A bathroom remodel cost estimator is the first tool you should use before calling a contractor or visiting a tile showroom. Without one, homeowners routinely underestimate their renovation budget by 30% to 50%, then face painful mid-project decisions about what to cut. Our bathroom remodel cost estimator factors in your room size, fixture selections, finish level, and local labour rates so you walk into the project with a number you can trust.
Enter your details in the calculator below for a personalised estimate. Then read on for a full breakdown of fixture costs, labour rates, hidden expenses, and strategies to keep your renovation on budget in 2026.
Estimate basis
The scope allowance covers project-appropriate demolition, preparation, walls, paint, waterproofing, contractor coordination, and general labor. Shower or tub work, vanity, toilet, flooring, electrical, ventilation, heated flooring, layout changes, permits, and contingency are calculated separately. The estimate excludes mold or asbestos remediation, structural repairs, window changes, major service upgrades, temporary facilities, financing, and unusually difficult access.
How a Bathroom Remodel Cost Estimator Works
Every bathroom remodel cost estimator starts with your room dimensions and builds outward. First, it calculates the floor and wall area to estimate tile, flooring, and paint quantities. Then, it adds the fixtures you plan to install or replace — shower, tub, vanity, toilet, and lighting. Finally, it layers in labour rates based on your region and the complexity of the work.
However, the value is not just in the total number. A good estimator also breaks costs into categories so you can see where the money goes. As a result, you can make informed trade-offs — upgrading the shower while choosing a more modest vanity, for example — instead of cutting blindly when the total exceeds your budget.
Average Bathroom Remodel Cost by Project Scope
Bathroom renovations fall into three broad tiers. Knowing which tier fits your goals prevents scope creep, which is the number-one budget killer in bathroom projects.
Cosmetic Refresh ($3,000–$8,000)
This tier covers surface-level updates without moving plumbing or changing the layout. Specifically, it includes repainting walls, replacing the vanity and faucet, swapping light fixtures, adding a new mirror, and installing new hardware. Furthermore, you might reglaze an existing bathtub rather than replace it. Most cosmetic refreshes take three to five days and do not require permits.
Mid-Range Remodel ($15,000–$35,000)
A mid-range remodel replaces all major fixtures and finishes while keeping the existing plumbing layout. In addition, it typically includes new floor and wall tile, a replacement tub or shower unit, a new vanity with countertop, updated lighting, and a ventilation fan. Labour accounts for roughly 40% to 50% of this budget. Consequently, contractor selection has the biggest impact on value at this tier.
Full Gut Renovation ($40,000–$75,000+)
A gut renovation strips the room to studs and rebuilds everything — plumbing, electrical, layout, waterproofing, and finishes. Therefore, it allows you to relocate fixtures, expand the footprint, or convert a tub-only bathroom into a walk-in shower. However, it also requires permits, engineering review for structural changes, and a timeline of six to twelve weeks. According to the National Association of Home Builders, bathroom renovations consistently rank among the highest-value remodelling investments.
Bathroom Remodel Cost Estimator: Fixture-by-Fixture Prices
Fixtures are the line items homeowners research most. Here is what each major component costs in 2026, including the unit and installation labour.
Shower Installation and Replacement Cost
A prefabricated shower stall costs $800 to $2,500 installed. In contrast, a custom tile walk-in shower runs $4,500 to $12,000 depending on tile selection and glass door style. Specifically, frameless glass shower doors alone cost $900 to $2,500. Additionally, converting a tub/shower combo to a standalone walk-in shower typically adds $1,500 to $3,500 in plumbing labour.
Bathtub Replacement and Reglazing Cost
Replacing a standard alcove tub costs $1,200 to $3,500 installed. A freestanding soaking tub runs $2,000 to $6,000+ including plumbing adjustments. However, reglazing the existing tub costs just $300 to $600 and extends its life by 10 to 15 years. As a result, reglazing is the best budget move if your tub is structurally sound but cosmetically dated.
Vanity and Countertop Cost
A stock vanity with a cultured marble top costs $400 to $1,200 installed. Meanwhile, a semi-custom vanity with quartz or natural stone runs $1,500 to $4,500. Furthermore, double-sink vanities for master bathrooms start at $1,800 for stock models. Installation labour adds $200 to $500, covering plumbing connections, levelling, and caulking.
Tile Work Cost
Floor tile installation costs $6 to $15 per square foot for standard ceramic or porcelain. Wall tile, particularly shower surrounds, runs $8 to $25 per square foot because of waterproofing requirements. Additionally, decorative accent tile pushes costs to $20 to $40 per square foot. For a 40-square-foot bathroom floor, expect $240 to $600 in tile plus $300 to $500 in labour. Beyond the material and installation, budget for backer board, thinset mortar, grout, and sealer — these add $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot but are essential for a lasting installation.
Bathroom Remodel Cost Estimator Results by Room Size
Room size directly affects material quantities, labour hours, and total cost. Here are realistic 2026 ranges for common bathroom sizes at a mid-range finish level.
- Half bath / powder room (15–25 sq ft): $5,000 – $12,000. Vanity, toilet, flooring, paint, and lighting only.
- Small full bath / 5×7 (35 sq ft): $10,000 – $22,000. Tight space limits material but increases labour difficulty.
- Standard full bath / 8×10 (80 sq ft): $15,000 – $35,000. The most common remodel scope.
- Master bath (80–120+ sq ft): $25,000 – $60,000+. Dual vanities, separate shower and tub, expanded tile.
Notably, small bathrooms do not cost proportionally less. The fixtures cost the same regardless of room size. In addition, tight spaces require more precise cutting and creative problem-solving that actually increase per-square-foot labour rates.
Labour and Contractor Pricing
Labour typically accounts for 40% to 60% of a mid-range bathroom remodel. Here is how the major trades break down.
- Plumber: $80 – $150 per hour. Expect 12 to 24 hours for a standard remodel.
- Electrician: $75 – $130 per hour. GFCI outlets, lighting, and fan wiring take 6 to 12 hours.
- Tile setter: $5 – $12 per sq ft. Shower surrounds and patterns fall at the higher end.
- General contractor: 15% – 25% markup on total project cost for management and coordination.
Hiring a general contractor adds cost but prevents the scheduling conflicts that plague homeowner-managed projects. Conversely, acting as your own GC saves the markup but demands significant time and construction knowledge.
Bathroom Remodel Cost Estimator: Hidden Expenses
The fixture and labour estimates cover the visible scope. However, several hidden costs consistently push bathroom projects over budget.
First, water damage behind walls. Once demolition begins, contractors frequently discover rotted subfloor, mould behind tile, or deteriorated framing. Remediation adds $1,000 to $5,000. In fact, hidden damage appears in roughly half of all gut renovations.
Second, plumbing updates. Older homes may have galvanised or polybutylene supply lines that need replacing. Similarly, cast-iron drain lines in pre-1970 homes are often corroded. Supply line replacement adds $500 to $2,000. Drain line sections add $800 to $3,000.
Third, ventilation upgrades. Building codes now require exhaust fans vented to the exterior. If your existing fan vents into the attic or you lack one entirely, adding proper ventilation costs $250 to $800.
Finally, permits and inspections. Any plumbing or electrical work typically requires a permit costing $100 to $500. Budget two to four weeks for permit processing.
Bathroom Remodel Cost Estimator: Addition vs. Renovation
If your home needs an additional bathroom rather than an upgraded existing one, the cost equation changes significantly. A bathroom addition requires new plumbing runs, structural framing, and waterproofing. As a result, adding a full bathroom costs $25,000 to $65,000 within the existing footprint and $40,000 to $90,000+ when it requires a structural addition.
For homeowners weighing a full addition, our home addition cost calculator provides a broader view of expansion costs. Furthermore, our interior painting cost calculator helps budget the finishing touches that tie a remodelled bathroom into the rest of the home.
Strategies to Reduce Your Bathroom Remodel Cost
Several approaches deliver savings without visible quality sacrifices.
First, keep the existing layout. Moving plumbing is the single most expensive change. Every relocated drain or supply line adds $500 to $3,000 in labour. Therefore, working within the current fixture positions saves thousands.
Second, reglaze instead of replace. A sound bathtub or tile surround that looks dated can be reglazed for $300 to $600. Similarly, repainting existing cabinets costs far less than a new vanity. In both cases, you preserve functional fixtures while giving them a completely refreshed appearance that lasts another decade.
Third, splurge selectively. Invest in the shower — the fixture you use daily. Then save on towel bars, hardware, and accessories, where mid-range options look nearly identical to premium ones.
Fourth, buy materials during sales. Tile, vanities, and fixtures go on deep discount during holiday sales. In particular, buying tile from the same lot prevents colour variation between boxes.
Fifth, handle demolition yourself. Ripping out old tile, vanity, and fixtures requires more effort than skill. As a result, DIY demolition saves $500 to $1,500 in labour. However, leave plumbing and electrical disconnection to licensed professionals.
Bathroom Remodel Cost Estimator FAQs
How much does a 5×7 bathroom remodel cost?
A mid-range 5×7 bathroom remodel costs $10,000 to $22,000 in 2026. Specifically, the tight footprint limits tile and material costs but increases per-square-foot labour rates because of the confined space.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
A cosmetic refresh takes one to two weeks. A mid-range remodel takes three to five weeks. A full gut renovation takes six to twelve weeks. Additionally, permit processing and material lead times can extend these timelines by two to four weeks.
Does remodelling a bathroom increase home value?
Yes. A mid-range bathroom remodel typically returns 55% to 70% of its cost at resale. However, the return depends on local market conditions and whether the renovation meets buyer expectations for the price range. Specifically, updated bathrooms help homes sell faster, which can be just as valuable as the dollar return.
Should I remodel or add a new bathroom?
If your home has only one full bathroom, adding a second delivers a stronger resale return. Conversely, if you already have two or more, upgrading a dated master bath is usually the better investment. Our home inspection cost calculator helps you understand what inspectors flag before deciding which project to tackle.
The Bottom Line With Our Bathroom Remodel Cost Estimator
A bathroom renovation is one of the most rewarding home improvements — but only if the budget is realistic from the start. Use our bathroom remodel cost estimator at the top of this page to build a detailed, fixture-by-fixture budget. Then bring that number to contractor meetings knowing exactly what drives the price and where you can adjust.
All figures in this guide are 2026 planning estimates based on national and regional data. Your actual cost will vary with local labour rates, material availability, and site conditions. Always obtain at least three itemised quotes before committing.