Bathroom Remodel Cost Calculator

Bathroom Remodel Budget Tiers

Minor (cosmetic refresh) — paint, new fixtures, new toilet, new mirror, re-caulk, new accessories. Around 125 dollars per sq ft, or 3,000 to 7,000 dollars for a typical 40 sq ft bath. Midrange — new vanity, counters, flooring, fixtures, tub/shower surround, possibly tile. Around 275 dollars per sq ft, or 10,000 to 15,000 dollars. Major gut — tear out everything, new plumbing, new electrical, tile floor and shower, new tub or walk-in shower, new window. Around 425 dollars per sq ft, or 15,000 to 25,000 dollars. Luxury — custom vanity, frameless glass, heated floors, high-end fixtures, smart toilet, designer tile. 650+ dollars per sq ft.

Why Bathrooms Cost So Much Per Square Foot

Bathrooms pack more trades into fewer square feet than any other room. A 40 sq ft bathroom needs plumbing for the tub, shower, sink, and toilet; electrical for lighting, GFCI outlets, exhaust fan, and possibly heated floors; waterproofing for the shower and tub surround; tile or stone on floors and walls; a vanity; a toilet; fixtures; and drywall and paint. Labor for a gut bathroom is typically 40 to 60 hours of skilled trade work. That is why the per-square-foot cost is 1.5 to 2 times a kitchen's, even though the total dollars are much lower.

Where to Spend and Save

Spend on waterproofing and tile setting — bad work here causes leaks and rot that cost 5x to fix later. Spend on the toilet and the vanity because you use them every day. Save on ceramic or porcelain tile (vs stone), on stock vanities (vs custom), on standard white fixtures (vs colored or designer), and on basic toilet models (most 300 dollar toilets work as well as 800 dollar ones, except for self-cleaning smart toilets). DIY the demo and painting to save 500 to 1,500 dollars; hire out everything else.

Walk-in Shower vs Tub

Walk-in showers are more popular now but removing your last tub can hurt resale value in family-friendly neighborhoods because parents with young children strongly prefer at least one tub. If you have 2+ bathrooms, one walk-in shower and one tub is ideal. Walk-in showers with curbless entry, linear drains, and frameless glass look amazing but run 5,000 to 15,000 dollars above a basic tub/shower combo. Walk-in tubs are for aging-in-place and cost 5,000 to 10,000 dollars more than a standard tub.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a bathroom remodel take?

Minor: 1-2 weeks. Midrange: 3-5 weeks. Major gut: 5-8 weeks, plus 4-6 weeks of design and ordering.

Do I need a permit?

Yes for any plumbing or electrical changes. Cosmetic work rarely needs a permit.

What's the cheapest way to remodel a bathroom?

Paint, new fixtures, new toilet, new mirror, new hardware. Around 1,500 to 3,000 dollars total.

Should I hire a general contractor?

Yes for major work — coordinating 5+ trades solo is a nightmare. For cosmetic work, self-GC is fine.

Does a bathroom remodel add home value?

Yes, 55 to 70 percent ROI for most tiers. Adding a second bathroom has the best ROI.