How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation or Remodel Cost?

One of the most popular types of renovations is some type of bathroom renovation. Bathroom renovation, or a bathroom remodel, is a broad term. In one sense, you could argue that "bathroom renovation" is overly-broad since it covers so many options.

When someone says they are renovating a bathroom they could mean that they are just changing out the faucets, shower head and toilets. Or they could mean that they are replacing the bathtub and adding a new vanity. Or it could mean that they are gutting the entire bathroom, taking down a wall, and expanding a small bathroom into a master bathroom.



So when you ask, How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation cost? The reponse should be, Well, How Much Bathroom Renovation Do You Want?

Cost of Materials

One of the biggest factors in the cost of a bathroom renovation is the cost of materials.

Let's define our terms. Materials are things that go into your new bathroom. They could include basics like plywood for subfloors. They would could also cover items like cabinets, vanities, new sinks, and new bathtubs.

Materials are the "stuff" we put into our new bathroom, and of course "stuff" costs money. How much money does this stuff cost?

It varies and depends largely on your tastes.

Take the example of the bathtub. A staple of cleanliness since the 1800s. A basic bathtub can run between $200 to $300 USD. Nothing special. But what if you want an oversized bathtub? Or a bathtub with spa jets and whirlpools? That kind of tub could run anywhere from $500 to $1500. Super exotic models can run as high as $2,500.

Cost of Labor

Labor can account for a large portion of your budget. Upwards of twenty percent of a bathroom remodeling budget. There are two ways you can save money on the cost of labor.

First, if you are using a contractor, or multiple contractors, get a decent number of estimates. Think of estimates like comparison shopping. Chances are you check out Amazon, Costco, and Best Buy before you bought your last TV. Why wouldn't you do the same for a bathroom remodel?

The common wisdom dictates that you should get at least three estimates. For larger jobs, get more than three. Around 5 estimates. And if you get three estimates and you aren't happy with any of the contractors you talked to? Get three more. When you are shopping for contractors don't just settle. Find the contractor that is right for you and right for your budget.

The second tip to save money on a bathroom remodel is do some of the work yourself.

Obviously, you probably don't want to knock out an entire wall yourself (unless you have some construction experience), but you can do some light demolition yourself. For instance, removing tile and cabinets is a fairly straightforward demo and can save you a lot of money on a demolition contractor.

The same holds true for the construction process. Maybe you can opt to swap out your faucet or install your own toilet. Little things like this saves hours, and hours saved translates into savings on labor costs.

What Are The Average Costs of Bathroom Renovations?

According to 2012 Consumer Reports article the average cost of a bathroom remodel is $16,000. For luxury bathrooms, the costs can ramble as high as just above $56,000.