You’ve decided you want to renovate your bathroom! What should you do next? One of the first questions you probably want to answer is, “How much does a bathroom remodel cost?”
The cost of bathroom remodeling projects seems to be a well-kept secret by contractors. Most of the time, they won’t have pricing information on their websites and they won’t tell you anything about price until you have spent hours in a sales presentation. Why does it feel like you have to waste your time and jump through hoops just to get a seemingly simple answer?!
We think it shouldn’t have to be this way! We here at JSB Home Solutions have been in the home remodeling game for over 45 years and we have seen the frustration and wasted time for homeowners and contractors alike that comes from gatekeeping project cost information. So we have promised to take a different approach. In fact, we feel so strongly that transparent pricing should be a standard that we’ve put bathroom pricing up on a dedicated page on our website.
In this article, you will learn how much a bathroom renovation should cost in the remodeling industry today based on the type of project and size of your bathroom. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need to set a realistic renovation budget and find a contractor that fits within that price point.
Table of Contents:
- What is the Average Cost of a Bathroom Remodel?
- What is a Realistic Budget for a Bathroom Remodel?
- What are all the Costs Associated with a Bathroom Remodel?
- What Will a Bathroom Remodel Cost for Bathrooms of Different Sizes?
What is the Average Cost of a Bathroom Remodel?
The average cost of a bathroom remodel can range from $5,000 - $50,000 depending on many factors. Some high-end bathroom projects can even exceed $100,000! With such a wide range, let’s break it down into more helpful categories so you can see more closely where your project might fall.
Cost Of Replacing Your Tub Or Shower
The simplest category of bathroom remodel is replacing a tub or shower with a similar size and shape tub or shower. This would also include tub-to-shower conversions. We call these wetspace-only projects because they focus on the area of a bathroom that comes in contact with a large amount of water.
Tub or shower replacement remodels typically cost $6,000 - $15,000.
Cost Of A Full Bathroom Remodel
A full bathroom is a bathroom that has at least one sink, a toilet, and a tub or shower. Full bathrooms could also be called a hall bathroom or guest bathroom and are usually connected to a hallway for easy access through a common area of your home.
Full bathroom remodels usually cost between $15,000 - $50,000. The range is wide because there are a lot of variables to consider such as the size of the bathroom and the work being done. Here are some examples of things that could be included in a full bathroom remodel:
- Fixtures: New sinks, faucets, showerheads, and toilets.
- Tubs/Showers: new tub surrounds or shower walls, glass tub or shower doors, new tub or shower base
- Cabinetry and Countertops: Updated storage and surfaces.
- Flooring: Fresh tiles or other flooring materials.
- Lighting: Improved or new light fixtures.
- Plumbing: Upgraded pipes or rerouting if necessary.
- Paint and Wallpaper: New wall finishes.
- Accessories: Mirrors, towel racks, and other finishing touches.
The more pieces included in your remodel, the higher the price range your project will fall into.
Cost Of A Master Bathroom Remodel
A master bathroom is also a full bathroom but is connected to your house's main bedroom. Master bathrooms can also be called primary bathrooms, owner’s bathrooms, or en suites. This type of bathroom is most likely larger than a typical full bathroom and is more likely to have two sinks and separate tub and shower spaces, although this isn’t a requirement.
Master bathroom remodels fall in the $18,000 - $50,000+ price range although they are more likely to land towards the upper end of the range because they tend to have more features as described above. All of the same tasks could be included in a master bathroom remodel as listed for a full bathroom.
What is a Realistic Budget for a Bathroom Remodel?
The best way to set your budget for a bathroom remodel is to follow a few simple steps to identify which category your project best fits.
- Identify the Problem(s) You Want to Address During Your Project: What is it about your bathroom that has you looking into a renovation? Is it outdated and unsightly? Is your shower leaking? Are you looking to get more out of your house when you sell?
- Identify if You are Considering a Tub/Shower Replacement or a Complete Bathroom Remodel: If you are considering a tub/shower replacement, then your budget should be around $6,000 - $15,000. If you are looking at a complete bathroom renovation, move to step three.
- Measure Your Bathroom: Get out your tape measure and determine the dimensions of your bathroom. If your bathroom is around 5x7, you might want your budget close to $17,000 - $30,000. If your bathroom is closer to the 10x10 range, a realistic budget will be $24,000 and up. There are further breakdowns of cost based on bathroom size later in this article.
What are all the Costs Associated with a Bathroom Remodel?
Two main categories contribute to the cost of your bathroom remodel: labor costs and material costs.
Labor Costs
Labor costs are determined by what tasks are being completed as part of your bathroom remodel. Your contractor may refer to this as the scope of work for your project. The more tasks that are completed or the more intensive the tasks, the greater the scope of work. And therefore, the higher the labor costs.
For example, a remodel that is converting a tub to a shower would involve removing the old tub and installing a shower base, shower walls, a new shower head, and a shower door. This project would have a lesser scope of work than converting a tub to a shower and replacing the toilet, floor, and vanity.
Material Costs
The other piece of bathroom remodel costs is the materials that you select for your new space. You will have many options to choose from along a continuum of prices. For example, here at JSB, we have three types of shower walls for you to choose from: acrylic, solid surface, and cultured marble. They each have their perks but they also offer different price points for you to choose from.
What Will a Bathroom Remodel Cost for Bathrooms of Different Sizes?
One of the most influential factors in determining the cost of your bathroom remodel is the size of your bathroom.
5x7 Bathroom Remodel
5 x 7 is an average size for a full bathroom. A basic full-bathroom remodel of this size could average $17,000 - $21,000. As an example, with budget-friendly material selections, you could redo your shower with new walls, base, and fixtures, replace your toilet, and install a new floor and countertop.
For a full gut of a 5 x 7 bathroom, you are looking at an average of $21,000 - $30,000+. This type of bathroom project could include a new shower (base, walls, and fixtures), new floor, new toilet, new vanity, new countertop, new lighting and mirror, and new towel bars and other accessories. You can always go higher than this range depending on the contractor you work with and the material selections you make.
10x10 Bathroom Remodel
10 x 10 is an average size for a master bathroom. This size of bathroom remodel is going to start around the $24,000 mark, even for entry-level projects. Once again, this could include new shower walls, base, and fixtures, replacing your toilet, and a new floor and countertop.
Full gut remodels of 10 x 10 bathrooms will start around $30,000 and can reach well into the $50,000 - $60,000 range. Custom bathrooms with luxury materials can reach even higher. The advantage of a full-gut renovation is that everything in your bathroom will be new and styled exactly how you envision it.
Now That You Know the Cost, What Are The Next Steps With Bathroom Remodeling?
Remodeling your bathroom in 2024 can be a rewarding project, whether you're looking to sell your home or just want to enjoy a more modern and comfortable space. Bathroom remodel costs don’t have to be a secret locked in the remodeling industry vault. From simple updates to luxurious overhauls, there's a remodel to fit every budget and style.
To jumpstart your bathroom remodel planning, follow these steps:
- Identify Your Goals: Make a list of all the changes you want to make in your bathroom, and then prioritize them based on what’s most important to you. This will also help you determine which bathroom remodeling approach your project requires so that you can find a contractor who fits with that approach.
- Determine Your Budget: Research project costs in your are to help you set a realistic budget for your goals. This will help you plan more effectively and ensure your project is financially feasible from start to finish. The Cost vs Value Report published by the National Remodeler magazine is a great place to start to get pricing information specific to your geographic location. You can also get average pricing for bathroom remodels with JSB on our website and in our learning center.
- Hire Your Contractor: Interview several contractors to better understand how they can help you with your project. Just searching for bathroom remodelers on the internet can be nerve-wracking and overwhelming so we have compiled a list of the best bathroom remodelers in Columbus, OH to help narrow down the list.
At JSB Home Solutions, we know that you will find peace in the bathroom renovation process. We will be there with you from start to finish and help guide you through our process to ensure that you are making not only the best financial decision but also the best decision for your family.
