Bathroom Rehab Cost Breakdown
Bathrooms are the second-highest ROI renovation after kitchens. Buyers judge a home heavily on bathroom quality, and a dated bathroom with pink tile and brass fixtures from the 1980s signals "this house needs work" louder than almost anything else. The good news: bathroom renovations are smaller in scope than kitchens, and the cost is predictable when you know the components.
Full bathroom vs half bathroom costs
| Bathroom Type | Investor-Grade | Mid-Range | High-End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full bath (tub/shower, toilet, vanity) | $4,000-$8,000 | $8,000-$15,000 | $15,000-$30,000 |
| Master bath (larger, double vanity) | $6,000-$12,000 | $12,000-$22,000 | $22,000-$40,000 |
| Half bath (toilet, vanity only) | $2,000-$4,000 | $4,000-$7,000 | $7,000-$12,000 |
Cost breakdown by component
Vanity and sink (20-25% of bathroom budget)
- Stock vanity with top (24-36"): $200-$500 (investor-grade)
- Semi-custom vanity (36-48"): $400-$1,000 (mid-range)
- Double vanity (60-72"): $600-$2,000 (mid-range), $1,500-$4,000 (high-end)
- Vessel or undermount sink: $100-$400
- Faucet: $60-$150 (investor), $150-$400 (mid-range)
For investor-grade baths, a stock vanity combo from Home Depot ($200-$400 with top included) is the most efficient choice. It includes the vanity, countertop, sink, and faucet holes pre-drilled. Installation takes 1-2 hours.
Tub and shower (20-30% of bathroom budget)
- Tub/shower insert (acrylic, 1-piece): $300-$600 + $300-$500 install
- Standard alcove tub + surround tile: $400-$800 tub + $800-$2,000 tile
- Tile shower (standalone, no tub): $1,500-$4,000 (mid-range), $4,000-$8,000 (high-end)
- Shower valve and head: $100-$300 (investor), $300-$700 (mid-range with rain head)
- Glass shower door: $300-$800 (frameless: $800-$1,500)
For investor-grade renovations, an acrylic tub/shower insert is the fastest and cheapest option. For mid-range, subway tile on the tub surround with a standard alcove tub delivers strong visual impact at moderate cost. Use the rehab cost estimator to price your specific bathroom scope.
Toilet (5% of bathroom budget)
- Basic round-front toilet: $100-$200
- Elongated comfort-height toilet: $200-$400 (the investor standard)
- High-efficiency or dual-flush: $250-$500
- Installation labor: $100-$200
Always replace old toilets. A new toilet costs $200-$400 installed and immediately modernizes the space. There's no good reason to keep a yellowed, water-wasting toilet from 1990.
Tile and flooring (15-25% of bathroom budget)
- Sheet vinyl: $150-$400 installed (budget option)
- LVP (waterproof): $300-$600 installed (good for investor-grade)
- Ceramic tile: $400-$1,000 installed (standard choice)
- Porcelain tile: $600-$1,500 installed (durable, water-resistant)
- Large-format porcelain: $800-$2,000 installed (premium look with fewer grout lines)
Floor tile should always be porcelain or ceramic in bathrooms (moisture resistance). LVP is acceptable for investor-grade but tile looks and performs better. Subway tile on walls costs $5-$8/sq ft installed and provides the best value-to-appearance ratio.
Fixtures and accessories (5-10%)
- Mirror: $40-$100 (framed), $100-$400 (custom or large)
- Light fixture: $50-$150 (investor), $150-$400 (mid-range vanity light)
- Towel bar, TP holder, hooks: $30-$80 (set)
- Exhaust fan: $80-$200 installed (often code-required)
- Medicine cabinet: $60-$200
Paint and prep (5%)
- Drywall repair: $100-$400 (water damage, nail holes)
- Paint (bathroom-specific mildew-resistant): $100-$300
- Caulk and grout refresh: $50-$150
Plumbing (variable)
If the bathroom layout stays the same (fixtures in the same locations), plumbing costs are minimal, just connecting new fixtures to existing supply and drain lines ($200-$500). If you're relocating fixtures, plumbing becomes significant:
- Moving a toilet: $500-$1,500
- Moving a shower/tub: $1,000-$3,000
- Adding a bathroom where none exists: $3,000-$8,000 (plumbing only)
Budget examples
Investor-grade full bath ($5,500)
- Stock vanity combo (36"): $350
- Acrylic tub/shower insert: $800
- Elongated toilet: $250
- LVP flooring: $400
- Paint and drywall repair: $300
- Mirror, light, accessories: $200
- Faucet and shower valve: $250
- Plumbing connections: $350
- Installation labor: $2,600
- Total: $5,500
Mid-range master bath ($16,000)
- 60" double vanity with quartz top: $1,200
- Alcove tub with subway tile surround: $2,500
- Tile shower with glass door: $4,000
- Comfort-height toilet: $350
- Porcelain floor tile: $1,200
- Dual faucets and rain showerhead: $600
- Mirror, lighting, accessories: $500
- Paint and prep: $300
- Plumbing: $800
- Exhaust fan: $150
- Installation labor: $4,400
- Total: $16,000
Bathroom ROI for investors
Bathroom renovations return 60-70% of cost for mid-range remodels and can exceed 100% for investor-grade renovations in properties with severely dated bathrooms. The key insight: a $5,500 bathroom renovation in a $200K property has a much higher ROI than a $25,000 bathroom renovation in the same property because buyers in that price range don't expect luxury finishes.
Match bathroom finishes to the comparable properties in your market. If the comps all have basic builder-grade bathrooms, you don't need to install a rainfall shower and frameless glass enclosure to compete.
Use the repair estimation tool to build a complete bathroom budget and see how it fits into your overall renovation plan.
Related articles
- Kitchen Rehab Cost Breakdown
- How to Estimate Repair Costs
- Cosmetic vs Structural Repairs
- Repair Costs Vary by Region