A bathroom remodel is one of the highest-ROI projects you can do — and one of the easiest to blow the budget on. In 2026, a typical mid-range bathroom remodel costs between $125 and $275 per square foot, which puts a standard 40 sq ft bathroom at roughly $5,000 to $11,000. A simple cosmetic refresh — new paint, fixtures, mirror, and lighting with no layout changes — can be done for $3,500 to $8,000. At the other end, a luxury primary-bath renovation with stone tile, a frameless glass shower, and heated floors can run $275 to $550 per square foot, or $22,000 to $44,000+ for an 80 sq ft space.
Finish level moves the needle more than size. Tile selection alone can swing a project by thousands: basic ceramic runs a few dollars per square foot installed, while natural stone or large-format porcelain with intricate patterns costs far more in both material and labor. Vanities, faucets, and toilets follow the same pattern — a $200 big-box vanity versus a $2,000 furniture-style piece changes the total fast.
Labor is typically 40–50% of a bathroom remodel, and the skilled work is in the shower: proper waterproofing, tile setting, and plumbing. Moving plumbing — shifting a toilet, shower drain, or vanity to new locations — adds $1,000 to $3,000 per move, because it means opening floors or walls and re-routing supply and drain lines. Keeping fixtures where they are is the single best way to control costs.
As with any remodel, get at least three detailed quotes and compare them line by line against your calculator estimate. Watch out for unrealistically low “allowances” for tile and fixtures — some contractors bid low allowances to win the job, then the real selections blow the budget. A trustworthy bid spells out exactly what’s included.
Bathroom Remodel Cost Calculator
Estimate your 2026 bathroom renovation by size and finish level.
Average bathroom remodel costs in 2026
| Remodel level | 35 sq ft bath | 80 sq ft bath |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | $3,600 – $8,100 | $4,900 – $10,800 |
| Mid-range full remodel | $4,400 – $9,600 | $10,000 – $22,000 |
| Luxury remodel | $9,600 – $19,300 | $22,000 – $44,000 |
How this calculator works
Pick your bathroom size from the list (or enter a custom square footage), then choose your remodel level. The calculator applies 2026 per-square-foot rates for that level — mid-range runs about $125 to $275 per sq ft, luxury $275 to $550 per sq ft, while a cosmetic refresh uses a base cost plus a per-square-foot rate. Results are rounded to the nearest $100 and shown as a range, because finish choices and local labor rates vary.
What affects your cost
The biggest drivers are bathroom size and finish level, followed by whether you move any plumbing — each relocated fixture adds $1,000 to $3,000. Shower and tile complexity is the next big one: a curbless walk-in shower with niche shelving costs far more in labor than a standard tub surround. Regional labor rates, permit fees, and the age of your home (older bathrooms often hide water damage that must be repaired) round out the differences between quotes.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in 2026?
A mid-range remodel runs $125 to $275 per square foot, so a standard 40 sq ft bathroom typically costs $5,000 to $11,000. Cosmetic refreshes start around $3,500; luxury primary baths can exceed $40,000.
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?
Labor — especially tile setting, shower waterproofing, and plumbing. Materials matter too, but the skilled trades are what separate a $8,000 refresh from a $25,000 remodel.
Can I remodel a bathroom for $5,000?
A cosmetic refresh is realistic at $5,000: paint, new fixtures, mirror, lighting, and hardware with no layout changes. A full gut remodel with new tile and plumbing is not — budget at least $6,500 to $8,000 for a small full remodel.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
Most full remodels take two to three weeks. Luxury jobs with custom tile work, heated floors, or layout changes can run four to six weeks.