You know your bathroom has to change. That much is clear. But how do you start to figure out how much it will cost?
Your automatic assumption may be that it’s very expensive. Maybe you’ve renovated another room before, or maybe your friends have told you bathroom reno nightmare stories. In either case, your first vision may be of big flashing, spinning dollar signs.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s why.
Budget Planning
The average bathroom remodel job costs $25,922 in New York and $22,267 in New Jersey, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost Versus Value Report.
That’s just an average. Depending on your must-haves, the price tag can easily reach the $50,000 mark. Things like design, labor, detailed drawings and materials can quickly add up.
Fortunately, there are effective ways to minimize the cost of remodeling a bathroom. In fact, here are some tips to keeping costs down.
Breaking Down the Cost of Remodeling a Bathroom
Like many renovations, it’s really more about many costs adding up to one bigger cost. Of course, no two bathrooms are alike, but here is a look at some high and low prices on key elements:
Bathtub
Low: $2,600 – $4,100
High: $8,000
It’s more than your bathtub. It’s your oasis, your spa and your refuge. You don’t spend nearly as much time in the tub as you would like, so you want to enjoy every second that you’re in there.
Low: $3,000 – $4,800
High: $10,000
Just like your bathtub, this is likely one of the first things you imagine when you close your eyes and picture your dream bathroom.
Your days will probably start and end in the shower. Don’t settle for anything less than true love.
Vanity
Low: $1,000 – $7,000
High: $15,000
Your vanity may not get as much love as your bathtub or shower, but it goes just as far to make or break the look of a bathroom. Sure, you want it to be stylish, but you also need it to be fully functional. There is nothing worse than having insufficient cabinet space in your bathroom or a surface you have to see every day that you don’t love. You don’t want to skimp on this one.
Sink
Low: $1,400 – $2,300
High: $6,500
Your sink is the focal point of your countertops, making it equally important. There is a high demand for your sink to look amazing, yet be highly functional. More information here.
Flooring
Low: $2,500 – $3,600
High: $7,000
Flooring takes a lot of wear and tear. It can be one of the first things in a bathroom to really show its age. A new bathroom floor can make a huge impact on the look and feel of your bathroom.
Lighting
Low: $1,100 – $1,700
High: $4,000
This cost is often overlooked and underestimated. After all, there’s more to your bathroom lighting than choosing which light bulb to screw in. Lighting is even more crucial in bathroom with less natural lighting. Think about your needs. Make sure you have strong lighting where you need it, and soft, gentle lighting when you need that, too.
Toilet
Low: $340 – $480
High: $780
Fun fact—the average person will spend nearly 100 days of their entire life on the toilet. Why not make the most of that time? Spend it in style and comfort. More information here.
Undergoing a home renovation project like a complete bathroom remodel is no small feat. It takes time and money to turn your Pinterest-perfect vision into reality. There are always option that make the process more painless, but at the end of the day the only way you’ll get through even close to on-budget is by having a strong plan in place and knowing what prices to expect before diving in.
