Bathroom remodeling is one of the most expensive parts of any home renovation project. Homeowners can spend thousands of dollars on upgrading their bathroom, even if it’s small.
Fortunately, there are numerous ways to remodel your bathroom on a budget – even one that is pretty limited. Small changes can make a big difference, so you can get a new-looking bathroom without spending a fortune.
What Is the Cheapest Way To Remodel A Bathroom?
If you want to remodel a bathroom on a limited budget, there are a number of things you can do to save money. Most revolve around purchasing more affordable materials and doing the work yourself instead of hiring professionals.
Cutting labor costs can be challenging, but it’s possible. If you’re not handy with tools, don’t hesitate to ask your family or friends for help.
Here are a few bathroom remodeling ideas that don’t cost much:
- Paint the walls
- Install new lighting fixtures
- Replace faucets and showerheads
- Add accessories like towel racks, baskets, or shelves
- Refurbish the existing plumbing fixtures
- Install a new mirror
- Install laminate or vinyl flooring instead of tiles
- Shop secondhand
Did you know? On average, ceramic tiles cost between $8 and $41 per square foot, while natural stone tiles cost up to $190 per square foot. This is just one example of how much money you could save by choosing more affordable flooring options.
Check out our guide on the Best Laminate Flooring For A Bathroom.
What Is The Cheapest Way To Remodel A Shower?
Remodeling a shower can be expensive, but you can reduce the costs if you plan carefully.
You can save a lot of money by choosing less costly materials and doing most of the work without hiring a contractor.
Another way to save money when remodeling a shower is to use simple yet effective solutions in terms of saving space, functionality, and aesthetics.
Here are a few ideas that can help:
- Purchase affordable tiles
- Use laminate shower pans
- Buy mass-produced shower doors
- Consider installing a shower curtain
How Much Does It Cost To Remodel An Average Size Bathroom?
Discussing bathroom remodeling costs isn’t easy because there are so many factors to consider. The two factors that dictate the final costs are materials and labor.
We’ll discuss the average costs and break them down by labor, materials, location, and square footage.
Moreover, we’ll mention additional costs you should consider when remodeling your bathroom.
Average Budget Of A Bathroom Remodel
The average cost for remodeling an average-sized bathroom is $10,648. Homeowners can expect to pay anywhere between $6,112 and $15,100, depending on existing damage and the need to replace fixtures.
| Bathroom Size in Square Feet | Average Price of Remodel |
|---|---|
| 15 | $1,425-$2,175 |
| 24 | $2,280-$3,480 |
| 32 | $3,040-$4,640 |
| 36 | $3,420-$5,220 |
| 40 | $3,800-$5,800 |
| 45 | $4,275-$6,525 |
| 63 | $5,985-$9,135 |
| 80 | $7,600-$11,600 |
Of course, the price can be much higher if you choose the most expensive materials.
Bathroom Remodel Budget By Labor
The biggest part of bathroom remodeling costs is labor. You should be prepared to pay around $47-$72 per hour for labor, depending on where you live.
The final labor costs also depend on the professionals you’ll need to hire. You’ll likely need a plumber, a general contractor, and an electrician.
Optionally, you can also hire an interior designer if you want to make the most of the available space.
Plumbers charge between $900 and $1,900 for their work. General contractors’ rates usually go by the day, and homeowners can expect to pay up to $395 per day. Licensed electricians charge by the hour, usually between $50 and $100.
Bathroom Remodel Budget By Materials
Material prices typically range between $900 and $8,700.
Planning ahead and taking your time to choose the best options allows you to save a lot of money when remodeling. You can make your bathroom look great without purchasing high-end items.
Here’s a breakdown of the price of different bathroom elements you may need to purchase when remodeling:
- Accessories (baskets, towel racks, hangers, decoration) – $10-$150
- Bathroom fan – $40-$270
- Lighting fixtures – $90-$450
- Countertop – $180-$980
- Bathroom fixture – $150-$1,900
- Plumbing – $230-$1,300
- Shower – $270-$2,700
- Vanity – $270-$3,500
Bathroom Remodel Budget Per Square Foot
The average price of a bathroom remodel per square foot is $120. Of course, the price can be much lower or higher depending on other factors discussed above.
Bathroom Remodel Budget By Location
Where you live also determines the final cost of a bathroom remodel. If you live in a city or town with a lower cost of living, you can expect to pay less for bathroom remodeling and vice versa. Those who live in California or around New York will pay up to 20% more.
For example, the average bathroom remodeling cost in San Jose, California, is around $20,000. Doing the same work in Orlando, FL, will cost you approximately $9,000, which is a significant difference. Unfortunately, this is a factor you can’t change.
Did you know? The three most expensive cities to remodel a bathroom are in California. The cities are San Jose, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Additional Bathroom Remodeling Costs
When predicting the cost of a bathroom remodel, many people only count the labor and materials. While this usually makes up the majority of the final costs, additional costs should also be considered.
One of the most common costs is bathroom demolition. This is a good place to save money for experienced DIY-ers, but many homeowners still decide to hire the pros, which can cost around $2,200.
You may wonder why people hire pros instead of doing the job themselves. The answer is simple: less risk.
If you decide to do this on your own, you risk cutting through electrical wires, damaging water pipes, or destroying a load-bearing wall. In the end, repairing such damage can cost much more than hiring someone for the demolition.
Another common cost is water damage repair. In some cases, homeowners may not be aware of water damage until they start the remodeling process.
Leaking faucets, failing toilets, or cracked bathtubs can do serious damage, and such problems should never be ignored. The cost of fixing water damage depends on its severity.
Getting a building permit is another additional cost homeowners need to be aware of.
If you hire a contractor, they’ll likely take care of the permit for you and include the cost in the final project price. However, if you’re a DIY-er, you’ll need to get the permit yourself.
The price of the permit depends on your location.
Cheap DIY Bathroom Remodel
Here are a few ideas that can help homeowners remodel their bathrooms without hiring a contractor or spending a fortune:
Make Use of What You Have
If you’re remodeling your bathroom on a budget, you need to think twice before getting rid of certain elements.
The first step you need to take is to check which parts of your bathroom are in good condition and what needs to be replaced. This will allow you to prioritize and disperse your budget accordingly.
Paint the Bathroom
One of the most budget-friendly bathroom remodeling ideas is giving it a fresh coat of paint.
You can paint the bathroom on your own, so you don’t have any labor costs. Choose a color palette that goes well with the décor, and you’ll give your bathroom a new, clean look.
Besides walls, you can also paint the trims and doors.
Refresh Your Grout
You’ve deep-cleaned the tiles in your bathroom, but they still look dirty. In most cases, the culprit is tile grout.
Over time, the grout can get pretty dirty and jeopardize the tiles’ appearance.
One of the easiest ways to make your tiles look brand new is to refresh the grout. The process is fairly simple, and even those who haven’t done it before will be able to complete it without difficulty.
Best of all, refreshing your grout won’t cost much.
Pro Tip: Numerous YouTube videos explain how to regrout your tiles step-by-step. Use these videos to understand how the process works and what tools you’ll need.
DIY Bathroom Remodel For Beginners
DIY projects can be time-consuming and complex, especially for beginners. But these projects can also be fun and a great way to save money. Plus, they allow you to spend time with family and friends.
If you’re new to the DIY world, it’s best to start small. For example, you can paint the bathroom, replace the vanity, or install new flooring.
Numerous helpful guides and videos can make the process much easier, even for those who haven’t done anything similar in the past.
When you’re a beginner, it’s all about planning and research.
First, make a list of the elements that can be updated, like an old vanity or a worn-out shelf. Such items can be repainted and fixed to look as good as new, allowing you to direct your budget toward more significant issues.
Then, make a list of elements that will require a replacement. These can be a shower, toilet, sink, mirror, flooring, etc. Once you do that, it’s time to do some research. Check how much the replacement would cost and look for the best prices and quality.
If you plan carefully and use your imagination, you can give your bathroom a makeover without hiring contractors.
DIY Small Bathroom Remodel
First, let’s clarify what a small bathroom is since people have different perceptions of room size.
A small bathroom is any bathroom between 15 and 40 square feet.
At first glance, you may think small bathrooms are easier to remodel. While it’s true remodeling a small bathroom will cost less on average, it doesn’t mean it’s easy. The limited space doesn’t give you a lot of options when it comes to plumbing fixtures and furniture.
There are many tricks that can help you remodel a small bathroom and make it seem larger. Best of all, most are easy and don’t require hiring contractors.
Make the Bathroom Seem Taller
If you want to make your bathroom seem taller, there are several actions you can take.
If possible, blur the lines between the ceiling and the walls to raise the room.
Those with crown molding in their bathroom should be replaced with narrower strips. You should also consider installing a lighting fixture that directs the light upward or wallpaper with vertical stripes.
Choose the Wall Color Carefully
Dark, contrasting colors can make a small bathroom look even smaller. To avoid this, it’s essential to pay attention to the color palette you’re using.
If you want to make a small bathroom appear larger, it’s best to go with light shades within a single color family.
You should also try to match the tiles to the walls and keep the ceiling white or as light as possible. If you can, enhance the amount of natural light in your bathroom.
Get Creative
Although the limited space doesn’t give you many options, small bathrooms can look amazing once you’re done remodeling them.
If you want to make the most out of the space, you need to get creative.
For example, if you wish to maximize your bathroom, install a shower curtain, mount the towel rack on the door, or get a wall-mounted sink. You can also get a large mirror to make the space appear bigger or purchase a vanity with rounded corners.
Bathroom Remodels Under $5,000
Although a $5,000 budget for a bathroom remodel may not seem like much, it could be more than enough.
The first thing you need to do is review the condition of your bathroom. Check every element and see what can be saved and what needs to be replaced.
Keep in mind that with $5,000, you most likely won’t be able to carry out extensive floor plan changes or plumbing work. But you can still replace different plumbing fixtures, change the lighting, update flooring, etc.
For example, you can install new tiles, purchase a new vanity, and get a new bathtub or shower. You’ll even have enough to repaint the walls or install wallpaper.
Don’t forget that you can save a lot of money by doing the work yourself. Instead of hiring a contractor to install a toilet, you can do it on your own and use the money to buy something else for your bathroom. Don’t hesitate to ask your family or friends for help.
Moreover, don’t buy the tools you’ll only need this one time. Instead, borrow them from someone.
Bathroom Renovation Under $3,000
If you have $3,000 at your disposal for a bathroom renovation, you can do a lot. However, you’ll need to prioritize.
Don’t buy new tiles for your floor if you have a cracked toilet or sink. Focus on the elements that absolutely need to be replaced.
There’s no need to get rid of a vanity or shelf just because they look worn out. Instead, you can repaint them, and they’ll look as good as new. You can invest in a new bathroom fixture, install new lighting, or get a new shower door.
For $3,000, you can paint the walls, install wallpaper or tile, and regrout the entire bathroom.
If the plumbing fixtures and tiles aren’t damaged, there’s a lot you can do to enhance your bathroom’s appearance.
Purchase new towels, towel racks, soap holders, lighting fixtures, laundry baskets, and other accessories.
These small details can make your bathroom shine.
Bathroom Remodel Under $2,000
Many think $2,000 isn’t enough for a bathroom remodel. However, this isn’t true. If you plan the process carefully and prioritize, this budget will allow you to transform your bathroom.
Before diving into the process, keep in mind that you need to be realistic.
With $2,000, you can’t change the bathroom’s layout or do major plumbing. If you want to make good use of your money, it’s important to identify your bathroom’s weaknesses.
For example, if you have cracked, damaged tiles, you can use this budget to replace them. Or, you can purchase a new sink or toilet.
This budget should be enough to cover one or two major issues or several smaller ones.
If there’s nothing wrong with the plumbing fixtures, you can direct the money towards the details.
We suggest updating the lighting fixtures. You can install LED strips to enhance the bathroom’s appearance and highlight certain areas.
You can also update your bathroom by repainting the walls or installing new wallpapers or flooring.
When you’re on a limited budget, there isn’t much room for hiring a contractor. You should be prepared to do the work yourself and ask your family or friends for help.
Regrouting the tiles, resurfacing the cabinets, and deep cleaning aren’t expensive but can do wonders for your bathroom.
Be creative but be sure to tackle your bathroom’s weakest points first. Use the rest of the money to upgrade your bathroom’s appearance.
Pro Tip: Compare prices or buy secondhand or in clearance sections to save money.
Are You Up To The Challenge?
A limited budget reduces your options in terms of what you can do to enhance your bathroom. However, this doesn’t mean you should give up.
Sometimes, the smallest changes can make a lot of difference. Repainting and regrouting don’t cost much but can give your bathroom a completely new look.
Of course, there’s much more homeowners can do to enjoy a new, upgraded space without spending a fortune.
The two rules you should keep in mind when remodeling a bathroom on a limited budget are: don’t buy the most expensive materials and try to do the work yourself instead of hiring a contractor.
