Know what your bathroom remodel should cost
A 50 sq ft bathroom remodel costs $13,700 to $21,400 in 2026, about $350 per sq ft installed. Across every option it runs from $6,500 (cosmetic refresh) to $60,100 (full gut renovation).
Four questions gets you an itemised range, adjusted for construction wages where you live. The whole number, up front, before we ask for anything.
What bathroom remodel work costs in 2026
| Project | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh Paint, fixtures, mirror, lighting, nothing moves | $5,450 – $8,550 |
| Standard remodel New tile, vanity, tub or shower in the existing layout | $13,700 – $21,400 |
| Layout change Moving plumbing, the single biggest cost driver | $20,500 – $32,100 |
| Full gut renovation Down to studs, new everything | $25,300 – $39,500 |
| Tub-to-shower conversion Single-fixture swap with surround and glass | $7,550 – $11,800 |
Where the money goes
Labour
$5,590 · 32% of the job
Tile and surfaces
$2,980 · 17% of the job
Tub, shower and toilet
$2,630 · 15% of the job
Vanity and countertop
$2,100 · 12% of the job
Plumbing rough-in
$1,750 · 10% of the job
Electrical and ventilation
$1,400 · 8% of the job
Permits and disposal
$1,050 · 6% of the job
Bathroom Remodel cost by state
Labour is the part of this job that moves with geography. These are the same 50 sq ft project, priced against construction wages in each state.
- California $14,300 – $22,300 +4.6% vs national
- Texas $13,800 – $21,600 +1.3% vs national
- Florida $12,900 – $20,100 -6.0% vs national
- New York $14,300 – $22,300 +4.4% vs national
- Utah $12,800 – $20,000 -6.0% vs national
- Virginia $13,500 – $21,100 -1.3% vs national
- Vermont $12,900 – $20,100 -5.9% vs national
- Washington $14,000 – $21,800 +2.5% vs national
- Wisconsin $13,600 – $21,200 -0.8% vs national
- West Virginia $12,800 – $20,000 -6.1% vs national
- Wyoming $12,900 – $20,100 -5.6% vs national
- Alaska $15,200 – $23,800 +11.5% vs national
Questions homeowners ask
What is a reasonable budget for a bathroom remodel?
For a standard 5x10 bathroom keeping the existing layout, a mid-range budget of $14,000 to $21,000 is realistic. Cosmetic refreshes start near $7,000. A full gut with a layout change can pass $35,000.
Is $5,000 enough to remodel a bathroom?
It covers a cosmetic refresh, paint, fixtures, mirror, lighting and possibly a vanity swap, provided nothing moves and you are not retiling. It is below what most contractors will mobilise a crew for on a full remodel.
Can I renovate a bathroom for $10,000?
Yes, for a small bathroom on a budget finish with the layout unchanged. A 5x8 at budget level lands near $8,000 to $12,000. Moving plumbing or choosing premium tile will exceed it.
What is the average labour cost for a 5x8 bathroom remodel?
Labour is typically around 32% of the total. On a 5x8 mid-range remodel of roughly $14,000, that is about $4,500, covering demolition, tiling, plumbing and electrical trades.
Reviewed and maintained by Anchorcost. Last checked September 3, 2026. Figures are verified against this page's own calculator on every build. How these figures are worked out.