How much does a small bathroom remodel cost?
How much does a small bathroom remodel cost?
$120 – $275 cost per square foot
$2,500 – $5,000 half-bath or powder room remodel cost
$5,000 – $11,000 small full bathroom remodel cost (5x8)
Small bathroom remodel cost
A small bathroom remodel costs $2,500 to $10,000 on average or $120 to $275 per square foot. Redoing a half-bath or powder room costs $2,500 to $5,000. A small bathroom renovation costs $5,000 to $15,000 for a full or primary. A DIY or partial bathroom remodel costs $1,000 to $5,000.
| Bathroom size | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| 3' x 5' | $1,800 – $4,100 |
| 4' x 6' | $1,900 – $4,400 |
| 4' x 8' | $3,900 – $8,800 |
| 5' x 7' | $4,200 – $9,600 |
| 5' x 8' | $4,900 – $10,900 |
| 5' x 9' | $5,500 – $12,300 |
| 5' x 10' | $6,100 – $13,700 |
| 6' x 6' | $4,400 – $9,900 |
| 6' x 8' | $5,900 – $13,100 |
| 6' x 9' | $6,600 – $14,800 |
*Prices depend on the size, materials, layout changes, and if it's a full, half-bath, or powder room.
A small bathroom remodel provides a 60% to 68% return on investment (ROI) and increases a home's resale value.
A small bathroom remodel takes 15 to 25 days or about 3 to 4 weeks.
Labor costs 40% to 60% of a small bathroom remodel budget.
Average cost of a small bathroom remodel
The following table shows the average price to remodel a small bathroom.
| National average cost | $5,000 |
| Minimum cost | $1,400 |
| Maximum cost | $15,000 |
| Average cost range | $2,500 to $10,000 |
* Cost data is based on research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Small bathroom renovation costs
A small bathroom renovation costs $1,000 to $5,000 for a partial remodel. Renovation costs depend on the materials, new fixtures, finishes, and plumbing or layout changes.
| Renovation | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Bathtub installation | $800 – $4,600 |
| Shower installation | $2,000 – $9,000 |
| Glass shower doors cost | $400 – $1,900 |
| Sink installation cost | $200 – $1,500 |
| Faucet installation cost | $200 – $600 |
| Toilet installation cost | $120 – $800 |
| Countertops installation | $450 – $1,500 |
| Cabinetry installation | $500 – $3,600 |
| Refacing existing cabinets | $200 – $800 |
| Flooring installation cost | $100 – $600 |
| Floor tile cost | $100 – $600 |
| Hardwood floor cost | $150 – $600 |
| Bath fan installation cost | $150 – $550 |
| Mirror installation cost | $140 – $430 |
| Install light fixture | $150 – $1,500 |
| Install medicine cabinet | $150 – $400 |
| Install hardware | $50 – $300 |
| Painting walls costs | $150 – $400 |
| Retiling shower | $800 – $3,000 |
| Steam shower cost | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Shower pan installation cost | $500 – $3,500 |
| Bathtub or shower liner costs | $1,700 – $2,500 |
| Tub refinishing costs | $300 – $600 |
| Permits cost | $200 – $800 |
Small bathroom shower remodel cost
Remodeling a small bathroom shower costs $3,000 to $8,000, depending on the style, type, and materials. Prefab fiberglass or acrylic shower stalls are the least expensive option, while a small custom tile shower remodel is priced on the higher end of the range.
Retiling a small bathroom
Retiling a small bathroom costs $7 to $25 per square foot or $2,400 to $4,200 for the floor, walls, and shower.
Retiling a small shower costs $800 to $1,650, including the tile and installation.
Retiling a small bathroom floor costs $800 to $1,500.
Retiling walls in a small bathroom costs $800 to $1,000.
Small bathroom remodeling costs by type
Small bathroom remodeling costs depend on the materials, finishes, and whether the bathroom is a half-bath or a full bath with a tub or shower.
| Bathroom type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Half-bath | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Powder room | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Small full | $5,000 – $11,000 |
| Small primary | $5,000 – $15,000 |
Powder room or half-bath remodel cost
Remodeling a half-bath costs $2,500 to $5,000 for a basic project or up to $15,000 for a high-end powder room renovation. The average size of a half-bath is 18 to 30 square feet, enough space for a sink and toilet.
Powder room remodels typically include:
Replacing the vanity, toilet, mirror, and light fixture
Retiling the floors
Painting or tiling the walls
Small full guest or kids bathroom renovation cost
Remodeling a small full bathroom costs $5,000 to $11,000 or $120 to $275 per square foot, depending on the materials, fixtures, and finishes selected. Remodeling a kids' bathroom costs less when using low-end fixtures and finishes.
Small primary bathroom remodel cost
Remodeling a small primary bathroom costs $5,000 to $15,000. A primary bath renovation typically involves upscale materials, high-end fixtures, and a larger walk-in shower than a guest bath remodel, increasing the costs.
Small bathroom remodel labor costs
The labor cost for a small bathroom remodel is 40% to 60% of the total budget or $1,250 to $5,000 on average. Labor for a bathroom renovation involves multiple specialists:
General contractors charge $50 to $150 per hour or 10% to 20% of the total project cost.
Hiring a plumber costs $45 to $150 per hour to make plumbing modifications.
Hiring an electrician costs $50 to $130 per hour to wire lighting fixtures and bathroom exhaust fans.
Installing drywall costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot installed.
Hiring a painter costs $1 to $6 per square foot or $300 to $500 to paint a small bathroom.
Interior designers charge $50 to $200 per hour or $600 to $1,400 to design a bathroom.
Cost to convert a half-bath to full-bath
Converting a half-bath to a full-bath costs $800 to $9,000 by adding a new bathtub or shower. Costs depend on the materials selected, plumbing work, and whether fixtures or walls must be moved to make space.
The minimum bathroom size to accommodate three fixtures is 5' x 7'.
A new shower costs $1,000 to $20,000+, depending on the size and materials.
A new bathtub costs $1,500 to $8,000, depending on the tub style, material, and features.
| Project | Average cost |
|---|---|
| New shower installation | $2,000 – $9,000 |
| New bathtub installation | $800 – $4,600 |
Adding a shower to a half-bath
Adding a shower to a half-bath costs $1,100 to $11,500, depending on the plumbing work and if the bathroom already has enough space or if walls must be moved.
The shower must be at least 30" x 30" to meet minimum code requirements.
Installing a smaller vanity or eliminating a closet may free up space for a shower within the bathroom.
Wall framing costs $3.00 to $4.50 per square foot to build new walls for a shower in a half-bath.
The ADA recommends a minimum shower size of 36" x 36" for improved accessibility.
Renovating bathroom for more space
Renovating a bathroom to create more space may require altering the layout, relocating plumbing fixtures, and moving walls.
Architects charge $100 to $250 per hour to design bathroom plans or a small space.
Installing plumbing pipes costs $1,500 to $3,000 when relocating bathroom fixtures. Keeping fixtures in their original location reduces remodeling costs.
Rerouting electrical wiring costs $5 to $17 per square foot.
Removing a wall costs $500 to $2,000 for non-load-bearing walls.
Structural engineers charge $100 to $220 per hour to inspect walls and floors after demolition.
Cost to demolish and redo a small bathroom
Demolishing a small bathroom costs $400 to $1,500, including hauling away the debris. Bathroom demo prices depend on the size, materials, and walls or fixtures being removed.
Dumpster rental costs $265 to $620 per week for a 15-yard dumpster, which is adequate for small bathroom remodels.
Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint or asbestos tile. Asbestos tile removal costs $5 to $15 per square foot.
For DIY demolition, wear proper safety equipment and take care not to damage electrical or plumbing lines inside the walls.
DIY cost to upgrade a small bathroom yourself
A DIY small bathroom remodel costs $1,000 to $5,000 or $70 to $100 per square foot. Redoing a bathroom yourself cuts labor costs by 40% to 60% but requires plumbing and electrical experience.
Hire a professional to ensure a high-quality renovation that increases resale value and follows local building codes. Some parts of a bathroom remodel require less expertise and may be handled DIY to reduce costs:
Demolishing the bathroom and hauling away the debris
Painting walls and trim
Installing vinyl flooring
Secure the required permits before remodeling. Most cities require permits and inspections for plumbing, electrical, or structural changes.
Budget small bathroom remodeling ideas
Follow these steps to remodel a small bathroom on a low budget:
Select lower-cost materials like ceramic tile or vinyl flooring.
Paint or refinish cabinets and add new hardware instead of replacing the vanity.
Replace the shower head, faucets, and mirror.
Select larger tiles to cut installation labor costs and make a small bathroom look larger.
Avoid changing the layout. Moving fixtures requires extensive plumbing work, increasing labor costs.
Resurfacing a bathtub costs $300 to $600 instead of replacing the tub.
Re-grouting costs $250 to $1,000.
Small bathroom remodel FAQs
How long does a small bathroom remodel take?
Remodeling a small bathroom takes 15 to 25 days or 3 to 4 weeks on average, depending on the extent of the changes. Complications that may delay the project include:
Permit approval typically takes 4 to 6 weeks before remodeling can begin.
Demolition may uncover issues like rot or mold. Bathroom mold removal costs $500 to $2,000 or $15 to $30 per square foot.
Materials and special-order items like tile, custom glass shower enclosure, or fixtures may take longer than expected to arrive.
Getting small bathroom remodel estimates
Before hiring a bathroom remodeling contractor near you, remember to:
Get at least three in-person estimates to compare.
Look for contractors with extensive experience.
Ask for references and review their portfolio of similar completed projects.
Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for 5+ years.
Avoid going with the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.
Confirm the contract specifies a precise beginning date, deadline, and schedule for each task.
Never pay in full before the project begins. Follow a payment plan instead for work completed.
Questions to ask
How many bathroom remodels like this have you done before?
Can I see a portfolio of your past bathroom remodeling jobs?
Can you provide references with contact information?
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
Who is the project manager, and will you use subcontractors?
How many people will be working on the project?
What hours do you and your crew work?
What permits do I need, and will you obtain them?
What other costs should I expect?
What does your warranty policy include?
How do you handle damages that happen on the job?
How long with the remodeling project take?