The average cost to install a heated bathroom floor is $1,800
Most costs range from $600 to $4,600, with an average of $1,800.
Factors such as permits, repairs, and electric upgrades can raise overall project expenses.
Heated bathroom floors can significantly increase comfort and add a sense of luxury to your home, offering a substantial return on investment.
Radiant floors often lower long-term energy usage and improve resale value.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
The cost of a heated bathroom floor ranges from $500 to $8,000, with most homeowners spending an average of $1,800. You’ll pay between $8 and $20 per square foot, depending on your bathroom size, the system type, and labor requirements. This guide explains key factors, installation considerations, and what to expect from start to finish, providing a straightforward approach to budgeting.
Radiant bathroom flooring heating is either hydronic or electric heating installed beneath the flooring materials of your bathroom, such as tile, concrete, or planks. Any flooring type can be used with radiant heating, although it will affect the total installation costs. You’ll choose from hydronic, which uses a liquid (usually water) in a pipe system, or electric, which uses an electric heating wire or mat.
Expect to pay $8 to $20 per square foot to install a heated bathroom floor. However, you’ll often pay a minimum fee for most floors, regardless of the size. That minimum fee comes from general setup, cleanup, and overhead. These prices include overall flooring installation costs but don’t include extremely high-end or custom floors, which can quickly double the price.
The larger the floor, the less you’ll pay per square foot. The heating element, whether hydronic or electric, costs relatively the same regardless of the material you use. Bathrooms come at the bottom of radiant floor heating costs compared to larger rooms. The varying price primarily stems from the cost of the finished materials, which we cover in the next section.
Bathroom Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost Range |
---|---|
20 | $150–$500 |
40 | $400–$1,000 |
65 | $700–$1,800 |
100 | $1,200–$3,000 |
150 | $2,000–$4,000 |
200 | $1,600–$8,000 |
The cost breakdown for installing heated bathroom floors is 50% for materials and 50% for labor, but this depends on the type of finish material used, rather than the heating underlayment. You’ll save money if you wrap this project together with bathroom remodel costs, making it easier to route and run lines and plumbing.
The type of heating system you select has one of the biggest impacts on your total costs. You’ll spend slightly more on a hydronic system than on electrical wires and mats for your bathroom floor.
Floor Type | Average Cost Range |
---|---|
Hydronic | $2,000–$5,000 |
Electric wire | $900–$3,000 |
Electric mat | $1,000–$3,200 |
You’ll pay $2,000 to $5,000 for the hydronic system alone, not including flooring materials for the average bathroom. Hydronic heating costs slightly more to install than electric mat-style floor heating for your bathroom. Installers often embed the tubing in concrete or thinset beneath tile or other hard-surface flooring.
An electric mat costs $1,000 to $3,200 for the mat and material installation alone, not including the flooring you’ll place over the top of it. This mat features embedded heating cables, which cost between $900 and $3,000, and is compatible with most common bathroom floor coverings. It remains popular thanks to its quick installation and lower upfront price. However, these systems have a shorter life span than hydronic tubing.
Material costs are included in the total project. With hydronic heating, you’ll likely need thinset or tubes that circulate hot water, which are buried directly in the concrete. However, with electric mats, you won’t need any extra materials besides the system kit itself. Projects vary depending on the level of the house you’re redoing and the size of the bathroom. Check with your pro for any extra materials needed.
You’ll pay $50 to $120 per hour for labor alone when installing heated bathroom floors. Some contractors base their rates on the room’s square footage and the type of heated flooring you choose. Electric systems range from $5 to $10 per square foot, while hydronic systems cost $8 to $15 per square foot.
Even a straightforward radiant-heat installation can carry a few additional considerations.
Building permits cost $50 to $250 for this type of project when combined with a full bathroom remodel. However, prices vary from location to location, as local building regulations influence the cost.
When upgrading an existing floor, you may need to repair or replace the subfloor. Subfloor repair prices range from $900 to $3,000, adding to your total costs.
If you’re replacing baseboard or wall heating, you’ll likely already have electrical lines running to the bathroom. However, if you need to add this to a house with a forced air system, you’ll need to budget an additional $600 to $2,600 for new electrical line costs.
Because radiant-heat installation involves electrical or plumbing work, most homeowners leave this project to licensed flooring pros. Electric systems require a licensed electrician to make the final connections, while a qualified plumber must install hydronic tubing.
Start by requesting quotes from experienced heated-floor installers in your area. They can confirm code requirements, recommend the right system, and provide an itemized estimate.
Find a certified heated floor installer near you today and enjoy a warm, comfortable bathroom floor.
Consider these cost-saving strategies when planning your heated bathroom floor installation:
Install during a larger bathroom remodel to save on labor costs since walls and floors are already exposed.
Choose electric mats over hydronic systems for lower upfront installation costs.
Compare quotes from multiple licensed contractors to ensure competitive pricing.
Look for manufacturer rebates or energy efficiency incentives from your utility company.
Focus heating on high-traffic areas rather than the entire bathroom to reduce material costs.
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.