It’s a dream of many homeowners to add a bathroom. A bathroom addition gives residents more privacy and space, plus it’s a solid investment in the home. Learn how much it costs to add a bathroom, and whether this ambitious project is one you may want to embark on.
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Cost to Add a Bathroom
When determining the cost to add a bathroom, a key factor is whether or not a new structure needs to be built for the bathroom. For this type, the average cost is $90,000, with a high cost of $115,000 and a low cost of $64,000.
Utilizing an existing space within the house brings the cost to $6,000 if you’re able to use a laundry room, up to an average of $33,000 for a bedroom build-out.
| Average Cost to Add a Bathroom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Cost | $90,000 | |
| Highest Cost | $115,000 | |
| Lowest Cost | $64,000 | |
New Bathroom Installation Costs
Cabinets
Excluding the bath vanity cabinet, other cabinets in the bath addition can cost from $450 to $3,000.
Exhaust Fan
Required in most bathroom additions, a bathroom exhaust fan costs $275 to $600.
Faucet
The sink faucet will cost from $175 to $400.
Lights
Whether a single light for the bathroom addition or a set, the cost typically ranges from $175 to $1,000.
Sink
Costing from $250 to $650, the sink is set in a bathroom vanity cabinet. Faucet is not included in the estimate.
Toilet
Most midrange toilets cost from $350 to $550 to install in a bathroom addition.
Towel Rack
Each towel rack in a bath addition costs between $35 and $120.
Vanity Cabinet
The centerpiece of all non-bathing functions in a bathroom addition, the vanity cabinet supports a countertop, sink and attached faucet. The cabinet usually costs from $600 to $2,600.
| Fixture | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cabinets | $450 to $3,000 |
| Exhaust fan | $275 to $600 |
| Faucet | $175 to $400 |
| Lights | $175 to $1,000 |
| Sink | $250 - $400 |
| Toilet | $250 to $650 |
| Towel rack | $350 to $550 |
| Vanity cabinet | $35 to $120 |
| Storage | $600 to $2,600 |
Cost to Build a Bathroom in an Existing Space
Expect to pay about 50% less to build the bathroom addition if it’s located in an existing space rather than in a separate structure. Proximity to existing plumbing can impact the cost as well.
By Location
- Attic: $9,000 to $36,000
- Basement: $9,000 and $16,000
- Bedroom: $15,000 to $50,000
- Laundry: $6,000 to $13,000
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Cost to Build a Brand New Addition
Building an addition for a new bathroom is a large part of the overall cost. For a mid-range $64,000 bathroom addition that requires the building of a separate structure, that structure will cost about $37,000, but in some cases can cost upwards of $74,000.
Cost to Build a Half Bath
A half bath, sometimes known as a powder room or guest bathroom, costs between $5,000 and $15,000 to build into an existing space. When creating additional space for the half bath, the cost to build the bath is about double.
Cost to Build a Bathroom in the Basement
Building a bathroom in the basement will be significantly less expensive than in other areas of the house. The space is already built out, plus critical services like plumbing and electrical are often nearby and sometimes even exposed. Expect to pay between $9,000 and $16,000 to add a bathroom in the basement.
ROI on Adding a Bathroom
A bathroom addition is a good financial investment in a home. Bathroom additions return about 50% of their initial cost upon sale of the house. So, a mid-range bathroom addition that costs $65,000 generally will return about $32,000 upon sale of the house.
DIY Bathroom Addition vs. Professional Installation
A motivated and experienced do-it-yourself homeowner can add a bathroom within an existing space. Expanding the house envelope outward or upward to create additional floors is typically not DIY-level work.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Adding a Bathroom?
The main factors that influence the cost of adding a bathroom are bathroom layout, materials and labor.
- Layout: Expanding the footprint of the house is the largest cost when adding a bathroom. Two major expenses are incurred—the cost of creating a new structure and the cost of building out the bathroom. Bathrooms that remain within the home’s current footprint by utilizing unused spaces will be less expensive.
- Materials: Premium bathroom materials like porcelain, artisan ceramic tile, quartz countertops or natural stone will drive up the cost of a bathroom addition.
- Labor: In a bathroom addition, labor can cost as much, or even more, than materials. Some estimates place the cost of labor at about 50% of the total cost of the project.
- Location: Proximity to existing plumbing.
How to Save Money on Your Bathroom Addition
Two ways are guaranteed to help you save money on your bathroom addition: work within the existing structure, if possible, and supply your own materials.
Hunt for available spaces within the house before considering expanding the house outward or upward. Look at unused bedrooms, the basement or laundry rooms. Consider partitioning a large room into two smaller areas, making one of those areas the bathroom.
It is important to note that some (not all) contractors will charge a markup or surcharge on each item they provide for your bathroom. It’s a legitimate charge to ensure that the correct materials are purchased regarding size, code compliance and design. Also, working with your contractor ensures the items are on time and available for installation. But any materials that you supply separately do not get marked up.
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THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is better: Upstairs bathroom vs. downstairs?
An upstairs bathroom is generally better than a downstairs bathroom. In one study, 44% of potential homebuyers stated that a downstairs bathroom would make them less likely to purchase the house. In some cases, a downstairs bathroom can be valuable, though. Homes that have downstairs children’s bedrooms or bedrooms of disabled or elderly residents can justify a downstairs bathroom.
How much will bathroom flooring installation cost?
For a small 5-by-8-foot bathroom, the cost to install flooring runs from $1,000 to $1,500 . The price is based on ceramic tile costing $2.00 per square foot and includes installation.
How much does bathroom backsplash cost?
The average cost of a tile bathroom backsplash ranges from $600 to $1,350 . Ceramic tile backsplash installed costs from $12 to $120 per square foot.
What permits and legal regulations do I need to consider before adding a bathroom?
All but the most minor bathroom remodels will require a permit. Substantial bathroom remodels will require a building permit, electrical permit and plumbing permit.