is the cheapest option, but some homeowners may add mesh mosaic or grout as a base for their tiles.

Tiles can come in lots of strange angles and cuts, depending on the size and layout of your bathroom. In most cases, wall and floor tile can eat up to 15% of your budget.

For example, an average porcelain floor costs from $860 to $2,600, with stone tiles costing up to $2,800.

Toilet

Toilets are essential, but they don’t have to break the bank. Simple one-piece toilets can cost as little as $100. However, some advanced models may cost up to $5,000.

Most homeowners installing a standard toilet can expect to pay around $500. Of course, two-piece toilets will always cost more.

Sink & Faucets

Installing a sink and faucet can cost just a few hundred dollars unless you upgrade to luxury options. Alternatively, your costs may rise if you’re altering the layout of your bathroom and the plumbing needs to be recalibrated.

The great thing about faucets is luxury options are available for a wide range of prices. Faucets are another area where people like to invest in a luxury element.

The average cost of this part of your bathroom remodel starts at $250 and rises to $1,450. In addition, older homes may require rectifying existing plumbing problems, which can add thousands to your bill.

Lighting

Changing your lighting can have one of the most significant impacts on your bathroom. Replacing a rusty fixture or altering the style of the light can brighten up the appearance of any bathroom and make it feel brand-new.

Replacement light fixtures cost between $100 and $400. Note that if you need to replace faulty wiring or other electrical elements, you can expect to add a few hundred dollars to your budget.

How Much Can You Save With DIY?

With labor forming such a large part of any bathroom remodel, you may wonder whether it’s worthwhile to do it yourself. However, some tasks can be completed on a DIY basis, such as painting the walls, changing the lighting fixtures, or even tiling your floor.

However, certain elements should be left to the professionals. If there are any plumbing or electrical problems, trying to take care of them yourself could cause serious problems. Likewise, ripping out and installing major features can quickly become a nightmare.

Trying to tackle larger projects without professional expertise can lead to you paying more to resolve the damage later.

General contractors can come in handy to plan and manage the project from start to finish. With total remodels, hiring a general contractor is always recommended to save on time, hassle, and cost.

Professionals have a range of benefits you don’t get when trying to save money by performing remodels yourself, including:

·        Expertise – Professionals have expertise garnered from years of remodeling bathrooms. They know what to do if a pipe leaks, how to maneuver bathtubs around corners, and the warning signs of an impending electrical disaster.

·        Experience – The experience of a professional doesn’t just make them more proficient at carrying out bathroom remodels. They’re also equipped to provide intelligent suggestions for their clients regarding design and functionality.

·        Insurance – Professionals are insured, so if something terrible happens, you’re not the one left out of pocket.

Another benefit of using a professional, homeowners often forget, is access to high-end suppliers. Many high-end suppliers don’t transact with the general public, meaning you’ll have a narrower range of options if relying on big-box stores and Internet sales. Even if you can purchase the same materials yourself, contractors are often eligible for exclusive discounts from chosen wholesalers.

How Much Can a Bathroom Remodel Add to Your Home Value?

One of the top reasons why people decide to remodel their bathrooms is to increase their home’s value. Remodeling your bathroom in preparation for an upcoming sale can yield thousands of dollars more from the sale.

Bathrooms are one of the dealbreakers in any home sale. Buyers are massively influenced by the number of bathrooms in a home and the quality of said bathrooms.

Only some remodeling projects will lead to recouping all of your costs. Bathroom remodels have one of the highest rates of return, with these projects increasing a home’s value by up to 58% of the project’s cost. Luxury remodels can even recoup up to 71% of the total costs.

Simply put, remodeling your bathroom is a high-return home improvement project. Updated bathroom spaces inspire higher offers for your home. Of course, performing the renovations is rarely recommended if you’re planning to sell within the next year, but this is a smart move if you’re getting a few years of use from it.

The catch is that your decisions will determine how much your home’s value increases. Everything from the tub to the type of pattern you choose for your tiling will influence your return.

If increasing your home’s value is vital, consult either a real estate expert or an experienced contractor for advice on the most impactful changes you can make. Some examples of profitable updates include:

·        New paint

·        New flooring

·        Updated vanities

·        Energy-efficient upgrades

·        New plumbing

You need to balance out your investment with how much you can expect your home’s value to increase. Take the time to do your research and give yourself multiple options to choose from before consulting with a professional.

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Working out how much does it cost to remodel a bathroom will help you plan for the future. Whether you’re hoping to move in a year or not for the foreseeable future, retaining the services of a professional realtor can help you get the best sales price for your home.

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