Renovations 101: How Much Does it Cost to Redo a Bathroom?

No one wants an ugly, uninviting bathroom. It’s no surprise that most homeowners put their bathrooms at the top of the list for renovations, but how much does it cost to remodel a bathroom?

The cost to renovate a bathroom is based on how much work you must put into the renovation. The average cost of a bathroom remodel varies depending on the type of bathroom, where you live, the materials you’re using, and what you want to do with your bathroom.

Benefits of Remodeling Your Bathroom

Remodeling your bathroom can cost anything from $5,000 to upwards of $20,000. As previously mentioned, it depends entirely on the extent of your renovations and your choices. Before going into the cost of facilities, fixtures, and fittings, why should you take the time to remodel your bathroom?

• Fix Existing Problems – Chipped tiling, blocked drains, broken shower door? All of these problems can be fixed when you upgrade your bathroom.
• Increase Storage Space – Stop trying to balance everything on the side of the sink. Now’s the time to get yourself the space you deserve.
• Update Your Look – Bring your bathroom up to modern standards with a brand-new aesthetic.
• Increase Your Resale Value – Bathrooms are essential for anyone looking to buy a home. New bathrooms can add thousands to the value of your home.
• Add Functionality – Get more out of your bathroom with new installations. Want a tub? Looking for a shower with water jets for your body? It’s all possible with a new bathroom.
• Go Green – Use less energy with more efficient fittings and watch your energy bills drop.

There’s nothing like a new bathroom. With so many reasons to remodel your bathroom, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. If you’re ready to get going with your upgrade, let’s talk costs.

Average Cost to Remodel Bathrooms by Category

The size of your bathroom is one of the most significant factors in remodeling your bathroom. There’s a big difference between the main and your downstairs guest bathroom. Depending on which bathroom you’re looking to transform, you’ll need to adjust your budget accordingly.

Main Bathroom

The cost to redo a bathroom depends on your bathroom size and the materials you choose. The main bathroom, also known as an en suite, is the type of bathroom attached to the master bedroom.

Your bedroom’s bathroom will typically be the largest in the house. You’ll have a sink, toilet, bathtub, and shower if you’ve got a full bathroom. Some homes have a three-quarter bathroom, which includes everything a full bathroom has but without the bathtub.

A door might separate your bathroom from the bedroom, or it could be an open entrance with a small room for the toilet inside. Expect to spend anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 to remodel this type of bathroom.

However, if you’re looking to throw in some luxury elements, such as designer faucets, your bathroom remodel cost could soar as high as $50,000.

There’s also where you live to take into account. States like New York, Oregon, Washington, and California have the highest costs, whereas places like Oklahoma and Kentucky are among the lowest. It’s not necessarily because of the materials but the labor costs. Locations with a higher cost of living will increase this aspect of your remodel exponentially.

Guest Bathroom

Guest bathrooms are also full bathrooms in most homes. Unsurprisingly, these bathrooms are primarily found in the guest bedroom but can be placed in the hallway so several rooms can access the bathroom.

These remodels are usually cheaper at $3,500 to $10,000, but that’s because these bathrooms tend to be smaller and have fewer luxury features.

Like the primary bathroom, if you begin throwing luxury elements into the mix, your costs can quickly spiral out of control.

Half-Bath

Half-bath bathrooms, or powder rooms, contain only a toilet and a sink. These bathrooms are usually downstairs and close to the entrance of your home. Having a half-bath in your house is a great selling point and prevents guests from entering the most private parts of your home.

Due to their small size, these are the cheapest bathrooms to remodel, averaging between $1,500 and $4,000.

As always, be aware of the differences in location. It’s not uncommon for powder rooms in New York to cost as much as $13,000 to remodel.

Adding a New Bathroom?

Sometimes you may want to add another bathroom from scratch into an existing space. For example, you might want to convert your mud room into a new bathroom, or you may be willing to reduce the size of a guest bedroom to make way for a toilet, sink, and standing shower.

If you’re remodeling part of your home to add another bathroom, throw the above averages out of the window. The best way to figure out how much those renovation projects cost is to get in touch with Bordner Home Improvement. We’ll be able to give you an accurate quote based on the work involved.

Breakdown of Bathroom Remodel Cost

Some of these figures might have surprised you. Who knew that remodeling a bathroom could be so pricy?

The reality is COVID-19 has driven prices up due to global supply chain issues and overwhelming demand. Contractors have never been busier, and they can’t keep up with the number of costs. A complex range of factors means you can no longer expect pre-pandemic averages for home renovations.

If you’re looking for the cost to remodel a bathroom, we’ll break down what goes into it.

Labor

The materials aren’t the main part of your bill. Labor accounts for up to 65% of your total spend. The average contractor will charge anywhere from $50 to $70 per hour, so the more time-consuming the task, the more you can expect to spend.

The chances are you’ll also need the help of a local plumber who knows their way around bathrooms. You may need to bring in a licensed local electrician to complete some projects. Don’t worry because Bordner supplies the team ready to take on the job at hand. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and let us do the work.

So, what do all the different professionals cost in this day and age?

• General Contractor – Up to $400 per day
• Plumber – Up to $2,000 total
• Electrician – Up to $100 per hour
• Interior Designer – Up to $500 total

It’s easy to think you should look for a cheaper contractor with labor costing so much. This is a mistake. The cost of a poorly executed bathroom remodel will far outweigh paying a few extra dollars now. It’s always wise to invest in quality over cost.

Shower Unit

The cost of your new shower can range from $500 for basic standing showers to $5,000 for more extensive, luxury options. It depends on the features you want in the shower and what the shower is made of.

One of the costliest shower options includes stone flooring and in-shower seats. These can easily cost $4,000, and sometimes they go as high as $5,000. The acrylic showers in most homes can cost as little as $500.

Countertops

Installing countertops in your bathroom is your opportunity to add a little luxury to your life. Contrary to popular belief, countertops in the bathroom don’t need the same durability as kitchen countertops. Even though bathrooms are high-traffic areas, you will use your countertops far less.

If you’re looking for the cheapest countertop option, choose laminate. These are affordable and simple to install.

Cabinets

Expand the amount of storage space you have with some well-placed cabinets. Once you’ve answered, “how much does a bathroom remodel cost?” you should be sure that cabinets are included in the estimate.

Extra cabinets give you more storage space and enable you to leave your bathroom looking cleaner and more open, rather than having bottles and other accessories everywhere.

Every manufacturer will have a different price tag on their cabinets, so make sure you shop around. Cabinets are also more challenging to install than you think, so amateur DIYers should beware about taking on this aspect of a bathroom remodel.

Installation costs can be as high as $13,000, but if you choose a more cost-effective material, you can get a new set of bathroom cabinets for as little as $1,200.

Toilet

How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom toilet? This is one of the cheapest parts of your bathroom to switch up. The material and installation costs are low compared to other parts of your bathroom.

If you’re just looking for a toilet that does the job, the cheapest toilets can cost as little as $80. However, if you’re looking for something more high-end, you can find luxury toilets for up to $8,000.

Vanity

Vanities in your bathroom include counters, sinks, faucets, and cabinets. If you’re on a budget, adding just a couple of designer options can revamp the look of your bathroom. Breaking your budget on vanities is one of the best ways of getting that fashionable look without blowing up your bank account.

Expect to spend anywhere from $300 to $3,800 on vanities. However, if you’re investing in custom vanities, it’s not uncommon to spend more than $10,000.

Make sure you talk to Bordner about making the most of vanities to get your desired look.

Flooring

Flooring makes a massive difference to your bathroom. The chances are you’ll be walking into your bathroom barefoot, so the material under your feet can help or hinder you.

Linoleum, the same material found in most kitchens, is the most budget-friendly option on the table. A single sheet of linoleum covering the average bathroom can be found for as little as $45. Plus, the installation is fast and easy, which will further reduce the costs of your bathroom.

Wood flooring can cost up to $200. Again, it depends on the type of material you use. Simple wooden flooring is cheap, but if you’ve got your eye on luxury woods that need to be imported, make sure you shop for the best deals. Stone floors cost even more, especially if you opt for a luxury stone type. If you want a custom pattern on your flooring, expect the price to spike.

Plumbing

The plumbing system is what makes your bathroom tick. Part of restoring and remodeling a bathroom is checking to ensure that your plumbing is in working order.

Unfortunately, you may have a growing problem that you haven’t yet noticed. For example, corroded pipes can mean ripping out your plumbing and replacing it, costing thousands of dollars.

Plumbing is expensive, meaning that you could spend an average of $16,000 in labor costs just to bring your bathroom’s plumbing up to standard.

Tiling

Tiling your bathroom will involve covering the walls, shower, and occasionally the floor. It’s usually the most visible part of a bathroom, and the right design can make or break this part of your home.

Surrounding your shower with tile can cost $2,000, with materials and labor considered. You’ll also need to consider the backsplash to protect your building.

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are the most popular tiling options because they’re durable and work well in wet environments. If you want to upgrade your tiles, marble is another popular option.

The tiles alone can cost $5 to $10 per square foot, which doesn’t factor in installation costs or removing the old tiles.

Ultimately, expect to spend between $1,500 and $3,000 just on tiling. Your costs will vary if you want luxury materials or a custom-designed tile.

Other Factors That Affect Bathroom Renovation Costs

Determining how much to remodel a bathroom is a challenge because so many aspects go into coming up with the final price. It underpins the importance of approaching a talented team of professionals like Bordner to get a customized quote.

When calculating how much it costs to remodel a bathroom, there are still more elements that you may need to consider. Here’s a rundown of the other secondary factors influencing your budget.

Changing the Floor Plan

Altering the existing floor plan of your bathroom can cost $5,000 or more, depending on the project's complexity. Keeping the current layout is the most cost-efficient way of dealing with your bathroom.

Ideally, you will want to keep the toilet, shower, and sink in the same location. However, if you’re enlarging your bathroom, you might find that the value it adds to your home outweighs the project's cost.

Speak to your Bordner contractor for advice on getting your dream bathroom while keeping your costs down.

Bathroom Demolition

Bathroom remodels that involve demolition work will always cost considerably more. Creating a different footprint, such as turning a half-bath into a full bathroom, will also increase the time it takes to complete the renovations.

Demolition can get even more expensive if the wall you’re removing is a load-bearing wall. Your contractor must also account for diverting water pipes and cutting the electrical lines. Whether this applies to your remodel depends on your home’s layout and the location of the bathroom you’re renovating.

Water Damage

Most homeowners believe that water damage is obvious. That is not the case. Sometimes a cracked bathtub, failing toilet, or leaky faucet only becomes apparent after your contractor starts ripping out your existing bathroom.

If you don’t take care of the issue now, you can expect thousands more in repair costs in the long term. Remember, homeowners insurance usually won’t cover damage caused by improper maintenance. Your contractor will be able to advise you if they discover any hidden plumbing problems that could impact your home.

Building Permits

Some municipalities may require you to take out a building permit when performing internal renovations. The price of a building permit depends on your location, with the cheapest permits beginning at $175 and the most expensive being over $2,000.

Getting in touch with the permitting agency or local building code enforcement organization can be daunting. However, your contractor will handle all the issues of permitting for you. In most cases, they will include the cost of the permit in the final invoice after the work is done.

Custom Features – Is Anything New Being Added?

Custom fixtures and fittings are a way to make your bathroom truly yours. It’s an opportunity to add a layer of uniqueness to your home. Unfortunately, customized bathrooms will come at a cost because they must be designed and manufactured according to your specifications.

It’s not uncommon for custom features to cost four or five times more than standardized options found at any hardware store.

Unless you have an unlimited budget, choose one or two focus areas for custom features. For example, opting for a custom faucet arrangement is one of the most cost-effective ways of incorporating custom elements into your bathroom.

Additional Electrical Works

Plumbing work could be required after the work begins, but the same goes for electrical appliances. Major remodels involving changing the floor plan could impact where the electrical lines run through your home.

Working with electricity is challenging because access points must be created, and a specialist electrician needs to be called in to ensure your bathroom will be safe.

Like with the plumbing, you may be unaware of any required electrical work until the work begins.

Accessibility

Accessibility can be viewed through two lenses. First, you may be adding features to support the elderly and/or disabled. Grab bars in the bathtub, non-slip flooring, and toilets suitable for wheelchair users are all options you may consider.

Depending on your household’s accessibility requirements, adding these features can cost anything from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

On the other hand, the accessibility of your bathroom will also influence how long it takes to rip out the old bathroom and install the new one. Thankfully, most modern homes don’t have this problem, but if you live in a period home, special arrangements may need to be made to improve the accessibility of your bathroom from the contractor’s point of view.

How to Reduce the Cost of Your Bathroom Remodel

Not everyone has a massive budget to remodel their bathrooms. Not everyone wants to take out a loan or cash in some of their home’s equity to fund this project.

Once you’ve worked out your budget, you can take steps to reduce further the cost of your bathroom remodel. Here are a few great ideas that can save you thousands of dollars on your project.

Assess Your Plans

What do you absolutely need to change, and what do you want to change?

Divide your plans into needs and wants. The more you change, the more you can expect to pay. Keeping the bathtub/shower, toilet, and sink in the same locations can dramatically cut how much you spend on remodeling your bathroom.

Don’t Move the Plumbing Fixtures

Plumbing can add a considerable amount to the overall cost of your renovation project. Try to avoid moving the plumbing fixtures around unless you have to.

You’ll be surprised at the reduced labor costs when you don’t need to employ a plumber.

Use Materials that are Similar, But Different

Is it really necessary to use that luxury wood imported from Brazil? Think about those expensive materials and which ones look similar.

Get your contractor to help you out with this. Take their suggestions onboard. You may be surprised to learn how similar some stone and wood types can be. Using similar but different materials can give you roughly the same finish at a fraction of the cost.

Compare Quotes

Employing a professional to manage your bathroom remodel is critical to getting the long-lasting results you expect. Trying to play around with the plumbing, electricity, and grouting yourself could lead to you causing irreparable damage, not to mention how unsafe it can be for even regular DIYers.

Make sure you get quotes from multiple contractors in your area. Many bathroom remodelers will even offer price match services to ensure they always offer the lowest prices to their clients.

Get Your Bathroom Renovation Project in Motion with Bordner

At Bordner Home Improvement, we know how exciting it can be to get your bathroom renovation project off the ground. The issue of cost is the most common concern homeowners have.

Our team can help you get the most affordable bathroom without compromising quality. Whether you want to add new tile or complete a bathtub installation in the Kansas City area, Bordner has you covered. We’ll work with you to provide advice and update your plans as needed. Whether you have a little or a lot, we specialize in making things work for you.

To get your free quote on your dream bathroom, get in touch at any time by calling us at 816-852-3745.