How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Small Bathroom?

Average Cost of a Small Bathroom Remodel

Typical Costs for a Small Bathroom Remodel

Most small full bathrooms measure about 40 square feet. Half and three-quarter baths—or a half bath with a shower only—can be 20 square feet or less. Expect to spend an average of $3,000 on fixtures and an additional $100 per square foot on labor. Labor can run anywhere from $50 to $110 per hour for a licensed, bonded professional. 

The following chart only considers the costs of median-grade materials found in a typical home improvement store. For high-end and custom materials, you may end up paying two or three times more. There may be equipment and job site supply costs in some cases, although these tend to be between $10 and $250.

Flooring

Tile, porcelain, ceramic, and vinyl are all popular flooring options for remodeling a small bathroom. Paying for new tile is usually more expensive than enhancing old tile and will cost anywhere from $4.75 to $7.25 per square foot. When paying for the cost of installing new bathroom flooring, select a flooring material with a high degree of waterproofing and one that will not be too slippery when wet. 

Countertop and Vanity

Homeowners can choose from a wide array of countertop and vanity options for their small bathroom remodel. High-end options like quartz, crushed glass, and natural stone cost anywhere from $40 to $200 per square foot.

More affordable options like laminate or tile cost $10 to $40 per square foot. You're mostly paying for materials here since an installation in a small bathroom shouldn't take long. Ready-made vanities with their countertops included are more cost effective than fabricating a custom counter and vanity cabinet. 

Sink

Replacing a bathroom sink costs between $480 and $760 on average. Porcelain is the most common bathroom sink because it’s cost-effective and looks sleek. These sinks can range from $70 to $300. More high-end options include vessel sinks and artisan-designed sinks, which may exceed $1,000.

Shower or Tub

Installing a new bathtub or shower costs up to $1,000 on average. For a simple tub and shower setup, this is a good guideline. If you're installing a walk-in shower or something a little more fancy, you might pay up to $4,000 for materials alone.

Fixtures 

Smaller fixtures, like customized mirrors, towel rails, or toilet paper holders, vary in price but could drive up your bathroom remodel costs if you opt for high-end items.

Toilet

Many homeowners opt for a basic porcelain toilet. These start at around $125 and can go up to $500, depending on style, while toilet installation costs about $225 to $550. While porcelain toilets aren’t the highest-end toilets out there, they offer functionality over attractiveness.

Some high-end electric motorized toilets can cost upwards of $7,000 and require an electrical outlet in addition to the water supply line in the wall behind the toilet. Both the electrical outlet and water supply must be precisely positioned per the manufacturer’s specifications which would add to the cost of the already-pricey item.

Additional Accessories

Faucets, knobs, towel hangers, toilet paper holders, and other fixtures give life and unique pizzazz to your bathroom. Basic hardware sets start at around $40 but could creep into the hundreds for higher-end materials or designs.

Small Bathroom Remodel Cost Factors

The size of your space and labor prices matter but so do smaller items like obtaining the necessary permits. Learn about all of the bathroom remodel cost factors below.

Size

Most small full bathrooms measure about 40 square feet, so even 10 or 20 extra square feet will drive up the cost of your small bathroom remodel. For example, if you’re expanding and adding new tile to the space, you’ll need to factor in these prices. You may opt to just enhance old tile for some remodels and use your fixed budget on other items. 

Labor

Out of your total cost to redo a small bathroom, 40% to 60% will go toward labor. The cost of labor varies regionally. Tile installation and plumbing repairs or replacements will likely require the most labor. If you decide to change the layout of your bathroom, like moving a shower or toilet, you’ll pay more for relocating plumbing fixtures. 

Location

Remodeling a small bathroom typically costs up to $6,500, which is slightly lower than the cost of renovating an average-sized bathroom. Where you live, though, could impact the price you pay. In Los Angeles, for example, you might pay $18,000 for a job you could do for $14,000 or less in a different state. 

Design Choices

If you have a high-end primary bath, try matching the look and feel in other bathrooms throughout the home. A unifying design is easier to sell. If you're unsure what to do with the second bath, hire an interior designer. They can often help get a unifying look while remodeling a small bathroom on a budget.

Permits

In some states, such as California, you must obtain a builder's permit before any demolition or significant remodeling can start in your bathroom. Check fees with your local state or county to get a good idea of the cost.

Bathroom Layout (Gutting and Demo)

Demolition costs between $1,000 and $2,300 for a small bath. It requires no specialized tools but does require some knowledge of demolition basics. Understanding how to remove a wall without damaging electrical wires or plumbing is a priority before starting a DIY demo. If you're unsure, contact a pro; a proper demo is about more than swinging a hammer.

Remodeling a Small Bathroom on a Budget

Here are some tips for spreading your budget as far as possible to remodel your small bathroom.

Opt for Inexpensive Materials

Vinyl, porcelain, and laminate are all common in bathrooms for a reason—they do the job they're designed for and last for many years at a budget-friendly price point. See where you can cut costs by opting for functional materials, such as installing more affordable countertops. As with any remodel, but especially in bathroom remodels, the finishes you choose will have an enormous effect on the final cost of the remodel.

Do the Demo Yourself

You can save thousands if you’re willing to do the demo work yourself. However, make sure you understand how to demo a wall without wreaking havoc on your electrical and plumbing. 

Wear safety glasses, gloves, a hat, and a respirator. Ceramic tile is sharp, and breathing the tile dust is unhealthy. If your home was built before 1978, get a lead and asbestos test. A lead test costs about $325,and an asbestos test costs about $500.

Avoid Labor Intensive Materials

Materials that require hours of installation, like heavy stone or quartz countertops, will drive up labor costs. Since labor can run anywhere from $50 to $110 per hour for a licensed, bonded pro, you could save hundreds—if not thousands—by avoiding labor-intensive materials. 

Don’t Change the Layout

Excessive demolition will only increase the final price you pay to remodel your small bathroom, so you may want to think twice before drastically changing the layout. Additionally, moving the shower or toilet will result in higher costs because your pro will have to move the plumbing.

Remodeling Costs by Bathroom Type

Every remodeling project is a little different. Learn how to determine your costs by bathroom type below.

Converting to a Full Bath

Converting to a full bath requires, at a minimum, a new bathtub, which costs $7,200 installed. Before renovating, remember that: 

• a half-bath only has a toilet and sink. 

• a three-quarter bath has a shower, toilet, and sink—with no bathtub. 

• a full bath has a toilet, sink, bathtub, and shower. 

Converting a half or three-quarter to a full bathroom requires bathtub installation, which will take up more room than most showers. Depending on the size of the room, you may have to increase the size or redesign the layout of your current bathroom.

Adding a Shower to a Half Bath

Adding a shower to a half bath costs an average of $6,600. It has the exact same considerations and costs as converting a half or three-quarter to a full bath. The only difference is you'll need a shower installed in a space that generally only has a toilet and a sink. You'll need more space or a new layout with plumbing and possibly rerouted or new electrical if the room is not big enough to accommodate adding the shower. 

Retiling a Small Bathroom

A new shower means new tile. New tile installation costs an average of $2,000 for ceramic or porcelain. Glass or stone tile can be more expensive. You can also consider retiling the entire bathroom for a contemporary look.

Renovating for More Space

Installing a bathtub or shower in a small space means you'll need to make room. This may alter the layout of your current space and require moving plumbing to accommodate new drain locations.

• Increasing the space and redesigning the layout will require hiring an architect near you or a structural engineer with a national average cost of $5,000, but expect to pay quite a bit less for just a bathroom. Some contractors are also able to do the design work.

• Rerouting plumbing: $45–$150 per hour

• Rerouting electrical: $50–$100 per hour

• Demolition and wall construction: will require a carpenter for about $70 per hour

Cost to Remodel a Small Bathroom in Your Area

In cities or parts of the country with a higher cost of living like the east and west coast, your bathroom renovation project may cost hundreds or thousands more. It's always best to get a quote from at least three pros to lock in the best rate for the demolition or remodeling work you need.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

Selling a home comes with required inspections. Make sure your DIY work is up to code to avoid additional remodeling costs. When doing any DIY work, research all local and national codes, get the proper permits, and have inspections completed. Specific electrical and load-bearing codes exist for bathrooms because of the wet environment and load requirements. Not following local building codes can result in further renovation costs at resale and create safety hazards.

To save money, many homeowners are doing DIY renovations and remodels. A homeowner with the right experience, knowledge, and tools can pull off an entire bathroom remodel without sacrificing quality. If you renovate your bathroom yourself, you’ll only pay for materials, but if DIY work goes wrong, it can affect the resale value of the home and present safety hazards.

Bathrooms are one of the top items on a homebuyer's checklist. If you're looking to upgrade to resell, consider hiring a pro. Since you'll get an average of 60% to 70% of your investment back with the home sale, you may want to hire a local bathroom remodeler. A pro will take care of all permits, inspections, and make sure your home is up to code.