A bathroom remodel costs $10,000 to $30,000 in 2026
The national average is about $16,500. A cosmetic refresh with new fixtures and paint is $5,000 to $10,000. A small bathroom remodel runs about $2,000 to $15,000. The Cost vs. Value Report puts a midrange remodel at $25,251 and an upscale one at $78,840.
Cost by scope and size
| Cosmetic refresh | $5,000 to $10,000. Paint, fixtures, vanity, lighting. No tile, no layout change. |
|---|---|
| Mid range remodel | $15,000 to $30,000. New tile, tub or shower, floor and fixtures in the same layout. |
| Small bathroom, under 40 square feet | About $2,000 to $15,000, with a mid range average near $6,500. |
| Per square foot | About $120 on average in Fixr, and $70 to $400. Budget refreshes run $80 to $120, mid range $180 to $280. |
| 5 by 8 bathroom, 40 square feet | $2,800 to $16,000 in Fixr. |
| 10 by 10 bathroom, 100 square feet | $7,000 to $40,000 in Fixr. |
| Plumbing rough in | $3,000 to $8,000, and more when fixtures move. |
| Tile labor | $2,500 to $6,000. |
| Exhaust fan with new duct | $400 to $950. |
What pushes a quote up
| Moving plumbing | Keeping the toilet, sink and shower where they are is the biggest saving on the job. |
|---|---|
| Tile | Small tiles, large format tiles and full height walls all add labor. |
| What is behind the walls | Hidden rot, old pipes and water damage show up at demolition. |
| Fixtures | A $250 toilet and a $1,000 toilet do the same job. |
| Size | Small bathrooms cost more per square foot, because every trade still has to come. |
Bathroom remodel cost by region
| Lower cost states | $8,000 to $24,000. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia and most rural areas. |
|---|---|
| Average cost states | $10,000 to $30,000. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and most mid size cities. |
| Higher cost states | $13,000 to $39,000. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, plus big metros such as Chicago, Denver and Washington DC. |
These rows are our estimate. We took the typical national range and adjusted it for local labor costs, which run about 20 percent lower in the cheapest states and about 30 percent higher in the dearest ones. Big city labor rates and older housing stock with hidden repairs push coastal metros to the top of the range.
Why a 5 by 8 bathroom costs more per foot than a big one
Every bathroom needs a plumber, often an electrician, a tile setter and a carpenter. They all have to show up whether the room is 35 square feet or 100. That is why Block Renovation says a 25 square foot powder room can run $200 or more per square foot while a 100 square foot main bath lands closer to $150.
It also explains the survey result in one 2026 roundup: about 1 in 3 homeowners said the final bill beat their budget, most often because of plumbing upgrades, hidden water damage or structural repairs found at demolition. Build a 10 to 15 percent cushion into the plan from day one.
Averages versus the Cost vs. Value Report
Cost guides say about $16,500. The Cost vs. Value Report says $25,251 for midrange and $78,840 for upscale. The report prices a full job to a set spec, with new everything, in a mid size bathroom. The cost guides include many partial jobs. Use the report if you are gutting the room. Use the guides if you are keeping the tub and the layout.
Why this costs more in 2026
Tile, vanities, fixtures and PVC drain pipe all ship by truck, and one 2026 guide says bathroom costs rose 4 to 6 percent from 2025 on labor shortages and tariffs on cabinetry and fixtures.
Fuel is the common thread. AAA's national average for diesel passed $6 a gallon for the first time on September 11, 2026, up from about $3.70 a year earlier (CBS 8 reporting AAA). Every truck roll and every delivery carries that. Materials moved too. Associated Builders and Contractors reported construction input prices up 4.8 percent in a year as of March 2026, the largest annual gain since January 2023, and the Associated General Contractors said diesel jumped 37.8 percent in one month, the largest one month rise since 1990 (Roofing Contractor, April 2026). Some suppliers added freight surcharges this year. Ask how long your quote is good for.
How to judge the quote in your hand
- Ask for a line item quote. Demolition, plumbing, tile, fixtures and finishes, each with a price.
- Ask what happens if they find rot. Get the rate for extra work in writing.
- Check who buys the fixtures. Some quotes include them. Some leave an allowance that is too small.
- Ask about permits. Moving plumbing or wiring needs one.
- Check waterproofing. Ask what goes behind the shower tile.
Ways to pay less
- Keep the layout. Do not move the toilet or the drain.
- Refinish instead of replace. A tub refinish or a new vanity top can cover a lot of wear.
- Choose mid range fixtures. Spend on the valve inside the wall, save on the trim outside it.
- Hold 10 to 15 percent back. For what is behind the walls.
What will this cost me?
Pick the job, your state's cost level and the last detail. The estimate updates as you change them.
An estimate built from published 2026 cost guides. It is not a quote. Get a written quote before work starts.
The one business per trade, per town that AI recommends.
When your customers ask an AI which company to call, we get you named, not your competitor. We work and monitor every major engine, ChatGPT, Google's AI Overviews, Gemini, Perplexity, Copilot, Claude, and Grok, so you show up wherever they ask. Fully done-for-you: setup, ongoing optimization, competitor tracking, a live dashboard, and monthly reporting. Backed by our 90-day money-back guarantee.
Book a free 15 minute callNo pitch deck. We run your audit live on the call.Common questions
How much does a bathroom remodel cost?
$10,000 to $30,000 in 2026, with a national average near $16,500.
How much does a small bathroom remodel cost?
About $2,000 to $15,000 for a bathroom under 40 square feet, with a mid range average near $6,500.
What is the cost per square foot to remodel a bathroom?
About $120 on average in Fixr, with most projects between $70 and $400.
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?
Labor, especially plumbing and tile. Moving fixtures is the biggest single cost jump.
Does a bathroom remodel add value?
Mid range remodels return a good share of their cost at sale. The Cost vs. Value Report tracks it each year.