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How much does a bathroom renovation cost?

The costs you can expect and how to pay for big changes.

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Kellye Guinan
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Revamping your bathroom can add plenty of value to your home, but you’ll need to plan ahead to ensure everything goes smoothly — and doesn’t cost you a fortune. Your home’s location, the size of the space, the materials you want to use and labor costs will all impact your total renovation budget.

Our guide will help you start the planning process to confidently take on your bathroom remodel through to completion.

Average cost of a bathroom renovation

Most bathroom remodels cost between $6,500 to $16,00, according to Home Advisor. If you’re planning on replacing a few fixtures to freshen up the space, you might only have to spend a few hundred dollars. But if you want to have the layout changed, you’ll have to shell out thousands of dollars to cover a full renovation.

The best way to determine how much it might cost to renovate your bathroom is to request quotes from different contractors. Once you have several quotes, compare the costs to help guide your budget.

For larger renovations and tasks you can’t do yourself, set aside money for a professional — and expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour. Request an estimate from multiple companies. Take the average you receive and budget for this when you’re determining how much you should plan to pay a professional.

In addition to the costs of hiring outside help, you’ll also be responsible for paying for the materials. Check out popular home improvement warehouses and small local shops to find the cost of the materials.

ItemTypical Range*Percent of Total Budget
Fixtures (toilets, sinks)$200 – $1,80010% – 20%
Showers$300 – $3,0005% – 25%
Bathroom vanity$300 – $3,80010% – 30%
Countertops cost$200 – $1,0005% – 10%
Lighting$100 – $4005% – 7%
Bathroom fan costs$50 – $3002% – $5%
Flooring$200 – $1,35010% – 15%
Entry doors and windows cost$200 – $1,8008% – 10%
Painting costs$150 – $5505% – 6%
Faucets and plumbing$250 – $1,45012% – 16%

What factors do I need to consider when renovating a bathroom?

Beyond spending money on a professional contractor, plumber or electrician, you’ll need to know how high-end you want your bathroom to be. These six categories are the most common features home owners take on during a bathroom remodel.

Tiling

Depending on the supplier and the finish, standard ceramic wall tiles will cost between $10 to $15 per square foot. Floor tiles are generally more expensive, with prices ranging between $35 to $50 per square foot for ceramic and $50 to $100 for porcelain or natural stone.

Because every job differs, finding an average rate for tile installation is difficult. Browse review sites that rate contractors in your local area to learn the costs per project. When you find two or three companies you’d like to work with, ask for pictures of their previous work and for references. Be sure to specify that you would like your quote to include the cost of floor preparation and waterproofing.

Whatever you choose, a large portion of your bathroom renovation budget will go towards buying the tile and paying for its installation. Don’t be shocked to spend a few thousand dollars on this portion of the project.

Shower enclosure

The type of shower enclosure you choose for your bathroom can have a big impact on the overall aesthetics of the space.

The average cost of a shower enclosure ranges from $600 to $1,300, and having it installed will cost you another $300 to $1,000. To help minimize the cost of installing the shower enclosure, consider using a shower tray, shower walls and a framed glass shower screen. This makes the process much easier, and while it won’t be custom, the end result can be equally beautiful.

Bathtub

Modern bathtubs make great additions to bathrooms and can help to create a luxurious space. However, installing a bathtub isn’t the easiest project and will definitely require the help of a professional.

A basic acrylic tub could set you back between $500 to $1,000. If you’re looking for something more unique, like cast iron or marble, expect to pay more for tub itself, the installation and the reinforcements for the floor.

Labor costs between $45 to $65 per hour. Your plumber will have to remove the old tub and install the new one. This is a long process and may take two or more days to complete.

Toilet

Although not the most glamorous component, the toilet is often the most well-used feature of any bathroom.

On average, a two-piece toilet costs about $100 to $200. These can be installed by a handy homeowner, but if you’re already hiring a plumber for another part of your bathroom and don’t want to deal with the mess, a plumber will be able to replace your toilet within a few hours.

For a sleek and stylish look, many people opt for a one-piece unit. These models are more expensive with prices ranging from $250 on the low end to over $1,000 for a premium model.

No matter what type of toilet you decide to go for, opt for one with a high water-efficiency rating. You’ll limit the amount of wastewater and lower your future water bills.

Vanity and cabinets

The placement, size and style of the vanity impacts two features: your bathroom’s overall look, and your budget. There’s a huge variety of vanities out there for every person’s unique needs. Take the time to browse home improvement websites and stores to find the exact look that matches you.

Before you start looking at prices, determine what type of vanity you need. Purchase a complete set — a vanity with a top — or buy each piece separately. The average vanity with room for one sink costs between $300 to $700. A vanity with room for two sinks costs between $1,300 to $1,800.

The cost of installation is roughly $200 to $350, though many homeowners decide to tackle this project themselves, especially when they have a vanity delivered as one complete piece. If you go through one of the large home improvement warehouses, you may be able to find cheap or free installation included with your purchase.

Lighting

Enhancing the appearance of your bathroom can be as simple as replacing an outdated light fixture. While you may want an electrician to install a complex system or if you have an older home and are unsure of the wiring behind the walls, many homeowners find that this is a simple task they can do by themselves.

The downside to having so many options — and really, you could spend days browsing online for the perfect fixture — is that the price range varies considerably from one brand to the next. The size of your space, what you need lit and the overall aesthetic of other parts of your bathroom will inform how much money you should spend on lighting. For the most part, you’ll be able to find a nice fixture that fits your budget.

Compare financing options for renovating a bathroom

While saving up will be the least expensive way to finance a bathroom remodel, credit cards, personal loans and HELOCs offer more flexibility and added benefits.

Small renovations: Consider a credit card

Credit cards are handy if you’re making small changes to your bathroom or need quick repairs. We recommend a cashback credit card — but if you plan on frequent spending, any rewards card will benefit you.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Finder rating 4.7 / 5 ★★★★★

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on Creditcards.com's secure site
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Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make. This is one of the stronger rewards out there, which means you'll be saving money every time you spend money on materials or labor. Best of all, it's unlimited rewards, so you'll continue to earn cash back on your purchases no matter how much you spend.

Moderate renovations: Consider a personal loan

Personal loans are ideal for midsize remodels. They have lower rates than credit cards and you can typically borrow much more. We’ve chosen an online lender backed by a bank, but you can find personal loans from a variety of providers.

LightStream personal loans

Finder rating 4.83 / 5 ★★★★★

Read Review
We picked LightStream as best for home renovation because of its competitive rates and large loans. It has some of the lowest interest rates out there and offers solid benefits when you borrow. Plus you could be eligible for up to $100,000 — which may make it a good alternative to a home equity loan, too.
  • Available in all states

Major renovations: Consider a HELOC

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is one of the most common ways to pay for a bathroom remodel. You’ll use the equity already built into your home as collateral, which means lower rates. And we’ve picked a connection service so you can browse a wide range of options before you borrow.

LendingTree

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LendingTree works with lenders that offer HELOCs and standard home equity loans. Because it's a connection service, you could qualify for a HELOC even if you don't have the best credit. And if LendingTree finds a better deal, it will notify you right away.

Bottom line

Bathroom remodels are considered one of the top ways to improve your home. But because of the work involved and cost of materials, you’ll need to save up and secure the right type of financing.

If the bathroom is only one part of your project, browse the most common home renovation projects to understand the full cost you might be taking on.

  1. 2021 Cost of a Bathroom Remodel, 16 April 2020

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