If you own or rent an apartment, you probably wish you had a bigger bathroom.
There are so many stunning remodel ideas for huge bathrooms, that its almost hard to imagine making any worthwhile updates if your square footage is tight.
Yet, in reality even a tiny bathroom can be remodeled to look amazing. The best part – it will cost you much less than if you were working with a larger space:)
If you don’t know how much it might cost to remodel your bathroom, this expert guide will break down the material and installation prices for different popular updates.
We will cover material and installation prices for the following updates:
1. Flooring
2. Tile
3. Shower Installation
4. Tub Replacement
5. Bathroom Fixtures: toilet, sink, faucet
How much does it cost to remodel a small bathroom?
While the amount you spend on a bathroom remodel depends on the quality of materials and labor you choose, here is a general estimate of how much you can expect to spend. This data is aggregated from thousands of bathroom projects across the US, ranging from budget to high-end.
On average, people spent $14,500 to do an extensive small bathroom remodel. On the low-end homeowners reported spending around $2,500, while on the high-end the costs averaged $18,000.
Bathroom Flooring Cost
One great update you can do in your bathroom is install new flooring. When picking the material, you should keep in mind that your bathroom is wet a lot and if you want the floor to last, it needs to be moisture resistant. There are a number of flooring options that may work.
Vinyl and linoleum are both budget-friendly, durable materials, that feel comfortable and come in many colors and patters.
Ceramic or porcelain tile are a more expensive, but longer lasting material, that has a more expensive look and feel.
Finally, if you are looking for luxury, there are a number of natural stone tiles available, such as marble, granite, slate. Note, that stone needs to be sealed every couple of years, so you should also budget for the cost of maintenance.
Here is what you can expect to pay for different flooring materials:
MATERIAL
COST
Vinyl
$1.00 – 7.00 / sq.ft installed
Linoleum
$2.00 – 9.00 / sq.ft installed
Ceramic or Porcelain Tile
$4.00 – 12.00 / sq.ft installed
Engineered Wood
$4.00 – 18.00 / sq.ft installed
Stone
$8.00 – 40.00 / sq.ft installed
INSTALLATION EXTRAS
Demolition of existing floor tile
$0.95 – $1.45 / sq. ft.
Install Radiant Heating
8.00 – 12.00 / sq.ft. (materials and installation)
Replace old/broken subflooring (requires hiring a carpenter)
$90 – 135 (for around three hours of labor billed at a rate of $30 – 45 / hr
Remove waste material (dumpster fee)
$150
Tile Cost
A small bathroom is an ideal space to make the most use of tile. There are many options that can give your bathroom that special touch of style and luxury. From using floor to wall large tile, to small mosaics, unique backsplash designs, or tile accents in the shower area, there is no shortage of design ideas. A wide range of material options, from economical porcelain to high-end stone, makes tile a great option for any remodeling budget. Similarly, there is no shortage of colors and patterns, allowing you to create a space of your dreams.
Here is a break down of the average cost of different tile materials:
MATERIAL
AVERAGE COST PER SQ.FT. ( low to high)
Ceramic tile
$4.60 / Sq. Ft.
Porcelain tile
$5.05 / Sq. Ft.
Marble tile
$6.20 / Sq. Ft.
Limestone tile
$6.20 / Sq. Ft.
Slate tile
$6.45 / Sq. Ft.
Pebble tile (set on 12″ x 12″ mesh)
$6.55 / Sq. Ft.
Granite tile
$6.70 / Sq. Ft.
Sandstone tile
$6.70 / Sq. Ft.
Travertine tile
$6.90 / Sq. Ft.
Onyx tile
$7.15 / Sq. Ft.
Glass tile (not mosaic)
$7.55 / Sq. Ft.
Mosaic tile (set on the mesh)
$9.50 + / Sq. Ft.
Loose pebble tile (or standing)
$17.0 / Sq. Ft.
You should also budget for some additional installation/labor costs that will be involved. Here are the most common ones:
JOB DESCRIPTION
SIZE
COST
Install tile baseboard
3.5 in x 12 in
$2.5 – 3.5 / Ln. Ft.
Install backer boards
3′ x 5′
$20 – 25 / each
Install tile backsplash
$15 – 41 / Sq. Ft.
Purchase thin-set or mortar and grout materials
$0.9 – $1.9 / Sq. Ft.
Remove bathroom fixtures (sink, toilet, shelving, etc)
$250 – 350
Remove waste material (dumpster fee)
$150
Walk-in Shower Installation Cost
One of best ways to save and increase precious space in your bathroom is to forgo the bathtub and install a walk-in shower instead. According the AIA (the American Institute of Architects), shower stolls are quickly replacing bathtubs new bathroom remodels; since 2013 more than 60% of homeowners opted to ditch the tub for a walk-in shower.
There are many shower design options and materials available. Designs will seamless glass doors look the most modern and create a sense of bigger space. On average, you can expect to spend around $3,500 to install a new walk-in shower, but prices can go as high as $10,000+. Keep in mind that it will cost more to install a barrier-free shower, than one with curbs.
Here is a table with pricing for different walk-in shower options:
MATERIAL
COST
Shower stall kit with acrylic or fiberglass sides and a hinged door
$250 – 2,000
Tiled shower enclosure
$1,000 – 3,000
curbless one-piece shower enclosure
$2,000 – 4,000
Install a regular shower door
$350
Install a glass shower door
$950
Install seam shower
$1,000
Install a new fan
$350
Fiberglass wall insulation with R-30 value
$2.25 / sq. ft.
New drywall
9.50 / panel
LABOR
Hire a plumber to add any extra features
$70 / hr
Hire a carpenter to add any extra features
$ 60- 70 / hr
Bathtub Cost
One of the most expensive fixtures you can have installed in your bathroom is the tub. If you don’t have a bathtub and want to install one, you should think carefully about whether you will actually use it. In a small bathroom, a tub will take up a huge amount of space, so we recommend avoiding it, if its not an absolute necessity. A corner tub can really save a lot of space, if you decide you want one.
Tub materials vary greatly in price and quality. Acrylic tubs are typically the most economical, while real stone or wood tubs are really expensive, luxury fixtures.
The average cost to install a new bathtub (including installing surrounds and plumbing work) is $2,800, but can go as high as $7,000-8,000 depending on the materials you use and the complexity of labor involved.
Here is what you can expect to pay for the most popular bathtub materials (does not include installation):
MATERIAL
COST
PROS
CONS
Fiberglass
$200-500
Most economical material. Lightweight and available in many colors
Does not retain heat well
Acrylic
$500-950
Easy to clean and warm to the touch
Can be easily scratched
Enameled Steel
$350 – 1,800
Cheaper and lighter weight than cast iron
May chip easily, and create a lot of noise when being filled with water
Enameled Cast Iron
$600-2,000
Durable and retains heat well.
Very heavy and may require additional structural support
Cultured Marble
$1,500-2,300
Beautiful colors and patterns, sleek, stylish look
Brittle, can be easily scratched and requires a lot of maintance
Wood Soaking Tub
$5,000-10,000
Retains heat well, deep, great for aromatherapy
Requires a lot of maintenance
Cost to Reline Your Tub
If your bathtub looks old and worn out, but you don’t want to replace it, you can reline it. This process involves creating an exact acrylic mold of your existing tub in a color of your choice. A liner installer will clean your old tub, remove the old drain and overflow, and put in the new liner. Afterwords, a new drain and overflow will be put in. The average cost to reline a tub is $800-1,000, including installation. The entire process can be completed within a day and can enjoy a bath right away!
Cost to Refinish Your Tub
The most economical and quick way to update a tub is to refinish it. Expect to pay an average of $450-900 for this job. Be sure to hire a professional contractor, as the refinishing process is complex and involves harmful, toxic chemicals. You will most likely need to be away from your apartment for a few days to let all the toxic fumes air out.
Bathroom Fixtures and Accessories Costs
When it comes to making quick and inexpensive updates, you can consider replacing all or some of your bathroom fixtures and accessories.
If you want to replace your toilet, the most space-saving option is a wall-mounted toilet. Also, be sure to get a high-efficiency toilet, so that you don’t waste water.
If you want to replace your sink, there are many material and mounting options to choose from. Popular materials include composite, cast iron, stainless steel, quartz and solid surface. Installation options include: pedestal, drop-in, undermount, vessel and wall-mounted sinks.
There are also many different vanity and cabinet styles to consider. However, if you are looking to save space it is best to select a small floating vanity. Built-in cabinets can really maximize space and help with organizing all your stuff.
New bathroom lighting is another worthwhile investment. Buying a beautiful fixture can create a focal design point of the space and add a personal touch. Moreover, a well-lit space is not only more pleasurable to use, but also looks bigger than a darker one.
Here is what you can expect to pay for the most common bathroom fixtures and accessories.
FIXTURE OR ACCESSORY
AVERAGE COST
Vanity
$80 – 350
Sink
$190 – 850
Faucet
$90 – 150
Toilet
$130 – 400
Countertops
$900 – 1,600
Cabinets
$400 – 1,000
Lighting
$120 – 550
Understanding Installation and Labor Costs
One of the biggest expenses you will incur in your bathroom remodel is contractor labor. You should know that rates that contractors charge for different remodeling jobs vary greatly and depend on a number of factors:
1. Your Location: if you live in an area with a high cost of living/expensive real estate, your contractor will charge a lot more than if you lived in a lower income area. Prices can vary by as much as 30% from the national average.
2. Size of the project: if you hire a general contractor to do a single job, you will pay more per square foot, than if you ask them to do a number of jobs in your bathroom. This is because on a small job a contractor still has to cover their prep and clean-up time as well as the overhead cost, and they will roll it into their final price.
3. Installation of specialty, high-end materials: if you are looking to install any high end flooring, tile, lighting, and other accessories, you will be charged more for contractor labor. This is because these products are typically more difficult and tile consuming to install, and often require special tools and experience.
4. Size and reputation of the company: if you hire a handy-man without proper licensing, he will charge a lot less than a reputable, fully licensed contractor. The decision is yours, but often trying to save on quality of labor/installation leads to disastrous results that cost a lot of money and hassle to fix. Small to mid-size firms may give you a better deal than a large-scale contractor. Lastly, hiring a contractor through a big store such as Home Depot or Lowe’s will cost more than an independent firm, but has an extra layer of protection against inadequate labor quality, guaranteed by the store.
5. Timing of your project: if you remodel during peak seasons, such as spring and summer, contractors are very busy, and you are likely to get their highest pricing. However, if you can schedule your project during off-season, such as late winter (after the holidays), you may get a decent discount, because many contractors will be looking for work at this time.