How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Small Bathroom in 2025?
Remodeling a small bathroom costs an average of $6,500
The cost to remodel a small bathroom averages between $1,500 and $15,000, or $6,500 for most projects.
Your small bathroom remodel total depends on cost factors, including fixture type, square footage, remodel type, and labor.
Thorough budgeting helps you avoid unexpected costs, and hiring professionals ensures a safe and durable installation.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Remodeling a small bathroom is one of the fastest ways to freshen up your home. Most homeowners spend an average of $6,500 on small bathroom remodel costs. In some cases, you can pay as little as $500 or as much as $50,000, but most projects cost between $1,500 and $15,000. Your total depends on the type of remodel you’re doing, your bathroom’s size, the fixtures you need, and local labor rates. Set a realistic budget up front and partner with a trusted bathroom remodeling pro to keep every step on track.
Small Bathroom Remodel Cost Factors
Square footage, remodel type, and other factors influence total costs for a small bathroom remodel. Here’s a closer look at the cost breakdown.
Bathroom Size
The footprint sets the tone for your budget. The average small full bath is approximately 40 square feet, and adding even 10 or 20 square feet increases material and labor costs. Expanding the room involves additional costs for tile and installation time.
| Square Footage | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 15 | $2,250–$3,000 |
| 30 | $4,500–$6,000 |
| 40 | $6,000–$8,000 |
Labor
Expect labor to make up 40% to 60% of your overall budget—a figure most contractors use when they price a job. For a complete gut job, you’ll likely hire a bathroom remodeling pro or general contractor to run the show. They coordinate carpenters, laborers, and specialists like electricians or plumbers, or subcontract those trades and roll their fees into your bid. Average labor rates by contractor type include:
General contractor: 10%–20% of total project cost
Electrician: $50–$100 per hour
Plumber: $45–$200 per hour
Painter: $100–$800 total
Large, complex, or high-end remodels correspond to proportionally higher labor costs. Tile installation and plumbing repairs or replacements often incur the highest labor expense. Likewise, changing the structural layout or relocating plumbing adds to total costs.
Bathroom Remodel Type
Bathroom projects come in all sizes. A full remodel—stripping the room to studs, rerouting plumbing, or even moving walls—demands more time and money than a simple refresh. Here are the common bathroom types:
Full bathroom: Toilet, sink, bathtub, and shower
Three-quarter bathroom: Shower, toilet, and sink—no bathtub
Half-bathroom (powder room): Toilet and sink
Converting to a Full Bath
Turning a half or three-quarter bath into a full bath starts with adding a new bathtub—an upgrade that costs an average of $7,200, or between $4,500 and $12,000 with installation.
A fresh shower often calls for fresh tile. Installing ceramic or porcelain tile costs an average of $2,100, while glass or natural stone options drive the cost higher.
Cosmetic Remodel
A strictly cosmetic refresh is the budget-friendliest route because you’re not moving walls or plumbing. Most of your dollars go toward straightforward upgrades like:
Painting
New hardware and fixtures
Refreshing showers or bathtubs
Replacing a vanity or countertop
Light fixture replacement
New mirror
Storage installation
Demolition and Site Prep
Plan on $1,000 to $2,300 for demolition in a small bath. Tearing out tile, fixtures, walls, or old plumbing lands you at the top of that range. Most general contractors include demolition and cleanup in their overall bid.
Permits
You’ll almost always need building permits before you demo or change structural, plumbing, or electrical elements. Your contractor handles the paperwork and rolls the fees into the quote.
Cost by Component
Every piece—from the tub to the towel bars—adds to the total price tag.
The quality of materials and finishes has a significant effect on the final cost of a bathroom remodel. For example, vinyl, porcelain, and laminate are popular choices among homeowners due to their affordability, functionality, and durability. In comparison, materials requiring more labor-intensive installation, like heavy stone or quartz countertops, drive up costs.
Prefabricated bathroom components are also more economical than customized bathroom remodel designs.
| Component Type | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Bathtub | $2,000–$9,400 |
| Shower | $400–$8,500 |
| Vanity | $300–$3,800 |
| Flooring | $0.50–$20 per sq. ft. |
| Toilet | $225–$3,000+ |
Material choices can significantly impact your budget. Wallet-friendly options, such as vinyl, porcelain tile, and laminate, offer solid durability, while labor-intensive choices, like hefty stone slabs or custom quartz counters, raise both material and installation costs. Prefab pieces keep spending in check compared to fully custom work.
Shower and Bathtub
A basic 32-inch shower costs between $400 and $8,500, while a new tub ranges from $2,000 to $9,400. Because the shower and tub anchor the room—and your budget—they’re two of the priciest line items. A tub-and-shower combo is the most budget-friendly setup, whereas luxurious walk-in showers or vintage freestanding tubs increase costs.
Vanity
Vanities range from $300 to $3,800, depending on size, finish, and whether the unit includes a sink and faucet. If not, you’ll need to budget for those pieces separately.
Flooring
Expect to pay $0.50 to $20 per square foot for new bathroom flooring. Final costs depend on demolition, material selection, and any necessary subfloor repairs. Tile, vinyl, and linoleum remain popular for their water resistance and style range.
| Flooring Material | Average Cost per Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|
| Porcelain tile | $0.50–$15 |
| Stone | $6–$20 |
| Marble | $10–$20 |
| Vinyl | $2–$7 |
Light Fixtures
Lighting prices vary with style, efficiency, and special features. Common options include:
Recessed lights
Vanity lights
Wall sconces
Backlit mirrors
Track lighting
Shower lighting
Under-cabinet or toe-kick lighting
Sink
Replacing a bathroom sink costs between $215 and $660 on average. Classic porcelain stays affordable and timeless, while statement pieces—like vessel or artisan-designed sinks—can top $1,600. Style drives price, and popular designs include:
Pedestal sink
Wall-mounted sink
Drop-in sink
Undermount sink
Vessel sink
Integrated sink and vanity
Toilet
Depending on style, toilet installation costs $225 to $530. Other toilet styles vary in cost, features, and other characteristics, with some costing up to $3,000 or more. For example, some high-end electric motorized toilets can cost upwards of $7,000 and require both electrical wiring and water supply rough-in, as well as advanced installation skills.
Fixtures and Hardware
Finishing touches—such as faucets, cabinet pulls, towel bars, and paper holders—pull the design together and add polish.
Does a Bathroom Remodel Increase Home Value?
A well-executed bathroom remodel can boost resale value, but the payoff depends on quality, scope, and local market trends. Neutral finishes attract more buyers, and durable materials stand the test of time. Mid-range updates often deliver the best return on investment (ROI), while a spa-level bath in a modest home may not recoup its premium price tag.
Budgeting for a Bathroom Remodel
Bathroom costs add up fast, but smart planning keeps spending in check. Consider these budget-friendly strategies:
Prioritize key upgrades, such as outdated fixtures and cosmetic damage.
Limit major layout changes—if possible, reposition fixtures as necessary without moving plumbing lines.
Choose materials and fixtures that balance affordability, durability, function, and visual appeal.
Get detailed quotes from multiple contractors to compare their services and rates.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start by measuring the space and thinking about how you use it each day. In a tight bathroom, a streamlined shower frees up space and makes the room feel larger. If you have more room—or simply love soaking—a tub or a tub-shower combo adds comfort and versatility. Match the fixture to your lifestyle and the available layout so you get both practicality and visual appeal from the upgrade.
Focus on water- and energy-saving swaps. Low-flow toilets and showerheads reduce water use without compromising pressure, while LED bulbs and motion-sensor switches lower electricity bills. Add aerators to faucets, seal around windows, and consider a humidity-sensing exhaust fan for extra savings. Each upgrade reduces utility costs and makes the space more comfortable on a day-to-day basis.
Begin with demolition and haul-away of old fixtures. Next, tackle any structural repairs, then move to plumbing and electrical rough-ins while the walls are open. Once the guts are in place, add waterproofing, then lay tile or apply paint. Install the major pieces—the shower or tub, toilet, and vanity —so they’re protected before the floor is installed. Finally, set flooring, hang mirrors and lights, and add hardware for a clean, durable finish.
Focus on upgrades that combine everyday function with broad buyer appeal. A sleek walk-in shower with frameless glass, a space-saving double vanity, and updated lighting top the list for solid ROI. These changes boost safety, improve storage, and give the room a modern look—features that catch a buyer’s eye and can help your home sell faster.
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