How Much Do Bathroom Remodels Cost?
Ready for that bathroom upgrade? Well, you are not alone; Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies reports that homeowners in America dish out more than $300 billion annually to make their houses more awesome.
You are probably in the stage where you have set aside some money to create your dream bathroom and wondering how much it will all eventually cost. You have to keep in mind that the prices vary greatly, explains VDL Construction, an experienced building company in London.
A relatively small bathroom remodel will cost you around $8,750. A midrange bathroom remodel will cost just over $18,000 and, an upscale bathroom remodel will cost over $50,000 to complete.
The cost depends on the size of the bathroom, the contractors that you get, the materials that you use, the location and the quality of the fixtures.
How Changing the Layout Can Affect the Cost
One of the major aspects of a bathroom remodels cost depends on the type of layout you decide on. If the new layout requires you to do a lot of renovating, then the price of the remodel will go up significantly. Renovating means anything involving taking down walls and putting up wall components like dividers.
You should select a layout that is simple and works well with your current bathroom’s layout. The minimalist design looks good anyway and keeps the cost of the remodel from breaking the bank.
The reason is, the contractors won’t need to completely redo your piping, electric wiring, or any major. The largest expense with any type of remodel is labor, so you will be saving quite a bit of money.
What are the Material Costs of Material?
The materials you get will probably have the widest range of prices. If we are looking at a “midrange” bathroom remodel, then you should expect to spend anything between $8,000 to $10,000 on materials.
This includes any new fixtures like a new toilet, a new sink, and a new bathtub. It will also include the cost of new tiling, new cupboards, and a new countertop for the sink.
The cost of your materials can skyrocket if you want any specialized fixtures or if you need the bathroom to be handicapped-accessible. If you have to make the bathroom handicapped-accessible, then you should expect the cost of your materials to go up another $2,000 to $3,000.
According to HomeAdvisor, the price of:
- Bathtub: $400 to $8,0000
- Cabinets: $1,200 to $13,000
- Countertops: $900 to $6,500
- Flooring: $800 to $7,000
- Lighting fixtures: $120 to $4,000
- Shower: $450 to $10,000
- Sink: $190 to $6,500
- Toilet: $130 to $780
What are the Labor Costs for a Bathroom Remodel?
As a general rule of thumb that you should keep in mind is that you should expect the cost of the labor for the remodel to be roughly twice as much as the materials that you bought were. Obviously, this isn’t a hard and fast rule, but generally, this is the case.
If we are looking at a bathroom that is roughly 100 square feet, the labor will cost an average of $12,000 to $13,000. This includes the labor needed to completely redo the tile, completely install new fixtures, complete any needed wiring and plumbing and then have everything inspected afterward.
You should never overlook the importance of having your wiring and plumbing inspected right after the contractors are finished doing it. This will help you save a lot of money on repairs in the future.
When is the Best Time of Year to Remodel a Bathroom?
Also, there are certain times during the year that may be more cost-effective to remodel your bathroom. I know you are probably dying to do it, but you should hire contractors during a season where fewer jobs are coming in.
This will most likely be in the winter months. You will feel a lot better to know that the price will be lower. Not only will labor be likely cheaper than usual, but materials and products that you will need to purchase for the job will be as well.
Many homeowners are deciding to stay put in their current houses instead of moving and upgrading to a new one. This is making home improvement more popular overall. Lots of remodeling magazines are reporting that the demand for these services has been on the rise. So as a result, the prices of building materials are increasing as well as the cost of labor.
How should you Pay for your Bathroom Makeover?
You should also keep in mind, how you will finance your bathroom remodel. Will you draw from your savings? Did you already have this set up in your budget? Will you use a home equity loan? What about low-interest credit cards or unsecured personal loans?
If you are planning to apply for a new credit card or loan, you should make sure your credit history already reflects that you are a credit-worthy borrower by continuing to reduce your existing debt and pay your bills on time.
There is a lot to consider when doing a bathroom remodel. So, you should do your due diligence and do some more research. Make a plan and see your dream bathroom come true.
