The SURPRISING Thing Making Your Bathroom Renovation Go Over Budget (2025)

As your home’s most utilitarian space, the bathroom is often designed for function. But the room should also serve as a calming sanctuary to begin and end each day. And while your shower, sink, and toilet may not spark the most inspiration, if they’re damaged or dingy, it’s understandable that you’d want to make some changes. A bathroom renovation cost can vary a great deal in 2025, especially depending on how large your space is or where you live. In metro areas, renovations are often more expensive than in the middle of the country simply due to the increased cost of living. Bathroom remodels are a much more permanent design choice than a new table lamp or throw pillow, so you want to spend your money wisely.

Before you get started, Scott McGillivray, a home renovation expert and the host of the HGTV series Income Property, insists you should live in the space for at least a few weeks to see if the layout works for you, then figure out what work needs to be done. "Oftentimes, there are fewer changes than you'd think," he says. "The biggest mistake I see in DIY renovations is homeowners jumping the gun and gutting the space when it's not necessary."

If you can't live in the space beforehand, that's when you should bring in a professional. "Hire a designer who specializes in space planning or renovations, because they'll know what works," says interior designer Jessica Helgerson she says. "Professionals can take away all of the guesswork."

No matter the scope of your bathroom remodel, it’s important to have a budget and know the variable costs associated with the project. In addition to McGillivray and Helgerson, we've also tapped New Jersey–based general contractor Michael McCue to offer some expert guidance. Read on to learn how much a bathroom renovation costs in 2025 and how to stretch your budget without stress.

The cost estimates below combine our independent research with data from Angi and Home Advisor. Please note that these cost ranges are based on a national average and will likely vary, depending on where you live.

Because bathroom sizes and material choices vary so widely, it can be hard to pin down the average cost of a bathroom renovation. The best way to get a ballpark amount is to assess the type of bathroom you're renovating. For instance, a primary bathroom costs much more to remodel than a powder room or half bath.

The national average cost of a bathroom renovation is $12,119, with a wider range between $6,639 and $17,621, according to Home Advisor. However, for a major primary bath remodel, homeowners can expect to spend more than $32,000 for luxury or custom materials and finishes. In terms of square footage, powder rooms are usually between 15 and 30 square feet, while half baths are more than 24 to 40 square feet in size. Below is a breakdown of the average cost by bathroom type.

Whether you want to do a full remodel or are just looking to spruce up the fixtures or tiling, here's an estimate of what you'll need to budget for your project.

Faucets, showerheads, and even toilets fall under the plumbing fixtures category in a bathroom renovation. Your total budget number can vary greatly because there are tons of options, from off-the-shelf fixtures to custom finishes, that can shift the price.

Sinks

When choosing a sink, keep in mind the type of vanity (or lack thereof) you have or want to have in your bathroom. Drop-in and undermount sinks are most compatible with a variety of vanity systems, while pedestal and wall-mount sinks are completely freestanding and don't need a vanity. A drop-in sink has a rim or edge that sits above the countertop, while an undermount sink is completely flush or sits just below the countertop's surface (this is most common as well as the most affordable).

Shower and Bathtub

The difference between a half bathroom and a primary bathroom is that the latter has a shower, tub, or a combination of the two. Depending on your space and what you need, you can opt for a tub-and-shower combo (the most common choice for family homes), a walk-in shower, or a shower stall and a freestanding or separate tub setup. A walk-in shower or wet room will be the most accessible for those with physical disabilities as they do not require a step-up to enter.

McGillivray recommends a Bath Fitter model for increased waterproofing. These systems slip over your existing bath or shower without the need for demolition. "It's the quickest and easiest way to get a new look without spending money on a gut demo," he says. For the ultimate luxurious experience, you can opt for a variety of upgrades (like a spa, soaking tub, steam system, or rain shower), but they'll raise your costs.

In all, you can expect to spend between $300 and $16,000, depending on sizes, materials, finishes, and styles. Read on for a breakdown of the cost based on shower and bathtub type.

Toilet

You have many more toilet options than you might realize. Two-piece gravity-flush toilets are the most common (and most cost-effective) type for home renovations, according to The Home Depot's toilet buying guide. A toilet typically costs a few hundred dollars on the low end. However, if you're looking for a luxe upgrade, smart, heated, and wall-mounted toilets are more expensive options, up to $1,000. You can also find models that have a built-in bidet or customization options for each household member.

Flooring

Tile or stone floors are the most common and durable flooring choice for most bathrooms. Hardwood or laminate come in a close second for popularity. "Wood has a tendency to warp in humid or wet conditions," says Helgerson. "There have been great advancements in the material, but I'd stick with stone or tile if you can." If you want radiant heating under your floors, installing it will add $7 to $15 per square foot to your budget. You can install radiant heat under most types of tile or stone, but not under wood flooring.

Tile

Whether you want to use a few squares as a sink backsplash or adorn your entire bathroom from floor to ceiling, using tile in your renovation is an easy way to make a design impact. However, McCue warns that the tile available today is often much more intricate and fragile than in previous decades, so professional tile installers are a must. "Depending on the type of tile, like glass materials, we'll have to make our own end pieces and finishings," he explains. "So that must be factored into material costs as well." While this may not add to your materials cost, this will increase the amount of time and labor needed.

The average cost of tile installation, according to Angi, is between $0.60 and $4 per square foot, depending on the tile type and project size. Ceramic, porcelain, or travertine tile costs as little as $1 per square foot, while high-end cuts of marble can cost hundreds of dollars per square foot, especially if you need identical or bookmatched pieces.

Wallpaper and Paint

Tile is usually the primary material in a bathroom renovation, but you may not want to use it all over. In this case, you'll need to budget for materials to finish the rest of the walls and the ceiling. Wallpaper can be tricky in high-humidity spaces because the extra moisture can loosen and melt the paste, causing the paper to peel away from the wall. If you want to use it in a bathroom with a tub or shower, consider covering only the top third of the walls, above more resilient tile or wainscoting, and be prepared to remind your family members to turn on the exhaust fan. Basic wallpaper costs between $18 to $40 per roll, but custom and luxury rolls can cost more than $500. Paint, however, is much cheaper, ranging from $20 to $70 per gallon. If your bathroom is small, a single gallon might be all you need.

Hardware

To keep your new bathroom functional and organized, you'll need towel bars, towel rings, cabinet knobs, shelving, a toilet paper holder, a handle for the shower door—all types of hardware. Different finishes and designs vary in cost. You can buy a coordinating set from The Home Depot for as little as $40, or opt for luxury or custom fittings for $500 and up.

Countertops

Bathroom countertops can be less durable than kitchen counters because they take less wear and tear, but they do need to be more water-resistant (save the butcher block for your kitchen!). Depending on the material, expect to pay between $400 to $4,300 for a countertop—this includes installation according to Angi. This cost also depends on the size and number of fixture holes you need.

Ventilation

Your bathroom needs proper ventilation to protect it from mold and mildew. Replacing an exhaust fan costs around $180 to $600. If you need to install a new exhaust fan, expect your cost to increase to $1,000 to account for the additional insulation or ductwork needed to vent the fan out of the roof of your house.

Plumbing

Plumbing in a bathroom is an essential cost and one that you always want to be done correctly. We recommend hiring a professional plumber to install your beloved new fixtures and take some stress off your back. Sometimes, all you need is a pesky leak fixed, whereas in a gut renovation, you may be moving the plumbing fixtures around to shift the layout. A standard repair can cost between $150 and $3,500. A simple update will average around $600, but a full layout change will cost between $1,000 and $6,500. Angi states that the current average for plumbing in a bathroom is around $7,000.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing the wet area of your bathroom (i.e., the part that's designed to get wet, like the shower and bathtub) also calls for a plumber. If you want to waterproof the entire bathroom and turn it into a wet room, expect to spend more like $10,000 to $20,000. Repairing prior water damage will cost between $3.75 and $7.00 per square foot.

Lighting

Adding new light fixtures will add between $150-$930 to your overall cost. You can save money by opting to keep your fixtures in the same place and simply swapping them out for new ones.

Cabinetry

A new vanity cabinet, whether you opt for a single or double, has a wide range of costs, between $300 to $42,000, with an average of $200 to $600 per unit, according to Angi. This includes units with additional storage, basic table vanities, and ones with built-in outlets. Of course, custom furnishings can range further in price.

Depending on the scope and complexity of your project, you may opt to DIY it instead of hiring a professional team. To help you plan your project and get great results, we want to give you a clear sense of what to expect from each route. Hiring professionals can not only ease your worries and save you time but also ensure the job gets done well—especially if it's on the more complicated side.

"You'll want to hire people who have a lot of expertise and reviews," says McCue. "Make sure they're used to working with high-end materials if your renovation uses them. Experience is key." Common professionals needed for a bathroom renovation are a general contractor, plumber, electrician, and interior designer.

Bathroom renovations can be overwhelming and costly, but there are straightforward ways to save money and avoid going over budget. "The biggest expense in a bathroom renovation is trying to change the layout," says McGillivray. "If you can avoid that, you're on the right track." Here are other ways to save:

• Know what you want and begin with a solid design and clear plan of action; this will limit the cost of making changes later on.
• Keep the existing layout to avoid the costs of rewiring and changing plumbing.
• Opt for only cosmetic changes such as new faucets and hardware, a fresh coat of paint, or new accent pieces.
• Refinish your fixtures instead of buying new ones.
• Skip the trendy finishes and opt instead for soft goods that are easily swapped, like your towels and shower curtain. Helgerson suggests this to prevent a bathroom from looking dated quickly and to ensure it requires fewer changes (i.e., more costs) in the long run.
• DIY what you can yourself, including demolition, prep work, painting, tiling, hardware installation, and cleanup.

How Long Does It Take to Renovate a Bathroom?

How long a renovation takes largely depends on the scale of the project. If you're going for a cosmetic renovation or a paint refresh, you could finish the job on a weekend. However, a gut renovation can take up to three months or longer.

How Does a New Bathroom Affect the Value of My Home?

According to Zillow, a midrange bathroom remodel has a national average return on investment (ROI) of 56.2 percent, while an ADA-accessible bathroom renovation has an ROI of 70.6 percent, and an upscale bath remodel has an ROI of 54.6 percent. A bathroom reno is typically more valuable to the current homeowner than prospective buyers.

How Much Does a Walk-In Shower Cost?

The average cost of a walk-in shower ranges from $4,200-$8,500, according to Angi. This price range can vary drastically depending on size, finishes, and material choices.

What Is the Most Expensive Part of a Bathroom Remodel?

If you choose to use professionals, the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel is the cost of labor. Labor typically takes up nearly half (if not more) of the total budget. Other than labor, the most expensive factor in a bathroom renovation is choosing to change the layout. This requires moving the plumbing and electrical, and potentially making structural changes, which are all quite expensive.

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