Roberto Rodriguez
Latest posts by Roberto Rodriguez (see all)

Are you wondering, “How much will my bathroom remodel cost?” You’re not alone. We’ve all been there, searching the internet for a trustworthy answer to this question, but coming up empty. That’s why we decided to write this honest, unbiased article – to expose the real numbers and truly help answer your question.

Most of the time, you’re left relying on third-party and lead-generation websites to provide an estimate. But these websites are more interested in collecting data than actually doing the work of a bathroom remodel. They can only give you general information, and often don’t understand the specific details that go into your project.

So what’s the most accurate way to get a realistic price? Meeting with contractors and comparing bids, hoping that at least three of them are around the same price level. But this shouldn’t be the only option available to get a better understanding of the actual cost before committing to a contractor.

Investing in a bathroom remodel is a big decision that requires a lot of thought. There are many questions to be answered, and one of the most important is the cost. That’s why we believe you deserve an accurate answer to this question, which helps you make an educated decision and budget accordingly.

In this article, we’ll give you realistic price ranges for three types of bathrooms found in the average home: the master or primary bathroom, the guest or secondary bathroom, and the half bath or powder room. We’ll also explain the factors that can affect the overall price of your bathroom remodel, so you can determine where you might fall within these price ranges. Plus, we’ll cover common issues that can arise during the project.

So let’s get started…

What is the Cost of a Full Master Bathroom Remodel?

A full master bathroom remodel can completely transform your space, but it’s natural to wonder about the cost. Let’s dive in and see what a full master bathroom remodel might cost. 

 

 

To help describe this bathroom I’m going to separate It into three simple categories: Small, Medium, and Large.

 

Let’s describe it
Small Master Bathroom

This Master Bathroom has a walk-in shower with dimensions typically ranging from 3ft x 3ft to 4ft x 4ft. It does not have a tub, it has one or two sinks, a vanity size between 30-60 inches, a floor square footage between 30-50 square feet, and a ceiling height between 8-10 feet. This bathroom is similar to a Guest Bathroom in size, but with the difference that it has a walk-in shower as opposed to having a tub/shower.

Medium Master Bathroom

This Master Bathroom has a walk-in shower with dimensions ranging from 3ft x 3ft, 4f x 4ft to 3ft x 5ft. It has a separate soaking tub, one or two sinks, a vanity size between 48-72 inches, a floor square footage between 50-100 square feet, and a ceiling height between 8-10 feet.

Large Master Bathroom

This Master Bathroom has a walk-in shower ranging from 3ft x 5ft, 4ft x 6ft, 5ft x 5ft, 5ft x 8ft, and larger. It has a separate soaking tub, two sinks, a vanity size between 72-120 inches, a floor square footage of over 100 square feet, and a ceiling height between 8-10 feet.

 

Price

Small Master Bathroom

To completely remodel a small Master Bathroom, the price range is between $20,000-$25,000.

Medium Master Bathroom

This is the most common size bathroom found in homes. The price range to fully remodel a medium size Master Bathroom is between $25,000-$40,000.

Large Master Bathroom

To completely remodel a Large Master Bathroom, the price range would be between $35,000-$75,000.

What should be included in the scope of work of each of these three bathrooms?

Scope of Work

Of course, each project will have a different scope, but there are items that will be universal throughout the bathroom remodel process. So, to remodel any of the three different sizes of Master Bathrooms the scope of work should include the labor and materials for the following items:

  • Demolition
  • Hauling away debris
  • Drywalls repairs to existing damage or damage caused by the demolition
  • Paint walls, ceiling, baseboards, and doors
  • All the tile work on walls and flooring, including the tiles and grout
  • Shampoo niche and possibly a shower bench
  • New vanity with countertop and sinks
  • All plumbing and electrical work
  • The installation of all plumbing and electrical fixtures, including the actual fixtures
  • Installing Bathroom Hardware such as toilet paper and towel holders, and vanity hardware
  • A Frameless glass enclosure
  • Vanity mirrors
  • Masking and protecting the surrounding work area

These are the most common items that should be found on the scope of work of a Master Bathroom remodel. Now, let’s go over the factors that can alter the price of your project.

 

What Factors Affect the Cost of a Master Bathroom Remodel?

The Bathroom Location within your House. How the location Affects the Cost of a Bathroom Remodel

To answer the question “How much will my bathroom remodel cost?” location is an influential factor in the overall cost.

If your bathroom is on a higher floor, you may need to pay extra to cover the labor and material costs for additional masking and floor protection, as well as the extra time spent by the crew. 

For example, a bathroom on the second story may cost $800-$1,600 more, while a bathroom on the third story could cost $1,500-$3,000 more.

These price increases are due to the logistic challenges of accessing the bathroom and the need for a workstation within the home to minimize mess.

Keep location in mind when planning your bathroom remodel and budget accordingly.

Converting the tub into a walk-in shower

A popular renovation for many homeowners is converting a tub/shower combo into a walk-in shower. This is often requested by those with disabilities who find it difficult to get in and out of a traditional tub, or by homeowners with older children who no longer use the tub. On average, you can expect to pay an additional $3,200-$3,800 for this conversion, which includes the installation of a frameless glass door.

Adding/relocating plumbing or electrical fixtures

Making changes to the layout of your bathroom is a sure way to drive up the cost of your remodel. Common additions to the scope of work include adding a second sink, relocating the toilet, and moving the shower valve. These changes can cost an additional $1,200-$2,500 per fixture, depending on the plumbing and electrical work involved.

Wall Removal

Many homeowners opt to open up the space in their master bathroom for a more modern, airy feel. Luckily most of these walls are not load-bearing so the cost to remove them would not be too high. If you’re considering this, keep in mind that you may need to budget an additional $600-$1,200. 

Marble, glass tiles, and complex patterns

Installing certain types of tiles, such as natural stone or intricate patterns like herringbone and chevron, can significantly increase the cost of your bathroom remodel. These materials often require more time and specialized skills to install, and they tend to be more expensive than porcelain or ceramic tiles. In total, you can expect to pay an additional $600-$1,500 for labor, plus the cost of the tiles themselves.

Epoxy Grout

This grout is waterproof and requires little to no maintenance, therefore it is very appealing to homeowners; but at a greater cost. Due to the high price of this grout, and the difficulty level of the installation, expect to add between $600-$1,200 to your budget.

New tile backer technology

There are several new tile backing materials on the market that offer improved performance compared to traditional methods. One of the most popular options is the Schluter System, which provides superior waterproofing and cracks protection for your shower and floor tiles. The cost of using this system can range from $800-$2,000, depending on the size of your bathroom and the extent of its use.

 

Five Common Issues that Increase Bathroom Remodel Cost

To add to this list of things that could produce an increase in your budget, I would like to also mention five common issues that could be found after the job starts that have caused a price increase in your budget. Keep in mind that these items are not found in all of the bathrooms remodels, but it is good to be prepared in case they are found in yours.

1. Rotted Studs or Plywood: The majority of bathroom remodels are triggered by water damage caused by the leaky tub or grout cracks. These leaks cause the wood inside the walls and the plywood underneath the tub to rot or mold. There is also termite-damaged wood that can be found after removing the shower walls. To replace the rotted wood expect to add between $500-$1,000 if damages are around the shower area, and $1,000-$2,000 if the damage is greater and spread to other areas of the bathroom, and even more in a severe case of mold or termites.

2. No insulation or need to be replaced: In some cases, the insulation behind the shower walls can be in bad shape or non-existent due to bad construction practices. Expect to add $150-$300 to your budget in case the insulation needs to be replaced around the shower.

3. Iron water lines and drains: When remodeling a bathroom, it’s generally a good practice to replace the shower control valve and any exposed old iron pipes with newer materials such as PEX. However, if the pipes are in poor condition, particularly in the attic, as well as the water shut-off valves for the sinks and toilet, it may be necessary to replace longer sections. This can range from replacing vertical pipes from the plumbing fixture to the ceiling to a full house repipe. Prices for these replacements can range from $600-$1,200 per set of vertical lines to $8,000-$15,000 for a complete house repipe.

4. Hidden plumbing pipes, drain vents, and electrical wires: When removing furr downs and partition walls; it is common to find water and drain vent pipes, electrical wires, or air conditioning ducts. These would have to get relocated to allow the fit of the new design. Expect to add between $500-$2,000 to be prepared for the most common situations.

5. Hidden Layers: Most older homes have gone through so many renovations that it is not a surprise to find different layers of flooring or wall covering materials after starting the demolition of your bathroom. Depending on the amount, material type, and complexity to remove these layers expect to add anywhere between $200-$1,000 to your budget in case layers are found.

These numbers will give you a perfect idea of how much you need to budget to pay for your Master Bathroom Remodel.

 

What is the Cost of a Full Guest Bathroom Remodel?

Let’s Describe it

This bathroom has a Tub/Shower combination, one or two sinks, a vanity size ranging from 24 – 72 inches in length, a floor square footage between 35-50 Sf, and a wall height between 8-10 ft. This bathroom is most commonly used for the kids, or guests staying in your house.

Price

To completely remodel a common Guest Bathroom the price range is between $12,000-$25,000 whereas $12k-$18k would be for a smaller Guest Bathroom and $18-$25k for a larger Guest Bathroom. Let’s now see what the scope of work should include.

Scope of Work

To remodel a Guest or Secondary Bathroom with a price range between $12,000-$25,000 the scope of work should include the labor and materials for the following items:

  • Demolition
  • Hauling away debris
  • Drywalls repairs to existing damage or damage caused by the demolition
  • Paint walls, ceiling, baseboards, and doors
  • Shower tile installation, including tiles and grout
  • Shampoo niche
  • Floor tile installation, including tiles and grout
  • New vanity with countertop and sink
  • Installing the toilet, faucet/s, and new P-trap/s
  • Installing vanity light/s
  • New Tub
  • Plumbing and electrical fixtures
  • Installing Bathroom Hardware such as toilet paper and towel holders
  • Masking and protecting the surrounding work area

 

 

What Factors Affect the Cost of a Guest Bathroom Remodel?

Very similar to the ones of a Master Bathroom remodel the factors that can affect the price of your Guest Bathroom would be the following:

  • The location of the Guest Bathroom within the house
  • Converting the tub into a Walk-in shower
  • Adding a Frameless glass panel, door, or sliding door to your tub shower
  • Removing walls or relocating plumbing and electrical to change the layout of the room
  • Marble, glass tiles, and complex patterns
  • Epoxy grout
  • Newer tile backing technology

Besides these common factors, remember to keep in mind the potential extra work that could be found after the demolition of your old bathroom. I would recommend setting aside 10%-20% of the total remodel price to cover the cost of unforeseen items.

This information should give you a perfect idea of how much you need to budget to pay for your Guest Bathroom Remodel.

 

What is the Cost of a Full Half Bath /Powder Room Remodel?

Let’s describe it

This bathroom has a Toilet, a sink, a mirror, a vanity light an exhaust fan. It has an average dimension of 3.5 ft x 6 ft and 4ft x 8 ft, of course, this range can vary a lot, but generally, this room is small with an average floor square footage between 15-20 sf, and wall height between 8-10 ft. It’s used by visitors or for a quick bathroom break in the middle of the day.

Price

To completely remodel a common Half Bath / Powder room the price range is between $4,000-$6,500. What should this price include?

Scope of Work

A complete remodel of a Half Bath/Powder room in Houston with a price range between $4,000-$6,500 should include the labor and materials of the following items in the Scope of Work:

  • Demolition
  • Hauling away debris
  • Minor drywall repairs to existing damage or damage caused by the demolition
  • Paint walls, ceiling, baseboards, and door
  • Floor tile installation, including tiles and grout
  • New vanity with countertop and sink
  • Installing the toilet, faucet, and new P-trap
  • Installing a vanity light
  • Plumbing and electrical fixtures
  • Installing Bathroom Hardware such as toilet paper and towel holders
  • Masking and protecting the surrounding work area

Although each work scope is different, the items mentioned above are the most commonly found on a complete Half Bath remodel in Houston. Now let’s learn more about which factors can affect the overall cost of the project.

 

What Factors Affect the Cost of a Half Bath Remodel?

There are multiple factors that can alter the price of your Half Bath remodel. These factors are universal to all bathroom remodels but I will do my best to keep it more specific to a Half Bath remodel.

  • Removing or installing wallpaper
  • Adding a wall cabinet
  • Removing furr downs which could lead to having to relocate electrical wires or pipes
  • Replacing the exhaust fan
  • Relocating of plumbing and electrical fixtures
  • The location of the bathroom within the house. Will the crew have to walk and protect a great deal of flooring in order to get to this bathroom?

These items mentioned above will determine on which side of the price range will your Half Bath remodel be. Some of these items such as relocation of plumbing could shoot the price higher than the $6,500 range. In contrast, the price ranges presented here are for the average bathroom size between 15-20 sf, but perhaps your Half Bath is smaller, maybe between 8-12 sf, if that’s the case then you could be spending between $2,500-$5,000 to remodel your Half Bath in Houston.

 

 

Transform Your Bathroom with Ark Design & Construction

To recap, you already know the cost of the most common bathroom remodels, what their scope should include, and what factors can affect your budget. I hope by now I was able to help you have a more realistic expectation of the true cost of your project and helped answer your question How Much Will My Bathroom Remodel Cost?

If you’re ready to start turning your dream bathroom into a reality, we invite you to give Ark Remodeling Services a call in Houston at (832) 909-7903

Our team of experienced professionals is here to help you every step of the way, from planning and design to execution and completion. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and assessment.

Note: Depending on your City and Jurisdiction laws you may be required to pull Building Permits for your project. This could add a cost of anywhere between $500-$1,500 to your project.

 

Author: Roberto Rodriguez Owner of Ark Design & Construction

Author: Roberto Rodriguez

Owner of Ark Design & Construction

You are on the way to creating the house of your dreams.