Bathroom Renovation Cost: What You Can Expect To Pay From Start to Finish

Having a nice bathroom can make those drab mornings spent getting ready for work feel like a spa retreat. Getting out of bed — begrudging those daily emails or rushing to get the kids out the door — only to walk into your dream bathroom can silence any busy morning chatter. Not only that, it’s just plain practical. LED lighting, walk-in showers, and high-end fixtures are great for increasing home value and making your bathroom more energy efficient, but what’s the overall average bathroom renovation cost?

Size, scope, materials, high-end vs. low-end finishes, and even the debate between DIY and bathroom renovation contractors are all things that can impact your final cost. Pinching pennies, DIYing the entire thing, and opting for low-end finishes might seem like it’s going to save you money, but if you’re inexperienced and something goes wrong, you’re going to end up paying more to fix it. And sometimes, hiring help can save you time and money, but it can quickly put a bigger dent in your budget than you originally planned for.

That’s where knowing the numbers is going to help, and we’re here to break it down for you. Our guide is going to help you learn the ins and outs of a remodel (and hopefully teach you a thing or two) while giving you a few bathroom renovation ideas worthy of saving you money without skimping on the luxury you crave. Read on to learn everything you need to know.

Average Bathroom Renovation Cost

“Can I renovate a bathroom for $10,000?” The short answer is yes. The longer answer is, it depends on what you want. The normal range for a bathroom remodel is anywhere from $6,600 to $17,600, but there are a few questions you can answer to have a better understanding of where you’ll fall within that range. 

How much are you willing to spend on fixtures? What materials do you want for your flooring and countertops? How much of the work can you do on your own? The very first one to ask yourself: How big is your bathroom? It’s easier when the numbers can be broken down by size.

Common Bathroom Sizes and Cost Range:

• Powder room or half bath (25–40 square feet): $1,800–$6,300
• Guest bath (50–80 square feet): $3,000–$12,500
• Master bath (100+ square feet): $7,000–$25,000

Q: What is a reasonable budget for a small bathroom remodel? A: For a small bathroom renovation cost, you’re going to want to budget between $1,500 and $10,000. Remember, though, these aren’t the average costs. You’re more likely to end up somewhere in the middle, and the final number is going to depend solely on what you’re wanting. Having a list of everything you’re wanting to change about the bathroom plus the averages below is going to help you find a solid number for your circumstance.

Breakdown of the Average Bathroom Renovation Cost

Size has a big say on your remodel’s final number, but it’s best to think of it like an onion. Once you have one layer peeled off, there’s a lot more underneath. Even the smallest details — whether you’re renovating a bathroom in a house or an RV restroom — can mean drastic price differences, and it’s important to get into the nitty-gritty. Whether it’s the type of bulb for your vanity or the color of your hardware, planning out each individual component is going to give you great results in an even better price range.

Here’s our breakdown of the average bathroom renovation cost, plus what you’ll need to think about along the way.

Most plumbers provide a free in-home quote, so talking to a few people can help you get a better idea of your total cost.

Plumbing ($3,000-$20,000)

Taking the DIY route for your plumbing can save you money, but this is one of those instances where we recommend spending a little extra right off the bat and hiring a professional. Not only are they going to have a lot more understanding of your bathroom and its needs, but they’re going to be able to handle the hard stuff like permits and contracts with your local municipality.

The average cost for rough-in plumbing is $6,500, according to Angi, though hiring a contractor might bump that number up depending on whether you need new fixtures installed or if all the piping needs to be redone. Luckily, most plumbers provide a free in-home quote, so talking to a few people can help you get a better idea about your total.

Shower/Bathtub ($200-$15,000)

The average for a shower remodel is about $8,000. If you’re just sprucing up the fixtures, it could cost as little as $200, but installing a whole new shower can run anywhere from $4,450 to $12,300. And if you’re opting for a bathtub, that cost ranges from $4,200 to $11,000.

Whether it’s a walk-in shower or a shower/tub combo in your bathroom, this is an easy place to make a statement. With endless tile options and matching grout to go with it, you can set the tone for the entire space. It’s also quite possibly the wettest part of your bathroom, so be sure to waterproof and create appropriate drainage. Mislaid shower flooring or an improperly sealed bathtub can be a trap for mold and mildew — not to mention the possible leaking that can occur.

Q: What is a reasonable budget for a small bathroom remodel? A: For a small bathroom renovation cost, you’re going to want to budget between $1,500 and $10,000. Remember, though, these aren’t the average costs. You’re more likely to end up somewhere in the middle, and the final number is going to depend solely on what you’re wanting. Having a list of everything you’re wanting to change about the bathroom plus the averages below is going to help you find a solid number for your circumstance.

Flooring ($450-$8,000)

Flooring is the last thing you’ll lay in your bathroom, but it has the potential to become the most costly part of your remodel. The average cost for flooring ranges anywhere from $2 to $22 per square foot, plus another $0.60 to $4 for labor.

The material matters most here — especially if you have children or seniors living in your home. It’s best to opt for something slip-resistant in these cases to prevent accidents from happening. Ceramic and porcelain tile are both great options — and perfect for budget remodels — starting at just $2 to $5 per square foot, respectively.

More costly materials, like granite slab and marble, aren’t as slip-resistant, but they make a statement in any bathroom. Granite maxes out at around $15 per square foot, while marble can run you all the way up to $35 per square foot.

Vanity ($200-$4,300)

While cabinets and shelving have an average of $200 to $600 per unit, countertops range from $400 to $4,300. Basic countertop options like ceramic tile can go for as low as $1 per square foot, all the way up to $100 per square foot for something like stainless steel.

You can save money here with pre-fabricated options, but if you’d like to splurge, you can expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the size, materials used, and whether or not you hire a contractor.

Q: What is the most expensive thing about a bathroom remodel? A: Electrical and plumbing work are by far what can become the most expensive thing about a bathroom remodel. You can go into it expecting a certain number but finish out your demolition with an entirely new one. It depends on things like your home’s age, the last time work was done on it, and the location of the bathroom, but this is a smart place to put a lot of flexibility in your budget to accommodate for surprises behind the drywall.

Painting can be pretty simple to DIY, but if you don’t have a place for all the materials and leftover paint, you might find it’s worth letting a professional handle it.

Painting/Wallpaper ($50-$100)

The priority with painting and wallpaper isn’t just aesthetics; it’s more important to make sure you’re getting the right kind first. Vinyl wallpaper and/or a solid varnish with a protective finish is the best way to go, while a satin or semi-gloss paint is going to be the most moisture-resistant. These might be the more expensive options, but they’re going to save you money (and a lot of headaches) in the long run.

The average range for both is about $50 to $100, but wallpaper runs about $2 to $6 per square foot. You can add another $1 to $7 per square foot for labor for that (which we think is worth paying for this particular project). Painting can be pretty simple to DIY, but if you don’t have a spot for all the materials and leftover paint, you might find it’s worth letting a professional handle it.