What Is the Average Cost of Remodeling a Bathroom?

Why So Much?

• It is important to remember the many expenses contractors must factor into a bathroom remodeling job. Like a homeowner tackling the job himself, contractors must pay for materials and supplies. Contractors have additional costs, however, including insurance, payroll taxes, truck maintenance, office supplies and other expenses homeowners don't.

Standard

• Improvenet.com says the budget for a standard remodel on an average-sized bathroom was around $7,920 in 2014. A standard remodel includes new flooring and cabinets as well as a new sink, toilet and tub or shower.

Regional Differences

• In the United States, bathroom remodel costs vary by region. The most expensive region in 2013 was the West Coast, where the average bathroom remodeling cost was $18,570. The least expensive region was the western south central area of the country (Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas) where remodels averaged $13,997.

Cost Estimator

• The National Kitchen & Bath Association suggests that bathroom remodels should cost around 5 to 10 percent of your home's value. Visit cost estimating websites that allow you to input details about your project to get an estimate of the total cost of remodeling.

Budget Makeover

• A few simple spruce-ups can have your bathroom looking better for as little as $1,000. Instead if a major redo, try updating your sink and plumbing fixtures or replacing an outdated vanity, perhaps with one you bought at a home improvement recycling center. Add a new mirror, install a medicine chest or put new wall sconces on either side of your existing mirror. Small changes, like updated lighting fixtures and warming towel bars, can make a big difference on a small budget.