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Cost guide

Bathroom Remodel Cost

Renovating a residential bathroom including fixtures, tile, vanity, and plumbing.

Typical range
$6,000–$40,000
Most people pay
$15,000
Service life
15–20 years for fixtures and tile with proper maintenance

National cost range

National range, per bathroom

$6,000 – $40,000

Most homeowners pay around $15,000. The spread is real, not hedging — the drivers below determine which end of it you land on.

Low end
$6,000
Simple access, like-for-like
Typical
$15,000
What most jobs come in at
High end
$40,000
Upgrades, difficult access, code work

What you are actually paying for

Find the row that matches your situation. Quotes that differ wildly from each other usually differ in scope, not in price.

ScenarioTypical cost
5×8 bath refresh, same layoutNew vanity, toilet, fixtures, and paint; keep existing tile.$5,000–$10,000
5×8 full remodel with new tileThe standard full bathroom renovation.$10,000–$20,000
Master bath, 10×12, walk-in showerPremium fixtures and tile drive the cost.$18,000–$35,000
Half bath (powder room) remodelNo shower or tub reduces plumbing and tile cost.$3,000–$7,000
Bathroom with plumbing relocationMoving drains and supply lines adds $3,000 to $6,000.$15,000–$30,000

What moves the price

In descending order of impact. These are also the questions worth asking a contractor whose quote sits outside the range above.

  1. Scope — refresh versus gut

    Replacing fixtures and vanity while keeping existing tile is a refresh. A gut renovation with new tile, plumbing, and layout is 2 to 3 times more.

  2. Tile and finishes

    Ceramic tile is $3 to $8 per square foot for material. Porcelain and natural stone run $8 to $20. Heated floors add $10 to $15 per square foot.

  3. Fixture quality

    A standard toilet and vanity cost $500 to $1,500 combined. Walk-in showers, freestanding tubs, and frameless glass enclosures run $2,000 to $6,000.

  4. Plumbing relocation

    Moving the toilet drain is the most expensive plumbing change — $1,500 to $3,000. Moving the shower drain adds $1,000 to $2,500.

  5. Ventilation

    Code requires a fan vented to the exterior. Adding or upgrading ventilation during a remodel is inexpensive and prevents mold.

Can you do it yourself?

Limited DIY scope

Homeowners can handle painting, vanity installation, and accessory mounting. Tile setting, plumbing connections, and shower pan installation require skill and a permit. Waterproofing mistakes cause expensive hidden damage.

Permits and inspection

A plumbing permit is required if you move drains or supply lines. Electrical permit for new circuits. Ventilation must exhaust to the exterior.
Run the DIY vs. pro decisionCheck a quote you already have

When this cannot wait

  • Mold or water damage behind walls or under flooring
  • Non-functional bathroom in a one-bath home
  • Leaking shower pan causing subfloor rot

Common questions

How much does a bathroom remodel cost?
A standard 5×8 bathroom remodel runs $10,000 to $20,000. A master bathroom runs $18,000 to $35,000. A cosmetic refresh with fixture swaps runs $5,000 to $10,000.
How much does a small bathroom remodel cost?
A 5×8 bathroom gut remodel runs $10,000 to $18,000. A half bath (powder room) runs $3,000 to $7,000. Keeping the existing layout saves $2,000 to $5,000.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
A full remodel takes 3 to 6 weeks. Tile work and custom glass enclosures drive the schedule. A refresh with fixture swaps takes 1 to 2 weeks.
What is the cheapest way to remodel a bathroom?
Keep the layout, refinish or reglaze the tub instead of replacing it, use prefab vanity kits, and choose ceramic tile over stone. A budget refresh runs $5,000 to $8,000.
Bathroom ceiling mold from the shower — need a full remodel, what does it cost?
Mold remediation runs $500 to $3,000. A full 5×8 bathroom gut remodel runs $10,000 to $20,000 including proper ventilation (exhaust fan: $200 to $500). Cosmetic fixes without addressing ventilation fail within 1 to 2 years.
Toilet leaking through the floor into the bathroom below — remodel cost?
Active leak remediation: shut off water, repair toilet ($300 to $600). Subfloor repair runs $500 to $2,000. If mold developed, full bathroom gut remodel runs $10,000 to $20,000. Ceiling repair in the bathroom below adds $300 to $1,200.
Shower tile falling off the wall with mold behind it — remodel cost?
Failed tile means water has been behind the wall. Gut shower remodel runs $3,000 to $8,000 for tile work alone. Full 5×8 bathroom remodel runs $10,000 to $20,000. Mold remediation behind failed tile adds $500 to $3,000.
Only one bathroom in the house — need a remodel fast, how long and how much?
A full remodel takes 3 to 6 weeks — you will be without that bathroom. A refresh (fixtures, paint, reglaze tub) takes 1 to 2 weeks at $5,000 to $10,000. Rent a portable toilet ($100 to $200 per month) or plan around a gym or neighbor's facilities.
Bathroom so outdated it's hurting the home sale — remodel cost?
A pre-sale bathroom refresh runs $5,000 to $10,000 (fixtures, tile, vanity, paint). A full remodel runs $10,000 to $20,000. Bathrooms return 60 to 70% at resale — a $15,000 remodel typically adds $9,000 to $10,500 in value.
Want to add a second bathroom in a closet or under the stairs — what does it cost?
A half bath (toilet and sink) in existing space runs $5,000 to $10,000 if plumbing is nearby. A full bath requiring new drain lines runs $15,000 to $30,000. Adding a bathroom increases home value by $10,000 to $20,000 in most markets.

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