Bathrooms are the most expensive rooms per square foot in any house, because every trade shows up in a 40 square foot space. Understanding the three tiers of bathroom project helps you budget realistically.
Tier 1: Cosmetic refresh ($6,000-$12,000)
New vanity, toilet, mirror, lighting, paint, and possibly floor tile — with the existing layout and plumbing untouched. This is the highest-return bathroom project available and takes about a week.
Tier 2: Full remodel, same layout ($15,000-$30,000)
Everything down to studs, new tile shower or tub surround, waterproofing, new fixtures, new floor, new exhaust fan. Layout stays put so plumbing costs stay controlled. Two to four weeks.
Tier 3: Gut and reconfigure ($30,000-$55,000+)
Moving the toilet, converting a tub to a curbless shower, bumping into a closet, or adding heated floors. Once drain lines move, you're into subfloor work and often joist modification.
Where the budget actually goes
Roughly 20% tile and waterproofing labor, 20% plumbing, 15% fixtures and vanity, 10% electrical and ventilation, 10% demo and disposal, and the rest in framing, drywall, paint, and project management.
The single best place to spend extra money is waterproofing behind the tile. It's invisible and it's the difference between a shower that lasts 25 years and one that rots the subfloor in six.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is a bathroom out of service?
- Plan on 2-4 weeks for a full remodel. We sequence work so the disruption is continuous rather than stretched out.
- Does a bathroom remodel add value?
- In the Capital Region, mid-range bathroom remodels typically recoup 55-70% at resale, and they meaningfully speed up a sale.
