Bathroom Remodel Cost Calculator
Author: Home Remodel Guidance Editorial TeamFirst published
Bathroom Remodel Cost Calculator estimates a remodel budget from the national and regional job costs in the 2025 Cost vs. Value report (Zonda and the Journal of Light Construction). Choose a project tier, your region, your bathroom size and a contingency of 10% to 20%. The national averages run from $26,138 to $81,612 across the three tiers, and the regional averages for one tier differ by thousands of dollars. These are averages for defined projects, not a quote.
Bathroom Remodel Cost Calculator
Choose the project that is closest to yours, your region and your bathroom size. Results update as you type, are saved in the page address, and never leave your browser. Read the bathroom remodel cost breakdown for what drives the price.
How the bathroom cost estimate works
The calculator looks up the report's average job cost for the tier and region you choose, scales it by your size compared with the report's reference size, then adds your contingency. It also shows the lowest and highest regional average for the same tier, so you can see how much the answer moves.
scale = your area ÷ report area
cost = report job cost × scale
contingency = cost × contingency % ÷ 100
budget = cost + contingency
low, high = lowest and highest regional
cost × scale, plus contingency Worked example (hypothetical project)
Given: Bathroom remodel, midrange; Middle Atlantic region; 35 sq ft (report reference 35 sq ft); 10% contingency.
- Scale:
35 ÷ 35 = 1.00 - Report job cost, Middle Atlantic:
$30,158 - Scaled cost:
$30,158 × 1.00 = $30,158.00 - Contingency:
$30,158.00 × 10 ÷ 100 = $3,015.80 - Budget:
$30,158.00 + $3,015.80 = $33,173.80 - Regional range with contingency:
$25,295 to $33,174
Answer: Plan on about $33,174, inside a regional range of $25,295 to $33,174. The size and region are an illustration, not a typical project.
National averages for each tier
| Project | Cost | Resale | Recouped |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midrange | $26,138 | $20,915 | 80.0% |
| Upscale | $81,612 | $34,000 | 41.7% |
| Universal design | $42,183 | $25,812 | 61.2% |
Source 1. Cost is job cost for the reference size shown under each project scope below; recouped is resale value divided by job cost. Resale value is the survey estimate of Realtors, not a sale price.
Project scope for each tier
- Bathroom remodel, midrange (35 sq ft reference)
- Update existing 5×7-foot bathroom. Replace all fixtures to include 30×60-inch porcelain-on-steel tub with 4×4-inch ceramic tile surround; new single-lever temperature and pressure-balanced shower control; standard white toilet; solid-surface vanity counter with integral sink; recessed medicine cabinet with light; ceramic tile floor; vinyl wallpaper. (source 3)
- Bathroom remodel, upscale (100 sq ft reference)
- Expand existing 35-square-foot bathroom to 100 sf within existing house footprint. Relocate all fixtures. Include 42×42-inch neo-angle shower with ceramic tile walls with accent strip, recessed shower caddy, body-spray fixtures, and frameless glass enclosure. Include freestanding soaker tub with high-end faucets; stone countertop with two sinks; two mirrored medicine cabinets with lighting; a compartmentalized commode area with one-piece toilet; and a humidistat-controlled exhaust fan. Use all color fixtures. Use larger matching ceramic tiles on the floor, laid on diagonal with ceramic tile base molding. Add general and spot lighting including waterproof shower fixture. Cabinetry has custom drawer base, wall cabinets. Extend HVAC. Electric in-floor heating. (source 4)
- Bathroom remodel, universal design (35 sq ft reference)
- Update existing 5×7-foot space to be wheelchair-accessible (zero-threshold, 36-inch-wide door) and install flat-panel electrical switches at sitting level (36 to 42 inches above floor). Replace toilet with comfort height fixture featuring elongated bowl and bidet-type seat. Remove existing bathtub and install curbless, tiled, walk-in shower with adjustable showerhead, fold-out seat, thermostatic mixing valve, and bi-directional glass door. Replace flooring with electric radiant heat beneath new luxury vinyl tile flooring. Install adaptive living vanity with easy-grasp handles and adjustable mirror. Install LED lights, infrared ceiling light, night light, and ultra-quiet vent fan with humidity-sensing controls. Install ceramic tiles on walls with two contrasting color stripes. Install nine towel bars that can support 250 pounds and reconfigure storage to be accessible from a seated position. (source 5)
Job cost by region
| Region | Midrange | Upscale | Universal design |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $27,559 | $83,877 | $43,119 |
| Middle Atlantic | $30,158 | $90,090 | $46,763 |
| South Atlantic | $25,609 | $80,222 | $41,203 |
| East South Central | $23,409 | $75,726 | $39,243 |
| West South Central | $22,995 | $73,185 | $36,046 |
| East North Central | $24,910 | $78,684 | $40,855 |
| West North Central | $26,879 | $83,153 | $43,572 |
| Mountain | $24,920 | $79,492 | $40,482 |
| Pacific | $27,710 | $86,863 | $45,921 |
Source 7. Regional averages for the report's reference project. A region covers many cities, so your local price can fall outside these figures.
Assumptions and limits
- Every dollar figure is from the 2025 Cost vs. Value report. The only arithmetic we add is the area scaling and your contingency.
- Area scaling is proportional. The report does not say costs scale that way, so it is a rough guide, not a forecast.
- Regional variation: the report's regional averages are for its reference project in nine regions. Labor rates, material prices, permit fees and the condition of your home change real prices, and we publish no multipliers beyond the report's own regional figures.
- The report's job costs are for the stated scope only. Moving walls, plumbing or electrical, structural repairs, lead or asbestos handling and design fees are outside most of these projects.
- The contingency range of 10% to 20% matches HUD's FHA 203(k) benchmark. It is a planning reserve, not a requirement for your project.
- This is a planning tool, not a quote or financial advice. Get written itemized bids.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bathroom remodel cost?
In the 2025 Cost vs. Value report, the national average job cost is $26,138 for a midrange bathroom remodel, $42,183 for a universal-design remodel and $81,612 for an upscale remodel. Each is a defined project, so your own cost depends on your size, fixtures and local labor.
What does each bathroom tier include?
The midrange project updates an existing 5 by 7 ft bathroom with a new tub and tile surround, toilet, solid-surface vanity, medicine cabinet, tile floor and wallpaper. The universal-design project makes the same 5 by 7 ft space wheelchair accessible with a zero-threshold, 36-inch door, a curbless walk-in shower, radiant floor heat and an accessible vanity and storage. The upscale project expands a 35 sq ft bathroom to 100 sq ft, relocates all fixtures and adds a freestanding tub, two sinks, a neo-angle shower and in-floor heating.
Does the calculator include regional prices?
It uses the report's own regional averages for nine regions, which you pick from a list. It does not apply any multiplier of ours. Your city can differ from its region's average, so treat the result as a starting range and get written bids.
Why is the upscale bathroom so much larger in the report?
The upscale project expands the room from 35 sq ft to 100 sq ft within the existing footprint, so its cost covers added space as well as finishes. For a bathroom the same size as your own, compare the scaled figure with local bids.
How much contingency should I add?
The calculator allows 10% to 20%. As a benchmark, HUD requires 10% to 20% of repair and improvement costs on FHA Standard 203(k) loans for structures 30 years or older. Bathrooms often hide water damage behind tile and under floors, which is a reason to keep a reserve.
Will I get my money back when I sell?
The report estimates resale value from a survey of Realtors, not from actual sales. Nationally it puts the midrange bathroom at 80.0% of cost recouped, the universal-design bathroom at 61.2% and the upscale bathroom at 41.7%. Resale value varies by market and condition.
Is this a quote?
No. It is a planning estimate from published averages. Get itemized written bids from licensed contractors for your own bathroom.
Sources
- 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, national averages (Zonda / Journal of Light Construction) (jlconline.com) Job cost, resale value and cost recouped, 28 projects in 119 markets. Accessed 2026-11-13.
- 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, methodology (Journal of Light Construction) (jlconline.com) Costs from Verisk XactRemodel data; resale value from a Zonda survey of Realtors. Accessed 2026-11-13.
- Project description: Bathroom remodel, midrange (Journal of Light Construction) (jlconline.com) Scope and reference size. Accessed 2026-11-13.
- Project description: Bathroom remodel, upscale (Journal of Light Construction) (jlconline.com) Scope and reference size. Accessed 2026-11-13.
- Project description: Bathroom remodel, universal design (Journal of Light Construction) (jlconline.com) Scope and reference size. Accessed 2026-11-13.
- HUD, FHA Connection help: Standard 203(k) Contingency Reserve Requirements (last revised January 28, 2016) (entp.hud.gov) Accessed 2026-11-13.
- 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, regional averages (nine regions, Journal of Light Construction) (jlconline.com) Each region has its own page under /cost-vs-value/2025/, for example /new-england/, /middle-atlantic/ and /mountain/. Accessed 2026-11-13.