Bathtubs on the second floor
Be careful if you’re installing a bathtub on the second floor of a house. A tub can be extremely heavy when filled with water. The room may need to be structurally modified to withstand this weight.
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How much does a bathroom renovation cost?
Learn how much you'll need to budget when renovating your bathroom.
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.
How much you’ll need to budget for your bathroom renovation depends on a number of factors. The location of your home, the size of the space, the materials you want to use and the cost of labor will all impact your total renovation budget.
Our guide will help you start the planning process so you can go into your bathroom remodel with the confidence to succeed.
What’s the cost of a bathroom renovation?
The full cost of a bathroom renovation depends on what you want to change. If you’re planning on replacing a few fixtures to freshen up the space, you might only have to spend a few hundred dollars. On the other hand, if you want to have the layout changed, you’ll have to shell out thousands of dollars to cover the cost of moving plumbing and having everything installed.
There’s no hard and fast rule for what a bathroom renovation will cost. According Home Advisor, the average cost of a complete bathroom renovation is about $10,000. Your renovation may cost more or less depending on what you want to have done. 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, you can compare the costs to help guide your budget.
For larger renovations and things you can’t do yourself, set aside money for a professional. If you’re having plumbing installed, you can expect to pay a flat rate. For flooring and tiling jobs, expect an hourly rate based on the size of the space and the complexity of the pattern requested. A plumber or other professional will charge anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour depending on their experience and your location. You can and should 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. This will help guide you when calculating what sort of budget you’ll need to compete your project.
How much do the different parts of a bathroom cost?
Tiling
Tiling will be a major factor to consider for the cost of your renovation. 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.
Home owners with a smaller budget might only want to tile the floor and the walls of the shower, though the latter is optional.
If you’re planning a large renovation and have a budget that reflects it, you may want to opt for tiling the walls from floor to ceiling. This is a costly option, especially if you opt for an expensive stone like granite or travertine.
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 just as 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. This will help your future water bills by limiting waste.
Vanity and Cabinet
The placement, size and style of the vanity not only impacts the overall look of your bathroom, but it will also impact your budget. There is 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. You can 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 lighting 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.
Sample project costs for every budget
Bathroom sizes vary considerably across the US. The age of your home, the amount of previous work done to it and what region of the country you live in will impact the size of your bathroom. For our sample projects, we’ve calculated costs for a bathroom of 45 square feet with a shower/tub combination.
Below is a summary of the costs for each budget range. Labor is an addition cost that should be budgeted separately. This estimate doesn’t consider the potential cost of moving major plumbing to different areas of the space, but if you’d like to rearrange your floorplan, you should expect to pay a premium for this time-consuming service.
Small Budget
| Fitting | Price |
|---|---|
| Flooring tiles | $1 per square foot / $45 |
| Shower faucet | $45 |
| Vanity (30 inch) | $199 |
| Vanity top | $99 |
| Vanity faucet | $27 |
| Toilet | $168 |
| Mirror | $47 |
| Fiberglass tub | $210 |
| Lighting | $40 |
| Finishings | $40 |
| Paint | $60 |
| Labor Costs | $50/hr $1,750(40hrs) |
| Approximate cost | $2,980 |
Moderate Budget
| Fitting | Price |
|---|---|
| Flooring tiles | $5 per square foot / $225 |
| Shower faucet | $115 |
| Vanity (30 inch) | $369 |
| Vanity top | $550 |
| Vanity faucet | $425 |
| Toilet | $505 |
| Mirror | $249 |
| Fiberglass tub | $351 |
| Lighting | $119 |
| Finishings | $59 |
| Paint | $100 |
| Labor Costs | $100/hr $7,000(70hrs) |
| Approximate cost | $10,067 |
Large Budget
| Fitting | Price |
|---|---|
| Flooring tiles | $9 per square foot / $405 |
| Shower faucet | $400 |
| Vanity with top (30 inch) | $1,800 |
| Vanity faucet | $950 |
| Toilet | $1,600 |
| Mirror | $335 |
| Fiberglass tub | $685 |
| Lighting | $278 |
| Finishings | $100 |
| Paint | $100 |
| Labor Costs | $150/hr $15,000(100hrs) |
| Approximate cost | $20,853 |
These prices can be considered the approximate cost of a DIY bathroom project, some renovations may require an electrician or contractor and could add labor costs. Be sure to contact a qualified professional for installation of plumbing and flooring.
What else should I keep in mind?
Budget
Once you’ve researched of the costs involved for your renovation, you’ll need to determine your budget. Generally, a home renovation should be around 5% of the purchase price of the property. For example, for a $500,000 home, a home renovation budget may be around $25,000. You’ll need to decide how much you’ll allocate to the main bathroom. If you’re unsure, talk to a local real estate agent about the amount of value a newly renovated bathroom will add to your home.
Timeline
Set yourself specific objectives and create a realistic project timeline. There are several renovation planning apps you can download that can help you through the process. If in doubt, speak to local builders and tradesmen. These professionals will have a good idea on how long a renovation will take.
Hazards
As a homeowner, you should be wary when it comes to asbestos removal within bathroom structures. In older buildings, the wall lining in bathrooms generally contains asbestos. The cost of asbestos removal can be high and it must be undertaken by a licensed removal specialist.
You’ll also want to be sure your electricity and plumbing are up to code. Other possible hazards include structural weakening of the floors due to water damage and mold. If you encounter any of these problems, don’t hesitate to contact a professional.
How can I finance my bathroom renovation?
- Home equity loan. If you’ve built up enough equity in your home, you can take out a secure loan on a portion of the equity.
- Home equity line of credit. While also drawn from equity, this functions more like a credit card than a personal loan. You can withdraw the amount you need when you need it, and you only have to pay interest on what you borrow.
- Credit card. A credit card won’t be able to cover the full cost of your renovations, it can cover unexpected expenses and the smaller pieces of decor.
- Personal loan. Personal loans are the most flexible option available. You can borrow a set amount at a lower interest rate than most credit cards, and you can use the funds to cover the cost of renovating your bathroom.
The differences between a home equity loan and personal loan
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Bottom line
No matter how big or small your bathroom–or your budget–sometimes things need to be spruced up. Knowing what you’ll need to change and understanding the potential costs will help you plan your renovations without breaking the bank.
Frequently asked questions
*All cost and prices in this article are rounded and should only be used for estimating purposes.
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