How much a bathroom remodel costs
Quick answer
A bathroom remodel in the US usually costs $100 to $500 per square foot. For a typical full bathroom, that means about $9,000 to $28,000 for a mid-range remodel with a new vanity, toilet, tile and tub or shower. A half bath or powder room runs about $4,000 to $14,000, and a primary (master) bathroom $20,000 to $60,000 or more. A cosmetic refresh that keeps the layout and most fixtures can cost under $10,000.
These are national ranges with labor and standard materials included.
| Job | US average (typical range) | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| Half bath (powder room) remodel | $4,000–$14,000 | $8,000 |
| Full bathroom, cosmetic refresh | $5,400–$16,800 | $9,600 |
| Full bathroom remodel, mid-range | $9,000–$28,000 | $16,000 |
| Full bathroom, high-end | $13,500–$42,000 | $24,000 |
| Primary bathroom remodel | $20,000–$60,000 | $35,000 |
| Tub-to-shower conversion | $2,000–$12,000 | $5,000 |
| Tile, installed | $10–$40/sq ft | $20/sq ft |
| New toilet, installed | $350–$800 | $575 |
| New faucet, installed | $120–$300 | $210 |
US national averages for 2026, labor and standard materials included, from published cost guides (sources at the end of this page). Local prices differ: see the city table below, or enter your ZIP code in the calculator.
What drives the price
Three decisions set most of the budget:
- How much you change. Keeping the toilet, tub and sink where they are avoids moving drain and supply lines, which is one of the most expensive parts of any bathroom job.
- The shower. A standard tub with a tile surround costs far less than a custom walk-in shower with glass, a built-in bench and floor-to-ceiling tile.
- Tile. Tile is priced by the square foot installed, about $10 to $40, and it adds up quickly on shower walls and floors. Large-format and natural stone tile cost the most to set.
Bathroom remodel cost by size
HomeGuide's national data shows how size and scope work together:
| Bathroom size | Minor update | Partial remodel | Full remodel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 × 7 ft (35 sq ft) | $3,500 to $5,300 | $5,300 to $10,500 | $8,800 to $17,500 |
| 5 × 10 ft (50 sq ft) | $5,000 to $7,500 | $7,500 to $15,000 | $12,500 to $25,000 |
| 8 × 10 ft (80 sq ft) | $8,000 to $12,000 | $12,000 to $24,000 | $20,000 to $40,000 |
| 10 × 10 ft (100 sq ft) | $10,000 to $15,000 | $15,000 to $30,000 | $25,000 to $50,000 |
A 5-by-8 or 5-by-10 bathroom is the standard size in many US homes built since the 1950s, which is why searches like "5x10 bathroom remodel cost" are so common. A small bathroom costs less in total but more per square foot, because the plumbing work and fixtures cost about the same in a small room as in a large one.
Find a bathroom remodeler near you
Enter your ZIP code to see what a bathroom remodel costs where you live and to get matched with a vetted, licensed bathroom remodeler for your area. GOLDGCP works in every US ZIP code.
Bathroom remodel costs in 50 US metros
This table prices a mid-range full bathroom remodel in each of the 50 largest US metros, using each metro's construction cost factor.
| Metro | Cost factor | Full bathroom remodel, mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 1.31 | $11,800–$36,700 |
| San Francisco Bay Area | 1.28 | $11,500–$35,850 |
| San Jose | 1.28 | $11,500–$35,850 |
| Boston | 1.23 | $11,050–$34,450 |
| Chicago | 1.20 | $10,800–$33,600 |
| San Diego | 1.19 | $10,700–$33,300 |
| Sacramento | 1.17 | $10,550–$32,750 |
| Philadelphia | 1.15 | $10,350–$32,200 |
| Seattle | 1.15 | $10,350–$32,200 |
| Providence | 1.15 | $10,350–$32,200 |
| Los Angeles | 1.14 | $10,250–$31,900 |
| Detroit | 1.13 | $10,150–$31,650 |
| Riverside–San Bernardino | 1.11 | $10,000–$31,100 |
| Portland | 1.10 | $9,900–$30,800 |
| Las Vegas | 1.10 | $9,900–$30,800 |
| Milwaukee | 1.10 | $9,900–$30,800 |
| Hartford | 1.10 | $9,900–$30,800 |
| Minneapolis–St. Paul | 1.06 | $9,550–$29,700 |
| Pittsburgh | 1.06 | $9,550–$29,700 |
| Denver | 1.05 | $9,450–$29,400 |
| Washington DC | 1.04 | $9,350–$29,100 |
| St. Louis | 1.04 | $9,350–$29,100 |
| Cincinnati | 1.02 | $9,200–$28,550 |
| Salt Lake City | 0.99 | $8,900–$27,700 |
| Orlando | 0.98 | $8,800–$27,450 |
| Columbus | 0.98 | $8,800–$27,450 |
| Cleveland | 0.98 | $8,800–$27,450 |
| Baltimore | 0.96 | $8,650–$26,900 |
| Kansas City | 0.96 | $8,650–$26,900 |
| Jacksonville | 0.96 | $8,650–$26,900 |
| Virginia Beach–Norfolk | 0.94 | $8,450–$26,300 |
| Miami | 0.93 | $8,350–$26,050 |
| Tampa | 0.93 | $8,350–$26,050 |
| Indianapolis | 0.93 | $8,350–$26,050 |
| Phoenix | 0.90 | $8,100–$25,200 |
| Rochester | 0.90 | $8,100–$25,200 |
| Oklahoma City | 0.89 | $8,000–$24,900 |
| Buffalo | 0.89 | $8,000–$24,900 |
| Nashville | 0.87 | $7,850–$24,350 |
| Memphis | 0.87 | $7,850–$24,350 |
| Richmond | 0.87 | $7,850–$24,350 |
| Louisville | 0.86 | $7,750–$24,100 |
| Birmingham | 0.86 | $7,750–$24,100 |
| Atlanta | 0.85 | $7,650–$23,800 |
| Charlotte | 0.85 | $7,650–$23,800 |
| Raleigh–Durham | 0.85 | $7,650–$23,800 |
| Dallas–Fort Worth | 0.84 | $7,550–$23,500 |
| Houston | 0.82 | $7,400–$22,950 |
| Austin | 0.82 | $7,400–$22,950 |
| San Antonio | 0.80 | $7,200–$22,400 |
Cost factors from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Area Cost Factors (US average = 1.00). Outside these metros, the calculator uses your state's price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Linked metros have a full local guide.
What each part of a bathroom costs
If you are replacing only some things, these are typical national installed prices from HomeGuide:
| Item | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|
| Toilet | $350 to $800 |
| Bathroom sink | $280 to $1,200 |
| Bathroom faucet | $150 to $600 |
| Bathtub replacement | $800 to $4,600 |
| New shower | $1,000 to $15,000 |
| Tub-to-shower conversion | $1,000 to $15,000 |
| Shower pan replacement | $500 to $3,500 |
| Bathroom tiling | $400 to $8,000 |
| Flooring | $200 to $800 |
The wide range on showers comes from the type: a prefabricated shower kit costs a fraction of a custom tiled shower with a glass enclosure and a linear drain.
Is a bathroom remodel worth it?
At resale, partly. The 2025 Cost vs. Value report found that a midrange bathroom remodel costs $26,138 on average and adds $20,915 to the home's value, recovering about 80% of its cost. That is one of the better returns among interior projects. A dated or failing bathroom also tends to drag down offers, so a remodel before selling often makes a home easier to sell even when it doesn't fully pay for itself.
For homeowners staying put, the strongest reasons to remodel are practical: water damage behind old tile, a tub that no longer works for the people living in the house, poor ventilation and mold, or fixtures that waste water.
Planning a bathroom for the long term
A few choices make a bathroom easier to use for decades and cost little extra during a remodel:
- A curbless or low-threshold shower that is easy to step into
- Blocking in the walls so grab bars can be added later without opening the wall
- A comfort-height toilet
- Lever handles instead of knobs
- Good lighting at the mirror and a non-slip floor tile
Ventilation matters as much as finishes. An exhaust fan sized for the room and ducted outside, not into the attic, prevents the moisture damage that ruins many bathrooms.
How long a bathroom remodel takes
A cosmetic update can take a few days. A full remodel of a standard bathroom usually takes two to four weeks of work once materials are on site, and longer if walls are moved, plumbing is relocated or custom glass has to be ordered after the tile is set. Plan around having the room out of service for the whole project, and if it's your only bathroom, ask the contractor how they will keep a working toilet available.
Permits
Most cities require a permit when a bathroom remodel moves plumbing, adds electrical circuits or outlets, or changes walls. Replacing a toilet or vanity in the same spot usually doesn't need one. Licensed contractors pull the permits and schedule the inspections. Unpermitted plumbing and electrical work can create problems with insurance claims and when you sell.
Choosing between a tub and a shower
Many homeowners now replace a little-used tub with a walk-in shower. A tub-to-shower conversion costs about $1,000 to $15,000 depending on whether you choose a prefabricated shower base and walls or a fully tiled shower with glass. Before removing the only tub in the house, think about resale: families with young children often look for at least one bathtub, so keeping a tub in a second bathroom is a common compromise.
A shower that works for decades has a few features in common: a waterproofing membrane behind the tile, a slope that drains water toward the drain without puddles, a niche for bottles so nothing sits on the floor, and a pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve that prevents sudden temperature changes.
Ways to save on a bathroom remodel
- Keep the toilet, sink and shower in their current locations, so drains and supply lines don't move.
- Refinish a sound cast-iron tub instead of replacing it.
- Use large tiles on the floor and standard ceramic on walls, and save premium tile for one feature wall or the shower niche.
- Choose a standard-size vanity and a prefabricated top.
- Buy fixtures before work starts so the price is set and nothing delays the crew.
Ventilation and moisture
Moisture causes more bathroom failures than anything else. An exhaust fan should be sized for the room and vented to the outside, never into the attic, and it should run during showers and for about 20 minutes afterward. A humidity-sensing fan does this automatically. Behind tile, a waterproofing membrane or a properly installed backer board protects the wall framing; grout and tile alone are not waterproof.
How to hire a bathroom remodeler
- Check the contractor's license with your state licensing board.
- Ask how they waterproof showers. A good answer names the membrane or system they use behind the tile.
- Get a written, itemized bid that separates fixtures, tile, labor, permits and an allowance for water damage found behind the walls.
- Confirm who orders the fixtures and when, since special-order items set the schedule.
- Pay in stages tied to finished work, not a large deposit up front.
Every contractor in the GOLDGCP network passes a license check, insurance verification, a background check and reference calls before getting a job, and you pay in milestones as the work gets done.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bathroom remodel cost?
Usually $100 to $500 per square foot in the US. A mid-range remodel of a full bathroom costs about $9,000 to $28,000, a half bath about $4,000 to $14,000, and a primary bathroom $20,000 to $60,000 or more.
How much does a small bathroom remodel cost?
A 5-by-7 bathroom costs about $3,500 to $5,300 for a minor update, $5,300 to $10,500 for a partial remodel, and $8,800 to $17,500 for a full remodel, according to HomeGuide's national data.
How much does a 5x10 bathroom remodel cost?
About $5,000 to $7,500 for a minor update, $7,500 to $15,000 for a partial remodel, and $12,500 to $25,000 for a full remodel at national prices.
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?
Usually the shower and the tile work around it, followed by moving plumbing. A custom tiled shower with glass can cost up to $15,000 on its own, while keeping fixtures in place saves on plumbing.
Does a bathroom remodel add value?
A midrange bathroom remodel recovers about 80% of its cost at resale, according to the 2025 Cost vs. Value report: $26,138 in cost and $20,915 in added value on average.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
A full remodel of a standard bathroom usually takes two to four weeks of work once materials arrive. Cosmetic updates can take a few days.
Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom?
Usually, if you move plumbing, add electrical work or change walls. Replacing fixtures in the same location often doesn't require one. Your contractor should know the local rules and pull the permit.
How we calculate these prices
GOLDGCP starts from national price ranges for each job, taken from published 2026 cost guides and checked against local price guides where they exist. To get a local price, we multiply the national range by the construction cost factor for the metro from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Area Cost Factors (US average = 1.00). For ZIP codes outside the 50 largest metros, the calculator uses the state's price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities. Ranges include labor and standard materials but not unusual site conditions, so a written quote after an inspection is always the final price.
Sources
- How much does a bathroom remodel cost? · HomeGuide
- 2025 Cost vs. Value Report · JLC / Zonda
- Area Cost Factors, PAX Newsletter 3.2.1 (2024) · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Regional Price Parities by State · U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
About this guide
Written by the GOLDGCP editorial team. Prices come from national cost guides; rules and statistics come from the agencies and reports linked in the text. We update this page when prices or codes change.