Quick Answer: A standard bathroom remodel for a 75 sq ft bathroom costs $7,000–$15,000 at mid-range quality. Materials run about $55/sq ft ($4,125 total) covering tile, vanity, toilet, fixtures, and lighting. Labor averages 90 hours across plumbing (25%), tile setting (30%), electrical (10%), painting (15%), and general work (20%), at blended local rates × 1.5 burden. Add $600 for permits and dumpster plus 20% contractor markup. Enter your ZIP code above to see what it costs in your area based on BLS trade wage data, plus Census-sourced housing data showing how your remodel budget compares to local home values.
Estimate the cost to remodel your bathroom using real labor rate data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This calculator blends wage data for five trades — plumbers, electricians, tile setters, painters, and general laborers — weighted by their typical share of bathroom remodel labor. Select your project scope, quality level, and enter your ZIP code for a location-specific estimate.
How Bathroom Remodel Cost Is Calculated
A bathroom remodel involves multiple trades and materials. Total cost depends on three main factors:
- Materials — Tile, vanity, countertop, toilet, fixtures, lighting, paint, trim, accessories. Ranges from $15/sq ft (cosmetic) to $140/sq ft (premium full gut).
- Labor — Blended hourly rate from five trades (plumber, electrician, tile setter, painter, general labor), weighted by their share of the work, multiplied by hours and 1.5x burden. A standard remodel takes about 1.2 hours per sq ft.
- Fixed costs — Permits ($250–$500), dumpster rental ($350–$500), and design/planning ($0–$750) depending on scope.
- Contractor markup — Standard 20% overhead and profit on the subtotal.
Bathroom Remodel Cost by Scope
The scope of your remodel is the biggest cost driver:
| Scope | What's Included | 75 Sq Ft (Mid) | Labor Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic | Paint, fixtures, hardware, mirror, lighting | $3,000–$5,000 | ~38 hr |
| Standard | New tile, vanity, toilet, lighting, paint | $7,000–$15,000 | ~90 hr |
| Full Gut | Demo to studs, new layout, all new everything | $15,000–$30,000 | ~188 hr |
Bathroom Size Reference
| Bathroom Type | Typical Size | Standard Remodel (Mid) |
|---|---|---|
| Powder Room (half bath) | 20–35 sq ft | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Small Full Bath | 40–55 sq ft | $5,500–$11,000 |
| Standard Full Bath | 60–80 sq ft | $7,000–$15,000 |
| Master Bathroom | 80–150 sq ft | $12,000–$25,000 |
| Luxury Master Bath | 150–250 sq ft | $20,000–$45,000 |
Why Bathroom Remodel Costs Vary by Location
- Trade labor rates: A bathroom remodel uses five different trades. Plumber rates range from $22–$42/hr, electricians $20–$38/hr, and tile setters $18–$32/hr across US metros. Labor is typically 40–65% of total remodel cost.
- Permit costs: Bathroom permits range from $50 in rural areas to $500+ in major cities. Full gut renovations may need separate plumbing, electrical, and building permits.
- Material availability: Tile and fixture selection varies by region. Specialty materials may cost more to ship to some areas.
- Code requirements: Some municipalities require GFCI outlets, specific ventilation (exhaust fan CFM ratings), waterproofing standards, and accessibility features that can add to cost.
Cost Formula Summary
Bathroom Remodel Cost Formula:
Material Cost = Bathroom Sq Ft × Material Rate ($/sq ft)
Labor Cost = Sq Ft × Hours/SqFt × Blended Rate × 1.5 (burden)
Total = (Material + Labor + Fixed) × 1.20 (markup)
| Constant | Cosmetic | Standard | Full Gut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material rate (mid) | $28/sq ft | $55/sq ft | $85/sq ft |
| Labor hours | 0.5 hr/sq ft | 1.2 hr/sq ft | 2.5 hr/sq ft |
| Permits | $0 | $250 | $500 |
| Dumpster | $0 | $350 | $500 |
| Design/planning | $0 | $0 | $750 |
Blended labor rate: Weighted average of five trades: plumber (25%), tile setter (30%), general labor (20%), painter (15%), electrician (10%). Each trade's rate is sourced from BLS OEWS May 2024 data for the user's metro area.
Trade SOC codes: Plumbers 47-2152, Tile Setters 47-2044, Construction Laborers 47-2061, Painters 47-2141, Electricians 47-2111.
Standard assumptions: Labor burden of 1.5x (FICA, workers' comp, GL, benefits). Contractor markup of 20% (overhead + profit). Low/high range uses BLS 25th/75th percentile wages; mid uses mean wage. Material costs reflect 2024–2025 national average pricing.
Additional data: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates for ZIP-level housing context (median home value, year built, heating fuel). BLS PPI composite construction materials index (monthly via FRED). Housing data provides renovation ROI context.
Carpenters Hourly Rates by Metro (BLS OEWS May 2024)
| Metro | 25th %ile | Mean | 75th %ile |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $27.07 | $37.32 | $46.01 |
| Los Angeles | $26.91 | $36.97 | $47.02 |
| Chicago | $24.11 | $38.11 | $51.92 |
| Dallas | $20.33 | $24.01 | $26.76 |
| Houston | $22.32 | $24.93 | $28.40 |
| Washington | $23.86 | $30.71 | $34.34 |
| Philadelphia | $24.09 | $32.62 | $36.99 |
| Miami | $20.50 | $24.57 | $27.85 |
| Atlanta | $22.03 | $24.84 | $28.25 |
| Phoenix | $22.72 | $28.74 | $34.55 |
Related Calculators
- Tile Calculator — calculate tiles needed for bathroom floors and walls
- Drywall Calculator — estimate drywall sheets for bathroom walls and ceiling
- Grout Calculator — calculate grout for your bathroom tile project
- Paint Calculator — figure out paint needed for bathroom walls
- Mold Remediation Cost Calculator — estimate mold removal before your bathroom remodel
Estimates are for planning purposes only. Consult a qualified contractor for critical projects. Actual material requirements may vary based on site conditions, waste, and installation methods.
Pricing last verified: February 2026. Material prices vary by region, season, and supplier. Prices shown are national averages for planning purposes.