The short answer
A mid-range full bathroom remodel in Seattle costs about $10,350 to $32,200 by our cost-adjusted figures, and a powder room runs $4,600 to $16,100. In a climate this wet, the pan, the membrane and the exhaust fan are the parts that fail first, so they deserve the most attention in the budget.
What a bathroom remodel costs in Seattle and Bellevue
Our numbers start with national remodeling cost data and apply the Seattle cost factor of 1.15, published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The same bathroom costs about 15% more here than the national average. The factor is built from the average of Tacoma (1.07) and the Puget Sound bases (1.21).
| Job | Seattle (typical range) | US average |
|---|---|---|
| Half bath (powder room) remodel | $4,600–$16,100 | $4,000–$14,000 |
| Full bathroom, cosmetic refresh | $6,200–$19,300 | $5,400–$16,800 |
| Full bathroom remodel, mid-range | $10,350–$32,200 | $9,000–$28,000 |
| Full bathroom, high-end | $15,500–$48,300 | $13,500–$42,000 |
| Primary bathroom remodel | $23,000–$69,000 | $20,000–$60,000 |
| Tub-to-shower conversion | $2,300–$13,800 | $2,000–$12,000 |
| Tile, installed | $11.5–$46/sq ft | $10–$40/sq ft |
| New toilet, installed | $400–$920 | $350–$800 |
| New faucet, installed | $140–$345 | $120–$300 |
Estimates for 2026, including labor and standard parts. Seattle prices use a construction cost factor of 1.15 (US average = 1.00) from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Area Cost Factors, based on drawn from Tacoma (1.07) and Puget Sound bases (1.21). Your quote depends on access, materials and the condition of the home.
For your own room size, finish level and ZIP code, run the cost estimator below or open the full bathroom cost estimator.
The same estimator has its own page, easy to share or bookmark: Bathroom remodel cost estimator.
What drives a Puget Sound bathroom budget
| Choice | Lower cost | Higher cost |
|---|---|---|
| Shower | Tub with tile surround, same spot | Walk-in shower with glass, tub removed ($2,300 to $13,800 for the conversion here) |
| Tile | Ceramic on the walls, about $11.50 per sq ft installed | Large-format porcelain or stone, up to about $46 per sq ft |
| Toilet | Standard model swapped in place, $400 to $920 installed | Wall-hung toilet with a new carrier in the wall |
| Layout | Everything stays | Toilet or shower moved, wall shifted |
Small rooms cost more per square foot because the valve, toilet and vanity cost the same whether the room is 40 or 80 square feet. A powder room at $4,600 to $16,100 is the cheapest way into a remodel, and a primary bath at $23,000 to $69,000 is the most expensive.
Moving a drain: crawl space or slab
Moving a toilet or shower drain is a large line item, and the cost depends on what the house sits on. Many older Seattle and Tacoma houses sit on raised foundations or full basements, so a plumber can reach new drain lines from below. A house on a concrete slab means saw-cutting a trench through the floor. A toilet also needs a 3-inch drain with a vent close enough to satisfy the plumbing code, which is why a small move can turn into a big one. The state code sets the minimums: a shower drain and tailpiece must be at least 2 inches in diameter, and a 1-1/2 inch drain is allowed only when an existing tub becomes a shower, a 2-inch waste is not readily available, the local authority approves, and one 1.8 gpm showerhead is installed (WAC 51-56-0400).
Waterproofing and shower rules in Washington
A leaking shower soaks the framing and subfloor before anyone sees a stain. The Washington State Residential Code sets rules for shower construction.
What the code requires of shower walls and glass
Shower compartments must have at least 900 square inches of interior cross-sectional area and be at least 30 inches in the smallest dimension, measured from the finished interior and excluding valves, showerheads, soap dishes and grab bars. The minimum area and dimension rules do not apply to a shower receptor at least 30 inches wide and 60 inches long. Hinged shower doors must open outward. Walls above built-in tubs with shower heads, and in shower compartments, must form a water-tight joint with each other and with the tub, receptor or shower floor (2018 Washington State Residential Code, Chapter 27).
What the inspector checks in the shower
- Size: at least 900 square inches inside, 30 inches in the smallest dimension.
- Door: hinged doors swing out.
- Pan: a continuous waterproof pan tied into the drain and flood-tested before any tile goes down.
- Walls: a water-tight joint where the wall meets the receptor or tub.
- Fixtures: smooth, impervious surfaces with no concealed fouling surfaces, and a strainer on every fixture except the toilet.
- Wall-hung fixtures: rigidly supported so strain is not transmitted to the plumbing system.
Ventilation that keeps mold out
A bathroom with a tub or shower needs local exhaust of at least 50 cfm intermittent or 20 cfm continuous, and the air must go directly outdoors. It cannot discharge into an attic, crawl space or another part of the building (WAC 51-51-1505). Seattle's residential code repeats the rule and adds a detail for remodels: a fan designed for intermittent airflow higher than the continuous rate must have an occupancy or humidity sensor that automatically overrides it to high speed (2021 Seattle Residential Code, Chapter 15). Fans must also be rated at a maximum of 1.0 sone, and they must be ducted outside with backdraft or motorized dampers.
For sizing, the Home Ventilating Institute recommends 1 cfm per square foot for bathrooms up to 100 square feet, and 50 cfm each for the toilet, shower and tub in larger rooms (Fantech). A fan that dumps into the attic often fails a bathroom final.
Why old Seattle showers usually need more than new tile
Once old tile comes off a shower that is 20 or more years old, the backer behind it is often soft. Replacing the backer and swapping the valve while the wall is open makes the job a permitted remodel. Plan for that before demolition starts, and check for asbestos first. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency rules require an asbestos survey before any renovation work (Puget Sound Clean Air Agency).
Water-saving fixture rules in Washington
Washington's fixture limits are stricter than the federal ones. Every fixture sold, offered for sale or installed in the state must meet them (WAC 51-56-0400).
| Fixture | Washington limit | Federal limit |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet | 1.28 gallons per flush, WaterSense high-efficiency | 1.6 gallons per flush |
| Showerhead | 1.8 gpm at 80 psi, WaterSense certified | 2.5 gpm at 80 psi |
| Bathroom faucet | 1.2 gpm at 60 psi maximum, 0.8 gpm minimum at 20 psi | 2.2 gpm at 60 psi |
When a shower has more than one showerhead on a single valve, their combined flow must not exceed 1.8 gpm, or the shower must be designed so only one outlet runs at a time. That rule applies to rain head plus handheld setups common in new primary baths. Showers are the second highest water user in homes, after toilets, according to the Saving Water Partnership. The same page notes that Washington code requires showerheads sold in stores to use no more than 1.8 gpm.
Inspectors confirm fixture compliance through manufacturer documentation showing flow rates, not by measuring flow in the field. Keep the spec sheets with the permit (Washington Plumbing Authority). A permitted remodel that replaces a 1980s toilet must install a 1.6 gpf or lower model, and even a cosmetic swap with no permit must use a federally compliant fixture.
Planning for aging in place
A bathroom remodel is the cheapest time to make the room work for someone with a walker, a bad knee or a wheelchair, because the walls and floor are open.
| Feature | What it involves | When to decide |
|---|---|---|
| Wood blocking for grab bars | Added in the wall framing before backer board goes up | Before the walls close |
| Curbless (zero-threshold) shower | Recessed or sloped floor, linear drain, wider waterproofing | At design, since it is structural |
| Wider clearances | Room in front of and beside the toilet | At design, unless walls move |
| Comfort-height toilet | Standard swap, taller bowl | At fixture selection |
The code numbers decide what fits. A toilet or bidet must be at least 15 inches from its center to any side wall or obstruction, and at least 30 inches center to center from a similar fixture. In a dwelling unit, the clear space in front of a toilet, lavatory or bidet must be at least 21 inches (WAC 51-56-0400). In a narrow hall bath, those numbers often decide whether a wider shower fits. Recessing the floor framing for a curbless entry is structural work, so the project needs plan review rather than a simple remodel permit.
Do you need a permit?
In most of the Seattle metro, a bathroom remodel needs a permit, and the office you deal with depends on your address.
| City | Where you apply | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | MyBuildingPermit, application type Building, project type Single Family Residential, activity Remodel | The single-family remodel permit includes electrical, mechanical and plumbing. A remodel with no structural work goes through the no-plan-review path. The city publishes a permit fee estimator and processing timelines. |
| Seattle | Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections | The Seattle Residential Code governs exhaust, plumbing and shower construction. |
| Redmond | City of Redmond Development Services Center, 15670 NE 85th Street | A residential permit is required to remodel. Electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits are issued over the counter or with plan review. |
| Kirkland | City of Kirkland permit center | Same state codes; check the city's current submittal requirements before you apply. |
| Tacoma | Tacoma Permits system (Accela) | Building permits cover remodels. The Permit Center is at 747 Market Street, Third Floor, and can be reached at (253) 591-5030. |
| Everett | Everett Online Permitting Portal | A completed residential building permit submittal checklist is required with the application. The counter is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Renton | Renton Online Permitting Portal | Separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing and mechanical. Structural changes may need plans stamped by a licensed Washington architect or engineer. |
| Unincorporated King County | MyBuildingPermit.com | King County issues building permits for unincorporated areas only. Electrical inspections are scheduled through L&I. |
| Unincorporated Pierce County | Pierce County PALS+ portal | Plumbing and mechanical permits to install or replace fixtures are issued immediately after payment. |
A few rules apply across cities. In Renton, an asbestos survey is required before any renovation work under Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and L&I rules. On a property on septic, interior work that creates or adds a bedroom or bath needs King County Environmental Health approval before the permit is approved, and the approval letter goes in with the submittal (City of Renton). In Bellevue, the remodel permit covers moving a load-bearing wall, replacing it with a beam, relocating a doorway header and enlarging a window or door opening, and a structural plan may be required during plan review (City of Bellevue).
The state has delayed implementation of the 2024 Washington State Building Codes until May 3, 2027, so the code edition in force at your permit date is the one that applies (City of Everett).
How long a bathroom remodel takes in Seattle
| Scope | Permit time | Build sequence |
|---|---|---|
| Fixtures swapped in place | Days to a few weeks | Demo, rough-in, final |
| Fixtures moved or shower enlarged | Several weeks | Adds a rough plumbing test before walls close |
| Gut remodel with structural change | Longer, with plan review | Adds framing inspection and plan review corrections |
On site, the work follows a fixed order: demolition to the studs, framing repairs and grab bar blocking, rough plumbing, electrical and fan, backer board and waterproofing with the pan flood test, then tile, fixtures, glass and the final inspection. Glass is measured after the tile is done. If this is the only bathroom in the house, agree with the remodeler on how you will have a working toilet each night.
How to check a bathroom remodeler before you hire
Washington registers contractors under Chapter 18.27 RCW. Hiring or acting as an unregistered contractor is a criminal penalty. A registered contractor must carry a bond and insurance that a homeowner can take action against (Chapter 18.27 RCW). A contractor must be registered before they can sue a homeowner over a project. Building permit offices must verify registration before issuing permits.
- Look up the registration on the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries site. Confirm it is active and the name matches.
- Confirm the specialty trades. Plumbing and electrical work in Washington is done by licensed plumbers and electricians. The remodeler's crew should include them.
- Ask how they build the shower pan, which waterproofing system they use, and whether they flood-test before tile.
- Ask who pulls the permit and whether the bid includes the asbestos survey if the house is older.
- For a pre-1978 home, confirm the firm holds lead-safe RRP certification. Federal law requires each renovation firm to be certified and to assign a certified renovator to each job (EPA). In Washington the firm certification runs through the Department of Commerce, with a $25 application fee (Washington Department of Commerce).
Our guide to paying a contractor covers milestones and lien releases. Our vetting process explains what we check. For plumbing problems outside a remodel, see our Seattle plumbing guide.
Areas we cover
GOLDGCP bathroom remodelers work across the Seattle metro and the Eastside, including:
- Seattle
- Bellevue and Redmond
- Kirkland
- Tacoma
- Everett
- Renton
Enter your ZIP code below to see bathroom prices and the remodelers who cover it.
How GOLDGCP works
- Describe the bathroom through the form, a call or WhatsApp: its size, what you want to change and whether the toilet or shower moves.
- We match you with up to 3 vetted, licensed remodelers in your area. You see ZIP-based prices before anyone visits.
- Each remodeler has passed license, insurance, background and reference checks, a portfolio review and onboarding.
- Your remodeler pulls the permit and books the inspections.
- You pay in milestones, each one after you approve that stage, and follow the job in the client portal.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Seattle?
By our cost-adjusted figures, a mid-range full bathroom costs about $10,350 to $32,200, a powder room $4,600 to $16,100 and a primary bath $23,000 to $69,000. A cosmetic refresh runs $6,200 to $19,300. Moving drains and adding a curbless shower push costs higher.
Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom in Bellevue?
Yes, for plumbing, electrical or mechanical work. Bellevue's single-family remodel permit covers all three trades and is applied for online at MyBuildingPermit. A remodel with no structural work goes through the no-plan-review path. Paint, accessories and floor tile alone need no permit.
What does a Washington inspector check in a new shower?
At least 900 square inches inside with a 30-inch minimum dimension, a water-tight joint where the wall meets the receptor, a pan flood-tested before tile, a door that swings out, and an exhaust fan of at least 50 cfm ducted directly outdoors, never into the attic.
Do I have to replace my old toilet when I remodel a bathroom in Seattle?
If the toilet is over 1.28 gallons per flush, yes. Washington limits toilets to 1.28 gpf and requires WaterSense high-efficiency performance. A permitted remodel must install a compliant model. Even a cosmetic swap with no permit must use a federally compliant fixture.
How much does it cost to move a toilet in a Seattle bathroom?
It depends on the foundation. A house on a raised foundation or basement lets a plumber reach new drain lines from below. A house on a concrete slab means cutting a trench through the floor. A toilet also needs a 3-inch drain with a vent close enough to satisfy the plumbing code.
Can I get a curbless shower in an older Seattle house?
Usually, but recessing the floor framing for a zero-threshold entry is structural work, so it needs plan review rather than a simple remodel permit. Decide at design time, and add grab bar blocking while the walls are open. The code wants a toilet at least 15 inches from its center to any side wall.
Is a bathroom remodel worth it in Seattle?
Bathrooms hold their value in the Pacific Northwest, and a mid-range remodel is one of the more predictable projects because the scope is contained. Keeping the layout and drains in place is the easiest way to stay near the middle of the price range. A wet climate makes the waterproofing and exhaust the parts worth spending on.
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). Where that table has no entry for a metro, we use the nearest listed location or the state value. For ZIP codes outside the 50 largest metros, the cost estimator 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
- Washington State Legislature · Washington State Legislature
- International Code Council
- Washington State Legislature · WAC 51-51-1505:
- seattle.gov
- Fantech
- pscleanair.gov
- Saving Water Partnership
- Washington Plumbing Authority
- City of Renton
- City of Bellevue, WA
- City of Everett, WA
- apps.leg.wa.gov
- U.S. EPA
- commerce.wa.gov
- HomeGuide
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
About this guide
Written by the GOLDGCP editorial team. Prices come from national cost guides adjusted with official construction cost factors for Seattle; rules and statistics come from the agencies and reports linked in the text. We update this page when prices or codes change.