Bathroom Remodel Cost Calculator

Project inputs

Bathroom type

Sets baseline labor hours per square foot.

Finish quality

Adjusts material and labor complexity factors.

Area cost level

Applies local multiplier to labor and trades.

Bathroom size (sq ft)

Ceiling height (ft)

Higher ceilings add finish and access time.

Labor rate ($/hour)

Use blended contractor rate for your area.

Permits & inspections ($)

Overhead (%)

Profit (%)

Contingency (%)

Covers hidden issues and change orders.

Scope options

Demolition included

Layout changes

Plumbing relocation

Electrical upgrade

Waterproofing system

These options increase labor and trade minimums.

Fixtures and allowances

Enter realistic allowances for your selections.

Toilet allowance ($)

Vanity allowance ($)

Faucets allowance ($)

Tub/Shower allowance ($)

Lighting allowance ($)

Vent fan allowance ($)

Mirror & accessories ($)

Paint (lump sum $)

Disposal / haul-away ($)

Applied only when demolition is included.

Tile and flooring

Separate material and install costs for accuracy.

Tile area (sq ft)

Tile material ($/sq ft)

Tile labor ($/sq ft)

Floor area (sq ft)

Floor material ($/sq ft)

Example data table

Sample scenarios show how scope and finishes affect totals.

Scenario	Size (sq ft)	Quality	Scope notes	Estimated total	$/sq ft
Refresh	40	Economy	Keep layout, basic fixtures, limited tile	$9,500 - $14,500	$238 - $363
Mid-range	55	Standard	New vanity, full tile surround, fan upgrade	$16,000 - $26,000	$291 - $473
Major upgrade	70	Premium	Layout change, plumbing move, waterproofing	$28,000 - $45,000	$400 - $643

Use your local labor rate and allowances for best results.

Formula used

1) Materials

Fixtures materials = (toilet + vanity + faucets + tub/shower) x quality material multiplier
Tile materials = tile area x tile material rate x quality material multiplier
Flooring materials = floor area x floor material rate x quality material multiplier
Allowances = (paint + lighting + fan + accessories) x quality material multiplier

2) Labor

General labor hours = size x base hours/sq ft x quality labor multiplier x height factor x complexity factor
General labor cost = general labor hours x labor rate x region multiplier
Tile labor cost = tile area x tile labor rate x quality labor multiplier x region multiplier
Trade minimums add fixed allowances for plumbing or electrical work.

3) Totals

Direct cost = materials + labor + permits + disposal
Overhead = direct cost x overhead %
Profit = (direct cost + overhead) x profit %
Subtotal = direct cost + overhead + profit
Project total = subtotal + (subtotal x contingency %)

How to use this calculator

Choose the bathroom type that matches your scope.
Enter the room size and ceiling height for access time.
Select a finish quality level close to your selections.
Set your local labor rate and area cost level.
Enter realistic fixture, tile, and flooring allowances.
Toggle scope options like layout changes or waterproofing.
Adjust overhead, profit, and contingency for your plan.
Press Calculate to view the full breakdown above.
Use the CSV or PDF buttons to save your estimate.

Good planning reduces surprises and improves remodeling satisfaction greatly.

Bathroom Remodel Cost Insights

1) Typical cost ranges by scope

Most remodels fall into three bands: refresh, upgrade, and rebuild. Refresh work keeps the layout and focuses on paint, lighting, and simple fixture swaps. Upgrades add new vanity, flooring, and wider tile coverage. Rebuilds include layout changes, waterproofing, and heavier trade coordination.

2) Cost per square foot benchmarks

Unit costs can look high in small bathrooms because permits, trade minimums, and core fixtures stay relatively fixed. Larger rooms may lower the unit cost, but premium finishes can erase that advantage. Track both project total and dollars per square foot for clearer comparisons. Track permits and lead times during planning early.

3) Fixtures and fittings allowances

Fixtures drive big swings in budget. Toilets, vanities, faucets, and shower packages range from entry level to luxury quickly. Set allowances that match your selections, then choose a quality level that reflects trim, hardware, and overall finish expectations. This keeps estimates consistent across bids.

4) Tile material and installation

Tile costs are best split into material and labor. Labor rises with niches, patterns, mosaics, and full-height walls. Large-format tile may also increase prep time for flatter substrates. Measure tile area carefully and include waste; 10% extra is common for cuts and breakage.

5) Labor, access, and height effects

General labor is modeled from room size, a base hours-per-square-foot rate, and multipliers for ceiling height and complexity. Higher ceilings add setup and finishing time. Tight access, limited staging, and occupied homes can also slow production, so use a realistic local labor rate.

6) Plumbing and electrical changes

Moving supply or drain lines typically triggers licensed work, permits, and inspection time. Electrical upgrades can include new circuits, GFCI protection, added lighting, and fan venting. Even when square footage is modest, these items can add meaningful fixed costs beyond general labor hours.

7) Overhead, profit, and contingency

Overhead covers supervision, insurance, scheduling, and tools. Profit is the contractor’s margin for risk and management. Contingency is your buffer for hidden damage and scope creep. Many plans use 10% to 20% contingency for gut renovations, and 5% to 10% for refresh work.

8) Turning an estimate into a strong bid package

Use the breakdown to confirm assumptions before requesting quotes. Align scope options, allowances, and finish quality so proposals are comparable. When bids arrive, adjust allowances rather than cutting essentials. Export the estimate to document decisions, then update the numbers as selections become final.

FAQs

1) Why does a small bathroom sometimes cost more per square foot?

Trade minimums, permits, and core fixtures remain similar across sizes. When the room is smaller, those fixed costs are spread over fewer square feet, increasing the unit cost even if materials are modest.

2) What contingency percentage should I use?

For light refresh work, 5% to 10% may be adequate. For full gut renovations, older homes, or layout changes, 10% to 20% is common to cover hidden damage and changes.

3) How should I estimate tile area?

Measure wall width and height for each tiled wall, then add them together. Include the floor if it is tiled. Add extra for niches, curbs, and waste from cuts, typically 10%.

4) Do quality levels change labor or just materials?

Both can change. Higher-quality finishes often require more prep, tighter tolerances, and additional detailing. This calculator applies separate multipliers so material allowances and labor intensity can rise together.

5) When should I select plumbing relocation?

Select it when fixtures move or when you change drain or supply locations, such as shifting a toilet, moving a vanity, or converting a tub to a shower. Minor valve swaps usually do not count.

6) What is included in overhead and profit?

Overhead covers operational costs like supervision, insurance, tools, and scheduling. Profit is the contractor’s margin for taking the job and managing risk. They are separate from your contingency reserve.

7) How can I use the CSV and PDF exports effectively?

Share exports with contractors or decision makers to confirm assumptions. Compare bids using the same scope options and allowances. Update the estimate as selections change to keep your budget aligned.