How Much Does It Cost To Upgrade A Bathroom

How Much Does It Cost To Upgrade A Bathroom

The typical cost range for a bathroom remodel ranges from $6,200 to $15,250, with a national average of $10,800

For a large master bath or a bathroom remodel that uses high-end fixtures and premium materials,  or a bathroom remodel that requires significant changes to the plumbing and electric hook-ups, the costs can exceed $25,000. However, remodeling a bathroom can be a major lifestyle upgrade and increase the value of your home. There are plenty of ways to make your bathroom look better and improve durability, style, and overall experience—and chances are you'll feel like your investment was worth it after that first soak in your new jet tub.

While the cost of remodeling your bathroom depends on many elements, the price per square foot is usually around $70 on the low end for a bathroom refresh to $250 or more on the high end for a small bathroom or half bath. However, for a master bathroom that includes elements like a separate jetted tub or a double vanity, the costs can be upwards of $275 per square foot or more.

The Factors That Influence the Cost of Your Bathroom Remodel

Lots of things play into the total price of a bathroom remodel, including but not limited to:

• Location and associated cost of living

• Size of the bathroom and whether it is a full or half bath

• The cost and amount of materials like tile, fixtures, cabinetry, vanities, bathtubs, and more

• Need for plumbing or electrical work such as relocating a toilet, sink, shower, or lighting

• If you want to expand the space

• If you are adding features for people with disabilities

• If you are adding custom features like a skylight or shelving

Before you get started, you should ask yourself and your contractor some key questions and determine the goals and ideas behind your bathroom remodel, such as:

• The style of your bathroom: Do you like contemporary looks or more traditional styling?

• What's popular now: If you planning on selling your home soon, you'll want to consider current trends and desirable features in your market

• Level of customization or premium finishes you desire (and can realistically afford)

• Relocating: Do you want to relocate any fixtures or items that would require substantial plumbing or electrical work?

• Accessibility: Are you adding features for people with disabilities?

• Expanding: Are you knocking down walls and making the room bigger?

• Amount of improvement: Do you need or want a total renovation or simply a refresh like a new vanity and paint job?

• Length of the project: How long will the remodeling work require and will the bathroom be out of commission the entire time?

How Much Does It Cost To Remodel a Bathroom Near Me?

As with everything else, remodeling a bathroom in a higher cost of living area or major metropolitan city tends to cost more than rural areas.

On average, labor costs vary around 20% depending on your home's location, with material costs being fairly similar across the board. That said, of course, you should get multiple estimates from different local contractors for your bathroom remodel.

Want a quick idea of how much a bathroom remodel will cost in your region? Here are some ranges from the east to the west coast...

• New Jersey: $8,000–$18,750

• Massachusetts: $5,300–$12,000

• Washington D.C. Metro Area: $6,000–$17,000

• Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida: $5,450–$13,100

• Atlanta: $7,000–$18,000

• South Carolina: $5,600–$13,600

• Chicago: $6,000–$15,000

• Minnesota: $5,000–$12,600

• El Paso, Texas: $5,800–$12,200

• Los Angeles: $12,000–$25,600

• San Francisco/Bay Area: $11,000–$25,500

• Seattle: $6,800–$16,700

If you look at bathroom remodel costs with broader strokes, you can see the difference in costs in rural versus more urban areas:

• Urban: $10,000–$26,000+

• Rural: $5,500–$10,000+

Costs for bringing other professionals like plumbers and electricians can vary as well, but the national range for plumbers is $175 to $480 and electricians tend to cost an average of $162 to $522 for a visit for basic repairs and updates.

Photo: YinYang / E+ / Getty Images

How Much Does It Cost To Remodel a Bathroom Yourself?

You may be thinking of attempting a bathroom remodel on your own and the average cost range for a DIY bathroom remodel lies between $3,000 to $8,000. However, while simple things like changing a faucet, switching out a vanity, or even changing the tile can be doable on your own, do-it-yourself projects like this can often look haphazard or lack the professional touch of bathroom remodels done by a contractor. And you'll be the one who notices that crooked cabinet door every time you brush your teeth.

In addition, if you are moving major fixtures or appliances and doing things that will affect the plumbing or electric connections in your bathroom, you definitely want to work with a bathroom remodeler near you. Find someone who knows local zoning regulations and restrictions, understands how the plumbing works, works with licensed plumbers and electricians or is one themselves, and can handle sourcing premium materials (perhaps at a discount) for your project.

If a complete bathroom remodel by a professional is out of the budget, you can always opt for a DIY bathroom refresh. Just add things that are easy to swap out, like a new coat of paint, new vanity, new lighting, new mirror(s) or medicine cabinets, some fresh towels, plus a new shower curtain, and it might feel like you've remodeled your bathroom for pennies.

Bathroom Remodel Cost Breakdown

Breaking down the costs of a contractor's total estimate for a bathroom remodel is relatively simple. Still, it is always important to see where your money is going in your updated bathroom and knowing what to look for in an itemized breakdown of an estimate, which should include items like these:

• Demo-ing or ripping existing tile, flooring, and fixtures: You may be able to do this yourself or your contractor can give you an estimate based on their hourly labor fees

• Expanding the size of the bathroom or relocating an appliance that requires changes to the plumbing or electrical hookups and other electric or plumbing costs: Costs vary based on labor and parts required

• Adding disability features: $1,500–$9,000

• Large necessary items: Toilets ($90–$1,500), showers ($300–$3,000+), sinks, and bathtubs ($600-$10,000)

• Small fixtures like faucets, showerheads, knobs, vanity mirrors, fans, and lighting: Costs vary widely depending on your preferences, but they will likely be $500–$2,800

• Cabinetry or shelving suitable for a bathroom: $250–$3,000 or more

• Tile: Professional tiling costs around $860–$2,600 for porcelain or $900–$2,800 for stone tile

• Countertops: $200–$1,000 or more

• Mildew and moisture-resistant paint: $50-$100

• Labor: $50–$110 per hour and up for licensed professionals; likely 40–65% of the total bathroom remodel budget.

Keep in mind that contractors can often receive discounts from the manufacturers, and costs will vary depending on what you pick. You should also keep in mind that your team will need to rip out the old tiling, shower, sink, toilet, and prep the space before starting work as well.

Prefabricated Versus Customized Bathroom Components

While, of course, things like the size of your bathroom and its floor plan or footprint are the primary drivers of the remodeling cost, the style and type of fixtures and finishes you choose also play a major role.

That said, you can keep things more affordable by going with prefabricated cabinets and keeping tiling basic. Instead, add style and personality with accessories like towels, shower curtains, window curtains, plants (real or faux), and other inexpensive items that are easy to swap in and out.

On the contrary, if you choose luxury features like marble, custom tiles or cabinets, or designer fixtures and lighting, naturally the expenses associated with your bathroom will go up. And suppose your goal is a luxe look. In that case, you want to work with a contractor who is experienced with these materials to ensure your investment in these materials is protected and everything is properly installed.

Photo: Jacek Kadaj / Moment / Getty Images

Bathroom Remodel FAQs and Considerations

While you might be aware of the obvious considerations and potential issues that may pop up during a bathroom remodel, there are other things to be aware of as well.

Will my bathroom remodel add value to my home?

An updated bathroom or bathrooms tend to be one of the key features that add value to your home, with the average homeowner recouping about two-thirds of the cost of the remodel upon resale. Plus, recently updated homes tend to sell more quickly in general.

That said, if your bathroom remodel is extremely unusual, trendy, or avant-garde, it could be a major selling point or a negative if buyers in your area tend to have more traditional tastes—so keep that in mind before going all-in on that under-the-sea theme your kiddo insists upon.

Plumbing problems and other surprises

Other things to consider are the potential unexpected costs of dealing with plumbing changes and associated fixes (make sure you have some padding in your budget there). Whenever you deal with plumbing, the potential for expensive surprises always exists.

Note that the shower is typically the most expensive aspect of remodeling a bathroom, with the costs for a standalone shower remodel ranging $1,100 to $5,500. Another expensive aspect of remodeling a bathroom is the plumbing, but you can help mitigate these costs by keeping the bathroom's current floorplan and water hook-ups.

Tile versus paint for your bathroom remodeling project

Tilework costs can also be a major component of the budget, but you can reduce these by keeping the tile to a minimum by using it as an accent for elements like a backsplash and shower walls and using mildew-resistant paint in other areas.

Safety features for your new bathroom

You may also want to include things that will help keep your bathroom in tip-top shape and ready to handle epic bathtime splashes. For example, consider slip-resistant flooring, water-resistant countertops, high-quality cabinetry meant for bathrooms, and paint that resists moisture and mildew.

Lighting matters in the bathroom

Color-corrected lighting that mimics daylight, such as soft white fluorescent, halogen, or LED lighting, can also make your bathroom a more optimal place for daily grooming and makeup application.

Are there any other projects or updates you should consider while remodeling your bathroom?

If you are already remodeling your bathroom, you may want to consider other updates, especially if you are already altering the floorplan and therefore likely the plumbing and electric hookups. Adding things to make your bathroom even more spectacular like a skylight; making over your closet with organizers, and a vanity or dressing area, and some seating; or even simple and inexpensive additions like heated towel racks can make a significant difference.

A lot goes into creating a beautiful bathroom, but the expense can be worth it for the value it adds to your property and the improvements to your daily life.

How Much Does It Cost To Upgrade A Bathroom

Source: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-bathroom-remodel-cost.htm

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