Bathroom Remodel Cost in 2026 by Type and Scope

Most bathroom remodels in the US cost between about $6,000 and $25,000. Fixr's 2026 data puts the national average at $12,000, with a typical range of $6,000 to $18,000, while This Old House puts the average at $15,586 and the range at $6,456 to $24,715. A powder room refresh can cost a few thousand dollars; a large primary bath with custom tile and a new layout can run from $30,000 to more than $80,000.

Where you land depends on three things: the size of the room, how much you replace and whether the plumbing moves. The national figures below will help you set a realistic budget. Local labor rates and permit fees will move them up or down, so treat them as a starting point, not a quote.

Bathroom Remodel Cost by Type

Half baths cost the least because there's no tub or shower to replace. Primary baths cost the most because they're larger and tend to get the best finishes. Here's how two national sources compare.

Bathroom type	Fixr cost range	Houzz median spend (2025)
Half bath or powder room	$1,200–$15,000	Not reported
Guest bathroom	$3,500–$20,000	$7,000
Primary bathroom, any scope	$7,000–$30,000	$15,000
Major primary remodel, under 100 sq ft	Not reported	$18,000
Major primary remodel, 100 sq ft or more	Not reported	$30,000

Houzz counts a remodel as "major" when at least the vanity, countertop and toilet are replaced. Its figures are medians of what homeowners reported spending, so half spent more and half spent less. For half baths and compact full baths, our small bathroom remodel cost guide goes into more detail.

Bathroom Remodel Cost by Scope

Scope matters even more than size. A cosmetic update keeps everything where it is, while a full gut takes the room down to the studs and often reworks plumbing and wiring.

Scope	National cost	What it usually covers	Source
Minor or cosmetic	$2,400–$10,000	Surface updates with no layout changes	Fixr
Basic refresh, 50 sq ft bath	$8,478–$10,883	Painting, hardware swaps, lighting replacement	This Old House
Midrange, 50 sq ft bath	$14,609–$19,040	New vanity, flooring and fixtures; no major layout changes	This Old House
Full gut	$9,000–$30,000+	Everything replaced down to the studs	Fixr
Midrange remodel, 5-by-7-foot bath	$26,138	New tub with ceramic tile surround, toilet, solid-surface vanity top, recessed medicine cabinet, ceramic tile floor	Cost vs. Value 2025
High-end, 50 sq ft bath	$27,492–$35,808	Premium materials, custom cabinetry, possible structural changes	This Old House
Upscale remodel, expanded to 100 sq ft	$81,612	Room enlarged from 35 sq ft, every fixture moved, tiled shower with frameless glass, freestanding tub, double vanity with stone top, heated floor	Cost vs. Value 2025

The Cost vs. Value report prices one fully specified project using remodeling cost data from Verisk, so its numbers run higher than typical-project ranges. If your plan matches one of its descriptions, it's a good reality check.

By the square foot, Fixr's average is about $120, with a range of $70 to more than $400. At those rates, a standard 5-by-8-foot bath runs $2,800 to $16,000 and a 10-by-10-foot bath $7,000 to $40,000.

Where the Money Goes

The shower or tub and the vanity are the two biggest pieces of most bathroom budgets. Fixr estimates each at about 25% of a typical project. This Old House's 2026 averages show how quickly the wet-area work adds up.

Item	Fixr (2026)	This Old House (2026 average)
Shower or tub	$1,500–$4,500	$8,044 for a complete shower remodel
Vanity and storage	$1,500–$4,500	$2,929 for cabinetry, including removal
Toilet	$200–$600	$467 installed
Tile and flooring	$600–$1,800 for floor and some wall tile	$1,326 for tiling, $1,114 for flooring
Plumbing	About 10% of budget, with electrical	$5,545
Electrical	Included with plumbing	$456
Countertop	$360–$1,100	$332
Demolition	$600–$2,300 if billed separately	Not priced separately
Permits	About $500	Not priced

Labor is the other big piece. Fixr puts it at about 50% of the total, within a range of 40% to 65%, and This Old House also describes labor as roughly half of total project costs. Fixr lists plumbers at $75 to $150 an hour and tile installers at $8 to $14 per square foot.

What Drives the Price

Moving plumbing. Keeping the toilet, sink and shower where they are saves more money than any material choice. This Old House puts moving a shower drain alone at $900 to $1,100.
Tile and shower design. A tiled shower with niches, a bench and frameless glass costs far more than a tub with a simple surround. If you're replacing a tub with a shower, see our tub-to-shower conversion cost guide.
Hidden damage. In This Old House's 2026 survey of 1,000 homeowners, nearly 1 in 4 ran into unexpected water damage, and 1 in 3 spent more than expected because of hidden plumbing or structural problems. Fixr puts water damage repair at $500 to $4,500.
Accessibility features. A curbless shower, wider door and grab bars add cost but make the room work for years longer. The 2025 Cost vs. Value universal design bathroom, a 5-by-7-foot room with a curbless shower and comfort-height toilet, is priced at $42,183. Our guide to planning an aging-in-place bathroom covers what to include.
Upgrades behind the scenes. Heated floors, a tankless water heater or new ventilation add to the bill even though they're barely visible. This Old House puts a water heating upgrade at about $1,478.

Ways to Save

Keep the layout. Both Fixr and This Old House recommend it, because rerouting supply and drain lines is the kind of labor that inflates a bid.
Refinish instead of replacing. A tub in good condition can often be reglazed, and solid vanity cabinets can be refinished or given new doors.
Choose a stock vanity and mid-range tile. Fixr suggests a stock plywood or MDF vanity and mid-range ceramic or porcelain tile. Put any splurge where you'll see it every day, such as one feature wall in the shower.
Do the simple tasks yourself. This Old House lists painting, toilet replacement, faucet and showerhead swaps and hardware changes as DIY-friendly. Leave waterproofing, plumbing and electrical to licensed pros.
Plan for surprises. This Old House suggests setting aside about 20% of the budget for unexpected costs.

How to Get an Accurate Local Price

Start by deciding your scope: a refresh, a midrange remodel with new fixtures, or a full gut. Take photos and rough measurements, note what you want to keep, and decide whether you want a tub, a shower or both.

Then get itemized written bids that separate labor, materials, permits and allowances. Fixr recommends getting at least three estimates, and our guide to comparing remodeling estimates explains how to line them up fairly. Check each contractor's license with your state licensing board and ask for a certificate of insurance; we don't verify these for you. Permits are often required for plumbing, electrical or structural work, and your local building department sets the rules.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the average bathroom remodel cost?

Fixr's 2026 data puts the national average at $12,000, and This Old House's at $15,586. In Houzz's 2026 study, homeowners reported a median spend of $15,000 on primary bathrooms and $7,000 on guest bathrooms in 2025. A full gut or a large primary bath will run higher.

How much does a bathroom remodel cost per square foot?

Fixr puts the average at about $120 per square foot, with a range of $70 to more than $400. The low end covers cosmetic updates in a small room; the high end reflects custom tile, premium fixtures and layout changes.

What is the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?

Usually the shower or tub and the plumbing behind it. Fixr estimates the shower or tub and the vanity at about 25% of the budget each, and This Old House's 2026 averages put plumbing at $5,545 and a complete shower remodel at $8,044.

How long does a bathroom remodel take?

Fixr says most bathroom remodels take two to four weeks, with larger projects running up to 12 weeks. In This Old House's survey, nearly two-thirds of homeowners said their remodel took one to four weeks, and about 1 in 5 said it took more than a month.

Is a bathroom remodel worth it at resale?

A midrange one holds up well. The 2025 Cost vs. Value report estimates that a midrange bathroom remodel recoups 80% of its cost at resale, compared with 42% for an upscale remodel and 61% for a universal design bathroom.