February 3, 2026·9 min read

Bathroom Remodel Costs: What's Actually Fair in 2026?

Bathroom remodels are consistently among the most popular home improvement projects, and for good reason: they improve daily quality of life, increase home value, and deliver some of the strongest returns on investment of any renovation. But the cost spectrum is enormous. A simple cosmetic refresh might run $4,000, while a luxury primary bathroom transformation can exceed $100,000. Understanding where your project falls on that spectrum — and whether the numbers on your quote are fair — requires a detailed breakdown of what things actually cost in 2026.

Cost Ranges by Scope

Bathroom remodel costs vary primarily by scope: how much of the room you're changing and to what quality level. Here are the four major tiers, with realistic price ranges based on current national data.

Cosmetic Refresh: $3,000 to $8,000

A cosmetic refresh updates the look of the bathroom without altering the layout, plumbing, or structural elements. This is the most budget-friendly approach and can dramatically improve a dated bathroom.

New paint — $300 to $600 for a professional paint job (walls and ceiling)
Updated fixtures — $400 to $1,200 for new faucets, showerhead, towel bars, and light fixtures
New vanity mirror and medicine cabinet — $200 to $800
Re-caulking and grout refresh — $200 to $500
New toilet seat, accessories, and hardware — $150 to $400
Vanity replacement (prefab, no plumbing changes) — $800 to $2,500
Luxury vinyl plank flooring over existing floor — $600 to $1,500

A cosmetic refresh works best when the bathroom's layout is functional, the tile is in good condition (or can be painted), and the plumbing operates properly. If you're dealing with leaks, mold, or a fundamentally bad layout, a refresh won't solve the underlying problems.

Mid-Range Remodel: $10,000 to $30,000

The mid-range remodel is the most common scope for homeowners who want a meaningful upgrade. It typically involves gutting the room to the studs and rebuilding with new everything, while keeping the existing layout and plumbing locations intact.

Full demolition and debris removal — $1,000 to $2,500
New cement board substrate and waterproofing — $800 to $1,500
Porcelain tile (floor and shower/tub surround) — $2,500 to $6,000
New vanity with stone or solid-surface top — $1,500 to $4,000
New toilet — $350 to $800
New tub or shower base — $800 to $3,000
Plumbing fixture set (faucets, showerhead, valves) — $600 to $2,000
Electrical updates (lighting, exhaust fan, GFCI outlets) — $800 to $2,000
Paint, trim, and accessories — $500 to $1,200
Labor — $4,000 to $10,000

At this level, you're getting a fully new bathroom with quality mid-range materials. The wide price range reflects differences in bathroom size (a 40-square-foot powder room costs far less than an 80-square-foot primary bath), material selections, and regional labor rates.

High-End Remodel: $30,000 to $75,000

A high-end remodel introduces premium materials, custom elements, and often layout changes that require moving plumbing and electrical. This is where bathrooms start to feel genuinely luxurious.

Custom tile work (large-format porcelain, natural stone accents) — $5,000 to $15,000
Custom or semi-custom vanity with stone countertop — $3,000 to $8,000
Frameless glass shower enclosure — $2,500 to $6,000
Freestanding soaking tub — $1,500 to $5,000
Premium fixtures (Brizo, Waterworks, or similar) — $2,000 to $5,000
Heated flooring — $800 to $2,500
Plumbing relocation — $2,000 to $6,000
Custom lighting design — $1,500 to $4,000
Design fees — $1,500 to $4,000
Labor — $8,000 to $20,000

At this tier, you should expect a designer or architect to be involved in the planning. The quality of workmanship at this price point should be noticeably superior, with precise tile work, seamless grout lines, and meticulous finishing details.

Luxury Remodel: $75,000 and Up

Luxury bathroom remodels are fully custom projects that may involve structural changes, expansion into adjacent spaces, and materials sourced from specialty suppliers around the world. These projects commonly include features like:

Room expansion or reconfiguration — $10,000 to $30,000 for structural work
Natural stone slabs (marble, quartzite, onyx) — $8,000 to $25,000
Custom cabinetry and millwork — $5,000 to $15,000
Smart home integration (automated lighting, heated mirrors, digital shower controls) — $3,000 to $10,000
Steam shower system — $3,000 to $8,000
Premium audio and entertainment — $1,500 to $5,000

At the luxury level, costs are driven primarily by material selections and the degree of customization. The labor hours may not be dramatically higher than a high-end remodel, but the materials, design, and engineering complexity drive the budget upward.

Cost Breakdown by Component

Regardless of your budget tier, the proportional cost breakdown of a bathroom remodel tends to follow a consistent pattern. Understanding this distribution helps you evaluate whether a quote is balanced or if one category is disproportionately high.

Labor: 30% to 35% — This includes demolition, rough-in work, tile installation, finish carpentry, and project management. Labor is the single largest cost component.
Tile and surfaces: 20% to 25% — Floor tile, wall tile, shower surround tile, and countertop surfaces. This category fluctuates the most based on material selection.
Plumbing: 15% to 20% — Fixture installation, supply line work, drain modifications, and valve replacement. Plumbing costs spike significantly if you're relocating fixtures.
Vanity and cabinetry: 10% to 15% — The vanity, countertop, and any additional storage cabinetry. Custom vanities push this toward the higher end.
Fixtures and hardware: 10% to 15% — Faucets, showerheads, toilet, towel bars, robe hooks, and toilet paper holders. Fixture quality has an outsized impact on the daily experience of using the bathroom.
Electrical: 5% to 10% — Lighting, exhaust fans, GFCI outlets, and heated floor controls. Basic electrical updates are on the low end; custom lighting designs and smart controls are on the high end.

If a quote shows labor consuming 50% of the total cost or tile representing only 8%, something is off. Use these benchmarks as a sanity check against any quote you receive.

Common Add-Ons and Their Costs

Many bathroom remodel quotes start with a base scope, and homeowners add features during the planning process. Here's what the most popular add-ons typically cost.

Heated towel rack — $300 to $800 installed
Radiant floor heating — $800 to $2,500 (depends on square footage; typically $10 to $20 per square foot for the heating element plus installation)
Frameless glass shower door (upgrade from framed) — $1,200 to $3,500 premium over standard
Rain showerhead with ceiling mount — $400 to $1,200 installed (including rough-in to ceiling)
Built-in shower niche — $200 to $600 per niche
Lighted mirror or medicine cabinet — $400 to $1,500
Bidet seat or integrated bidet toilet — $500 to $2,500
Bluetooth exhaust fan with speaker — $250 to $500 installed
Custom tile accent wall or pattern — $800 to $3,000 depending on complexity

These add-ons can quickly inflate a budget. If you're working within a fixed number, decide on your must-haves during the planning phase and get them included in the base quote rather than adding them as change orders later.

Regional Cost Variations

Where you live has a significant impact on what your bathroom remodel will cost. Labor rates are the primary driver of regional variation, though material delivery costs and permit fees also play a role.

High-cost metros (San Francisco, New York, Boston, Seattle) — Expect to pay 25% to 45% above national averages. A mid-range bathroom remodel that costs $20,000 nationally may run $26,000 to $29,000 in these markets.
Mid-cost metros (Denver, Nashville, Portland, Austin) — Generally within 5% to 15% of national averages, though some of these markets have seen rapid cost increases over the past three years.
Lower-cost markets (Midwest, Southeast, rural areas) — Typically 10% to 25% below national averages. The same mid-range remodel might cost $15,000 to $18,000.

When evaluating a quote, always compare it to local market data rather than national averages. Quoterly's database accounts for regional pricing differences, which makes it particularly useful for homeowners in high-cost or rapidly changing markets where national benchmarks can be misleading.

ROI: What You'll Get Back

Bathroom remodels consistently rank among the highest-ROI renovation projects, but the return depends heavily on scope and quality relative to your home's overall value.

Mid-range bathroom remodel — Average ROI of 60% to 70%. A $20,000 remodel adds roughly $12,000 to $14,000 in home value. This tier delivers the strongest percentage return.
Upscale bathroom remodel — Average ROI of 50% to 60%. Higher-end projects add significant value in absolute dollars but return a lower percentage of the investment.
Cosmetic refresh — ROI is harder to quantify because the investment is small, but the visual impact can significantly improve a home's showing condition. Real estate agents consistently cite updated bathrooms as one of the top features that help homes sell faster.

One important caveat: over-improving a bathroom relative to the rest of the home or the neighborhood typically reduces your ROI. A $75,000 luxury bathroom in a $350,000 home won't return its investment. As a general rule, your total bathroom remodel budget should not exceed 5% to 10% of your home's current value.

Timeline Expectations

Renovation timelines directly affect your daily life, so it's important to set realistic expectations.

Cosmetic refresh — 3 to 5 days
Mid-range remodel (same layout) — 3 to 5 weeks
High-end remodel (with layout changes) — 5 to 8 weeks
Luxury remodel (structural changes, custom elements) — 8 to 14 weeks

These timelines assume materials are ordered and available before demolition begins. Material lead times can add 2 to 8 weeks to the front end of your project, particularly for custom vanities, specialty tile, and frameless glass enclosures. Always confirm material availability and lead times before setting a start date.

If your home has only one bathroom, plan for temporary arrangements. Some homeowners set up a portable shower or arrange to use a nearby gym's facilities. Discuss the timeline in detail with your contractor and build in a buffer of at least 1 week for unexpected delays.

Where to Splurge vs. Where to Save

Every bathroom remodel involves trade-offs. Here's guidance on where your dollars have the most impact and where you can cut costs without sacrificing quality.

Worth the Splurge

Tile quality and installation — Tile is the visual centerpiece of most bathrooms and the hardest element to replace later. Investing in quality porcelain or natural stone, professionally installed with precise grout lines, pays dividends for decades.
Shower fixtures and valves — You interact with the shower daily. A thermostatic valve, quality showerhead, and reliable handle set make a tangible difference in comfort. Expect to spend $800 to $2,000 for a quality shower fixture set.
Waterproofing — Proper waterproofing (Schluter Kerdi, Laticrete Hydro Ban, or equivalent membrane systems) prevents the most common cause of bathroom remodel failure: water infiltration behind tile. This is a $500 to $1,500 line item that protects a $15,000+ investment.
Ventilation — A properly sized, quiet exhaust fan (1.0 sone or less) prevents moisture damage and mold growth. Spending $200 to $400 on a quality fan is one of the best investments in the entire project.

Good Places to Save

Toilet — A $350 to $500 toilet from a reputable manufacturer (Kohler, TOTO, American Standard) performs virtually identically to a $1,200 model. The differences at the high end are primarily aesthetic.
Accessories and hardware — Towel bars, robe hooks, and toilet paper holders from mid-range lines look nearly identical to luxury brands at a fraction of the cost. You can outfit a bathroom with quality accessories for $200 to $400.
Paint — Premium bathroom paint from Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams costs $50 to $70 per gallon and delivers excellent moisture resistance and durability. There's no need to overspend here.
Vanity lighting — Attractive vanity light fixtures are available in the $100 to $300 range from brands like Progress Lighting and Kichler. Unless you're pursuing a specific designer look, mid-range lighting performs and looks excellent.

The Bottom Line

A bathroom remodel is a significant investment at any scope, and the gap between a fair price and an inflated one can easily exceed $5,000 to $10,000. The key to staying on budget and getting good value is understanding what things actually cost — by component, by scope, and by region.

Use the cost ranges and percentage breakdowns in this guide as a baseline when evaluating quotes. If your quote's labor component is 45% of the total or the tile line item seems 50% higher than market rates, those are signals worth investigating. Request itemized quotes, compare at least three bids using a structured process, and don't hesitate to ask your contractor to explain any line item that seems out of range. A bathroom remodel done right will serve you well for 15 to 20 years. Taking the time to ensure fair pricing at the outset is one of the best investments you can make in the entire project.