Remodeling your home’s bathrooms can have an amazing impact on your day to day life and your house’s resale value. But it can also be overwhelming. Where do you start? What should you change? And how much should you spend?
Many families start by coming up with the total amount they want to spend. But it’s also important to know how your budget will be split up to avoid overspending and to ensure your project gets completed. Check out our bathroom remodel cost breakdown to get started!
How Much Does a Bathroom Renovation Cost?
Every bathroom project is different, so there is no perfect number for how much your bathroom renovation should cost. However, the number you decide on will guide the rest of your renovation project and dictate what you can and cannot do in your space.
Here are some of the factors that will determine what your budget can get you:
- The size of the bathroom in question
- Your geographic area (city vs. suburb vs. rural)
- The quality standard you desire
- Current industry cost standards
- The time of year (sales on fixtures, etc.)
A bathroom renovation is one of the best investments you can make in your home from a resale perspective. That being said, Consumer Reports suggests that your bathroom renovation cost should be no more than 5-10% of your house in order to maximize your resale potential. This will also ensure that the quality of the renovation is in line with the rest of your home.
Bathroom Remodel Cost Breakdown
Once you’ve decided on a grand total for your bathroom renovation project, it’s time to look at how your budget should break down throughout the room. While you may choose to splurge on the perfect tile or a gorgeous freestanding bathtub, these numbers will give you good ballpark figures for your remodel.
Labor & Installation: 25-30%
Since bathrooms are typically smaller spaces in the home, most of your budget will go toward labor, not materials. And unfortunately, most of the hard labor will be hidden in the walls by the time your bathroom is done. That being said, spending money on labor now will avoid shortcuts causing leaks and other plumbing and electrical issues down the line.
Labor and installation costs may include:
- Demolition, removal of old fixtures, and cleanup
- Leveling and prep work
- Plumbing changes for sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and showers
- Electrical changes for switches, outlets, and lighting fixtures
- Installation of all fixtures
Plumbing Fixtures: 15%
Plumbing fixtures will likely be the next largest expense in your bathroom remodel cost breakdown. Fixtures like tubs, shower heads, faucets, and drains will all contribute to this category. But, so will the rough-in plumbing fixtures required for a leakproof system with good drainage and water pressure. Don’t forget to account for this second group, although they will be hidden in the walls and floor once your renovation is complete.
Decisions that may impact the cost of your plumbing fixtures include:
- Quality, style, and size
- Materials
- Finishes (chrome, brass, matte black, etc.)
- Special features like touch-free faucets or tub jets
Keep in mind that some of these factors may also increase your related labor costs, like hooking up jets in a tub or installing smart fixtures.
Electrical & Ventilation: 15%
Depending on the age of your home and if it has been renovated previously, you may need to make updates to the electrical and ventilation systems in your bathroom. Proper ventilation will reduce the risk of mold and mildew and will help keep your bathroom clean and fresh for years to come.
Your electrical and ventilation budget may include:
- Moving or adding electrical outlets (for electric toothbrushes, hair appliances, etc.)
- Adding or updating a fan and appropriate ventilation
- Adding, moving, or updating light fixtures and switches
Tiling and Flooring: 20%
Depending on your design, this category of your bathroom remodel cost breakdown may vary wildly. If you opt for a fiberglass shower surround, this category may only be 5-10% of your total cost. But, if you opt for a tiled surround with recessed niches and intricate tiled floors, this category could easily eat up 30% of your budget.
The main thing to keep in mind with tile is the kind of maintenance and regular cleaning you are willing to do. Smooth surfaces like fiberglass will require less cleaning, but for many, the visual effect that tile brings outweighs the required maintenance.
Your tile and flooring budget will include:
- Tiles
- Any feature, pencil, or edge tiles
- Thinset, trowels, and other tile laying tools
- Grout and grouting tools
- Tile and grout sealer
- Flooring and related materials, if not tile
- Heated flooring components
Cabinetry & Countertops: 10-15%
Your vanity and storage areas should account for 10-15% of your total budget. Much like with tile, the surfaces and storage you choose can make this category vary significantly within your bathroom remodel cost breakdown.
If you opt for a simple vanity and update the shelves in an existing linen closet, you’ll likely fall under the 10-15% range. However, we see more requests every year for custom, built-in cabinetry and additional storage closets and units. If you plan on making significant changes in this category, you can expect to spend at least 15% of your total budget.
Here are some factors to consider that may affect your cabinetry and countertop costs:
- Size and quantity of vanities (custom sizes will cost you extra)
- Selected countertop material
- Number of people using the bathroom
- Current bathroom storage vs. storage needs
Finishing Touches & Miscellaneous: 10%
Finally, you’ll want to dedicate 10% of your total budget to final touches and a contingency fund. In a typical bathroom remodel, you’ll be dealing with plumbing, electrical, and ventilation. This means you’ll be opening up walls and possibly finding all sorts of issues. Leaks, mold, water pressure issues, and outdated plumbing are all problems commonly found during bathroom renovations.
For this reason, it’s crucial to have a little extra in your budget for any issues that may arise. This 10% will also cover finishing touches, like:
- Wall and trim paint
- Doors, door knobs, and hinges
- Window fixtures and hardware
- Accessories (toilet paper holders, towel bars, etc.)
- Lighting fixtures
- Any final design or styling fees
Bathroom Renovation Cost Examples
So what exactly does this mean for your budget? Here are three scenarios at different budget points to help you understand what your bathroom remodel cost breakdown might look like.
| Total Budget | $10,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Labor & Installation: 25% | $2,500 | $6,250 | $12,500 |
| Plumbing Fixtures: 15% | $1,500 | $3,750 | $7,500 |
| Electrical & Ventilation: 15% | $1,500 | $3,750 | $7,500 |
| Tiling & Flooring: 20% | $2,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Cabinetry & Countertops: 15% | $1,500 | $3,750 | $7,500 |
| Finishing Touches & Miscellaneous: 10% | $1,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
The Bottom Line
Everyone’s remodel budget will look a little different – that’s the best part about a custom bathroom renovation. Use this cost breakdown as a guide to keep your project on track, but recognize that your budget will likely vary based on the materials and features you choose.