How Much Does A Bathroom Remodel Cost?
Industry Cost Surveys
In a 2018 survey by HomeAdvisors, the average bathroom renovation cost $10,246, with most landing somewhere between $5,943 and $14,771. You can significantly reduce the price of a complete bathroom remodel by renovating just the aspects you care about most. A simple tile upgrade may cost less than $3,000 total, giving your space a clean new look with little fuss. Meanwhile, an all-out master bath makeover can easily top $25,000 in materials alone; however, if you have no interest in expanding the square footage or moving your tub and shower, then these costs are almost entirely wasted on you.
The average cost of a bathroom can vary depending on the actual types of renovations. While some homeowners decide to create an all-new space, others choose to update their current bathrooms. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the average amount spent on a bathroom remodel in 2016 was $11,369, which is more than double what it was just 15 years ago. The highest increase in costs occurred between 2005 and 2016, during which time renovation costs rose from $7,974 to $11,369. Take a look at the average prices of each renovation type:
Fixture Cost Breakdown
- Cabinets and hardware: $1,818 (16%)
- Vanity countertops: $795 (7%)
- Faucets and plumbing: $1,591 (15%)
- Lighting and ventilation: $568 (5%)
- Walls and ceilings: $568 (5%)
- Doors and windows: $455 (4%)
- Fixtures: $1.705 (15%)
- Flooring: $1,023 (9%)
- Installation labor: $2,273 (20%)
- Design fees: $455 (4%)
- Other: $114 (1%)
About half of all homeowners in the U.S. paid between $10,000 and $29,999 to renovate their bathrooms. Meanwhile, 31 percent reported spending more than $30,000.
The Right Renovation for Your Budget
A helpful method to plan for bathroom remodeling costs is by separating each type of work by the service you’ll need. This plan might include plumbers, carpenters, and electricians. Traditionally, during a renovation project, homeowners choose the most cost-effective materials. But homeowners who are in the market to hire a general contractor are typically willing to invest in more premium fixtures. That’s why a remodeled bathroom can run up to around $1,000 for a DIY self-starter.
If you’re replacing surface materials and fixtures, you could be spending up to $50,000. Spaces that require gutting, expansion, and top-end materials will drive up costs as well.
What Will It Cost To Complete A DIY Complete Makeover?
While this type of remodeling is still considered a small project, there are more steps involved, and the result is quite different from remodeling one or two rooms in your home. You might be adding onto an existing kitchen to create a larger cooking space or replacing an outdated bathroom with stylish fixtures and modern flooring. This type of remodeling might include:
- Replacing floors and wall surfaces with ceramic tile
- Replacing old vanity and sink with new special-order vanity with quartz or granite countertop with an integrated sink.
- Adding linen closet cabinet
- Replacing an old bathtub with a new bathtub with tiled wall surrounds and premium shower valve and glass door.
- Installing a new toilet
- Replacing vent van
Estimated Bathroom Remodel Cost: $5,000 to $15,000
What Will It Cost To Complete A DIY Bathroom Expansion?
Whether you’re creating a bathroom from scratch or working on an existing room, your general contractor should have all the tools you need to complete your project. The first thing to do is check with your local building department and home improvement center for permits and codes specific to your town or county. Always look for transparency for installing things like a new toilet, vanity cabinet, and shower stall. From there, you can start your top-down renovation.
Homeowners planning a remodeling project typically have to account for three major expenses: building materials, the cost of labor, and additional materials needed for any electrical or plumbing changes. Because some areas of the home are more prone to these kinds of changes than others, it’s crucial to get an estimate before you start your project bid. These costs might include:
- Demolition of wall and ceiling surfaces
- Framing new walls
- Installing a new window and door
- Hanging and finishing drywall
Homeowners should carefully consider their skill level and the time required for such a project. A structural expansion can take a lot of time, so make sure you have another bathroom during your project’s duration. More than one homeowner has spent an entire year completing a bathroom remodel of this scale.
Estimated Bathroom Remodel Cost: $7,500 to $20,000
What Will It Cost To Complete A Professional Bathroom Remodel?
Some contractors offer a “DIY-friendly” option that involves replacing surfaces, such as tiles on the walls and floors and countertops. Options at both levels include installing new lighting fixtures, mirrors, towel bars, toilet paper holders, and faucets. For example, your lead contractor might hire different licensed plumbers depending on the scope of the job. This contractor could also staff a core group of carpenters to fabricate additional components.
A typical bathroom remodels on this scale will include all of the features listed above. It may also involve more premium materials and fixtures.
Estimated Full-Service Remodeling Contractor Cost: $25,000 to $50,000
What Will It Cost To Complete A Professional Bathroom Expansion?
The new bathroom is an actual room expansion—it becomes a preeminent project that is virtually an all-new bathroom. It involves stripping the bathroom down to the studs. Sometimes, homeowners even knock out the walls and reframe drywall to produce a more spacious atmosphere. There may be full-blown rerouting of all plumbing lines and installation of new electrical circuits. Very few, if any, of the old bathroom fixtures will remain. In rare instances, this kind of project might require a bump-out or addition that affects your structural foundation.
This project works best in a general contractor’s hands that can coordinate all the moving parts. Instead, various subcontractors—carpenters, plumbers, electricians, tile setters, and painters—will come in and out of your house to do the work. When a project reaches this level, the upper-cost limit can get relatively high. In these cases, luxury bathrooms costing $100,000 are not rare.