How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Bathroom?
One of the biggest factors when it comes to a remodeling project is “How much does it cost to…[Fill in the Blank]?” Yes, there are many important factors that you should consider when deciding what to do and who to work with, maybe that is worth another article, but let’s solely talk about the Budget factor for this one. Let’s answer the question, “What does it cost to remodel a bathroom?”
So, what does it cost? What an extremely good question! The short and easy answer is “It depends!” That answer not good enough? We know! If you don’t have time to read the entire article, then here is the shortest answer we can give. If you are remodeling a Master Bathroom, replacing everything (shower, vanities, tub, etc.) you can expect to spend $40-60k+. Why such a big range you may ask? Well, maybe it’s worth reading the rest of the article as we discuss the factors that drive the cost of remodeling a bathroom and take a look at an example using a simple bathroom calculator.
What factors drive the cost of Bathroom Remodels?
Quality of finishes
A shower head is just a shower head right? Well, kinda…but not really. This is why the ‘Quality of finishes’ is an important factor. Somebody may be perfectly okay with a $150 shower head and a valve from Amazon while another may spend $600 on a Delta head and valve. What’s the difference between the two? While Amazon is great for many things, the off brand shower valve is not something I’d want to put in my wall that needs to last for 30+ years. The saying, “You get what you pay for” reigns true in almost every situation when it comes to remodels.
The same goes for the soaker tub, the vanities, the tile, etc. Yes, there are many inexpensive options for tile that you can purchase from Lowe’s or Floor and Decor, but they’re not going to be the same quality as what you get from Mosaic Tile. Yes, they cost more, but the quality of your project increases as you invest in higher quality items and you can expect them to last much longer with less maintenance/repairs.
Plumbing being moved or added
“I’d like to move this wall and remove the tub to expand my shower from wall to wall.” Or “I want to move this wall over to expand my shower and make room for a soaker tub and a double vanity.” These are requests we hear several times a year and they are the most costly part of any Bathroom Remodel.
When plumbing needs to move, it either means tearing out drywall, going through ceiling/floor joists, and pulling up the subfloor. This is a labor-intensive process and can add thousands per item being added. Let’s say your bathroom doesn’t have a soaker tub in it and you’d like to add one. You have to consider the cost of demo, plumbing, the materials to make that happen, and the new tub and faucet that need to be purchased. You can expect to spend $5-7k for that alone.
Have you seen the showers that look like they came straight out of a hotel spa? Those are incredible and people love to have something like this in their home. But, the one problem is that most showers just have 1 shower head in them. To make the spa-like shower happen, there must be new water lines, shower valves, and the fixtures themselves ran for each additional item. You can expect each new fixture to cost roughly $1-3k each depending on if it’s a rain or wall head.
Additional lighting and Exhaust fans
Lighting in bathrooms can be horrid. Many bathrooms simply have a vanity fixture and an exhaust fan that has a dim light in it. Almost every bathroom remodel requires a new light fixture and new exhaust fan. Sometimes that isn’t enough though. There are cases where what the bathroom actually needs recessed lights added or mirrors with front-lit and/or back-lit capabilities. Each new fixture requires additional wiring, drywall cutout and repaired, as well new switches.
One of the worst things about most bathrooms are the cheap exhaust fans that get put in them and the lack of use that they get. No, an exhaust fan is not just for getting rid of that odor from using the restroom. Actually, the main purpose of the exhaust fan is to remove unwanted moisture in the air from the steamy hot showers that we are accustomed to.
Often, a builder throws the cheapest fan possible into a bathroom because they are out of sight, out of mind. Then, because their loud and obnoxious, nobody wants to run them while they’re trying to enjoy their one moment of peace and silence in the day. What this leads to is a bathroom full of steam that sticks to the walls, the trim, and the ceiling growing mold and mildew over time leading to an unhealthy environment.
So what is needed to fix these issues? We recommend replacing the fan with one that pulls more air out of the bathroom (110-130 CFMs), runs quietly (< 1 sone), and adding a timer switch instead of the toggle switch. This will help get the moisture out of the air and the timer allows you to press an amount of time on the switch so it automatically turns off for you since it is so quiet.
Custom Glass Enclosures
Want your space to feel more open and luxurious? Adding a glass enclosure instead of a sliding door or curtain is the fastest way to make that happen. These are awesome options because you can tear down a wall and make it an L shaped enclosure out of clear or frosted glass. It just comes at a cost. Glass Enclosures can cost you anywhere from $2-5k depending on how large the shower is.
Quality of the Contractor and the Customer Experience
Something that can go unseen when a project goes smoothly is the experience and quality of the contractor you worked with. But, when you have a bad one, it’s the first thing you notice and you stay miserable through the whole project even after it’s finished. It’s like every time you walk into your bathroom, you think of how hard it was to make this happen.
The quality of your Contractor matters so much in remodeling. A team of people are going to be in your house working for weeks on end, several months on end if you hired the wrong person. You want to enjoy the experience of remodeling your bathroom, creating an oasis for relaxation. What you don’t want is to have the project delayed again and again, have to fight for people to show up, or argue with the contractor about what was included and what costs extra. Take the time to investigate whether the contractor you’re hiring is the right person to be married to for the extent of the project.
A good experience with a good contractor may or almost certainly will cost you more than someone else. You can always hire a cheaper person if you keep looking. The question is, “What are you willing to sacrifice to make that happen?”
HOW CAN I CALCULATE WHAT MY BATHROOM IS GOING TO COST?
Let’s use these calculations as an example. Not every line item will be the exact same for you, but this gives you a good idea of what all is involved and which steps of the process cost the most money.
Demo and Moving Fixtures = $4-8k
Tile Walk-in Shower = $16-20k
Double Vanity and Countertop = $6-8k
Tile floor = $4-6k
Painting = $2-4k
Bathroom Accessories (tp holder, towel bars, etc.) = $500-1k
Plumbing Fixtures = $3-7k
Project Management & General Costs = $5-6k
TOTAL = $40.5k-60k
Now, are you going to spend exactly these numbers for your bathroom? Not exactly. Every bathroom is different in size and design. The best next step for you is to set up a Ballpark Estimate phone call to discuss 1) What your vision is for the remodel, 2) Your ideal timeline for completion, and 3) A ballpark estimate. This will get you the valuable information that you need to know to make an educated decision about moving forward with your bathroom remodel.