How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a Bathroom in 2024?

Jazzing up an outdated bathroom is a win-win for homeowners looking to boost their home's value or charm potential buyers. According to a recent survey of Remodeling Magazine, a midrange bathroom makeover averages at $27,164, potentially bringing back around $15,990 at the sale, marking a 58.9% return on investment. The cost of adding a new bathroom will hit around $20,000 - $74,000, depending on the project type and conversion space, and bring 65% - 72% in ROI, illustrating that, while the investment can be substantial, the potential payoff in terms of both financial return and enhanced living conditions is quite attractive.

Given these insights, it's clear that updating your bathroom can be a strategic move to increase your home's value. To navigate these financial waters and make an informed decision tailored to your project's specifics, we've got you covered. Read on to discover the average cost to renovate a bathroom you should expect to spend this year. Our elaborate cost breakdown covers all critical cost-formation aspects and helps you get a bigger picture of your financial commitment.

The National Average Cost to Remodel a Bathroom

The bathroom renovation cost is subject to diversity primarily due to bathroom size and project scale. You can start with a minor facelift, updating faucets and main plumbing fixtures, or go big, amending a floor plan, converting a tub into a shower, and gutting the tiles. The choice of materials for the tub, flooring, countertops, and cabinets also adds to the total bath remodel cost calculator. Premium materials like marble and quartz can raise the final quote by up to 17%, considering their product cost and installation complexity.

Typically, you can expect your project to cost you between $6,750 and $31,000 for a standard bathroom remodel. But if you're diving into the deep end with a full-scale revamp, including professional design, plumbing, tiling, and wiring, you're looking at $14,450 to $55,000. Homeowners on a tight budget can stay within the $10,000 limit, updating bathroom fixtures and taking on some DIY tasks.

Master Bathroom Remodel Cost Estimator

When homeowners prepare for bathroom remodeling, they usually contact multiple general contractors and interior designers to compare the offers. Estimates may vary, so it's essential to understand the principle of price formation. Considering the common factors affecting the estimated bathroom remodel cost helps them make an informed decision and properly allocate the budget.

Cost to Renovate a Bathroom by Size

Kicking off the total renovation cost begins with the bathroom size and layout. These critical factors shape the scope and scale of your update, guiding your financial planning from the start. Considering the average cost of remodeling a bathroom ranges from $75 to $250 per square foot, you can expect to spend around $3,000 - $10,000 for updating a standard 40-square-foot bathroom.

Bathroom renovation calculator by square footage

Cost to Renovate a Bathroom by Room Type

The cost of renovating a bathroom can vary widely depending on its type and size. For instance, the cost of a small bathroom might range between $6,250 and $12,000, while a large primary bathroom could cost between $55,000 and $80,000. These estimates reflect a blend of material and labor costs, scaling up as the bathroom's size and complexity increase.

Bathroom Renovation Cost Estimate by Feature

When planning a bathroom renovation, it's crucial to account for the individual costs associated with updating each feature. From installing new fixtures to replacing tiles, every element contributes to the overall bathroom renovation cost estimate. National averages suggest varying costs for different components, such as bathtubs, vanities, and flooring, allowing homeowners to get a comprehensive view of their project's budget requirements.

Showers

When updating a bathroom, most homeowners set their sights on swapping out a shower or making a tub-shower conversion to enhance their bathing experience or use the existing space more efficiently. The average cost to install a new shower ranges from $3,800 to $15,000, depending on the shower material, type, and size. Custom shower stalls that require tiling typically cost between $25 and $35 per square foot or $5,000 - $20,000 in total. Replacing the existing shower with a new unit will cost around $1,900 - $9,300, not including plumbing work for adding or moving pipes.

Countertops

The choice of countertop material impacts the overall cost of bathroom remodeling, with luxurious options like marble and granite driving up expenses, while more economical choices such as laminate can keep budgets in check without sacrificing style. Vanities that come with pre-fit countertops are the most affordable, with an average range of $120 - $2,650 per unit. Custom options may cost you $400 - $4,500, including labor. Plus, another $350 will be added to remove and dispose of an old countertop, and $450 - $1,200 to modify the alignment of the pipes and fixtures.

Cabinets and Vanities

Bathroom furniture like cabinets and vanities is pivotal in the cost of a bathroom renovation, with high-end options considerably elevating the overall budget. If you seek to equip your bathroom with new cabinets, get ready to spend from $320 to $2,250, depending on the size and material of the unit. The cost of installing a bathroom vanity averages $380 - $1,750 for prefab units and $900 - $4,200 for custom ones.

Sinks

The choice of bathroom sink not only defines the space's functionality and style but also influences the overall renovation budget. The cost to install a bathroom sink varies from $490 to $1,100, including labor. Options like a classic undermount sink, which integrates seamlessly into the countertop, offer a sleek look at a moderate price. In contrast, trendy vessel sinks, which sit atop the counter like a bowl, can be a statement piece but might require custom countertops and additional installation work, pushing costs higher. Dual sinks, ideal for shared bathrooms, double the convenience but also the plumbing requirements, potentially affecting the budget.

Faucets and Plumbing

Enhancing your bathroom with a faucet upgrade can significantly elevate the space, with installation costs ranging from $170 to $360, depending on the sink's mounting style and the finish chosen for the faucet. Opting for a faucet with special finishes can increase the cost by an additional $10 to $100, allowing for a more personalized touch to your design. Traditional countertop-mounted faucets are generally more affordable, with prices varying between $40 and $200. On the other hand, faucets that mount directly to the wall offer a modern look but can be more costly, sometimes exceeding $750, reflecting the complexity and style of the installation.

Toilets

Replacing a toilet within a bathroom remodeling process can impact the overall project cost, though it's typically a smaller portion of the total budget. The price for a new toilet can vary widely, from as low as about $100 for basic models to upwards of $1,400 or more for high-end, feature-rich options such as those with bidets, heated seats, or eco-friendly designs that use less water per flush. Installation costs add between $150 and $250, depending on the complexity of the installation and local labor rates.

Doors and Windows

Doors and windows are critical components that influence the total cost of a bathroom renovation project. Installing a new door can range from $365 to $1,250, with choices spanning from standard pre-hung doors to more customized options like pocket doors. Adding or adjusting doors may also require constructing new walls, which can cost between $120 and $200, potentially involving additional expenses for structural or mold issues. Updating bathroom windows also plays a substantial role, with the replacement of an existing window averaging about $280. However, installing a new window, including cutting an opening, can increase costs to approximately $6,500.

Painting

Updating a bathroom's look through painting is a cost-effective and transformative approach that can refresh every nook, from the ceiling down to the vanity. You can alter the bathroom's atmosphere by harmonizing colors or integrating pops of color and contrast with décor. The cost of painting a bathroom is relatively modest, ranging between $190 and $530, covering both labor and materials. However, expenses can dip as low as about $90 for more straightforward, budget-minded projects or surge beyond $1,000 for those desiring premium paint quality and extensive surface coverage.

Tile and Flooring

The cost to tile a bathroom plays a significant role in the overall budget of a bathroom remodeling project, encompassing both the tile bathroom floor cost and the cost of tiling a shower, among other potential tiled areas. Flooring choices can vary widely in price, influenced by the type of tile selected, such as ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone, and the complexity of the pattern installation. On average, you can expect to spend $7 - $25 per square foot or $900 - $1,300 in total to tile a bathroom floor. The cost of tiling a shower includes not just the expense of the materials but also labor, which can be more demanding due to the need for waterproofing and precision in laying tiles in a wet environment. Homeowners pay around $2,750 to retile a standard-sized shower, including material and labor. Tile materials ranging from cheap ceramic to durable granite and high-end marble set the total cost of a tiling project.

Additional Features

Bathroom add-ons, encompassing everything from high-tech toilets and heated towel racks to custom mirrors and stylish lighting fixtures, play a crucial role in tailoring a renovation to your lifestyle, showcasing your design style, and enhancing functionality. While these enhancements can add to the final cost, incorporating them can elevate the enjoyment and aesthetic appeal of your space. See the table below to discover the average cost ranges you can expect to spend on bathroom accessories.

Labor Cost to Remodel a Bathroom

When breaking down the total bathroom update estimate, labor usually accounts for 40%. Spending on professional remodeling depends on the project's scale and complexity, as well as the bathroom size and layout. Local labor rates and the general approach to accomplishing a renovation project will also affect the estimated cost. 

To bring a full-fledged renovation project to life, you will need 3 to 6 specialists of different profiles. The major ones are general contractors, who charge from $65 to $100 per hour. Then plumbers, who charge $45- $200 per hour; electricians, whose rates vary from $90 to $180 per hour; and tiling pros, who charge $35 - $130 per hour or $4 to $12 per square foot.

A generalist bathroom remodeling crew providing turnkey service will charge you between $1,800 and $7,650 per project, depending on its scale and room size. Make sure to consider additional services when estimating your bathroom update budget. Demolition of the existing structures costs from $450 to $1,120 per project, while getting the necessary permits costs around $500, depending on the permit specifics and location.