Have you ever wondered how much a bathroom remodel actually costs? Most people have no idea. Bathrooms are generally much smaller spaces in comparison to kitchens. People typically assume that remodeling costs should be a reflection of the size of the space. In reality, this isn’t the case. Numbers will always vary from project to project, but the main point of this blog is to address the sticker shock that some people have when they receive an estimate for their bathroom remodel cost.
To answer the question “how much does a bathroom remodel cost” in simple terms is tough because it can be a complex project. I’ll explain why at LBK we don’t give construction estimates until the designs are finalized.
Bathroom Remodel Cost Breakdown:
There are a few basic things that go into most bathroom remodels. Here is a list of the items. We’ll go over each item and give you a general breakdown of costs.
- Permits
- Site Prep and Demolition
- Electrical and Plumbing
- Framing
- Tile
- Cabinetry
- Plumbing Fixtures
- Additional Finishings
Common Additional Charges
- “Extra” Extras
- Change Orders “unforeseen issues” after demolition
- Additional Overhead
Remodeling Permits
It’s easy to forget about permits and how much they can cost. Permit costs can differ drastically between townships.
One township might not require any permits for a bathroom remodel while another will charge several thousand dollars.
Some projects might require lead inspections which can cause thousands of dollars. Certain townships require a licensed plumber and licensed electrician to fill out the paperwork.
So depending on where you live permits can range from $0- $4K for the permit alone.
Site Prep / Demolition
Dumpsters typically cost between $400-$800 per dumpster (depending on the size you order), and depending on the size of the project, multiple dumpsters might be necessary.
Often times with demo, we find unexpected things that might not have been included in the estimate. We try our best to expect the unexpected, but some things remain hidden until after the coverings come down. Black mold, asbestos, rotting, things not up to code, etc. are all things even professionals can’t see until walls are broken down.
As opposed to a kitchen, there are more things that need to be removed that are stuck in place. For instance, a shower often has tile walls and a sloped pan.
Getting the tile off the walls and breaking up the floor of the shower can take a couple of hours, not to mention if the rest of the bathroom floor is tile. This can be a long and hard process. You also need to own the right tools for this job, which are expensive.
This leads me to another good point, accessibility. We have never run into a master bathroom remodel where the bathroom is right next to the front door.
Usually it’s tucked away in the bedroom upstairs at the end of the hall. This makes hauling all the material to the dumpster quite a challenge. Small things like this create a more time-consuming task, and additional materials are needed to protect the floors and walls, eventually leading to a higher cost. Between the demolition of your bathroom, getting it down to the bones as well as the time it will take getting the area cleared, it can cost anywhere from $1500 to $5000.
Electrical & Plumbing
Often homeowners get blown away by the cost of this portion of a bathroom remodel the most. Being skilled costs money, and in these areas, it shows. Electricians and plumbers are not cheap, nor should they be.
They have a specific set of skills that they have been educated and licensed to do. The exact cost is dependent on how much you need done. If you are adding a whole bunch of can lights and removing old ones, along with taking your shower across the room to add room for an additional toilet… well, that will cost a lot.
On the lower end of things, I would plan to pay your plumber/electrician combination around $2,100- $6,000. And typically, they don’t give your contractor an estimate unless you pay them the time to come out. Otherwise, they just bill them.
Let me remind you that just because you replaced a toilet and changed the faucet head on the shower, does not mean your plumber should be doing this for free, and more often times than not the prior space was not up to code so they legally have to make additional updates. They also have to pull their own permits and have inspections (on top of the general contractors permits) which take additional money and time. And they carry liability for the space.