How much does a bathroom remodel cost?
Short answer: it depends mostly on how big the room is and how far you go. Here are the planning numbers we use, where they come from, and what tends to push a north-side bathroom up or down.
Cost by scope
HomeGuide’s 2026 cost guide breaks bathroom work into three scopes, priced per square foot of bathroom (materials and labor):
| Scope | Per sq ft | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh (minor) | $100 – $150 | Vanity, flooring, paint and fixtures; tub or shower stays |
| Partial remodel | $150 – $300 | Replace the tub or shower, tile, vanity and toilet in the same layout |
| Full remodel | $250 – $500 | Down to studs, possible layout changes, custom materials |
What that looks like for real rooms
Multiply by size and you get rough totals. These are the same ranges our project builder starts from, before finish level and add-ons:
| Bathroom | Refresh | Partial | Full |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half bath (~20 sq ft) | $2,000 – $3,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Hall bath (~40 sq ft) | $4,000 – $6,000 | $6,000 – $12,000 | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Primary bath (~80 sq ft) | $8,000 – $12,000 | $12,000 – $24,000 | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| Large primary (~110 sq ft) | $11,000 – $16,500 | $16,500 – $33,000 | $27,500 – $55,000 |
For another reference point, the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report from the Journal of Light Construction lists a national average of about $26,000 for its “midrange bathroom remodel,” a full update of a 5-by-7 bath with new tub, tile surround, toilet, vanity and fixtures. That lands near the top of the hall-bath partial range above, which makes sense: it’s a fairly complete job.
Line items people ask about
| Item | Typical installed cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New vanity | $400 – $4,000 | HomeGuide |
| Toilet | $350 – $800 | HomeGuide |
| Exhaust fan | $150 – $550 | HomeGuide |
| Heated floor (incl. new flooring) | $500 – $2,800 | HomeGuide |
| Frameless shower door | $600 – $1,900 | HomeGuide |
| Recessed niche | $200 – $500 | HomeGuide |
| Grab bar (each) | $50 – $300 | HomeGuide |
| Reworking plumbing for a new layout | about $5,000 | NerdWallet |
What pushes the price up
- Moving plumbing. Relocating a toilet or shower drain is where budgets jump.
- Hidden water damage. Old tub surrounds and toilet flanges often hide soft subfloor. We find it, show you, and price the fix before we touch it.
- Tile choices. Large-format, natural stone and intricate patterns take more labor.
- Glass. Frameless glass looks great and costs accordingly.
- Permits and inspections when plumbing, electrical or walls change.
Ways to save without regret
- Keep the toilet, tub or shower drain where it is.
- Splurge on one feature wall or floor tile and keep the rest simple.
- Choose a quality prefab vanity instead of custom.
- Bundle small fixes (door, trim, hallway floor) into the same project so you pay for one setup, not three.
Rough ranges, not quotes. These numbers are for planning. Your actual price is set in writing after a free in-home visit, once we’ve seen the room, the plumbing and the subfloor.
Sources: HomeGuide, Bathroom Remodel Cost (2026); HomeGuide, Walk-In Shower Cost; NerdWallet, Bathroom Remodel Cost (2026); Zonda/JLC, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (national averages). Retrieved October 2026.
Keep reading
Bathroom Remodeling
Refreshes, partial remodels and full guts for hall baths, primary suites and powder rooms.
Read more →Small bathroom remodel ideas
Layouts, storage, tile and lighting tricks for tight hall baths and powder rooms.
Read more →Questions to ask a remodeler
Pricing, schedule, insurance, permits, change orders and cleanup, asked up front.
Read more →Get a range for your bathroom
Pick your size, scope, finish and add-ons in the builder, then book a free visit for the real number.