How Much Will Your Bathroom Remodel Cost

Planning a bathroom remodel is tough work. Even if it’s a simple bathroom remodel, the various steps in planning and execution require quite a bit of mental and physical investment. One very important element that is hard to undermine when remodeling any room is cost. 

Knowing approximately how much your project is going to cost will help you put together a budget and plan out the bathroom renovation process accordingly. Fortunately, putting together a rough budget is not very difficult if you know exactly what changes you are going to make to your bathroom. The key to calculating the average bathroom remodel cost is in the details.

Bathroom Remodel Cost Breakdown

Coming up with an estimate for a full bathroom remodel cost is easier when the different stages are separated and assessed on their own. This will allow you to better understand how much you can expect to pay at each stage.

Designing and Planning

Although it entails a larger budget, there are numerous advantages to bringing an interior designer on board your bathroom remodel; they can even help you determine where it’s worth cutting costs.

If you find yourself asking “how much does a bathroom remodel cost” not knowing where to start, it helps to envision what exactly you want your remodel to accomplish. Designing and planning is a relatively flexible stage of the bathroom remodeling process, so it’s a good time to gauge the dent this is going to leave in your wallet. Of course, the dent would be much smaller if you’re doing your bathroom remodel yourself. However, if you’re not sure how to go about a bathroom remodel, you may want to hire a contractor to help you out.

The service costs during the designing and planning stage are something you can factor in before the labor kicks in. While there is no set price for interior designer services, a partial bathroom remodel cost may amount to $1,500 to $2,000, and upwards of $4,000 for a full one. Do keep in mind that these numbers will vary greatly depending on the kind of professional you are working with, how many years of experience they have, as well as what area of the country you live in.

Ordering Materials

Experts of the trade will tell you that the material costs to remodel bathrooms are going to be 60% of your overall budget. This makes sense considering the many elements at play and the many features that are probably going to be replaced.

The cost of materials for a small bathroom remodel ranges from $3,000 to $7,000. This includes toilets, showers, and other bathroom fixtures. For a full bathroom remodel, however, you will need to work with a larger budget of approximately $10,000 and upwards (based on the quality and style of the materials you choose).

Bathroom Surfaces

Flooring and wall materials typically account for a large portion of a bathroom remodel’s cost.

Bathroom surfaces, like the walls and flooring, should be installed or updated before installing bathroom fixtures or furniture.

Regardless of which one of the wide variety of flooring you choose, the national average for bathroom floor remodels ranges from $500 to $2,000.

Bathroom walls cover a lot more surface area, especially if you’re going to be working on a master bathroom. Whether you choose fiberglass, ceramic tiles, or even concrete, the cost to redo the walls in your bathroom will range from $5,000 to $10,000. Keep in mind that this average cost includes the demolition, material, and labor costs as well. While it is possible to remodel the bathroom walls on your own, it is typically done by masons or tilers.  

Vanity Costs

A beautiful vanity can often be expensive, but it doesn't have to be.

A new vanity can either make or break your bathroom remodel and its budget. If the shower and toilet are the determiners of bathroom functionality, the vanity is a determiner of the room’s ambiance. You can find a simple bathroom vanity for around $300. For more luxurious or complex installations, you can expect to pay around $2,000.

If your budget doesn’t accommodate a full bathroom remodel cost, look for functionality before style. Narrow down on a vanity based on your practical needs first, then zero in on the one that fits your stylistic preferences from that batch. You can always reface or repaint the vanity to match the interior. In terms of functionality, though, once the vanity is installed it’s going to be very difficult to finetune its core features or size.

Bathroom Shower Costs

Deliberate consideration in your choice of a new shower could make both mornings and evenings a lot more enjoyable. If you are not looking for anything too fancy or aren’t interested in tech evolutions like shower massage panels or a smart shower control system, you can purchase a high-end shower for around $3,000; installation included.

To take your shower experience to a new level you may have to invest a lot more, as acquiring and installing the more cutting edge, high-tech units come to around $7,000.

How Much Does a New Toilet Cost?

How much can you save if you install your new toilet yourself?

Toilets are pretty straightforward when it comes to calculating their cost — there’s the unit and the installation. There are different kinds of toilets to choose from which have their own unique benefits. For example, the low-flush (or low-flow) is your standard unit that is designed to waste less water. They range from $400 to $600 dollars and are typically one of the more affordable options. For something more stylized there are the wall-mounted toilets, which can cost upwards of $1,500. 

The average bathroom remodel cost for toilet installation is anywhere from $200 to $400, though this number varies depending on how experienced your plumber is.

Bathroom Plumbing Prices

Even with the highest quality plumbing pipes can still wear out over time due to the corrosive elements of water. With a full bathroom remodel, though, it’s definitely impossible to avoid. Replacing old pipes and plumbing fixtures costs a national average of around $6,000 to upwards of $10,000. But do take into account that this average bathroom remodel cost also includes bath, shower, and sink replacements as well. 

Many plumbers charge by the hour so you will need to consult with them about how long it will take to update the pipes and plumbing features if you are doing a full remodel. This also depends on how fast they work, which depends on experience.

Light Fixtures and Electrical

Consider factoring in lighting fixtures and electrical into your bathroom remodel.

The lighting in your bathroom must not only be stylish but also practical. Updating the light fixtures is not a very labor-intensive task, but for more complicated units you may need professional help. In general, you can expect the bathroom remodel cost to increase anywhere from $100 to $200 for good quality bathroom light fixtures (not including labor costs).

The cost of hiring an electrician to install new lighting fixtures, and outlets, and to check the wiring in your bathroom will vary from specialist to specialist. Some charge per project; others do it by the hour. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 per hour. For a partial remodel, where you’re only changing a few lighting fixtures or updating outlets, the electrician should take around three hours. For a full remodel, most electricians will charge from $500 to $600 based on the scope of the project.

Budget-Friendly Bathroom Remodel Ideas

If you are looking for a more inexpensive bathroom remodel there is a lot you can work with. Budget-friendly bathroom updates are out there and you can use them to make some quick and easy improvements to refresh your washroom.

Reface the Tub

Discolored, grimy bathtubs that have had water and soap corrode their paint are not very pleasant to look at or bathe in. By refacing your tub you can restore its gorgeous white color and help it work in a sleek, modern interior. When it comes to refinishing a tub, you can expect the bathroom remodel cost to shift by around $50 to $500. Considering how the tub is one of the most attention grabbing surfaces in the bathroom, it is definitely worth the price.

Refresh the Cabinets

Cabinets, be they in the kitchen or bathroom, are always in use and have a tendency to fall apart after years of being slammed closed. Refreshing the exterior of the cabinet is a relatively small cost of bathroom remodeling but it will make a huge difference in the overall interior and value. For more basic cabinet resurfacing, which would include minor repairs like retouching the paint, the cost would come to around $300. If you’re looking for something more specialized and in-depth, like replacing the cabinet doors, changing up the layout, or applying a more advanced finish, you may need to pay upwards of $500.

Install the Toilet Yourself

If you don’t shy away from more advanced DIY projects, then this can definitely be something you can attempt yourself. All you really need to do is follow the manufacturer’s instructions and you get to save the $150 to $350 you would have paid for installation.

Accent Walls 

For stylistic flair that doesn’t break the bank, consider creating an accent wall. All you need is to paint, stencil, or wallpaper one portion of a wall to add some heterogeneity to your bathroom’s walls and make the interior more interesting.

Get Rid of Grout Staining

One thing that can really tarnish a bathroom interior is grout stains. What were once gorgeous and vibrant walls are now tainted with grime-covered crevices. Instead of replacing your tiles, you can simply get special cleaning services to help you brighten them up and restore your bathroom’s original sheen. But to keep your tile grout maintained, you can’t always rely on someone else. You’d be very surprised to know that there are a lot of little tricks you can make use of to keep your tiles looking fresh.

Whether you’re planning on a complete revamp or a partial makeover, your bathroom remodel cost largely depends on the nuances of the project and can definitely flex to meet your preferences and limitations.