How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom?
In the U.S., the average cost of a bathroom remodel can range from $3,500 to $17,000. The median average bathroom remodel cost is approximately $8,717. Most homeowners spend between $3,678 and $16,222. You can spend as little as $2,000 to $6,000 for a small bathroom with shower. For master-bathroom Remodels you can easily exceed $14,000. The cost of remodeling your bathroom will depend on a variety of different factors such as the materials and finishes that you choose, plumbing, and labor costs in your local area.
Since the actual prices of materials and labor will vary a great deal, the list below is breakdown of what percentage of your overall budget should be allocated for each cost. These numbers are not a hard and fast rule for budgeting, but rather a guideline. Based on your individual needs or preferences, these numbers can be easily adjusted.
Bathroom Remodel Ideas, Design & More
Estimating Costs For Bathroom Remodeling
A bathroom remodel can be a fun and challenging home improvement project that can increase your home’s value, as well as, improve its functionality and aesthetic appeal. Whether your bathroom is big or small, remodeling a bathroom means tackling a lot of components from choosing a design, to hiring a contractor, understanding the bathroom remodel costs, and everything in between.
If you need help in navigating where to start, how to budget and pay for your remodel, and how to get the best bang for your buck, this guide will provide you with all you need to know.
Start with a Comprehensive Bathroom Remodeling Plan
Whether you are looking for a simple refresher for your bathroom or want to transform the space into a luxurious spa-like oasis, it is crucial that you begin with a complete and comprehensive plan for your bathroom remodeling project. Failing to do so could cause you to end up pouring money down the drain.
Bathroom Finishes
How Deep will it go? Full over hall or superficial finishes?
Contractors
Will you be doing it yourself or hiring a contractor?
Make sure that the toilet is not the first thing that you see when you walk into the room. If possible, place the toilet in a separated commode closet within the bathroom for additional privacy.
Plan a flattering lighting scheme with ample lighting in the vanity areas of the bathroom for things like makeup application.
Make sure you’re aware of all of the measurements of your bathroom and its components so that you can arrange everything in a convenient and spacious way.
Plan the right height for the toilet, tub, and sink to maximize the functionality of all three.
If you’re tight on space consider using a corner sink in order to conserve room.
Splurge on a few key materials even if your budget is tight to still give your finished bathroom a luxurious look.
Establish Your Budget
The cost of remodeling your bathroom will depend on a variety of different factors such as the materials and finishes that you choose, plumbing, and labor costs. According to Remodeling Magazine, the average costs for a remodeling a high-quality bathroom is approximately $28,000.
Of course, that number could be much smaller or larger for your project depending on the variables. In order to help you estimate what you might expect to pay for your bathroom remodel, here is a brief break down of some costs.
Small Bathroom Remodel Cost Estimates
| Bathroom Remodel Costs | DIY Ranges | Full Service: Labor & Materials |
| Small Bathroom Remodel | $1500 - $6,000 | $6,000 - $11,000 |
| Installing Tile Shower | $10 per sheet | $25 per square foot |
| Average Remodel Costs | $2,500 | $3,500 - $12,000 |
| Cost Per Square Foot | $40 - $150 | $125 - $300 per square foot |
Trying to remodel your bathroom on a budget?
Read our Remodeling a bathroom Ideas on a budget and see if you can keep your bath remodel costs down.
Looking for master bathroom custom shower ideas?
We put together 6 great custom shower ideas you can add to your mater bathroom!
Have a bathtub refinishing project?
Read our cost guide and request free quotes from local pros.
Have a bathtub to shower conversion project?
Read our cost guide and request free quotes from local pros.
Splurge vs. Save
When it comes time to decide where and how to spend your budget, keep in mind that functionality and practicality are paramount to the design. After all, what is the point of having a perfect tile pattern if your toilet doesn’t even work?
Make sure before you begin splurging on high-end finishes that you have spent enough to ensure that your bathroom actually works for you. With all of that in mind, it would be a shame for you to remodel your bathroom and not have it turn out beautifully.
The master bathroom suite should be especially luxurious and spa like, not just for your own comfort, but for resale appeal as well. Spending a few extra dollars on bells and whistles like heated bathroom floors are worth the splurge.
Tile is a great place to save money by selecting something fairly basic and dressing it up with appealing accents like a mosaic divider or border. Lighting can be another inexpensive way to make your bathroom look like it cost a million bucks without actually doing it.
Getting the Most Return on your Investment
What you decide to spend on your bathroom remodeling project should be calculated with home equity estimations in mind. Before you decide how much you are willing to spend on your bathroom remodel, contact your realtor and request that they draw up a free comparative market analysis for your neighborhood to determine what the resale value of a bathroom remodel will be.
Experts like master bathroom remodel professional Collier Ostrom says “If a person is going to stay in a home for five years or less then the improvements should be viewed as improvements on investment.
If you’re going to be there for a longer period of time, you want to look at what’s going to make you and your family the most comfortable.”
Curious about ROI? How Do bathroom remodels compare to other rooms in the house?
Here is what you need to know about return on investment from your bathroom remodel.
Leave Yourself a Cushion
The biggest unknown that many homeowners face when trying to tackle a bathroom remodel is the plumbing and possibly the electrical. Plumbing issues are a notoriously expensive hiccup that could easily throw a huge monkey wrench into your bathroom remodel budget.
Additionally, last minute changes to the design or plan of your remodel could result in delays and additional expenses. Therefore, it is wise to include a cushion into your budget to account for unexpected costs that may pop-up. Keep in mind that the older your house is, the larger that cushion should be.
Some unexpected bathroom remodel costs that you should be prepared for include:
Rewiring or replacing electrical circuits
Pipes and plumbing
Errors in measurements and incorrect cuts in counter tops
Labor Deficiency
How to Pay for your Bathroom Remodel
Let’s face it, remodeling a bathroom can be very expensive. Don’t worry though, because there are a few different ways that you can pay for the transformation. The first, and most popular way to afford a bathroom remodel is to apply for a home equity line of credit.
The best part of a home equity line is that it can be tax deductible at the end of the year. Another way that homeowners pay for bathroom remodeling projects is with the money received from income tax returns.
Savings are another great option, especially if your remodel plan has been designed to bring a large return on your investment. Of course there are a variety of other loans that you could apply for to finance your project including a personal loan, retirement plan loan, life insurance policy loan, or FHA loan.
If you do decide to use a loan to pay for your bathroom remodel, make sure that you shop the loan rates to make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck.
The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Contractor vs. Doing it Yourself
Just like with anything in life there are pros and cons to hiring a contractor for your bathroom remodel project versus doing it yourself. If you are trying to decide whether you should hire someone to complete the project for you or if you should attempt to tackle it yourself, review the pros and cons below:
The Pros of Hiring a Bathroom Contractor
- They're experienced with diverse bathroom layouts
- They know what permits need to be pulled
- They understand bathroom building codes
- Experience with completing job within bathroom budgets
- They work with quality, experienced subcontractors like plumbers
- They have all of the tools and equipment necessary to complete the job
- They're experienced with diverse bathroom layouts
- They know what permits need to be pulled
- They understand bathroom building codes
- Experience with completing job within bathroom budgets
- They work with quality, experienced subcontractors like plumbers
- They have all of the tools and equipment necessary to complete the job
The Cons of Hiring a Bathroom Contractor
- Bathroom Labor costs will consume most of your budget
- Some are more experienced than others
- You will have many different people inside your home
- Bathroom Labor costs will consume most of your budget
- Some are more experienced than others
- You will have many different people inside your home
The Pros of Doing it Yourself
- Remodeling projects can be fun and great learning experiences
- Bathroom remodeling costs will be significantly lower
- You won't have strangers in and out of your home
- Flexibility on how fast you want to complete the work
- You will have more control over the work done and the costs associated
- Remodeling projects can be fun and great learning experiences
- Bathroom remodeling costs will be significantly lower
- You won't have strangers in and out of your home
- Flexibility on how fast you want to complete the work
- You will have more control over the work done and the costs associated
The Cons of Doing it Yourself
- A lack of experience can lead to mistakes and increased costs
- It can be more difficult to obtain permits
- It could take much longer if you're inexperienced
- You will have to research any subcontractors that are needed to complete the project
- You will need to have a lot of expensive tools
- A lack of experience can lead to mistakes and increased costs
- It can be more difficult to obtain permits
- It could take much longer if you're inexperienced
- You will have to research any subcontractors that are needed to complete the project
- You will need to have a lot of expensive tools
How to Remodel your Bathroom DIY Style
If you decide to tackle portions of your bathroom remodel yourself or just portions of it, the internet will be you very best friend, especially if you lack experience. Turn to social media sites like pinterest for everything from style inspiration to helpful articles about how to complete a variety of projects both big and small.
You can also refer to countless helpful videos on youtube for detailed instruction on how to do everything from snaking a sink to re-tiling the entire room. You can also take free classes at your local home improvement store to learn a variety of techniques to help you with the project.
Keep in mind that if you’re inexperienced in home improvement projects of this size, it is recommended that you at least consult a general contractor about the level of work that will be involved and what types of permits you will need to pull to remain in compliance. However, if your remodel will be mostly cosmetic, this could be a very enjoyable and educational hands-on opportunity to do it yourself.
How to Hire a Contractor
Hiring a contractor can be an intimidating task and is not one that should be taken lightly. It is crucial that you do your due diligence and research when hiring a contractor for your bathroom remodel. To begin, you should make a short list of possibilities and call each of them for a preliminary interview.
A few valuable questions you may ask include:
Once you have compared the answers from everyone on the list narrow it down to two or three options. The next step is to call and check their references and request that they submit their bids for your bathroom. Beware of any low-ball offers as they can be a strong indicator that they are hard-pressed for work or will cut corners; neither of which is what you want from a contractor.
- Avoid porous tiles
- Double-check wiring and circuits
- Measure height of accessories
Three Final Tips for your the Cost of a Bathroom Remodel:
Remodeling your bathroom can be a special albeit challenging home improvement project with lots of components to track. From designing the layout, to choosing the finishes, sticking to a budget, hiring a staff, and everything in between you will have more than enough to keep yourself busy throughout the entire process.
However, despite being a difficult project it can be a lot of fun too and it should be. Follow these guidelines in order to avoid making costly mistakes and running into time twisting problems. Just remember, at the end of your bathroom remodel you will have a new oasis that will be more functional than ever before and even more equity in your home.
