How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Bathroom in 2024?

When remodeling, bathrooms are often at the top of the list, behind only the kitchen.

According to Architectural Digest, the average cost of a bathroom remodel can range from $2,000 to $80,000, depending on square footage, labor, plumbing and electrical needs, and fixtures and amenities.

According to home renovation marketplace Houzz, the average cost for a bathroom remodel in 2023 is $15,000, up from $13,500 in 2022.

HomeAdvisor estimates the average bathroom remodel will cost $11,932, but the total expense can reach $30,000 for upscale bathrooms. Corroded pipes or relocating major fixtures will also push costs higher.

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Sherry Wiggs, a top real estate agent in Westchester County, New York, says the average cost of a bathroom renovation in her area is anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000, but it could easily surpass that when dealing with larger spaces, more expensive homes, or higher-quality materials.

Bathroom costs as a percentage of home value

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) says that, as a general rule, you should expect to spend 5% to 10% of your home’s value on a bathroom remodel. That means for a $250,000 home, the project may cost an average of $12,500 to $25,000; for a $500,000 home, you could pay anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000 or higher.

Average cost by bathroom type

As you would expect, the project cost will vary widely depending on the type of bathroom you’re remodeling.

Primary bathroom ($7,000-$30,000)

Sometimes referred to as an “en suite,” this type of bathroom is connected to the main bedroom and is usually the largest in the house.

It is typically a full bathroom (sink, toilet, shower, and bathtub) or a three-quarter bathroom (sink, toilet, and standing shower, but no bathtub).

Some primary bathrooms have a door separate from the primary bedroom, while others have an open entrance away from the bedroom with a separate water closet (a small room housing the toilet).

According to data from Angi, remodeling a primary bathroom costs between $7,000 and $30,000, with the average cost around $12,000. However, a large primary bathroom with luxury elements could go as high as $50,000 or more.

Wiggs has seen primary bathroom remodels exceed $50,000 and even go as high as $70,000 if the designs were very elaborate.

Guest bathroom ($3,500-$20,000)

This is usually a full bathroom with a bathtub, shower, toilet, and sink. Typically adjoining a guest bedroom, it can also be located in a hallway for more general access.

The home improvement site Fixr estimates a guest bathroom remodel costs $4,500 to $9,000.

Half bath/powder room ($1,500-$4,000)

A half-bath, commonly called a powder room, has only a toilet and sink. It is usually located near the foyer or entryway of the home. Given its small size, it is the least expensive to remodel — between $1,500 and $4,000, according to Fixr. However, costs will be location-dependent. Wiggs sees half-bath remodels cost around $13,000 in her New York market.

Average cost per square foot

Bathroom sizes may be proportionate to the home. For example, a primary bathroom in a large home will likely be grander in a modest house. As such, it can be helpful to calculate average remodeling costs by square footage.

Angi shares these average cost ranges based on the size of the bathroom:

• (25 square feet): $1,800 to $6,300
• (40 square feet): $2,800 to $10,000
• (50 square feet): $3,500 to $12,500
• (75 square feet): $5,300 to $18,800
• (100 square feet): $7,000 to $25,000

Average cost by location

Just as average home prices vary widely in different areas of the country, certain cities can be more or less expensive in remodeling costs. According to HomeAdvisor, here’s a breakdown of average ranges for some major U.S. cities:

Source: (HomeAdvisor)

Items to budget for in your bath remodel

Now that you know the cost ranges for each type of bathroom remodel, you might be wondering what that money will go toward. Below, we break down each main component to give you an idea of what to budget.

Other costs include paint, mirrors, fixtures, and additional cabinetry or a bathroom linen closet. As you decide where to spend your remodeling dollars, consider that the top bathroom feature homebuyers seek is a double-sink vanity.

How are bathroom remodeling costs allocated?

The National Kitchen and Bath Association provides this general cost breakdown as a starting point, though this will vary by market:

Sample bathroom remodel quote

Jesus Soto, owner of Soto Bay Construction in Hayward, California, gave us an example of a quote he prepared for a primary bathroom remodel:

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The main factors that influence cost

Soto identifies the following components as the biggest drivers of the ultimate project cost:

Labor and subcontractors

The labor for demo, plumbing, electrical work, drywall, and tile labor. Soto estimates that labor can account for up to 50% of the total price for a primary bathroom remodel.

Style

“Our bid process starts with our initial start value, which is dictated by the style of the bathroom, such as bathtub, shower, or jacuzzi,” says Soto. “Then, we add to the starting price based on finishes, such as what type of door, single or double vanity, tile in walls, stone in walls, additional lighting, etcetera.”

Water problems

Soto says this can have a huge impact on cost. “It’s extremely hard to foresee any water damage in framing before doing any demolition,” he says.

“In fact, the majority of contractors have a clause in their contract to protect them in case of any water damage behind the walls.”

Soto has personally seen water damage that increased the total cost by roughly 33%.

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What are the most expensive parts of a bathroom remodel?

In general, two of the most expensive parts of a bathroom remodel are moving a waste line and replacing a vanity, says Douglas Huebner, CEO of the home design and renovation company The Habitatilist and a top New Jersey real estate agent serving the Maplewood, Montclair, and South Orange areas.

Changing the bathroom’s layout involves moving the toilet, sink, or tub and needing a professional plumber’s help. This can cost anywhere from $45 to $200 per hour before trip fees and materials.

For a 40-square-foot bathroom, hooking up new fixtures to current plumbing plus cleanup takes an estimated 46 hours and costs roughly $2,070 and $2,990; moving any fixtures more than three feet costs an additional $500 to $1,000.

As for vanity, prices vary whether it’s premade or custom built, but it can easily cost about $1,300 to $1,800, Huebner said.

Here’s how other materials and features affect pricing:

• Wall and floor tiles: Natural stone, porcelain, and ceramic are popular in bathrooms. Natural stone costs between $10 and $214 per square foot, while porcelain costs between $10 and $44 per square foot.
• Countertops: Prefabricated countertops cost less than natural stone. Quartz costs about $50 to $200 per square foot compared to cultured marble at $30 to $100 per square foot.
• Faucets: Chrome is a less expensive finish than brushed nickel; matte black, antique bronze, and brushed brass cost more. Also, consider the type of sink (pedestal, wall-mounted, console) and whether the faucet is wall-mounted or touchless. For instance, the Farrington 8-inch two-handle high-arc faucet in matte black by Glacier Bay sells for just under $100.
• Bathtub: An alcove tub installed with a shower is the most common type and comes in various widths and colors, according to Fixr. Bootz Industries sells a 30x60x74.5-inch alcove bath and shower kit with a left-hand drain in white for $912. Integrated grab bars can be an additional cost. A standalone soaking tub costs $600 to $3,000, as does adding jets or other features.
• Shower: If you have an alcove bath and shower combo, add about $150 for a basic pressure balance valve tub and shower set. Shower valve systems that add varying body sprays or allow for better water control can cost about $550 and up. DreamLine offers a 56x60x76-inch frameless sliding shower door in brushed stainless steel for about $1,000.
• Toilet: Prices vary from about $275 to $3,000 depending on the size of the “rough-in” (the distance from the finished wall to the floor drain), height, having a round or elongated bowl, water efficiency, and added features, such as a bidet toilet seat.

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Can you save money by going DIY?

A do-it-yourself remodel will cost significantly less than hiring a professional contractor — perhaps even half the cost or less, Soto estimates. He recommends using SPC (stone plastic composite) flooring, which is 100% waterproof and much easier to install than tile and prefabricated shower walls. However, he points out that you’ll have to use the same layout of the bathroom to avoid any electrical and plumbing work.

“The main risk is that you are not updating plumbing and electrical,” Soto says.

Pipes and wires can be in really poor condition and might not have much life left, while the rest of the bathroom will be completely remodeled with 20-30 years of lifetime. A water or electrical problem can be big enough that you have to do a complete remodel.”

Header Image Source: (fran hogan / Unsplash)