It can be difficult to determine your bathroom remodel budget because of the many components that go into making a bathroom functional and beautiful. There are countertops to choose from, bathtubs to consider, and design styles to sift through. Here are some things to keep in mind when building a bathroom renovation budget:

Set a budget as early in the process as you can

Ideally, the bathroom renovation process starts months before the first hammer falls. This ensures that you can come into the process well informed about the products you’d like, and set realistic expectations about how a remodeler can work within your budget. While your cost estimates may change as you learn more about the options and your project goals, having a realistic budget in mind helps guide the entire process.

Deciding on the scope of work

Your budget will largely be dependent on your project’s scope of work. Of course, just replacing a bathroom vanity is cheaper than a full gut-and-replace renovation. The scope of work will also affect soft costs – the larger the job, the more time a remodel will take so things like jobsite cleanup, debris removal, and project management will cost more.

Your cost will also be dependent on the amount of design work needed, as well as building permits, especially if you plan on removing walls, rewiring lighting, or rerouting plumbing. If layout changes are required, expect the total cost of the remodel to increase by 10-20%.

Which bathroom are you remodeling?

The bathroom you remodel also affects the overall cost. For example, a powder room (or small half bath) will be a lot less costly than a hall bath or master bath because there are less materials, and less hours required to complete the renovation. For reference, a powder room remodel takes 2 to 3 weeks, a hall bathroom takes 3-4 weeks, and a master bathroom can take 6-8 weeks.

Average costs for vanities

If you’re looking to update your bathroom for the lowest cost, replacing the vanity and countertop can make a huge difference. This can be done inexpensively with an all-in-one vanity (where the cabinet, counter and sink are included). Alternatively, you can go the custom route.

All-in-one vanities are a great option to save money, but be aware that the quality varies significantly. For this reason, you’ll see whole packages ranging from $200 to $3,000. There are limitations to all-in-one vanities though – they come in limited style and size options that may not work with your personal tastes or bathroom layout.

A custom vanity, on the other hand, is designed and ordered to fit your space, and comes in a multitude of design options, including custom storage solutions and detailing work on cabinet doors. Custom vanities start around $1,000, and go up from there, depending on the level of detail you want. However, unlike all-in-one vanities, you will need a sink (which can range from $50 to over $2000) and a countertop.

Average cost for countertops

Every countertop material has its advantage and disadvantages, so it’s a personal decision to weigh price versus quality of materials. Laminate countertops are the cheapest option at $40-65 per square foot, but aren’t as durable as stone options. Granite countertops are durable and versatile, but can run you around $50-$200 per square foot. And unlike laminate, you can’t just buy what you need – you’ll have to buy a slab and have it cut to your bathroom’s dimensions. Resin countertops will cost about $50-$125 per square foot and are very durable – an attractive option if granite is too pricey.

Average cost for bathtub and showers

Again, the cost is largely dependent on your choice of materials and style. If you are looking to replace and install a bathtub or shower, it will cost between $1,500-$6,000 plus the cost of labour. There may also be other costs associated with replacing a bathtub or shower, such as moving walls, re-plumbing, and installing a new waterproofing system.

Do you have any questions about how much it will cost to renovate your bathroom? Give us a call today at 289.780.0748 for a free, no-obligation estimate.