How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost? Detailed Guide

With so many factors involved, trying to work out how much it costs to remodel a bathroom rarely feels like a straightforward process, but with this comprehensive and up-to-date price guide, we hope to make it that much easier.

Below, we’ll breakdown the typical costs your average American homeowner pays for all aspects of bathroom renovation, including everything from installing new sinks, showers, bathtubs, and toilets to retiling and painting, and even adding those extra finishing touches that really make your bathroom such an inviting place to be.

We’ll also discuss how the size of your space and the decision to hire a contractor will ultimately influence your budget, and answer all of your most frequently asked questions about giving your bathroom a well-deserved makeover.

Finally, we’ll wrap things up with our own expert advice on the best way to save money on remodeling your bathroom, but before we do that, let’s talk a little bit about why you might want to embark on such a project in the first place.

Bathroom Remodel 1 Main Image The cost to remodel a bathroom can be a valuable investment, not only creating a stunning new look but also adding significant long-term value to your property.

Why Remodel Your Bathroom?

By far the most common reason why countless homeowners chose to overhaul their bathroom is to increase the resale value of your home. If you’re getting ready to put your property on the market, you may find that this kind of project can add thousands to your asking price.

To put this into context, according to the latest national data available, homeowners can typically recoup 56% – 64% of the costs of a bathroom remodeling when selling their home, while adding a brand new bathroom means you’re likely to recoup around 54.7% of the costs.

Still, even if you plan on staying put for years to come, there are several key benefits to a bathroom refurb.

With older properties especially, there’s a good chance that your plumbing and fittings are old, outdated, and not very energy efficient. Meanwhile, if it’s been years since your bathroom last received any attention there’s a greater chance of mold and mildew.

At best, all of those factors are going to cost you more money in energy bills, make your bathroom harder to clean, and negatively affect your home’s impact on the environment.

At worst, that mold can cause an untold number of health problems and could cause the kind of property damage that would only cost you thousands to repair anyway.

That’s to say nothing of the fact that renovating your bathroom gives you a great opportunity to take advantage of new technology and innovations in bathroom design to create a thoroughly modern environment that you and your family will love spending time in.

Where to Find Professionals

For professional help with your bathroom remodel project, here’s a good resource that will help you find the most qualified professionals in your area:

How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Bathroom?

Bathroom Remodel 2 Costs
$7,5000 is roughly the minimum that homeowners spend on a brand new bathroom like this one, though many tend to spend a few thousand dollars more.

According to the National Kitchen & Bathroom Association (NKBA), 1 in 5 US property owners spend a minimum of $7,500 to remodel their bathroom.

That said, the majority of homeowners tend to spend much more for an average-sized master bathroom, with a full-scale remodeling typically costing between $10,375 and $30,000.

On the other hand, small bathrooms and powder room renovations may only cost between $3,000 to $7,000.

These figures include both materials and labor, though other costs may come into play.

If you’re living in an old property and your bathroom has been badly affected by mold, then you may need to invest in damp proofing or other repairs and treatment which can significantly add to your costs.

Likewise, the kind of fixtures and fittings you add to your newly done-up bathroom will also have a big influence on your budget. We’ll also breakdown the individual costs of things like new showers, baths, and toilets later in this guide, but for now, let’s get back to the size issue.

Cost to Remodel a Bathroom by Size:

Bathroom Remodel 3 Size
When it comes to bathroom remodelling, size matters. A large master bathroom like this one will cost significantly more to refurbish than a smaller space.

Whether you’re installing a new carpet in your living room, remodeling your kitchen, or renovating your bathroom, the size of your space is always going to make the biggest impact on your budget.

The bigger the room, the more there is to demolish and takedown, the more tiling and paint you’ll need, and the longer the job will take.

$14,000 – $30,000: Cost to Remodel a Master Bathroom.

According to the latest available data from the National Association of Home Builders on typical room sizes in modern US homes, the average master bathroom in a small US home (under 2,000 square feet) measures 112 square feet, while the same room in a large home (3,500+ square feet) comes in at 240 square feet.

So, with that in mind, it’s wise to budget between $14,000 – $30,000 to remodel your master bedroom, based on a typical rate of $125 per square foot.

These costs for an entire remodelling, so we’re talking not just retiling and repainting, but stripping out the entire room and adding new plumbing fixtures, cabinets, lighting, the lot. As such, it is possible to give your bathroom a brand new look on a small budget if you only replace certain elements.

$4,500 – $12,500: Cost to Remodel a Small Bathroom

Based on the same $125 per square foot rate, a smaller bathroom will likely set you back between $4,500 and$12,500, with most homeowners spending around $7,500.

Again, this is for a total bathroom makeover and is entirely dependent on the exact square footage of your space.

Don’t forget the difference that doors and windows will make to your budget too.

Smaller bathrooms tend to have less (or at least smaller) windows so you may have more wall space to deal with, a factor which makes a difference if you need to stock up on quality bathroom paint or tiles.

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$3,000 – $7,000: Cost to Remodel a Powder Room

A powder room is a small bathroom generally designed for guest use. It usually contains a toilet, sink, and a little storage for hand towels. Given that these rooms tend to be on the very small side and don’t require a bath or shower, they’re usually cheaper to remodel.

Set aside a budget of $3,000 – $7,000 for a complete remodelling (replacing the sink and toilet and completely redecorating). If you’re only giving the walls a fresh look, you may be able to reduce this to anywhere from $900 – $1,500.

How Much Does it Cost to Expand or Convert a Bathroom?

So far, we’ve talked about remodelling your bathroom in terms of taking your existing room and fitting it out with new features and decor, but what if your renovation project actually entails making your bathroom bigger or taking an otherwise unused space built for a different purpose and doing it up with a brand new modern bathroom design?

$1,500 – $15,000: Cost to Build a Bathroom Extension

While expanding your bathroom may not set you back as much as the cost of a full extension it can still be fairly pricey depending on how much work you need to have done.

Rerouting your electrical and plumbing infrastructure is going to be the biggest cost, second only to drywall installation and/or any structural changes you may need to add to your property.

If you’re expanding a small bathroom to make way for new features like this Solar Soaking Bathtub from American Standard, or perhaps just to make room for additional storage cabinets, you’ll also have to factor the cost of those items into your budget.

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$8,000 – $15,000: Cost to Convert an Existing Room into a Bathroom

As with most things in home renovations, size is the biggest factor that will influence the cost to turn an existing room in your home into a bathroom, after which, the previous function of that room will also play a big part.

A smallish, empty space that was previously used as a large storage closet may be big enough to fit a toilet and a sink, so it’s going to cost you less than if you were transforming the spare bedroom into a full-size bathroom complete with bathtub, shower, and storage cabinets.

Bathroom Remodelling Costs Breakdown

Bathroom Remodel 4 Breakdown
Cabinets, countertops, lighting and showers will all add to your new bathroom budget. 

By now, you’ve got some good ballpark figures that will help you put together your bathroom remodelling budget based on the size of your space, but where exactly does all that money go?

Below, we’ll break down the key components of your refurb and how much they’re likely to cost.

$250 – $5,000: Cost to Install a New Toilet

OK, so there’s a world of difference between $250 and $5,000 to install a new toilet,so how did we come up with these figures? Basically, it all comes down to the type of toilet you decide to install.

If you go with your basic, every day toilet, the kind of thing that’s been around in our homes for decades, then you’ll be able to buy one off the shelf for about $150 – $300 and pay a plumber $100 – $200 to fit it.

If, on the other hand, you go with a state-of-the-art option like the Kohler Veil Comfort One-Piece Intelligent Toilet, you may end up paying a lot more.

While they can cost hundreds -if not thousands- more than standard ceramic toilets, these “smart toilets” do feature a range of cool features like heated seats,  automatic flushing, and hands-free opening and closing, the latter of which is a particularly good option when it comes to hygiene.

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$150 – $900: Cost to Install a Bathroom Sink

The good newsies that if you choose to install your average, everyday bathroom sink, you won’t have to pay very much. Even the most attractive porcelain bathroom sinks can be picked up for under $80, after which all you have to worry about is taking care of the plumbing.

On the other hand, if you’re a big of a fan of freestanding bathroom sinks like this elegantly stylish pedestal sink from Swiss Madison, then you’ll need to set your budget a little higher.

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$300 – $2,000: Cost to Install a New Bathtub

Bathroom Remodel 5 Bathrub
While freestanding bathtubs can be a beautiful addition to your bathroom, they’re also more expensive than standard built-in models.

Though it’s entirely possible to spend upwards of $10,000 on a state-of-the-art, designer bathtub, most homeowners tend to be a little more modest with their budget when it comes to picking a perfect tub for a good soak.

As a general rule, a good built-in bathtub (one attached to the wall of your bathroom) can be had for under $300 off-the-shelf, though if you freestanding bath like this gorgeous matte black Woodbridge Bathtub is going to cost you more.

In terms of installation, a good professional plumber will generally charge the same regardless as to which type of bath you have.

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$300 – $5,000: Cost to Install a New Shower

Most new showers will cost you between $100 – $500 plus installation costs. This can increase if you choose to upgrade things by adding a bespoke shower head to create a little added luxury and style to your bathroom.

Speaking of luxury, if you have the budget to play with, you can really go all out when it comes to installing a new shower.

This Gowe Multifunction LED Ceiling Shower Set, for example, will ensure your shower in style, but will also significantly increase your bathroom renovation budget.

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On the subject of showers, if you’re heading out to your cabin in the summertime, be sure to check out our guide to the best outdoor showers for cabins.

$200 – $2,000: Cost to Install Bathroom Cabinets and Countertops

Once again, we’re back to the size factor coming into play, especially when it comes to countertops. A single countertop for a mid-sized bathroom should set you back between $200 – $500 depending on the finish, though if you have a much larger bathroom and you’re planning to run a countertop along the entire length of at least one wall, this may be more.

Meanwhile, a single bathroom cabinet can cost as little as $50 – $250. Wall cabinets such as this one from the RiverRidge Somerset Collection tend to be more affordable than larger, free-standing options, though if you buy a wall cabinet from an upmarket brand that may not necessarily be the case.

In general, homeowners tend to spend around $300 – $600 on a combination of cabinets and countertops for their new bathroom.

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$250 – $1,000: Cost to Replaster a Bathroom

In some cases, renovating your bathroom may mean that you need to replaster the room before you can properly decorate it.

If that applies to you, set aside $250 – $1,000 to pay a professional plasterer to carry out the wok for you. If you’re confident that you know what you’re doing and can take on the plastering as a solo project, you can save as much as 75% since all you’ll need to buy is the plaster and any essential equipment.

$1,000 – $7,000: Cost to Tile a Bathroom

Bathroom Remodel 6 Tiles
Tiling your bathroom can be costly, but it can also create a truly stunning finish.

Undoubtedly one of the most expensive parts of your project, costing between $1,000 and $7,000 for a professionally finished job. The actual cost you pay will depend on how much of the room you tile, the size of that room, and the type of tiles you use.

As we mentioned in our guide to floor tiling costs, you’re likely to pay somewhere between $1,680 and  $6,150 to pay someone to tile your bathroom floor.

You can reasonably expect to pay the same again for tiling all of your bathroom walls though this is largely going to depend on the size of your room and once again you may be able to cut costs if you tackle this work as a DIY project.

On the subject of tiles, it pays to choose the right type for a bathroom.

While ceramics are by far the cheapest option (around $1 – $15 per square foot), porcelain tiles ($3 – $20 per square foot) tend to be more water-resistant which may make them a better option if you’re tiling your shower area.

If you’re taking a no-expense-spared approach to your bathroom remodelling, you may also want to consider using a premium quality, genuine stone tile instead.

Though these tend to be more expensive, they also offer the highest levels of water resistance and can create a beautiful, natural look.

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$200 – $500: Cost to Paint a Bathroom

While tiling may be one of the more expensive parts of a bathroom refurb, painting is, thankfully, one of the cheapest.

This is partly because it’s one of the few jobs you can be able to confidently do yourself, meaning the biggest costs are in supplies.

As with any room, it pays to get the right kind of paint for the environment, and it’s here where most of your painting budget is going to go. Given the likelihood for high humidity and moisture in a bathroom, you’ll at the very least need a good protective primer such as Kllz Kitchen & Bath Interior Latex Primer with mold-proof and mildew-resistant properties.

After that, it’s simply a case of finishing the whole thing with a high quality paint, preferably one with low -or no- VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) which are less harmful to both you and the environment.

Not sure how much paint you’ll need? See our guide to the costs of painting any room to calculate your budget.

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$100 – $700: Cost to Install New Bathroom Lighting and Fans

We’ve bundled both of these components together as most homeowners will tend to buy both when remodelling their bathroom. If you’re only going for one or the other, expect to pay $100 – $400 for the lights plus electricians fees, or between $50 – $500 for a bathroom fan plus installation charges.

To be fair, you can buy bathroom fans much cheaper. We’ve seen them going for as little as $25, though if your budget allows, it always pays to spend more for a better quality product.

Additional Bathroom Remodelling Costs to Consider:

Bathroom Remodel 7 Features
Mirrors, plants and other accessories should also be considered when planning your new bathroom.

So, we’ve detailed the cost of all your bathroom refurbishment essentials, but even that doesn’t totally cover the total price of your project.

Along with all of the above, there’s a few other important things you’ll likely need to spend money on.

$150 – $2,000: Cost of Bathroom Remodelling Permits

The type of permits you’ll need are determined by the kind of work being carried out, but as a general rule, most states will require a permit for all of the following:

Demolishing or adding shower walls or dividing walls

Adding new windows

Major plumbing work such as creating a new plumbing supply for a sink or bath

Major electrical work such as adding a new power supply

HVAC work.

You usually don’t need a permit for the following tasks:

  • Replacing an existing sink or toilet
  • Replacing or adding new countertops and wall cabinets
  • Remodeling your bathroom floor
  • Painting
  • Minor electrical work such as replacing outlets and light fittings.

The good news is that some permits will cover you for multiple parts of the project, while the bad news is that certain remodeling jobs require multiple permits.

In St. Paul, Minnesota, for example, a standard electrical permit will cover you for installing a new air conditioning unit, but you’ll also need to apply for mechanical and warm air/ventilation projects.

Fortunately, if you’re hiring a contractor then you won’t need to worry about any of this. They usually take care of permit applications for the project, so that all you need to concern yourself with is covering the costs.

$200 – $1,000: Bathroom Design Fees

Of course, this part of the project may not be entirely essential, but if you’re new to the world of home renovations, you may want to get some help with planning and designing.

If you’re working with a reputable contractor or specialist bathroom company, they may have their own in-house designers who will map out the project for a modest fee. This is certainly far less expensive than paying top dollar for an interior designer.

$100 – 500: Decor and Accessories

With the entire project almost finished, the only thing left for you to do is to add those all-important finishing touches. Along with practical accessories like toothbrush holders, towel rails, and bathroom mirrors, you may also want to kit out your bathroom with a few decorative items such as art work or even some beautiful indoor plants to really make the place feel like home.

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How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Bathroom for Disabled Users?

Bathroom Remodel 8 Disabled
When redesigning your bathroom for a person with disabilities, grab bars like these will generally be the least expensive part of the project. 

If you’re remodeling your bathroom to accommodate a family member with disabilities, it’s best to set aside a budget of between $1,500 and $10,000 depending on the needs of that person.

In some cases, you may need to invest in major work like widening the doorways to make way for a wheelchair or installing a walk-in bathtub which is going to cost you more than if you simply need to add a few support railings and grab bars.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bathroom Remodelling

Bathroom Remodel 9 FAQ
To remodel a bathroom like this one, expect the whole process to take a least a month, if not longer

How Long Does it Take to Remodel a Bathroom?

A professional contractor will likely take between 4 – 6 to completely remodel an entire bathroom from start to finish.

As with any home renovation project, the exact length of time it takes will depend on a number of factors including the size of your room and the complexity of the job at hand, but as a general rule it’s wise to expect your bathroom to be a work-in-progress for at least a month.

How Much Value Will a New Bathroom Add to My Property?

Most real estate experts agree that a brand new bathroom can add as much as $10,000 – $20,000 onto the total value of your home depending on features and design.

In What Order Should You Remodel a Bathroom?

After the planning, designing, and acquiring of any necessary permits, the best way to remodel a bathroom is in the following order:

  1. Demolition
  2. Plumbing and electrical preparation
  3. Closing the walls
  4. Painting and tiling
  5. Lighting and HVAC
  6. Installing key fittings (toilet, shower etc.)
  7. Cabinets and counters
  8. Accessories and decor.

The demolition comes first, after which all the plumbing work should be done ready to install your new shower, toilet, sink, and bathtub.

Any necessary electrical work comes next in preparation for new light fittings, fans, and your electric shower, after which your contractor will close all the walls with cement board and/or drywall.

Painting and tiling is the next step, followed by lighting and any HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) work.

The next step is to install those big plumbing items (sink, toilet, etc.) followed by cabinets and countertops.

Finally, all that’s left to do is add in any accessories and decorative elements, and Voilà your new bathroom is complete.

Should I Remodel my Bathroom or Kitchen First?

Choosing whether to remodel your bathroom or kitchen first depends on your current situation. Obviously, if one room is in dire need of do-over, that should be your top priority. Otherwise,  If you’re planning to sell your home in the near future, renovating your kitchen first is a good idea as it will add more resale value and generate a better return on investment.

If neither of those apply, then it’s all about your lifestyle. Raising a family and find the kitchen is the real heart of your home? Give that your attention first. Single and enjoy nothing more than relaxing in the tub with a glass of wine? Treat yourself to a brand new bathroom first.

Final Thought: Saving Money on Bathroom Remodelling

By now, you’ve learned everything you know to properly calculate your budget. You know, for example, that a full-scale refurbishment of a master bathroom may cost between $10,375 and $30,000 while smaller rooms may only set you back $3,000 to $7,000. You also know just where that budget is likely to go, but what you may not know, is how to save money on bathroom remodelling.

Honestly, the best way to reduce your budget is to look at what jobs you can take on yourself. Contractor fees can account for between 40% – 60% of the total cost of your budget, so if you can tackle certain jobs like ripping up your old flooring, repainting, and basic plumbing tasks, you’re going to save money.

Keep in mind, however, that doing this may mean that if something goes wrong you could end up spending a lot more money on repairs and replacements. So, if you’re not 100% confident in your DIY skills, paying a professional may ultimately prove to be more cost-effective in the long-run.

Besides, you can always save money in other areas. Choosing ceramic tiles over porcelain ones for example, will help you to cut costs. LIkewise, going for standard options over high-tech models when it comes to your fixtures and fittings and choosing an built-in bathtub rather than a freestanding one will all help you create a beautiful new bathroom for less.

How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Bathroom JPEG