What's the Cost to Remodel a Bathroom?
Cost to Remodel a Bathroom
Are you looking for an upgrade and want to remodel your bathroom? Here is what you need to know about the costs, benefits, and types of bathroom remodels.
The bathroom is the most used room in your home. You want your space to feel relaxing and serene during a hot bath but also functional if more than one person uses it. When buying a home, bathrooms can often be a deal breaker. People want a clean and updated bathroom yet also comfortable for guests staying in a guest bedroom.
Bathroom renovations are usually at the top of the list when moving into a home, especially if you want to make your home handicap accessible. You can remodel your powder room, guest bathroom, primary bathroom, or all of the above. Remodeling any room or space can be costly, but bathrooms usually cost around $5,000 and increase based on space size, style preference, and fixtures.
When remodeling or renovating your bathroom, you can use this guide to learn more about the costs and benefits of saving money on a bathroom remodel.
Chapters
What does a Remodel Consist of?
The words remodel and renovation are often used interchangeably, but critical differences exist. When it comes to a remodel, it includes a renovation plus construction. You are remodeling if you plan to refresh the space and remove walls or other features to expand or reframe. If you plan to improve your bathroom's fixtures, such as repair, repaint, replace the flooring, etc., it is considered a renovation, essentially, if you're changing something.
Remodels include reframing, expanding, plumbing, making structural changes, etc. Remodels also typically require electrical, plumbing, and building permits, whereas a renovation could be a DIY project.
Why You Should Remodel Your Bathroom
As previously said, bathrooms are the most used space in your home and should be clean, comfortable, and functional. It is noted that bathroom remodels have some of the highest returns on investment of any work you can do in your home, so when and why should you remodel your bathroom?
Home Value
An updated, luxurious, functional, or modern bathroom immediately increases your home's value. Experts say that bathroom remodeling yields about a 60% return on investment. Most luxury homes feature a beautiful and updated bathroom.
Storage
Storage is important. You want somewhere to store towels, other shower necessities, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, toiletries, cosmetics, and more in a bathroom. If your current bathroom model lacks storage, it may be beneficial for you to remodel and upgrade cabinetry space, drawers, and counter space. Adding more storage can also add to your benefit when selling your home, as storage is a significant plus for homebuyers.
Outdated
Some homeowners may remodel their bathroom if it features outdated designs/features. The bathroom is where you get ready for the day and prepare yourself for a good night's rest, so it's essential that you feel comfortable and uplifted in your bathroom as it sets the tone for your day. Outdated features can decrease the value of your home, while an updated and remodeled bathroom can entice buyers and often add value to your home.
Safety Hazards
A home with a bathroom with safety hazards or health concerns, such as mold and mildew, will immediately drive buyers away. If you notice these concerns in your bathroom, you may want to consider a remodel. Having these issues addressed and taken care of will prevent future problems, improve the quality of life in your home, and bring in more potential buyers.
Overall Cost to Remodel Your Bathroom
The typical cost of a bathroom remodel is between $6,624 - $16,892, with most homebuyers spending an average of $11,508. These numbers are standard for a complete renovation and replacement of all walls, fixtures, and appliances; however, on a larger or master bathroom, the price can creep up to $29,000. If you're doing a DIY bathroom remodel, you could spend as little as $2,000.
Here is the average cost for different areas of the bathroom:
| Remodel Type | Cost |
| Shower | $500-$5,000 |
| Countertops | $200-$1,000 |
| Cabinets | $270-$400 |
| Toilet | $80-$5,000 |
| Vanity | $100-$2,800 |
| Flooring | $45-$200 |
| Paint | $30-$60 |
| Plumbing | $250-$1,500 |
*Data Sourced from Forbes.
Features That Can Affect Cost
The cost of a bathroom remodel will vary depending on your style preferences, budget, the remodel's magnitude, the space's size, and more. It can also vary based on the term remodel.
It can be cheaper if you're repainting or revamping. If you plan to replace major fixtures such as toilets, tubs, and showers, your remodel cost will be higher. The main aspects of a remodel include the cost of labor, the cost of materials, and the cost of obtaining the necessary permits.
Labor and Installation
If you're doing a significant remodel that involves hiring out, you should plan on spending roughly $50 to $75 per hour on labor. If you plan to DIY it, you can skip the cost of labor, including contractors, plumbers, etc.
The labor cost will typically comprise 40 to 60 percent of your budget, so planning and factoring in the price beforehand is essential. If you need to hire a general contractor for your remodel, you will most likely spend around $50 - $150 per hour.
Permits
A building permit costs $50 to $300 for small jobs and $500 to $2,000 for construction. These costs are 0.50% to 2.00% of your total construction cost. Building permits can be based on a flat rate, per square foot, or construction value. Regarding a bathroom remodel, the average price for a permit is between $200 to $800.
Materials
The cost of different materials will be based on what you're replacing and where you purchase them. If you gather materials from a local home improvement store, they will be on the lower end in terms of cost.
Buying materials from higher-end stores with more customizable options will increase the cost of your remodel. Material prices can range anywhere from $1,000-$9,000.
Flooring
There are many different ways to upgrade or remodel your bathroom flooring. You can add peal-and-stick tiles, mosaic tile, rip up and replace the current flooring, etc. Replacing the flooring can significantly upgrade your bathroom visually, especially if it's outdated, so if you're planning a remodel, make sure to factor flooring into your budget.
Some popular bathroom flooring options are concrete, ceramic, vinyl, linoleum, and engineered wood. A 120-square-foot bathroom costs between $1,363 and $2,104, and the national average is quoted at $1,733.
Plumbing and Faucets
The average cost to replace a bathroom faucet is usually between $150 and $400, with DIY projects being as low as $50. If you're using higher-end materials and require plumbing, the cost can reach up to $4,000. The sink faucet will cost you roughly $25 to $250, the bathtub faucet will cost you between $35 and $3,5000, and a shower head averages between $25 and $3,000.
When remodeling your bathroom, you should expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $1,000 on each planning plumbing element and budget extra costs for unexpected repairs.
Countertops
Countertops significantly affect the look of your bathroom, making it look more casual, modern, sophisticated, etc. Some may not know this, but countertops are only sometimes attached to the vanity. This allows homebuyers more opportunities for customization and to choose the countertop of their choice initially.
Depending on the type and material, replacing a bathroom countertop can range between $400 to $4,300.
| Material Type | Cost per square foot |
| Granite tile | $5 - $15 |
| Quartz | $75 |
| Cultured Marble | $65 |
| Concrete | $65 - $135 |
| Composite | $75 - $120 |
| Laminate | $55 |
| Porcelain or ceramic | $7 - $19 |
Cabinetry
The price of cabinets depends on the manufacturer. Replacing cabinets will cost you roughly $300 to $600 per cabinet, and a complete bathroom custom cabinet design could cost you as much as $10,000. The three categories of bathroom cabinets are stick, semi-custom, and custom.
The typical price of stock cabinets is $50 to $500, Semi-custom cabinets are $80 to $550, and custom cabinets are $300 to $600. The cabinetry installation costs anywhere from $30 to $50, and a complex installation can range from $240 to $450.
Fixtures
Fixtures like the toilet, sink, and tub/shower can be costly. Fixtures can be purchased online, at home improvement and specialty stores. The cost of a new toilet depends on the brand, features, etc., and typically ranges between $200 to $500, increasing with the installation cost.
It can cost anywhere from $280 to $1,200 to replace your bathroom sink and will increase to $580 - $2,000 if you upgrade your sink and faucet. Regarding replacing/upgrading your shower, the average remodeling cost is $6,576. "Easy" remodels can cost you around $3,000, and more difficult remodels can cost you up to $10,000.
Lighting
Upgrading lighting fixtures can vary greatly depending on the brand, style, and material. The typical upgrade will cost you between $100 and $400.
Room Size
On average, homeowners pay an average of $125 per square foot to remodel their bathrooms—however, the overall cost ranges based on the size of the bathroom itself. You must measure your bathroom and be able to provide contractors with the project size before fully committing.
Your overall price estimate won't be as accurate without the square footage.
| Square Feet | The average price range for remodeling |
| 15 | $1,500 - $2,250 |
| 24 | $2,400 - $3,600 |
| 32 | $3,200 - $4,800 |
| 36 | $3,600 - $5,400 |
| 40 | $4,000 - $6,000 |
| 45 | $4,500 - $6,750 |
| 63 | $6,300 - $9,450 |
| 80 | $8,000 - $12,000 |
| 90 | $9,000 - $13,500 |
Floor Plan Changes
Most bathroom remodels will include construction, such as tearing down walls and changing the structure and layout of the bathroom. These are the most significant types of remodeling and can get pricy. If you're purchasing a home or already have a house with a smaller bathroom, it can be an exciting project to gut and remodel completely, but it's also hard work and can take a lot of time.
It can be thousands of dollars, and you'll have to factor in the cost of rerouting electrical wiring, insulation, transferring, and redrilling joists due to rerouted plumbing, framing costs, and drywall costs. The average complete remodel of a primary bathroom is $32,000.
Tips to Save Money on Bathroom Remodels
Have a plan
Going into a project with a clear and concise plan will give you a reasonable estimate of costs beforehand and allow you to stay on course and budget. Planning for all foreseeable costs, including unexpected or unexpected expenses, is essential.
Use the existing layout
Restructuring your entire bathroom and layout is the most costly aspect of a bathroom remodel. Using your existing layout will save you thousands since you don't have to worry about changing the plumbing or electrical wires.
Thrift and DIY
Materials can get expensive. If you have an eye for design, try thrifting or DIY some remodeling aspects, such as lighting fixtures, cabinets, and more.
Cost to Remodel a Bathroom - Final Thoughts
Remodeling your bathroom can be exciting, fun, necessary, and costly. You may upgrade your bathroom to match your current style because it's outdated, to address safety hazards, and to create more storage. No matter the reasoning, it's essential to understand the cost of remodeling your bathroom before jumping into a project and putting yourself into debt.
There are many ways to increase your home's value, but the bathroom yields one of the highest returns on investments and visually improves the overall look of your home. After reading this article, we hope you better understand how much you need to budget and save for your future bathroom remodel.
If you have questions or are searching for new homes for sale, contact us!
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!
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