What Factors Influence the Cost of a Master Bathroom Remodel?

Remodeling a master bathroom can be one of the most rewarding home renovations you can undertake. Along with the kitchen, a bathroom is one of the top renovation priorities for homeowners. This recognizes that many people plan to spend a lot of time in the master bathroom, so anything that makes it more comfortable and pampering won’t go amiss.

A well-handled master bathroom remodel is also great for more practical reasons. According to Remodeling magazine’s 2021 Cost vs Value report, a mid-range bathroom remodel has about a 60 percent return on investment (ROI).

While this type of renovation can provide a good ROI, the costs associated with a master bathroom remodel can also add up. With the costs of labor and materials, the average price tag for a master bathroom can be twice as much as a powder room, between $10,000 and $25,000, depending on factors such as the scope of the remodel, the size of the bathroom, whether you are using luxury or standard fixtures, and other considerations.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the more common areas in a master bathroom remodel and bonus features that could help boost the ROI of your remodel.

Master Bathroom Remodel Costs: Common Expenses

Suppose you are not a do-it-yourself (DIY) type — bathroom renovations can require a lot of expertise, including knowledge of plumbing and electrical wiring. In that case, labor costs can take up about 20% of a renovation budget. Bathroom materials might also eat up as much as 60% of a budget, including bathroom cabinet and hardware and fixtures.

Besides these, other factors influencing costs include:

Layout

As mentioned, moving things around in a master bathroom layout can incur costs for plumbing, permits, and extra labor. But for many, the cost is worth it to maximize the space of their bathroom, achieve the look that the owner desires, correct misalignments (proximity of door to sink, for example), or accommodate the special needs of an aging family member.

As far as your plumbing, it’s a good idea to have your system checked before you do a remodel to ensure that it won’t cause problems.

Electrical Work

If you are moving things like electrical outlets and light fixtures, you will probably need the services of a professional electrician to ensure the work is done properly and safely. This would add material and labor costs to the bathroom remodel. And if there is any flaw discovered in the wiring once the work is underway, it would need to be fixed at an additional cost. An electrician will usually charge between $50 and $100 per hour.

Flooring

The flooring you choose can have a big impact on your master bathroom remodel cost, ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Of course, waterproof or water-resistant flooring works best. Common flooring materials include sheet vinyl, resilient vinyl, ceramic tile, laminate and engineered hardwood. Because floors get a lot of use, most bathroom remodels involve replacing floor materials.

When selecting tiles, a very popular bathroom flooring product, prices can vary quite dramatically according to the type. Intricate patterns and even straightforward diagonal cuts can boost costs for materials and installation.

Tiles are also often labor-intensive — tiling in bathroom remodels often take a couple of weeks to complete. For flooring installation, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,498 to $4,464.

One way to keep costs down is to do the tiling selectively, such as just the floor and sink’s backsplash. You also can have them repaired rather than replacing them.

Lighting

You need to have the right lights in the right positions for personal grooming tasks, such as shaving and applying makeup, paying particular attention to lighting the areas around the sink or mirrors and the shower or bathing area. The lights also need to be designed for damp conditions. Costs will be affected by the type or number of light fixtures used and the types of switches (dimmer, three-way, etc.) installed and special wiring required.

Along with the costs of whatever light fixtures you choose, you can expect to pay around $151 to $830 for lighting installation from whomever you choose to do the service.

Windows

When doing a master bathroom remodel, you will also need to consider natural light if you have a window or are considering putting one in. Does the window give you enough privacy (better to check this during the winter when there are fewer leaves and foliage to block the view), or do you need translucent glass or window coverings that can be closed on need?

Types of bathroom windows can include:

• Crank windows

• Slider windows

• Skylight windows

• Shutter windows

• Textured glass windows

• Glass block windows

• Transom windows

• Hopper windows

You can expect to pay $2,942 to $8,699, depending on the size of your window installation or replacement project.

Privacy

Do you want a separate room for the toilet, perhaps with its own sink? This will, of course, come with separate construction, plumbing, and fixture costs. Similarly, if you want the bathroom to open to a walk-in closet or bedroom, this will affect construction costs and may raise privacy concerns with two entrances into the same bathroom.

Bathroom Counter Space

If there is more than one of you using the master bathroom, ensure you have enough vanities and counter space so that you don’t feel cramped and regretful later on. Counter space is often overlooked in bathroom planning, but it is just as important as in a kitchen renovation. Vanity installation ranges from $300 to $3,800.

Toilet or Bathtub Replacement

Sometimes, a master bathroom remodel can be very modest, replacing an outdated toilet or bathtub with a newer version. A toilet might be replaced with a newer, better-looking model that’s low-flow, saving on water bills. Since toilets come in different sizes and shapes, you’ll need to be sure that the new toilet will fit or can be made to fit the old space. The average cost to install a new toilet is $371.

If your bathtub is leaking, worn, or just has seen better days, you might want to replace it with a new one. Since removing a bathtub and installing a new one can be time-consuming and costly, it’s worth investing in a quality tub that will last 15 to 20 years before it needs to go down the drain, too.

Because you’re replacing an existing tub, your choices will be limited by the current bathtub’s dimensions and the size of your bathroom’s doorway. So, carefully measure before you buy it. The average cost to install a new bathtub is $3,611.

Bonus Features for a Master Bathroom Remodel

If your budget allows, you can also look into some additional features. Some popular bathroom remodeling ideas include:

• In-floor heating

• App-enabled controls for radiant floors and digital shower valves

• Floating cabinetry

• High-gloss and textured melamine looks

• Wet rooms with tubs and showers in the same room and a floor drain

• Black frames as shower focal points

How to Save on Master Bathroom Remodel Costs

It is always possible to economize when it comes to master bathroom remodeling costs. For example, you can save money if you don’t change the bathroom layout, which might require moving the location of the sink, tub, or toilet, needing plumbing changes and work permits.

Or, if you are going to replace a fixture like a bathtub, keep in mind that you have a full range of choices that will make your cost vary considerably. A new standard bathtub will only cost a few hundred dollars. But as you add different styles and materials, the price will go up, so you might pay a few thousand dollars for a freestanding antique finish copper tub, a walk-in whirlpool bathtub, or a cast-iron claw foot tub. However, the extra cost of a quality item may pay off in longevity and how well it functions.

You can also consider doing your master bathroom remodeling in stages, perhaps replacing ventilation and lighting before installing new vanities and countertops.

Your Partner in Bathroom Remodeling

If you decide to do a remodel of your master bathroom, Sears Home Services can be your trusted partner during every step of the process. Whether you are doing a full remodel or just an update, we will work within your budget. We can help you with ideas and products for tubs and showers, flooring, cabinets, countertops, accessories, additional bath products, and more.

Sears Home Services will help make you the master of the best master bathroom ever.