The most expensive aspect for bathroom remodeling is the labor. In Southern California, labor is what drives costs. Material selection is at its best, with tubs, showers, plumbing, and electrical at almost every price point. Quality materials still on the higher end of the scale, but overall costs have increased due to labor.
Plumbing and design elements can be costly. Plumbing if you remove and replace or move pipes. Design elements can include lighting, and fixtures.
This is a tough question. Every remodel job is different than the last. In our most recent projects we have found the custom tile work to be the most expensive aspect of our remodels. Our customers are focusing very heavily on their shower enclosures and the showers are getting bigger and bigger with every job. From custom tiled niches, tiled seats, and luxe linear tile drains the options are endless for achieving the resort feel in every bathroom we remodel.
Every part of a bathroom can get expensive but generally the shower size and finish is becoming one the most expensive parts to a bathroom remodel.
Hi Darren,
If you are doing a simple remodel with off the shelf items from HD, then your main expense will be the contractor’s labor.
The rest of the expense is up to you: what kind of tile you choose, the expense of the vanity, if you’re keeping everything the same or moving things around, etc.
An average price with basic stuff from HD is $250.00 a sq ft (where I am in Eastern Long Island)
My advice to you is to not only get a few estimates from different contractors but to also have each contractor give you a basic remodel price and then something a little more high end (or with maybe moving /changing things around).
Remember though, the cheapest is not always the one you should go with. Try to meet the contractor a few times and get to know them to see if he is a good fit for your project.
You will keep one of the largest expenses out of your project budget if you do not relocate any of the existing plumbing. When you start moving drain and water lines, those tasks can add thousands of dollars to a small remodel.
The choice of fixtures and materials will be the second most impactful decision on your cost. Tile adds material and labor cost over sheet and vinyl flooring. Replacing the bathtub versus keeping it can also have a huge impact on cost.
Custom verses cookie cutter design and materials chosen, along with any unforeseen damaged materials discovered during demo.
There are two things. Plumbing and plumbing fixtures are the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel. There is a wide range of products available and colors and styles can vary widely in price.
The second item is if you are considering tile. This is labor intensive, so the cost will be a large part of the final cost.
Craig
Hi there,
We agree with answers given such as chosen fixtures and plumbing relocation, however many people do not know that they can just refinish existing tiles, tubs and sinks for bathroom updates. Our clients have given us contractor quotes from $2000- $15,000 for bathroom updates and we come in and just repair any broken tile or grout and refinish it all for 70-80% less. Find a reputable refinishing (AKA reglazing) company and get a quote from them to keep your options open and your costs down.
Best of luck with your update!
Dennie’s Resurfacing LLC
If you are moving drains and or plumbing this can be quite expensive, if not a chunk of the money you spend will go on items like then tub, shower and tile work.
I tell this to my clients "when doing a project figure about two 3rds of the total price will go to labor the controllable cost will be the last 3rd and that is the materials you choose.
I’m finding that the plumbing contractor to be the single most expensive part! Guy’s with experience, accountability, and desire to make the money are severely in short supply in Florida atm. It’s getting so bad I’m considering taking that and the roofing trade exams so i can get jobs completed.
