Bathroom Remodel Cost: Scope, Size, and Line-Item Budgets (3 References)

A bathroom remodel costs $6,000 to $18,000 on average, with most homeowners paying around $12,000.¹³ Minor updates start near $2,400, while full gut renovations run $9,000 to $30,000 or more.³ Per square foot, expect $70 to $400 depending on scope and finishes.¹³ Prices below are national averages* for 2026.

*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on bathroom size, fixture quality, layout changes, and local labor rates.

$12,000

average remodel, Fixr & Angi

$70 – $400

per sq. ft. range

$2,400 – $10,000

minor remodel, Fixr

40 – 65%

labor share of total, Fixr

Quick math: on the $12,000 average, Fixr’s budget split puts half — about $6,000 — into labor alone, our arithmetic.³ Angi’s average lands at $12,153, within 2% of Fixr’s $12,000, so the $12k figure is solid.¹³ The per-foot math is where sources split: Angi says $70 to $250, HomeGuide says $100 to $500, Fixr says $70 to $400.¹²³

Cost by scope

Scope	Angi	HomeGuide	Fixr
Minor (paint, regrout, refinish)	$3,000 – $10,000	$3,500 – $7,500 (35–50 sq. ft.)	$2,400 – $10,000
Partial (replace key fixtures)	$10,000 – $25,000	$5,300 – $15,000	$6,000 – $25,000
Full (gut to the studs)	$25,000 – $80,000	$8,800 – $25,000+	$9,000 – $30,000+

The sources agree on minor and partial work but split on full remodels: Angi’s $25,000 to $80,000 band covers large luxury jobs, while HomeGuide and Fixr anchor on average-sized bathrooms.¹²³ The Journal of Light Construction pegs an average midrange remodel at $25,250.¹

Cost by bathroom size

Bathroom size	Full remodel (HomeGuide)	Any scope (Angi)
25 sq. ft. (3′×5′)	—	$1,800 – $6,300
35 sq. ft. (5′×7′)	$8,800 – $17,500	$3,500 – $12,500*
50 sq. ft. (5′×10′)	$12,500 – $25,000	$3,500 – $12,500
80 sq. ft. (8′×10′)	$20,000 – $40,000	—
100 sq. ft. (10′×10′)	$25,000 – $50,000	$7,000 – $25,000

*Angi’s 50 sq. ft. figure is the closest it publishes to a 5′×7′. HomeGuide’s grid prices full remodels only; Angi’s spans minor-to-full work, which is why its bands sit lower. Per foot, a 50 sq. ft. bathroom at Angi’s $70 to $250 gives exactly $3,500 to $12,500 — the table math checks.¹²

Where the money goes

Fixr’s budget breakdown for a typical remodel:³

Line item	Share of budget	Typical cost
Labor	~50% (40–65%)	~$6,000
Shower or tub	~25%	$1,500 – $4,500
Vanity and sink	~25%	$1,500 – $4,500
Fixtures (toilet, faucets, lighting)	~10%	$1,200 – $3,600
Tile work	—	$600 – $1,800
Countertop	~6%	$360 – $1,100
Permits	~4%	~$500
Contingency for surprises	~5%	~$600

Angi puts shower installation at $8,200 on average ($300 to $15,000) and bathtub replacement at $2,000 to $9,400, with premade shower kits from $600 installed.¹ Demolition runs $600 to $2,300 depending on source, and permit fees span $100 to $1,000.¹²³ HomeGuide’s labor rates: general contractors $50 to $150 per hour or 10% to 20% of project cost; plumbers $75 to $150 per hour.²

Worked examples

Example 1 — 5′×7′ hall bath, full remodel. HomeGuide’s grid: $8,800 to $17,500 for 35 sq. ft.² Check the per-foot math: 35 sq. ft. at $250 to $500 per foot = $8,750 to $17,500, our arithmetic — the grid matches its own rate band.²

Example 2 — average $12,000 remodel. Fixr’s split: ~$6,000 labor, ~$3,000 shower/tub, ~$3,000 vanity, ~$1,200 fixtures, our arithmetic from its percentages.³ Add the 5% contingency and the realistic budget is $12,600.³

Example 3 — minor refresh, 35–50 sq. ft. HomeGuide: $3,500 to $7,500 ($100 to $150 per foot).² Fixr’s floor for a minor remodel is $2,400.³ Reglazing a tub instead of replacing it is why the low end exists: tub replacement runs $2,000 to $9,400 (Angi), a liner or reglaze a fraction of that.¹

FAQ

Why is labor half the budget? Bathrooms stack plumbing, electrical, tile, and waterproofing into one small room. Fixr puts labor at 40% to 65% of the total; HomeGuide’s plumber rate is $75 to $150 per hour.²³

What is the cheapest remodel? A minor refresh — paint, regrouting, vanity refinish, new hardware — runs $2,400 to $10,000 and keeps every fixture in place.³ Moving pipes or walls is what pushes a job into full-remodel pricing.¹

Do I need a permit? Usually yes for plumbing or electrical changes. Fixr budgets about 4% of project cost (~$500); Angi cites $100 to $1,000 depending on municipality.¹³

How much should I set aside for surprises? Fixr recommends 5% above budget (about $600 on the average job) for hidden damage, mold, or plumbing changes.³

Is a wet room worth it? Wet rooms are the most expensive option at up to $35,000 (Fixr) because every surface needs waterproofing; Angi’s wet room conversion band is $2,000 to $30,000.¹³

DIY shopping: swapping a dated bathroom exhaust fan is a realistic weekend job that protects the new finishes (plain link, no affiliate relationship).

Sources

Angi, How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost? (2026 data).
HomeGuide, How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost? (2026).
Fixr, How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost? (2026 data).