Cost guides › Bathroom remodel
United States
Bathroom remodel cost
A full gut remodel of a 54 sq ft bathroom, converting the old tub to a walk-in shower, typically costs $13,500, with most mid-range jobs landing between $10,500 and $17,600. A basic refresh with builder-grade tile and fixtures runs about $10,100, while full-height tile, a stone floor and a rain shower push it toward $18,500.
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Cost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $12,600 | $16,600 | $21,900 |
| Illinois | $12,200 | $16,100 | $21,400 |
| Massachusetts | $12,200 | $15,800 | $21,000 |
| Minnesota | $12,000 | $15,800 | $21,000 |
| Alaska | $11,700 | $15,300 | $20,500 |
| New Jersey | $11,500 | $15,200 | $20,300 |
| Oregon | $11,500 | $15,200 | $20,400 |
| Washington | $11,600 | $15,200 | $20,400 |
| District of Columbia | $11,400 | $15,000 | $20,100 |
| New York | $11,200 | $15,000 | $20,300 |
Show all regions
| Connecticut | $11,200 | $14,800 | $19,900 |
| California | $11,100 | $14,700 | $19,800 |
| Wisconsin | $11,200 | $14,700 | $19,800 |
| Missouri | $10,800 | $14,400 | $19,500 |
| Rhode Island | $10,900 | $14,400 | $19,500 |
| Montana | $10,800 | $14,300 | $19,300 |
| Michigan | $10,700 | $14,200 | $19,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $10,600 | $14,100 | $19,200 |
| Indiana | $10,500 | $14,000 | $19,000 |
| New Hampshire | $10,300 | $13,900 | $19,000 |
| Ohio | $10,400 | $13,900 | $18,900 |
| Maine | $10,300 | $13,800 | $18,900 |
| Nevada | $10,200 | $13,700 | $18,800 |
| Iowa | $10,100 | $13,600 | $18,600 |
| Vermont | $10,100 | $13,600 | $18,600 |
| Colorado | $10,100 | $13,500 | $18,500 |
| Delaware | $10,100 | $13,500 | $18,500 |
| Maryland | $10,000 | $13,500 | $18,500 |
| North Dakota | $10,000 | $13,500 | $18,400 |
| Wyoming | $10,000 | $13,500 | $18,600 |
| Kansas | $10,000 | $13,400 | $18,400 |
| Nebraska | $10,000 | $13,400 | $18,500 |
| Arizona | $9,950 | $13,300 | $18,300 |
| Kentucky | $9,900 | $13,300 | $18,300 |
| Utah | $9,900 | $13,300 | $18,300 |
| Virginia | $9,700 | $13,100 | $18,100 |
| Idaho | $9,650 | $13,000 | $18,000 |
| Tennessee | $9,650 | $13,000 | $18,000 |
| West Virginia | $9,600 | $13,000 | $18,000 |
| North Carolina | $9,550 | $12,900 | $17,900 |
| South Dakota | $9,550 | $12,900 | $17,900 |
| Florida | $9,450 | $12,800 | $17,700 |
| Louisiana | $9,450 | $12,800 | $17,700 |
| Texas | $9,450 | $12,800 | $17,800 |
| Georgia | $9,350 | $12,700 | $17,700 |
| New Mexico | $9,350 | $12,700 | $17,600 |
| South Carolina | $9,400 | $12,700 | $17,700 |
| Alabama | $9,200 | $12,600 | $17,500 |
| Oklahoma | $9,300 | $12,600 | $17,600 |
| Mississippi | $9,100 | $12,500 | $17,400 |
| Arkansas | $8,850 | $12,100 | $17,000 |
What's included
Mid-range
- Demolition: old tub, toilet, sink and all wall and floor tile removed down to the subfloor, debris hauled away
- New hot and cold supply lines and drain lines inside the bathroom, with shut-off valves
- Tub removed and replaced by a walk-in shower with a low-profile shower pan
- Waterproofing membrane on the whole floor and the shower walls up to about 6.5 ft
- Porcelain tile (12 x 24 in) on the floor and on the walls to about 7 ft, walls leveled first
- New close-coupled toilet and a countertop or semi-recessed sink with a chrome faucet
- Concealed shower valve with slide bar, hand shower and anti-scale head
- Electrical: three light points, two outlets and a sealed LED ceiling fixture
- Vanity with countertop and mirror, and a shower door or enclosure, supplied and installed
- Paint on the ceiling and the wall band above the tile
What affects the cost
Moving the plumbing
The estimate assumes fixtures stay roughly where they are and the main stack is kept. Moving the toilet to another wall means cutting and rerouting the 3–4 in drain, which on a slab or over joists can add days of work and a larger plumbing bill.
Tile choice and coverage
Tile is where the price swings most. Plain ceramic to wainscot height is cheapest; large-format porcelain needs flatter walls and more careful setting, and full-height tile or stone roughly doubles the tiling labor on the walls.
What's behind the walls
Rotted subfloor under an old tub, galvanized supply pipes or a cast-iron drain that cracks during demo are common surprises. Keep a contingency for them; a good contractor will price repairs per square foot or per fitting before starting.
Shower design
A standard shower pan with a curb is the most economical option. A curbless or linear-drain shower, niches, a bench or a frameless glass enclosure each add material and labor; the estimate covers a standard shower door or enclosure.
Fixtures and vanity
Fixture brands vary widely in price for the same function. The estimate covers mid-range china, chrome faucets and a stock vanity with countertop and mirror; a furniture-style or custom vanity, medicine cabinet and accessories cost extra.
Access and location
An upstairs bath in a house with tight stairs, or a condo where debris has to go down an elevator, costs more to demolish and supply. Condo boards may also restrict work hours, which stretches the schedule.
How to save
- Keep the toilet, sink and shower in their current positions so the drain lines don't have to move.
- Choose porcelain tile to about 7 ft and paint the wall above instead of tiling to the ceiling.
- Pick tile and fixtures before demolition starts, so the crew isn't paid to wait on back-ordered items.
- If the tub and wall tile are sound, consider refinishing the tub and retiling only the floor instead of a full gut.
Grants, tax and rules
Permits
Plumbing, electrical and structural changes usually need a local permit. A remodel that replaces supply and drain lines and adds circuits normally falls into that category, so ask whether the permit fee is in the quote.
Sales tax
Sales tax on materials varies by state, and labor is often not taxed but rules vary. Our figures are before sales tax.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to remodel a small bathroom?
For a 54 sq ft bathroom gutted to the studs with a tub-to-shower conversion, expect around $13,500. Keeping the existing layout and using standard tile brings it closer to $10,100.
Is converting a tub to a shower worth it?
For a primary bath used by adults, a walk-in shower is easier to get in and out of and the conversion is included in this estimate. If it is the only bathroom in a house where families with small children may buy, keeping one tub somewhere in the home is often the safer choice for resale.
Does the estimate include a vanity and a glass shower door?
Yes, a mid-range vanity with countertop and mirror and a standard shower door or enclosure are included, supplied and installed. Custom cabinetry or heavy frameless glass cost more and would be priced on top of the figure shown.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
A full gut remodel of a standard bathroom usually takes two to four weeks of work, plus time for permits and inspections. Waterproofing and tile setting need drying time that cannot be rushed.
Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom?
Replacing tile and fixtures in the same spots may not need one in some places, but new supply or drain lines and new electrical circuits usually do. Check with your local building department before work starts.
Why do bathroom remodels cost so much per square foot?
A bathroom packs plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tile and fixtures into a small room, and several trades have to visit in sequence. The fixed costs don't shrink with the floor area, so a small bath costs far more per square foot than a kitchen or bedroom.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 80.2 · Labour: $6,393 · Materials: $7,123
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics; Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates.