A mid-range remodel of a 50 sq ft full bathroom costs about $13,000 at US-average prices, with a realistic range of $9,300 to $20,500. That covers demolition, a new tub and shower combo, vanity, toilet, floor and wall tile, a fan and light, paint, permits and a 10% contingency. HomeAdvisor's national average for bathroom remodels is $12,151; a primary bath with a walk-in shower and moved plumbing lands closer to $34,000.
How the bathroom remodel cost is calculated
Every part of the job is a quantity times a US-average installed price range. Your finish level picks a band inside each range: budget from low to typical, mid-range around typical, high-end from typical to high. The installed price is split into materials and labor using Fixr's figure that labor averages 50% of a bathroom remodel (Angi and HomeAdvisor say 40% to 65%). Your state then scales each part.
Total = Σ (quantity × installed price × materials share × state goods factor) + Σ (quantity × installed price × labor share × state wage factor) + permits + 10% contingency
The state factors come from BLS construction wages (May 2025) and BEA goods prices (2024): California is 1.18 for labor and 1.07 for materials, Arkansas 0.75 and 0.94.
Worked example: a 50 sq ft full bath, mid-range
| Line | Typical | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition and haul-away | $1,650 | $1,350 to $2,000 |
| Tub and shower combo | $4,400 | $3,200 to $6,900 |
| Vanity with top and faucet | $1,500 | $900 to $3,000 |
| Toilet | $380 | $290 to $490 |
| Floor tile, 50 sq ft | $940 | $680 to $1,700 |
| Wall tile, 60 sq ft | $1,150 | $820 to $2,050 |
| Lighting and exhaust fan | $800 | $570 to $910 |
| Paint | $530 | $340 to $710 |
| Permits | $550 | $330 to $780 |
| Contingency, 10% | $1,150 | $810 to $1,750 |
| Total | $13,000 | $9,300 to $20,500 |
Tile is priced from its two parts: HomeAdvisor puts ceramic and porcelain tile at $0.50 to $15 per sq ft (up to $35 for high-end stone) and Fixr puts a tile installer at $8 to $14 per sq ft, so a typical tiled square foot is $7.75 + $11 = $18.75. The 60 sq ft of wall tile is a 5 ft tub alcove tiled 6 ft high on three walls. Work out the exact tile, grout and thinset with the shower tile calculator and the tile calculator for the floor.
In California the same bathroom comes to about $14,700, because labor there costs 18% more than the US average and goods 7% more.
Bathroom remodel cost per square foot
The example works out to $260 per sq ft. Angi quotes $70 to $250 per sq ft and Fixr $120 on average, up to $400. Small rooms cost more per foot because fixtures cost the same whatever the floor size, so use it to compare quotes, not to scale a bath up.
Half bath, full bath and primary bath
| Bathroom | Size preset | Level in the calculator | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half bath (toilet, vanity, floor) | 30 sq ft | Budget | $4,550 |
| Full bath, tub and shower combo | 50 sq ft | Mid-range | $13,000 |
| Primary bath, walk-in shower, moved plumbing | 100 sq ft, 90 sq ft wall tile | High-end | $34,000 |
The sizes follow Angi (a half bath is about 30 sq ft) and Fixr (5 × 10 ft for a full bath, 10 × 10 ft for a primary bath). For comparison, This Old House prices a 50 sq ft midrange remodel at $14,609 to $19,040, and the 2025 Cost vs Value report puts a midrange remodel of a 5 × 7 ft bath at $26,138 and an upscale 100 sq ft bath at $81,612.
Tub-to-shower conversion cost
A conversion is priced at $1,200 to $10,000, typical $4,200: Angi and HomeAdvisor give $1,200 to $3,600 for the common job, HomeAdvisor also $1,200 to $8,000, and Fixr $200 to $1,000 to remove the tub plus $1,000 to $9,000 for the new shower. A tiled walk-in shower built from scratch runs $4,200 to $14,300 (Angi averages $8,200, HomeAdvisor $14,300).
What drives the price
Moving plumbing is the biggest single jump: Angi puts a layout change at about $5,000 and This Old House's survey average for plumbing work is $5,545. After that come the shower (a one-piece combo is cheapest, a glass-walled tiled walk-in the most expensive) and the tiled area, the most labor-heavy line. Rot and mold behind old tile are common, which is why the estimate carries a 10% contingency.
How to cut the cost
Doing the demolition, painting and tiling yourself drops the example from $13,000 to about $9,600, since your labor disappears and only materials stay. HomeAdvisor suggests leaving plumbing and electrical work to licensed pros. Refinishing the existing tub (about $500 according to HomeAdvisor) instead of replacing it saves several thousand dollars. Rent a dumpster for the tear-out: the dumpster size calculator tells you which one.
Before you get quotes
Size the exhaust fan with the CFM calculator, and price the paint job with the painting cost calculator. For a larger project use the home remodel cost calculator; a brand-new bathroom is priced by the home addition cost calculator. Every remodeling estimate on the site is listed under project costs.
These are dated estimates from published national data, adjusted for your state. They are not quotes: get at least three written bids for the same scope before you sign anything.