Bathroom Remodel Cost in 2026: Price by Layout and Finish
Bathrooms cost more per square foot than any other room. Here is what each layout costs, why two quotes for the same bathroom diverge, and where the money actually goes.
Short answer. Most homeowners pay $13,000 to $35,000 for a bathroom remodel, with a typical mid-grade project around $20,000. The spread is driven by scope, not by the size of the room.
At $400–$700 per square foot, a bathroom is the densest concentration of trades in a house: plumbing, waterproofing, tile, electrical, glass and carpentry in a room the size of a closet. That is why the price per square foot is high and why small changes in scope matter so much.
The ranges below cover a full bathroom in a single-family home with mid-grade finishes. A powder room, a tub-to-shower conversion and a primary suite gut are priced very differently, so start by matching your project to a scope row.
Cost by scope of work
The same room can fall into three different rows. Decide which one you are actually buying before you compare bids.
| Scope of work | Typical cost | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Powder room refresh | $4,000 – $9,000 | New vanity, toilet, flooring and paint. No shower or tub, minimal tile. |
| Hall bath, same layout | $13,000 – $22,000 | Tub or shower surround, tiled floor, new vanity and fixtures, existing plumbing locations. |
| Primary bath, layout change | $28,000 – $45,000 | Walk-in shower, double vanity, relocated plumbing, full tile, new ventilation. |
| Spa bath gut | $50,000 – $80,000 | Curbless shower, freestanding tub, custom vanity, heated floor, large-format stone. |
Where the money goes
A typical mid-range budget breaks down like this. Material-heavy projects (roofing, siding) put more into product; labour-heavy projects (painting, tile) put more into hours.
| Line item | Share | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Labour (all trades) | 25% | $5,000 |
| Tile and stone | 16% | $3,200 |
| Vanity, sinks and fixtures | 14% | $2,800 |
| Plumbing rough-in and relocation | 13% | $2,600 |
| Shower, tub and glass | 11% | $2,200 |
| Permits and contingency | 7% | $1,400 |
| Electrical and ventilation | 6% | $1,200 |
| Waterproofing and subfloor | 5% | $1,000 |
| Toilet | 3% | $600 |
Illustrative budget for a ≈ $20,000 bathroom remodel. Percentages are shares of the total project cost, not markups on materials.
What moves the price
Moving a drain
Relocating the toilet or shower drain means cutting the subfloor and re-pitching pipe. Budget $1,500–$4,000 per fixture moved, plus the tile and waterproofing that has to be redone around it.
Tile selection
Ceramic is cheap to buy and forgiving to install. Large-format porcelain needs a flatter substrate and more labour. Natural stone adds sealing, thickness and breakage. Tile is also where pattern decisions multiply cutting time.
Waterproofing
A bonded waterproof membrane behind the tile is the difference between a shower that lasts 25 years and one that rots the framing in eight. It is 3–5% of the budget and the most expensive thing to skip.
Old plumbing and ventilation
Galvanised supply lines, cast-iron drains and an exhaust fan venting into the attic are common in pre-1980 homes. Each is a code correction once the wall is open, and each adds $800–$3,000.
How much does it cost in your state?
Labour rates, permit fees and material logistics vary enough that a national range is only a starting point. California and New York run 30–35% above the national average for the same scope; Mississippi, Ohio and Texas run below it.
| State | Cost index | Adjusted planning range |
|---|---|---|
| California | 1.30 | $16,900 – $45,500 |
| New York | 1.35 | $17,600 – $47,200 |
| Massachusetts | 1.32 | $17,200 – $46,200 |
| Washington | 1.22 | $15,900 – $42,700 |
| Florida | 1.05 | $13,600 – $36,800 |
| Texas | 0.95 | $12,400 – $33,200 |
| Ohio | 0.90 | $11,700 – $31,500 |
| Mississippi | 0.82 | $10,700 – $28,700 |
Index 1.00 = the national average used in the range above. Derived from published labour-rate and material-cost differentials, then applied to the national range and rounded to the nearest $100. Treat it as a planning band, not a quote.
Local permits and HOA rules add cost that no index captures. Two or three written quotes for your address remain the only accurate number.
How to get a number you can trust
- Write the scope down. List what is being removed, what is being installed, and what is explicitly excluded. A bid is only comparable to another bid with the same scope.
- Get three written quotes. Ask each contractor to state the permit holder, the payment schedule and the change-order rate. Verbal estimates are not quotes.
- Hold a contingency. 10–15% on any project that opens a wall, a floor or a roof. Hidden conditions are the norm, not the exception.
- Check licensing and insurance. Verify the licence number with the state, and ask for a certificate of insurance naming you as additionally insured.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bathroom remodel cost per square foot?
Expect $400–$700 per sq ft for a full bathroom with mid-grade finishes. A 40 sq ft hall bath typically totals $13,000–$22,000; a 100 sq ft primary bath with a layout change runs $28,000–$45,000.
Why do bathroom quotes vary so much?
Almost always the waterproofing method, whether the walls are opened, and whether plumbing moves. A quote that does not state the waterproofing system, the substrate and the permit holder is not comparable to one that does.
How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost?
Typically $8,000–$16,000. The tub comes out, the drain is repositioned, a sloped pan and waterproof membrane go in, and the surround is tiled. Keeping the drain in place keeps the price at the low end.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
Three to five weeks for a full bath with no layout change. Tile and waterproofing cure times set the floor, not the trades: rushing them is how showers fail.
Do I need a permit for a bathroom remodel?
Yes for plumbing relocation, new electrical circuits, and any structural change. Many jurisdictions also require a permit for a full gut or for replacing the exhaust fan. Confirm before demolition starts.
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Last updated: November 2026. Figures are planning estimates for general information, not a quote or a contract.