How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Small Bathroom in 2024

So how much does remodeling a small bathroom cost? The short answer is around $7,000-20,000 in 2024. The long answer is that your bathroom’s materials, labor, and location can drastically increase your price, especially in the year 2024 with significant material shortages. Today we will take a deep look at the cost of this project to help you better understand how a seemingly small remodel can grow to be quite expensive. 

Bathroom Material Costs and Installation General Small Bathroom Costs Break Down 

There are many costs that go into remodeling a bathroom. Here are the general costs of each part of this project, both for labor and material. 

Bathtubs Remodel Costs

When remodeling a new bathtub, your old bathtub must be taken out and disposed of. This process involves cutting out the existing bathtub. Afterward, the area must be sanded down and cleaned to ensure proper bonding with a new bathtub. Labor costs include removing the old bathtub, disconnecting it from the plumbing before cleaning out the area, removing any drywall or particleboard. Afterward, your new bathtub is installed with the plumbing sorted out and the bathtub is sealed with new sealant or epoxy.

• Material Cost:$450-1200 
• Labor Costs:$550-700
• Removal Costs:$70-350 
• General Total:$1,070-2,250 

Countertops Remodel Costs

Countertop remodels involve removing your old countertop and disposing of the material in a designated landfill or dump. Removal cost is included with most contractor jobs. After your countertop is taken out and disposed of, your new countertop is placed and installed in your bathroom. Any fixtures such as the sink are then installed with the new countertop and any associated plumbing is sorted out to ensure that it does not conflict with your current configuration.

• Material Cost:$150-1100 
• Labor Costs$100-250
• Removal Costs-$25-60 
• General Total:$275-1410 

Bathroom Flooring Remodel Costs

Bathroom flooring requires that the existing flooring be stripped out and disposed of. To do this, all existing fixtures such as bathtubs, counters, and toilets must first be removed before flooring can begin. Afterward, the contractor will lay out the tile and apply several layers of bonding agent with the material to ensure maximum cohesion with the rest of the floor. The flooring then has to dry for a total of 24 hours before your fixtures are placed back in. 

• Material Cost:$100-150 
• Labor Costs:$450-750
• Removal Costs:$150-700 
• General Total: $700-1600

Lighting Remodel Costs

Lighting remodels require an electrician or someone with a solid understanding of electrical systems. This remodel requires that your existing lighting setup be removed and disconnected from the electrical line and put a new setup in its place. Generally, the lighting setup can be placed without damaging your walls, but in rare cases, the existing system may need to be replaced if the wiring is old or not up to code. 

• Material Cost:$65-150 
• Labor Costs:$150-250
• Removal Costs:$25-50 
• General Total:$240-$450 

Shower Remodel Costs

A shower remodel is quite similar to a bathtub remodel. First, the area needs to be cleaned out and any existing shower or bathtub needs to be removed from the space. Labor costs involve both removing and cleaning the existing space and pre-sighting it for the new shower. Afterward, the shower space needs to be retiled for both the wall and flooring to ensure proper cohesion and protect the shower from any water damage.  

• Material Cost:$400-550 
• Labor Costs:410-525
• Removal Costs:$40-70 
• General Total:$850-1,145 

Sinks Remodel Costs

Sink remodels involve removing the existing sink and installing a new countertop or vanity to mesh with the new model. This process involves cutting out and disposing of the old sink before installing a new one in its place. Afterward, plumbing is sorted out to ensure that no part of it will interfere with the countertop or sink. 

• Material Cost:$150-300 
• Labor Costs:$350-450
• Removal Costs:$50-150 
• General Total:$550-900

Walls Remodel Costs

Wall remodels usually involve stripping or removing the existing tile or paper and inspecting the existing wall’s health and quality. In most instances, the drywall will be replaced, and the tile will be placed over it to ensure the largest amount of exposure and bonding time. Labor costs include removing and replacing any existing tile and ensuring the integrity of the drywall itself. Depending on how large the bathroom is, this can grow to be quite expensive as you are looking at around $800-1700 per wall.  

• Material Cost:$800-1700 
• Labor Costs:$700-1500
• Removal Costs:$70-120 
• General Total:$550-10,000

Decor Remodel Costs

Decor remodels involve numerous outside elements such as furnishings. These furnishings can either be cheap and simple or expensive. Labor for bathroom decor remodels usually involves hiring a professional to create a theme based on the budget you have. This job has a variable cost with affordable jobs landing around $800-1,000 to more expensive jobs costing around $2,000-3,500 with more expansive and complicated themes and styles. 

• Material Cost:$800-3500 
• Labor Costs:$400-2000
• General Total: $1200-5500

Additional Cost and Pricing Factors for Bathroom Remodeling 

In addition to the primary costs of bathroom remodeling, here are some additional costs to consider:

Location

The location of your bathroom can add additional costs to your install. If your bathroom is located on the second floor of a house, for example, this can create more issues during install. Your contractors may need to carry heavy equipment up and down several flights of stairs or they can’t work on a wall because it’s a load-bearing wall. Typically, the more inconvenient the location is to the rest of your house, labor costs and installation costs can greatly increase.  

Size of Bathroom

• Half bath 18-32 square feet, $3,000-10,000
• Full bath 20-146 sq feet, $7,000-20,000
• Master bath 40-210 sq feet, $14,000-$25,000
• Accessibility-friendly 20-210 sq feet, $14,000-30,000

Luxury vs Standard Materials

Materials will ultimately determine the final price of your bathroom. Regardless of labor and installation costs, you should always plan extra room in your budget for materials. If you want higher-quality materials for your bathroom, be prepared to pay for it. For comparison, a acrylic or fiberglass bathtub will generally run around $350-600, whereas a stone resin bathtub will easily run around 1200-2200 depending on the quality. 

Existing Bathroom Infrastructure

A new bathroom will always be cheaper to work on compared to an existing bathroom. An existing bathroom creates issues for contractors as they have to rip out and remove all the existing elements of the old bathroom before they can get started. This can increase the cost of your project or even stall it out if the right permits aren’t obtained as different cities have different utility codes that all contractors have to follow.  

Expert Expertise Rates

Hiring an expert is always a recommended idea when starting a new project. Experts have a great deal of experience in home improvement and can provide valuable insight and knowledge that will save you a great headache down the road. Consulting a professional isn’t cheap, however, and they will charge you for their experience and advice. The rate can usually be negotiated, but it is something to keep in mind when hiring a reputable contractor. 

Timing of Project

The timing of your project can greatly impact the general availability of workers and materials. Summer is often the worst time to start a project as most people choose this time frame to start a project, thus increasing the demand of materials. Spring is generally considered a good time to start a project because winter could have an adverse effect on your workers and the material quality due to changes in weather.  

Common Small Bathroom Remodel Projects and Costs

Below are some common smaller bathroom remodel projects and their associated costs.  

Stone Bathroom Floor

A stone bathroom floor involves replacing the existing flooring with stone tile. This process involves using a hammer gun and chiseling out the old tile. Once that is done, you will need to clean and remove any of the existing tile from the floor. Afterward, you apply a thin set and level out the bathroom floor, then slowly lay tile, one at a time. Once the tiles are complete, allow thin set to dry before applying sealer and grout. This project can cost anywhere from $300-700, depending on the size of the bathroom. 

Painting Bathroom Walls

Painting a bathroom wall involves purchasing paint and a primer coating. The bathroom wall should be cleaned first before applying any paint to ensure maximum adhesion to the wall. Apply primer before painting to ensure that your paint layer will stick to the wall for a longer duration. Between material costs, this project will generally run around $70-400. 

Glass Shower Doors

Installing a sliding glass shower door requires installing the rails first. You will need to measure out the space accurately, then drill holes on the wall. Hold the stationary glass panels together before attaching them to the panel on the side rail. Afterwards, install the door sweep on the bottom and lock it in place. This project will run you anywhere from $500-1,000 depending on the size and quality of the door. 

Adding New Sink Faucets

Installing or adding new sink faucets involve spacing out an appropriate area and installing the sink faucet. So long as it has a line to the plumbing, a sink faucet can easily be installed anywhere you like. This project will generally run $60-120 depending on the quality of the faucet itself. 

New Storage and Cabinets

Installing new storage and cabinets is a simple affair as it simply requires securing new storage units to your bathroom. These generally don’t conflict with current vanity setups and can easily be done DIY. Installing new storage space will generally run anywhere between $300-700 depending on the material used. 

Rerouting Plumbing

Rerouting the plumbing involves tearing open the flooring and wall to access the pipes beyond. This is done to accommodate a bathtub in a new location or to reorganize the current setup in your existing bathroom. Keep in mind that the more complicated the task, the more expensive this becomes. If you want to re-do just the plumbing in your bathroom, a professional will typically charge you anywhere from $600-3,000 depending on the complication of the project itself. 

Rerouting Electrical

Rerouting the electrical systems involves tearing open the wall and redistributing the electrical lines in your bathroom. This may be required if you want to place an outlet somewhere else or move something incase of an electrical hazard. Before you attempt to DIY this step, please consult a professional first as electrical systems are quite dangerous. This project will run anywhere from $600-1,000. 

Resurfacing Bathtubs

Resurfacing your bathtub requires a specialized kit. First, you clean your existing bathtub and smooth out any rough edges it may have with an orbital sander. Then, with the bathtub clean and smoothed out, you can apply the resurfacing kit. This involves placing a primer first before applying the epoxy layer. After the epoxy layer has been applied, you can recaulk your bathtub. This project will generally run anywhere from $300-500. 

Re-grout

Regrouting your bathroom involves reapplying grout to your bathroom which can be a lengthy affair. First, you want to use a grout saw and carefully remove all your existing grout from the floor. Afterward, you want to carefully and methodically reapply your new grout solution to the same tile, being careful to apply it only on the joints of the tile. Due to the time of this project, you are easily looking at a cost of $300-1200.

Paint

The cost of painting your bathroom will vary depending on several different factors. On average, the cost is around $250, with $150 on the low end and anywhere from $300-400 on the high end. Here are the typical costs associated with this project:

A gallon of paint will cost between $20-100 per gallon, with glossier paints adding $2 per gallon for each additional gloss level. 

A painter will charge anywhere from $1-4 per square foot or $20-50 per hour. This is the bulk of the cost when painting your bathroom. If you can DIY the project, you can cut the price in half, saving you money. For a DIY job, these are the supplies you are looking for and the prices associated:

• Paint: $20-30 per gallon, depending on your gloss level
• Paintbrush: $5-90 per brush
• Roller: $15-30 per roller
• Ladder: $100-300
• Painter’s tape: $2-5 per roll
• Drop cloth: $10-30
• Primer: $15-40 per gallon

Hidden costs of remodeling

Mold 

Moisture and high humidity can cause mold if your bathroom is not properly ventilated. Consider installing more fans and windows to increase air circulation in your bathroom and prevent mold damage down the line. 

Plumbing Leaks

Leaks in the plumbing can be disastrous if left ignored, so routinely inspect your plumbing and fixtures so you can deal with the problem as soon as possible.

Waterproofing

You will need to waterproof the walls around the shower or bath, so choose a material that can handle high humidity, or you may pay for it in the long run.

Custom Cabinetry

Depending on the layout of your bathroom, you may need to order custom cabinets to accommodate unusually shaped walls or height changes. Remember that custom-made items take longer to build and will be much more expensive than retail items. 

Outdated electrical

Outdated electrical systems are power inefficient and can cause deadly power spikes. Depending on your existing layout, you will need to update your electrical systems before remodeling, requiring an electrician to upgrade your wiring. Depending on the complexity, this can be quite costly, so inspect your electrical system before starting. 

Professional vs. DIY Remodel

The best way to save some money is to do some of the things on your own, whether it’s painting or demolition. However, if you’re not skilled enough, choosing to do it on your own might actually cost you more money that hiring a professional straight away.

If you’re determined to do a part of the remodeling project on your own, the best thing you can do is to divide the project into two phases. First one will cover everything that you feel capable of doing and the second one will involve the work of a professional. Most contractors will not have a problem with splitting the work with homeowners, but make sure you discuss these with them first to avoid misunderstandings. 

If you plan to do some of the remodeling at the same time, make sure you do it while the contractor is not around to ensure you’re not distracting them from the work you’re paying them to do. 

Types of Small Bathrooms

Below are some examples of small bathrooms to get an understanding of how much space is available. 

Half Bathroom/Powder Room

A half bath is a bathroom that contains just a toilet and sink, but rarely has a shower or bathtub. A half bathroom is the smallest bathroom size available and generally sits around 15-18 square feet, or the size of a small closet. 

Three Quarter Bathroom

A three-quarter bathroom is a bathroom that contains either a shower or bathtub along with a sink and a toilet. In general, the minimum space for a three-quarter bathroom is at least 36 square feet.

Small Bathroom Sizes:

Below are some of the sizes you are likely to encounter when looking at small bathrooms. 

• 3×5(15 square ft)
• 3×6 (18 square ft)
• 4×4 (16 square ft)
• 4×6 (24 square ft)
• 6×6 (36 square ft)

Affordable bathroom remodel ideas

Remodel in stages

Remodeling in stages allows you to focus better on one area rather than the entire bathroom at once. When remodeling, the highest cost will come from changing foundations, removing walls, changing plumbing lines, relocating fixtures such as toilets or tubs, and finally, electrical wiring. Staging out your remodel will provide a better plan and allow you to reduce labor costs by hiring professionals for tasks that aren’t easy to DIY.

Avoid moving the tub, toilet, or shower

Your tub, toilet and shower are expensive and awkward fixtures to move through your bathroom. Moving these items will require professionals and may require the removal of walls and altering plumbing lines and electrical systems. By planning your remodel around these existing fixtures, you can save a great deal of money and hassle.

Buy materials yourself

Purchasing materials yourself can greatly reduce your final price. Contractors won’t typically shop around, so you will always pay market rate for your materials. In addition, you can’t verify the quality of the material yourself until after purchase. By shopping around, you can always ensure you get the best deal and ensure high quality before it is installed.

Use lower-cost lookalike materials

For example, you can use laminate flooring to simulate either natural stone or wood, depending on your preference. Ceramics and porcelain can even mimic the look of travertine and marble.

Refinish rather than replace

If the option is available, refinish a fixture rather than replace it. A bathtub refinish can breathe new life and update it’s look and cost anywhere from $50-100. On the other hand, a new bathtub install can cost anywhere from $4,000-10,000 depending on the size and location, so consider refinishing your fixtures if you want to update their look. 

Design the bathroom yourself

Opt out of hiring a bathroom designer and do it yourself. Bathrooms are small rooms without any complications, so they provide an excellent starting place for beginners. Spend time studying existing layouts and take inspiration online to get started.

DIY when applicable

Many aspects of a remodel can be done by yourself without hiring a professional. This will not only save a large bit of money but can accelerate the completion time of your remodel. These aspects include painting, small plumbing jobs, installing your vanity and countertops, installing your toilet, and floor replacements, to name a few. Of course, it is highly advised that you should only do DIY jobs that you are skilled in. Plumbing and electrical jobs are best left to professionals, so use your best judgment before you begin.

Common Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes

There are certain mistakes that we’ve noticed many homeowners make when they begin to remodel their bathroom. To help you avoid them, we’ve gathered them all in the list below:

• Not creating enough storage space 
• Prioritizing style over functionality
• Being afraid to use bold colors or design
• Improper ventilation 
• Not using shower or bathtub as a basis for your layout
• Overlooking door swings and drawers
• Using too many different materials 

Quick Remodeling Tips in 2024

• Compare the price of multiple professionals-There are many contractors available so it’s important that you find one that will provide you with quality work, so shop around and compare prices before committing. 
• Explore bathroom warranties-Investigate your bathroom warranties to see what they cover. Many fixtures can be replaced for free if they are in warranty, saving anywhere from $1-10,000, which you can use for other remodel costs.
• Negotiate costs-Always negotiate costs whenever possible, ensuring that you only pay for what you need. 

Remodeling any bathroom can be an expensive and exhausting affair. So do your research, be confident in what you want, and plan accordingly to avoid overspending on this project. If you need a piece of advice from an expert, reach out to us and we’ll help you to remodel your bathroom by sharing our extensive knowledge and experience!