Bathroom remodel cost

Tile, fixtures, waterproofing, trades and permits priced by size and scope.

By the LocalServiceHQ editorial team
Updated Oct 29, 2026
Formulas and sources listed below
Prices checked Oct 2026
Your job
Shower / tub
Move fixtures
Your estimate
Typical project
—
tile, fixtures, waterproofing, trades and permits
Cost per sq ft
—
all-in bathroom budget
Typical range for this job: —
How it adds upTypical
Tile and setting materials$4–$18 per sq ft installed
—
Shower or tubtile, acrylic or conversion
—
Fixtures (toilet, vanity, valves)$800–$4,500 depending on grade
—
Waterproofingmembrane, cement board and sealant
—
Trades and labourplumbing, electrical, carpentry, tile setting
—
Layout change and permitsmoving a drain needs plumbing and a permit
—
US bathroom remodel prices for October 2026: refresh $100–$250 per sq ft, mid-range $200–$500, full gut $400–$900. Small rooms cost more per square foot because fixtures and trades are fixed costs.
Half the cost is waterproofing and tile labour. Ask how the shower will be sealed.
Photo via Pexels

How the math works

Cost per sq ft
Benchmark
project cost ÷ bathroom sq ft
US mid-range bathrooms run $200 to $500 per sq ft, with fixed costs dominating small rooms.
Tile and waterproofing
Largest line
≈ 25 to 35% of the budget
Cement board, membrane and tile setting take real labour hours.
Fixtures
Cost
≈ 15 to 25% of the budget
Toilet, vanity, sink, shower valve and trim, tub or shower pan.
Trades
Cost
≈ 30 to 40% of the budget
Plumbing and electrical relocation is the most expensive scope change.

Common starting points

Common US bathroom sizes at mid-range scope with the layout kept.

Tap a preset in the calculator above to load a typical job, then adjust the numbers to match your site.
Starting points: 40 sq ft powder room · 50 sq ft hall bath · 80 sq ft full bath · 100 sq ft master bath · 80 sq ft, full gut

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See installed bathroom prices, tile costs and permit rules.

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How to use the bathroom remodel cost

Decide whether the layout stays. That one choice moves the budget more than any finish.

1
Keep the layout
Keeping the toilet, sink and shower in place avoids moving drains and supply lines.
2
Choose the shower
Tile, acrylic or a tub-to-shower conversion change both material and labour cost.
3
Plan waterproofing
A bonded membrane behind tile is the difference between a 20-year bathroom and a leak.
4
Get itemised bids
Break out tile, fixtures, plumbing, electrical and waterproofing separately.

Mistakes that blow bathroom budgets

!
Moving the toilet or shower drain, which forces new plumbing in the slab or joists.
!
Skipping a waterproofing membrane behind tile and paying for it later.
!
Buying a freestanding tub without checking the floor structure and drain location.
!
Forgetting ventilation: a fan that vents into the attic feeds mould.

Bathroom remodel cost FAQ

How much does a bathroom remodel cost?

An 80 sq ft full bathroom mid-range remodel typically costs about $28,000 nationally, with a range of $16,000 to $40,000. A powder room can come in near $14,000 and a master bath near $35,000.

Mid-range bathrooms run $200 to $500 per sq ft, and a full gut remodel runs $400 to $900 per sq ft. Small bathrooms cost more per square foot because fixtures and trades are fixed costs.

Keep the layout, reface or paint cabinets, replace the vanity top and fixtures, and regrout rather than retile. That refresh typically lands near $5,000 to $15,000.

A mid-range bathroom takes three to five weeks. Tile, waterproofing cure time and fixture delivery drive the schedule, and a layout change adds a week or more.

Mid-range bathroom remodels return roughly 60 to 70 percent at resale. A tub-to-shower conversion is often the highest-value change for older buyers.

Most cities require a permit when you move plumbing, electrical or walls. Cosmetic work such as paint, vanity and fixtures usually does not need one.

Using the calculator defaults, 40 sq ft powder room gives Typical project: $18,850 and Cost per sq ft: $471, with a typical range $10,023 to $30,795. Change the waste allowance, material or thickness to match your site.

Using the calculator defaults, 80 sq ft, full gut gives Typical project: $52,850 and Cost per sq ft: $661, with a typical range $32,823 to $85,395. Change the waste allowance, material or thickness to match your site.