Bathroom Remodel Cost Calculator — 2026 Renovation Estimate
Choose your project type, select a quality tier, and get an instant 2025–2026 cost breakdown for a full gut renovation, shower or tub replacement, vanity & fixtures upgrade, or a cosmetic refresh.
🛁 Bathroom Remodel Cost Calculator
Complete gut renovation — all fixtures, tile, plumbing, electrical, and finishes replaced. Best for outdated bathrooms or changing the layout entirely.
How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost in 2025–2026?
Bathroom remodeling is one of the most popular home improvement projects in the United States, and for good reason: it delivers strong ROI, improves daily quality of life, and can dramatically increase resale value. Average costs range from $6,000 for a budget refresh to well over $75,000 for a luxury gut renovation. The national average for a mid-range bathroom remodel sits around $20,000–$25,000 for a typical 5×8 ft bathroom.
Cost is driven by five core factors: bathroom size, quality tier, project scope, local labor rates, and whether you're changing the layout. Layout changes — moving a toilet, shower, or vanity to a new location — require plumbing rough-in work and can add $5,000–$15,000 to any project. Keeping fixtures in their existing locations is the single most effective way to control budget.
Bathroom Remodel Cost by Quality Tier
The quality tier is the biggest driver of total cost. Here's what each tier actually includes and what you can realistically expect to pay in 2025–2026:
| Quality Tier | Cost Range | Fixtures | Tile | Vanity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $6,000–$15,000 | Builder-grade | Ceramic floor & wall | Stock pre-built |
| Mid-Range | $15,000–$35,000 | Mid-grade brand name | Porcelain + accent tile | Semi-custom |
| Upscale | $35,000–$75,000 | Designer fixtures | Large-format porcelain or stone | Custom or floating |
| Luxury | $75,000+ | Premium brands (Kohler, Toto, Duravit) | Marble, travertine, heated floors | Full custom millwork |
Shower and Tub Replacement Costs
Replacing a tub or converting to a walk-in shower is one of the most impactful single upgrades you can make. Tub-to-shower conversions are particularly popular with aging-in-place homeowners and those who never use a tub. A basic conversion using a prefab shower kit costs $3,000–$5,000 installed. A custom tile walk-in shower runs $8,000–$20,000 depending on size, tile selection, and features like a built-in niche, bench, or frameless glass enclosure.
A frameless glass shower door alone costs $900–$2,500 more than a framed door or curtain rod — but dramatically improves the look and feel of the space. Large-format tile (24×24 in or larger) requires a perfectly level substrate and experienced tile setter, adding $500–$1,500 in labor versus standard-format tile.
Vanity, Sink, and Fixture Costs
A vanity upgrade can be done without a full remodel and delivers a strong visual impact for a relatively modest budget. A 36-inch stock vanity with a basic undermount sink and faucet runs $800–$2,500 for materials. Add $300–$600 in labor for a plumber to disconnect the old unit, reconnect supply lines, and install the new drain. Double vanities (48–72 inches) cost $1,500–$5,000+ for materials alone.
Countertop material adds $200–$1,200 to vanity costs: laminate is the entry-level option, cultured marble is a popular mid-range choice, and natural granite or quartz is the premium standard. Full marble countertops start at $600 for materials and require careful sealing maintenance.
Cosmetic Update: Maximum Impact, Minimum Budget
Not every bathroom needs a gut job. A cosmetic update — fresh paint, new grout, updated hardware, and a modern faucet — can transform an outdated bathroom for $1,000–$5,000. Re-grouting a full bathroom typically costs $300–$800 by a professional and removes years of discoloration instantly. Bathroom-specific paint (mildew-resistant semi-gloss or eggshell) costs $30–$70 per gallon, and a contractor charges $200–$600 in labor for a typical bathroom.
Cost Comparison: Full Remodel vs. Targeted Upgrade
| Project Type | Typical Cost Range | Project Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Gut Remodel | $15,000–$75,000+ | 3–8 weeks | Outdated bathroom, layout change needed |
| Shower/Tub Conversion | $3,000–$15,000 | 1–2 weeks | Aging in place, unused tub, water damage |
| Vanity & Fixtures | $1,500–$8,000 | 2–5 days | Dated fixtures, new homeowner refresh |
| Cosmetic Update | $1,000–$5,000 | 1–3 days | Pre-sale prep, tight budget, good bones |
Labor Costs and What Contractors Charge
Labor typically represents 40–60% of a bathroom remodel budget. A general contractor charges 15–25% of the total project cost as their fee, on top of subcontractor costs. Tile setters run $8–$25 per square foot installed (material + labor). Plumbers charge $75–$150 per hour and typically require $1,500–$5,000 for a full bathroom rough-in or fixture relocation. Electricians add $50–$120 per hour for GFCI outlets, vent fan wiring, and vanity lighting circuits.
Permit costs vary widely by municipality. Most jurisdictions require permits for plumbing changes, electrical work, and structural modifications. Permit fees typically run $300–$1,500. Skipping permits can create problems at resale — always pull permits for any work that requires them.
Accessibility Features and ADA Upgrades
Grab bars are the most cost-effective accessibility upgrade at $300–$800 installed (they require blocking in the wall). A roll-in shower for wheelchair access costs $2,000–$5,000 more than a standard shower due to the no-threshold design and larger footprint. Full ADA compliance — wider doorway, turning radius clearance, comfort-height fixtures — adds $5,000–$12,000 to a remodel but greatly extends the usable life of the space.
Bathroom Remodel Cost FAQ
The national average for a mid-range bathroom remodel is $20,000–$25,000 for a typical 5×8 ft bathroom. Budget remodels start around $6,000–$15,000, while upscale projects run $35,000–$75,000+. Luxury spa bathrooms with custom tile, high-end fixtures, and radiant heated floors regularly exceed $100,000. Your actual cost depends on bathroom size, quality tier, local labor rates, and whether you're changing the plumbing layout.
Tub-to-shower conversion costs $3,000–$15,000 depending on scope. A basic prefab shower kit installation runs $3,000–$5,000 installed. A custom tile walk-in shower (using the same footprint) runs $8,000–$15,000. Expanding the shower footprint to create a larger walk-in requires moving plumbing and typically costs $12,000–$20,000+. A frameless glass enclosure adds $900–$2,500 to any of these options.
A standard 36-inch vanity with sink and faucet costs $500–$2,500 for materials and $300–$600 in plumber labor to install. Mid-range options with quartz or granite tops run $1,500–$4,000 installed. Double vanities (60–72 inch) with premium countertops can reach $4,000–$10,000 installed. Custom vanity cabinetry starts at $3,000 and goes up with size and material choices.
Yes. According to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value report, a mid-range bathroom remodel recoup about 60–70% of costs at resale. An upscale remodel returns about 55–65%. A full gut remodel rarely returns 100% of cost, but an outdated bathroom actively hurts resale value — buyers discount for it. The best ROI comes from cosmetic updates and bringing a clearly dated bathroom up to current standards, not from installing the most expensive possible finishes.
A cosmetic update (paint, hardware, re-grout) takes 1–3 days. A fixture-only swap (vanity, toilet, faucet) takes 2–5 days. A full gut remodel with tile work typically takes 3–8 weeks including demolition, rough-in, waterproofing, tile setting (which needs cure time), fixture installation, and finishing. Tile alone requires 24–72 hours of cure time between setting and grouting. Custom orders for tile, vanities, and specialty fixtures can add 4–8 weeks of lead time before work even starts.
Permits are required in most jurisdictions for plumbing changes (moving pipes, adding fixtures), electrical work (new circuits, GFCI outlets, vent fans), and structural modifications (moving walls, expanding the bathroom footprint). Cosmetic work like painting, re-grouting, and replacing fixtures in the same locations typically does not require a permit. Permit fees range from $300–$1,500. Always check with your local building department — unpermitted work can complicate home sales and insurance claims.
The highest impact per dollar: (1) Re-grout and re-caulk tile ($300–$600 professional, $50 DIY); (2) Paint walls and ceiling with mildew-resistant paint ($150–$400); (3) Replace towel bars, toilet paper holder, and hardware ($100–$300 in materials); (4) Install a new faucet ($150–$400 materials + labor); (5) Replace a dated light fixture ($100–$300). Combined, these five updates typically cost $800–$2,000 and make a bathroom feel completely refreshed without touching tile or plumbing rough-in.
Tile installation (material + labor) typically costs $8–$25+ per square foot. Ceramic floor tile runs $4–$10 per sqft installed. Porcelain tile costs $8–$18 per sqft installed. Natural stone (marble, travertine, slate) runs $15–$40 per sqft installed because it requires more skilled labor, sealing, and careful handling. Large-format tiles (24×24 in or larger) add $3–$8 per sqft in labor due to the precision required for flat installation. A full bathroom with 80–120 sqft of tile surface typically costs $1,500–$4,500 for mid-range porcelain.