Now is a great time to make the changes around the home that you’ve meant to do for ages. People are often intimidated by the upfront bathroom remodel costs, which can quickly stack up into five figures. However, you can make dramatic changes for a fraction of the price you might expect to pay.
Read on to discover our complete guide to the average cost of bathroom remodeling. Plus, plenty of handy tips about how to get the best out of your budget.
Average Cost Bathroom Remodel Breakdown
The following is a breakdown of the average costs of each potential component within your bathroom remodel. Remember: you can find solutions lower than the lowest end of the scale. Later on, we’ll go into detail about how you can make as many savings as possible.
Bathroom Design
Of course, hiring a designer is optional. Many people use the internet, magazines and their experience in other people’s homes to do it themselves. If you want an extra sleek, professional finish, it might be better to hire a professional. While you can make it look awesome alone, a designer can take it to the next level.
The average cost of hiring an interior designer for your bathroom: $5,500
Bathroom Installation
Unless you’re into stunning fancy fixtures and custom designs, the most expensive aspect of your bathroom remodel is the installation. Any work that requires plumbing, such as shower, sink and baths, is likely to be more costly. Tiles, floors, cabinets, and countertops also need specialist knowledge to install. It’s less likely you’ll be able to do these yourself, so our tips can help you out with this spreading or lowering expense.
The average cost of whole bathroom installation: $5,000 to $35,000.
Bathroom Flooring
There’s so much choice when it comes to picking tiles for your bathroom floor. Some of them look gorgeous, and they’re also costly. You can save money by going to simple tiles instead of ornate, embossed models. Natural stone looks terrific, but it’s usually the most expensive option. Ceramic is usually the most affordable option, and the simpler, the cheaper.
The average cost of buying bathroom floor tiles: $1,050 to $2,100
Bathroom Fixtures
Bathroom fixtures aren’t just your toilet, sink, and bathtub. It also encompasses your towel rails and heaters. Prices start low and mount up to eye-wateringly expensive. If you’ve saved up and you’re happy to splash out on expensive fixtures, there are plenty of options. You don’t need to feel pressured to buy fancy accessories, though. A brand-new bathroom with simple features will still look much better than your old one!
The average cost of bathroom fixtures: around $3,000
Bathroom Windows and Doors
While bathroom doors aren’t particularly expensive, bathroom windows can be. You’ll need frosted or patterned glass for privacy reasons, and bathrooms often require custom-designed windows. If you’re looking to save money, consider sanding down and repainting the door instead of replacing it.
The average cost of bathroom windows and doors: $300 to $5,000
Bathroom Lighting and Ventilation
Lighting is crucial in a bathroom. Installing new lights is a great affordable way to spruce up your bathroom without spending a fortune. Spotlights on the bathroom ceiling always pop, and you can even add lighting to your bath or shower for a funky finish.
The cost of bathroom lightning starts at $69.
Bathroom Faucets
You might be surprised by the way new faucets can transform your entire bathroom. There’s so much choice available now — you can get cascading taps, mixer taps, brass taps, and many more different styles to match the rest of your bathroom design. You get a set of new faucets for the sink and bathtub as part of an entire bathroom renovation or just opt to change one fixture at a time.
The average cost of bathroom faucets (including installation): $158-$342
Bathroom Countertops
Countertops come in a range of materials and sizes. As such, the price varies wildly. Of course, if you’re not on a budget, you can go for marble or granite surfaces that look stunning. For people on a budget, there are plenty of lower-cost options that look just as awesome, too. In some cases, you might be able to renovate your surfaces and give them an entirely new lease of life.
The average cost of bathroom countertops: $65-$1,000 per square foot
Bathroom Cabinets
Cabinets are an expense that lots of people forget to take into consideration when thinking about bathroom remodel costs. They add so much character to the room, and they’re so useful — all bathrooms need sufficient storage. However, they’re costly. If you can’t afford new cabinets, think about repainting and varnishing your current ones or adding space by removing the cabinets and putting up shelves.
The average cost of cabinets: $5,019
More Simple Ways to Lower Bathroom Remodel Costs
Now, you might be a little disheartened when you think about spending all of that hard-earned cash in one go. Don’t worry — here at Quicken Compare we’ve got your back. Here are some of the best ways you can drive down those average bathroom remodel costs.
Remodel Your Bathroom in Stages
Who says you need to do it all at once? Make a plan to carry out one piece of work every three months or so and set a budget. Within a year, your bathroom will have transformed, and within two years — the whole thing will be brand new. This way, your time and finances are never overstretched, and you can get the bathroom of your dreams.
Install a Sun Tube
Instead of knocking through a hole in the wall and fitting a whole new window, think about installing a sun tube. It’s an affordable method of bringing natural light into the bathroom while ensuring you have sufficient privacy. All you need is a small cut in the roof, the tube is installed, and the sunlight is filtered directly into your bathroom.
Try a Recycling Center
If you’re serious about saving money and reducing waste — and your impact on the planet, try a recycling center. You usually have to sift through a lot of rubbish before you get to the good stuff but trust us: it is there. Some people throw out their bathroom fixtures when they’re barely used, and you should be able to find tubs, windows, flooring, tiles, windows and pretty much anything else you can imagine.
Buy Bathroom Renovation Materials
A hot tip for first-time bathroom renovators is to buy all materials yourself, even if you plan on hiring a professional to do the installation. If you leave it to the bathroom installers, you’ll need to pay for their labor and time as well. Plus, you get full control and the final say on which products you choose.
Refinish Bathroom Fixtures
Cabinets, sinks, tubs and even toilets can be resurfaced, refinished and repainted so that they look new. This is a fantastic way to refresh your entire bathroom while saving money and being kind to the environment. This type of project is fun and gives you the feel-good factor when you’re proud to be economical with resources.
Regrout Old Tiles
You can even regrout and reglaze your used tiles, so they look brand new for a fraction of the price of new tiles. If the tiles in your bathroom aren’t cracked or broken, why replace them? You can change the color and give them an entirely different finish.
Use Shelving
Instead of installing cabinets, which are one of the biggest bathroom remodel costs, put up shelves. This saves you a considerable amount of money, but it can also save space. If you recycle your old bathroom cabinets and use shelving, you’ll have extra floor space to use.
Consider DIY
Some aspects of the bathroom remodel process require specialist plumbing knowledge. For example, installing a shower or a free-standing bathtub should be done by an experienced technician. However, some parts of the job — such as demolition or painting the walls — you can do by yourself to save money.
