How Much Is a Bathroom Remodel Cost In 2023?

Bathroom Remodel Labor Cost

Labor accounts for 40% to 65% of your total budget, and bathroom remodeling costs $50 to $75 per hour, depending on where you live. Always ask for a detailed bid and invoice that covers all the materials and labor fees, including demolition and disposal.

You'll most likely need a local plumber, a general contractor near you specializing in bathrooms and kitchens, and possibly other specialists such as a licensed local electrician. Here's a further breakdown of pros you may need to hire:

• General contractor rates: $300–$400 per day

• Plumber rates: $1,000–$2,000 total

• Electrician rates: $50–$100 per hour

• Interior designer rates: $150–$500

Bathroom Remodel Material Cost

Material prices for the average bathroom remodel run anywhere from $1,000 to $9,000. Understanding how these prices break down individually helps determine where to invest your money and time. “This is where hiring an interior designer is worth their weight in gold,” says Bob Tschudi, Angi Expert Review Board member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “With the right advice, you can often achieve a high-end look without paying for high-end materials. Your designer will know how to do this.”

Bathroom Remodel Cost by Location

While the cost to remodel a bathroom will be impacted by various factors, your location will significantly determine your overall price. In general, completing a bathroom remodel in a city with a lower overall cost of living means you'll pay less than you would for the same work in a more expensive city. Expect to pay up to 20% more if you live in an area with high real estate prices, such as California and New York.

Bathroom Remodel Cost per Square Foot

You'll pay an average of $125 per square foot for a bathroom remodel, with tiny bathrooms and extravagant primary ones being completely different undertakings. Be ready to provide measurements when you speak with contractors so they have an understanding of your project size.

Additional Bathroom Remodel Cost Factors

A bathroom remodel has a wide price range. Determining your bathroom makeover budget can be tricky. Here are a few considerations to help you estimate the cost of your project.

Changing the Floor Plan

Making your bath larger, like converting a half-bath to a full bath, costs $5,000 or more. “The most cost-efficient bathroom remodel is to keep the existing infrastructure,” Tschudi says. “If you can keep the toilet, bath/shower, and sink/lavatory in the same locations, you will get the result you want at a fraction of the cost of a complete remodel.”

Bathroom Demolition 

Interior bathroom demolition costs $1,000 to $2,300. Prices can go higher if you remove and move walls to create a different footprint. For the experienced DIY-er, this is a good place to save money by doing it yourself or assisting the contractor. However, a demo can get expensive quickly if you take out a load-bearing wall, cut electrical lines, or divert a water pipe. 

Water Damage Repair 

A faucet leak, cracked bathtub, or failing toilet can easily become a much larger and costlier problem if you don’t take care of the issue sooner than later. Plumbing costs around $175 to $550 but can save you thousands in the long run. More importantly, homeowners insurance typically doesn't cover damage due to ignored maintenance issues.

Permit

Building permits cost $175 to $2,000. The price is location-dependent, so contact your local building code enforcement or permitting agency for details. In most cases, your contractor will take care of all permitting and include this in your project price.

DIY vs. Hiring a Bathroom Remodel Pro

If you remodel a bathroom yourself, you’ll spend an average of $3,730. However, doing any project yourself means no insurance and added fees if something goes wrong. Hire a local bathroom remodeling pro for any work you’re not comfortable doing—particularly plumbing and electrical—and consider the pros and cons of DIY versus professional bathroom remodeling.

Bathroom Remodeling on a Budget

Inexpensive bathroom remodeling helps keep prices down and returns high. Here are a few tips to help you save money:

• Do the demolition yourself: Ripping out old tiles and tubs may not be fun and takes an eye for detail to avoid damaging pipes or electrical work, but it’ll save you about $1,000.

• Paint on your own: Painting is a great DIY project. It takes a little skill for a professional finish, but it’s forgiving if you make mistakes.

• Buy off-the-shelf fixtures in the clearance aisles: They might not be high-end, but they’ll look new and help freshen up the overall look.

• Reuse sinks and toilets: If they aren’t broken, try cleaning them up and reusing them instead of buying new ones.

• Resurface tubs, counters, cabinets, and tiles: You can cut costs in half by resurfacing rather than buying new.

• Consider custom tiling your bathroom: If it’s in your budget, put in a tile surround for the tub or shower and floor. You’ll get a better return on investment if you plan to sell your home.