What a bathroom remodel costs: the survey numbers
Half of the bathroom remodels homeowners reported cost $5,000 or less, and the average was $9,322, according to the Census Bureau's 2023 American Housing Survey (AHS), which asks owners what they spent on jobs over the previous two years.[1] The average sits well above the median because a minority of large jobs pulls it up. Projects that add or enlarge a bathroom are a separate, much more expensive category.
| Job type | Jobs reported | Median cost | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bath remodel | 7.5 million | $5,000 | $9,322 |
| Bath addition or renovation | 329 thousand | $10,130 | $21,490 |
| Plumbing fixtures only | 9.9 million | $542 | $1,979 |
| All home improvement jobs | 139.9 million | $2,000 | $6,181 |
Read these as a sanity check, not a quote. The survey covers every kind of job, including weekend projects: about 36% of all improvement projects were done by the owners themselves,[2] which pulls the typical figure below what a contractor-built remodel costs. Prices also differ by region and by how much of the room changes.
How the calculator builds your budget
A bathroom budget is the tile areas times your installed prices, plus each fixture and trade you are paying for, plus a cushion. The calculator measures the tile from the room so you only enter prices from bids. For an example 5 × 8 ft room with 4 ft of wall tile and a 2.5 ft door:
- Floor tile: 5 × 8 = 40 sq ft.
- Wall tile: 2 × (5 + 8) × 4 − 2.5 × 4 = 94 sq ft.
- Multiply each area by the installed price per square foot in your bid, then add the vanity, toilet, tub or shower, fixtures, plumbing, electrical, demolition, finishes and permit lines.
- Add the contingency: at 10%, a $1 subtotal becomes $1.10.
Tile area grows quickly with tile height. If the bid covers a full-height shower instead of a wainscot, use the average height around the room, or price the shower walls as part of the tub or shower line.
| Room | Floor tile | Wall tile at 4 ft | Wall tile at 8 ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 × 7 ft | 35 sq ft | 86 sq ft | 172 sq ft |
| 5 × 8 ft | 40 sq ft | 94 sq ft | 188 sq ft |
| 6 × 8 ft | 48 sq ft | 102 sq ft | 204 sq ft |
| 8 × 10 ft | 80 sq ft | 134 sq ft | 268 sq ft |
| 9 × 12 ft | 108 sq ft | 158 sq ft | 316 sq ft |
Order more tile than the measured area to cover cuts and breakage; the tile calculator converts the areas into tiles and boxes, and the grout calculator gives the bags of grout. For an odd-shaped room, measure it in parts with the square footage calculator.
Comparing bathroom bids line by line
Bids are easiest to compare when every contractor prices the same lines. Ask each one to separate tile (per square foot, installed), each fixture, plumbing and electrical labor, demolition, and the permit, and to say what is excluded. Then enter each bid in the calculator and keep the contingency the same, so the totals differ only where the bids do. A large gap on one line usually means a different scope, such as moving a drain or a different shower system, not just a different price. Ask too what happens if demolition uncovers rot or mold behind the tile; the contingency is for that, and the mold remediation cost calculator shows how such cleanup is sized.
No prices are filled inThis calculator does not guess what fixtures or labor cost where you live. Every dollar figure comes from you; the only built-in numbers are the room geometry and the Census survey benchmark.
Paying for a bathroom remodel
Most owners pay from savings, a home equity loan or line, a personal loan, or a renovation mortgage. The CFPB lists repairs and improvements among common uses of home equity and reminds borrowers that missing payments on a loan secured by the house can lead to foreclosure.[5] Compare the options on the home improvement loan calculator, and check how much equity a lender would let you use with the HELOC LTV calculator.
- Interest deduction. Interest on a home equity loan or HELOC is deductible only when the money is used to buy, build or substantially improve the home that secures it, and only if you itemize. The IRS counts an improvement as substantial when it adds value, prolongs the home's life or adapts it to new uses; repairs such as repainting do not count.[3]
- Buying a home that needs a new bathroom. Fannie Mae's HomeStyle Renovation mortgage can fold the work into the purchase loan, up to 75% of the lesser of the price plus renovation costs or the as-completed appraised value.[4]
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom?
In the Census Bureau's 2023 American Housing Survey, the median bathroom remodel cost $5,000 and the average $9,322; adding or enlarging a bathroom had a median of $10,130.[1] Your own cost depends on the room size, the fixtures and local labor prices.
How do I use a bath remodel cost calculator?
Enter the room size and wall tile height, then the installed price per square foot for tile and the amount for each fixture and trade from your bids. The calculator multiplies the tile areas, adds the lines and applies your contingency.
How much tile do I need for a 5 by 8 bathroom?
The floor is 40 sq ft. Tile 4 ft up every wall, less a 2.5 ft door, is 94 sq ft. Add a margin for cuts and breakage before ordering.
Is a bathroom remodel tax deductible?
The remodel itself is not a deduction on your return, but interest on a home equity loan or HELOC used for it can be deductible if the work substantially improves your home and you itemize.[3]
Sources
- American Housing Survey 2023, Table C-16-OO: Home Improvement Costs, Owner-Occupied Units
- 2023 Home Improvements (American Housing Survey infographic)
- Publication 936 (2025), Home Mortgage Interest Deduction
- B5-3.2-02, HomeStyle Renovation Mortgages: Loan and Borrower Eligibility (Selling Guide)
- Using home equity to meet financial needs (Older Americans Housing Guide)