There are plenty of reasons to consider a bathroom remodel. Maybe you’ve long dreamed of having a big, luxurious tub and a relaxing, spa-like atmosphere. Maybe you’re getting up there in years and wish to make some accessibility concessions. Or maybe you plan to list and sell and want to make sure your bathroom gives buyers something they’ll love.
Regardless of your motives, there are a few common questions you’ll want to consider as you plan your renovation. First on the list: How much does a bathroom remodel cost? And closely related to that, is it more cost-effective to handle the renovations on your own, or to hire a pro?
Let’s take these important bathroom renovation questions one at a time.
How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Bathroom?
First and foremost, the average cost of a bathroom remodel can potentially be a little steep. For a large bathroom, particularly one upgraded with high-end features and amenities, the cost for a remodeling job can exceed $25,000.
That may seem like a hefty price tag, but there are several things to keep in mind. For one, a bathroom remodel may bring a significant increase in your quality of life. Also remember that investing in a bathroom remodel is an effective way to boost the value of your home. All that’s just to say that, though expensive, a bathroom model can prove to be well worth it.
What’s the Bathroom Remodel Cost per Square Foot?
Another way to calculate your bathroom remodeling cost is by square foot. The price can vary quite a bit depending on the extent of the work you need done. For more minor improvements, especially in smaller or half baths, the cost for renovation may be as little as $70 per square foot. But for high-end or large-scale projects, you’re probably looking at somewhere between $250 and $275 per square foot.
Which Factors Influence the Cost of Your Bathroom Remodel?
As you consider the total cost of a bathroom remodel, there are a number of factors to keep in mind. These factors can include:
- The location of the bathroom (e.g., upstairs or down)
- The total square footage of the bathroom
- Whether the bathroom is a full or half bath
- The cost of materials, including vinyl, tile, cabinetry, etc.
- The need for plumbing or electrical work, especially when relocating a toilet, installing new lighting, etc.
- Whether or not you are looking to expand the total square footage
- Whether you are adding features for people with disabilities
- Whether you are adding special features, including skylights
- Your geography (especially if you’re hiring pros, as rates can vary from state to state)
Factor in all of these things as you estimate the average bathroom remodel cost.
What’s Included in a Bathroom Remodel?
As you consider the cost of your bathroom renovation, you’ll naturally want to know exactly what you’re paying for. Here’s a breakdown of everything that’s included in the overall bathroom renovation cost.
Demolition
Before you can start building your new bathroom, you’ll need to rip up the old one. This may involve ripping out old fixtures, flooring, and more. Remember that you can do this yourself, essentially for free (though you may need to pay a fee for waste disposal). Alternatively, you can hire a pro, and pay an hourly rate.
Expansion
If you wish to expand the total square footage of your bathroom, you’ll need to pay to have the new section of the bathroom plumbed and wired. These costs can add up, and will vary both by the materials available and by the hourly rates of your pro.
Adding Disability Features
Depending on the type of accessibility options and aging-in-place features you want to add, you can anticipate this expense running anywhere from $1,500 to $9,000.
Large Items
Larger items will naturally cause your bathroom renovation costs to balloon. A few examples include:
- Toilets (anywhere from $100 to $1,500)
- Showers ($300–$3,000)
- Bathtubs ($600-$10,000)
Small Fixtures
Small fixtures can go a long way toward making a bathroom feel new. And luckily, these are typically not as pricey as the big-ticket items we listed above. A few examples of small fixtures include faucets, showerheads, knobs, mirrors, fans, and beyond. Depending on the types of fixtures you need, you may spend anywhere from a few hundred to a couple thousand bucks.
Cabinetry
You’ll likely want to install new cabinets or shelving as part of your bathroom remodel. This may cost anywhere from $300 to $3,000, depending on the materials you choose as well as the size of your bathroom.
Tile
What’s a bathroom reno without a new tile floor? Professional tile installation usually runs around $860–$2,600 for porcelain, or $900–$2,800 if you choose stone tile.
Countertops
If you spring for new countertops, expect to spend at least $200, and maybe as much as $1,000.
Paint
Thankfully, paint usually isn’t that expensive, especially if you do it yourself. The paint itself shouldn’t be more than $100, if that. Naturally, if you hire a professional paint crew, you’ll be subject to hourly rates.
Pro vs. DIY Remodel: Is One More Cost Effective?
Obviously, there are a lot of factors to keep in mind as you determine the budget for your home renovation project. And one of the first things you’ll need to decide is whether you plan on handling the work by yourself, or calling in pros.
How Much Do Licensed Renovators Charge?
If you decide to call in licensed laborers, you can expect to be charged an hourly rate of at least $50, possibly as much as $110. (Rates can vary by location.) For many homeowners, this will add up to roughly half of the total renovation budget.
One thing to note is that hiring laborers will cause your costs to go up, but laborers may save you a few bucks by getting materials from a wholesaler.
Should You Hire A Pro or Go DIY?
There’s no question that hiring pros will be more expensive… but for many homeowners, it will also be well worth it. Remember:
- DIY takes a ton of time away from your family, your hobbies, perhaps even your day job.
- If you go DIY, you may make mistakes that require you to redo what you’ve already done… compounding the total project expense.
- DIY renovations can sometimes be dangerous, especially when it comes to plumbing and electrical work.
- Frankly, pros will usually produce higher standards of work. This can be especially relevant if you’re remodeling to sell.
All that’s to say, for more major projects, DIY may not be worth it. Consider the merits of hiring a home renovation professional.
Search for Pros on SOLD.com
The bottom line? If you have epic bathroom remodeling dreams, it might make the most sense to enlist a pro. We’d love to connect you with one. Search for pros on SOLD.com to find a skilled, licensed bathroom remodeler in your neck of the woods.
