How to budget for your bathroom remodel (and still have it look good)
Whether you're looking to give your small bathroom or powder room a bit of a facelift, or want to do a complete remodel of your master bathroom, the following tips and techniques will help you create a beautifully updated bathroom while staying within your budget.
Create an overall budget for your bath.
A small bathroom or powder room facelift averages around $5-$10 thousand. The average cost for a full master bathroom remodel is anywhere from $12-$45 thousand. While establishing your budget, you'll want to start thinking about elements in your bathroom that are most important to you. Have you been wanting to make your bathroom more eco-friendly? Have you been dying to add a trendy feature? Or, are you just looking to update what you have? Without good planning, determining what you are willing to spend, and identify your priorities, you can quickly exceed your budget without getting everything you wanted. By breaking down the totals above by category, we'll show you the best upgrades you can make, opportunities where you can cut costs and tips to help you achieve the bathroom of your dreams.
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Powder Room Facelift
When you're looking to remodel your small bathroom or powder room with a $5-$10 thousand price tag there's really a lot you can do. The most common modifications included in a bathroom facelift are, refinishing the vanity, installing granite countertops, adding a new backsplash, and updating fixtures hardware, mirrors and lighting.
Vanity
When refinishing your vanity you have a couple options. For a short term solution, you can reface your vanity doors and drawer fronts. Essentially this means putting a 1/32"-1/4" layer of wood over your existing cabinet face frames, and completely replacing your drawers and doors with new ones. It is actually cheaper to buy new drawers and doors than to strip and repaint your existing drawers and doors. Replacing your knobs or pulls is an instant update with a tiny price ($3-$10 per knob). Depending on the size of your vanity, the number of drawers, and the materials you use, an updated vanity is going to take up around $1000-$1800 of your budget.
Countertops
A very popular and stunning update is the addition of granite countertops. Granite countertops create an instant high-end look and are relatively inexpensive. Not including installation, granite countertops run an average of $12-$25 per square foot. An elegant and inexpensive update for your granite countertops is to add an undermount sink cutout ($150). If you're looking to go green or want an alternative to granite countertops, quartz is an eco-friendly and stylish option to consider. Quartz is a synthetic composite of 90% natural stone and epoxy. Whether you pick granite, quartz or another product, you should budget approximately $1250 for your countertops.
Backsplash
Like the name suggests, the backsplash is an element in your bathroom where you can really make an impact. From glass and metal to stone or porcelain, bathroom backsplashes have an average price range of $100-$360. Porcelain with an accent dot would average $200, stone ranges from $200-$500, and glass or metals average around $500. Backsplashes are a great way to add color, texture and character to your bathroom.
Fixtures
Typical fixtures in a small bathroom include sink basins and faucets. Sink basins cost an average of $90-$300. For a cleaner look, we recommend a porcelain undermount sink. A vessel sink, those fancy glass, stone or wooden sinks that sit on top of the counter like a bowl, will put you in the $300-$800 price range. But, if you're looking for a signature piece for your bathroom, a vessel sink is the way to go.
If you're going to put your money anywhere in your bathroom, put it into your faucet. A good, high quality faucet is well worth the investment. Faucets range anywhere from $150-$350. If your house is 6 years or older, we recommend budgeting an extra $150 (per sink location) to change out your shut off valves.
Toilet
Though this is an extremely important piece of your bathroom, it's not really where you make the most visible impact. However, picking the right toilet can help you conserve water and insure that your new toilet doesn't leak or rust. We recommend budgeting for a porcelain, dual flush, soft close lid toilet with a glazed bowl and a wax ring for installation. The glazed bowl will stay cleaner, and the dual flush will conserve water, while the wax ring will prevent leaking. The bottom wax ring must be replaced when installing your toilet. Toilets cost anywhere from $320-$450, wax rings $20-$40.
Additional updates - Lighting and Mirrors
Removing dated lighting is another relatively inexpensive update that yields huge results. Installing new lighting fixtures is also a great way to add style and character to your new bathroom. Make sure you budget for removal of old lighting (approx. $150), re-framing (approx. $150), drywall completed by a licensed dry waller (approx. $150-$350), installation by a licensed electrician (approx. $85) and the cost of the fixtures themselves. The removal and installation of your lighting may not require any additional re-framing or drywalling, but it's a good idea to put it into your budget anyway.
To make a tiny bathroom look bigger, add a framed mirror. Averaging about $100-$400, framed mirrors are a great, inexpensive addition. Keep in mind that if you're removing an old mirror, it should be done by a professional. This not only helps you avoid additional costs incurred by drywall damage, but also prevents you from getting injured in the event that the mirror breaks.
Facelift Bathroom Budget:
Vanity: $1000-$1800
Knobs: $3-$10 (approx. 10) = $30-$100
Granite Countertops: $1100 (includes one undermount sink cutout)
Backsplash: $200-$500
Fixtures--
Sink: $90-$300
Facet: $150-$350 (plus $150 for shut off valves)
Toilet: $320-$450
Wax ring: $20-$40
Lighting: $450-$650 (fixture cost will vary)
Mirror: $100-$400
Sub-total: $3615-$5840
+ "Discovery" - 10-20% (Please see final note below)
TOTAL: $4158-$6716 (Totals with 15% discovery)
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Full Master Bathroom Remodel
With a price tag of $12-$45 thousand, you may want to budget for all the updates included in a bathroom facelift, and you'll also want to budget for items like a higher end vanity, mirror mounted lighting, flooring, shower and bathtub. Undoubtedly, the remodel you make in your master bathroom is going to add significant perceived value to your home.
In the facelift remodel described above we discussed a couple different options for your vanity. While both of these options are great and could be implemented in your master bathroom remodel, you may want to invest a little more in your master bath vanity. We recommend a custom dual sink, wood stain grade vanity, which costs between $2500-$4500. In addition you'll want to budget for an additional sink ($90-$300) and undermount sink cutout ($150) in the countertop of your choice.
Mirror mounted lighting
Since the master bathroom is where you get ready each morning, it's important to have good lighting. Whether you're shaving or putting on make-up, having mirror mounted lighting eliminates shadows caused by overhead lighting. In addition, the reflection of the light on the mirror can make your bathroom look bigger, brighter and more open.
Flooring
An upgrade like natural stone flooring will give your master bathroom a rich, sophisticated look. Ranging from $3-$18 per square foot, natural stone may cost a little bit more than porcelain or tile, but it's easier to maintain and will help you achieve a high-end look and feel.
Shower
Because you use your shower everyday, it is an element in your bathroom that you'll want to really invest in. For some that may include a special tile detail or glass tile design, a steam shower with programmable thermostat, or a higher end shower glass. While each of these "extras" will add an obvious line item to your budget, there are other unseen costs incurred by doing a shower remodel. Make sure you include $150 for a soap niche, $200-$350 for a bench in your shower, approximately $800 for re-plumbing and $800-$2500 for fixtures. In addition, you'll want to budget for the tile in your shower which costs between $1600-$4000 when the shower is floated. If you're considering a steam shower, you will have to budget for glass and tile that reaches all the way to the ceiling, as well as tile on the ceiling. Plus, a steam unit will cost approximately $1400-$3900 installed. Lastly, if you're not an expert in what height to put the spray head, how to seal the shower and prevent leaks, or how to frame a shower, we recommend you hire a professional to design your plumbing and fixture layout.
Bathtub
From basic soaking to champagne or chromatherapy, the bathtub is the perfect way to create a spa getaway in your own home. Ranging from $500-$7500, the seemingly endless bathtub options make it hard to choose, so it's always a good idea to go back to your budget and priorities before making your selection. If you're budget conscious, a basic soaking tub is perfect. For a couple's retreat you may want to upgrade to a multiple person jacuzzi tub. If your top priority is creating a therapeutic spa-like experience, choose a champagne or bubble tub.
Full Master Bathroom Remodel Budget:
Vanity: $2500-$4500 ( custom dual sink, wood stain grade vanity)
Knobs: $3-$10 (approx. 10) = $30-$100
Granite Countertops: $1250 (includes two undermount sink cutout)
Backsplash: $200-$500
Fixtures--
Sink: $90-$300 (x2) = $180-$600
Facet: $150-$350 (plus $150 for shut off valves)
Toilet: $320-$450
Wax ring: $20-$40
Mirror mounted lighting: $500-$2500
Floors: $3-$18 per square foot (approx. $108-$1260)
Shower--
Glass: $1000-$4000
Tile: $1600-$4000
Soap Niche: $150
Bench: $200-$350
Plumbing: $800
Fixtures: $800-$2500
Steam Shower: $1400-$3900 (installed)
Tub: $500-$7500
Sub-total: $11,858-$34,900
+ "Discovery" - 10-20% (Please see final note below)
TOTAL: $13,636-$40,135
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Final Notes:
To save time and money make sure all your selections are purchased and in storage before your begin your remodel. A typical bathroom remodel can take 4-6 weeks to complete. If you have to wait for a particular part, you could be extending the times it takes to complete your project by more than 6 weeks.
"Discovery"
Include 10-20% for unforeseen issues that may arise during your remodel. You may fall in love with a certain tile or fixture, or have plumbing problems. Adding this extra amount will insure that you are financially prepared for anything.