How Much Does It Cost To Build A Brand New Bathroom?

Bathroom renovations are considered to be one of the best home improvement projects when it comes to ROI (return on investment). However, this doesn’t mean that they’re the cheapest of projects. In general, to renovate a small bathroom, you’ll be looking to pay from around $5,000 to $15,000.

In most cases, these types of tasks can become expensive quite fast – and while an average ROI of 60% can be appealing, some may not be able to pay for the (often) high costs; especially when saving substantial amounts of cash is generally considered to be difficult. One thing you could do to try and save when trying to find a good tradesmen is to get free quotes and compare the costs and services of different experts (three is considered to be the magic number).

Baths and Showers

In general, baths and showers are some of the most important features in a bathroom – and, while you could install both, this can often be costly. Here are a few things to consider when trying to decide whether or not you need a shower, a tub, or both in your home:

  • Often, baths are better suited to young children, whilst older people tend to prefer showers
  • For a showerhead, consider whether you want a modern one, or perhaps instead a massaging showerhead
  • The costs of the showerhead installation will often vary depending on the item’s features. Also, while a basic showerhead could be purchased for as little as $15, more expensive ones can cost up to $600
  • For a bath, you may want to consider where it’ll be installed, how much room you have to work with, the style and any modern extras you may want; as well as how much weight the floor can hold

Average cost of a bathtub installation: $1,000 to $2,000 (not including the fees of a plumber, who is likely to offer their services for around an average of $95 an hour).

Tiles

While tiles can often come in a range of colours and sizes, the main thing to consider when choosing tiling for your bathroom is the material that they’re made of. Generally, they can be ceramic, glass, stone and linoleum – as well as other materials. Here are a few tips for choosing the right type of tile for your bathroom:

  • Slate (as well as other types of natural stone tiles) tends to be popular, although it can often be important to check how porous it is, as some types may not be suitable for a shower and others may need a lot of maintenance. In general, you might want to consider ceramic, marble, porcelain, or granite
  • For your shower floor, it can often be a good idea to have tiling that is no bigger than 6 inches – regardless of what shape or material you choose
  • It’s often wise to have the tiles slightly angled towards the drain
  • Consider the type of tile and how it will affect the feeling of the space in your bathroom.
  • Generally, light coloured tiles work best with a small tub or shower, as this can often help to give it a more open feel

Average costs of bathroom tiling: While this can vary depending on a range of factors, an average tradesman will often charge around $65 an hour for their tiling services.

Toilets, Sinks and Vanities

For a brand new bathroom, installing a toilet, sink and vanity can often be a necessity – which is why it’s usually important to choose carefully when buying the fixtures for your new room. A few things to keep in mind are:

  • Sleek and modern fittings tend to be more popular
  • The fixtures you purchase should all have a uniform look when together
  • While they can often cost more, high-efficiency plumbing and electrical features tend to be well worth the extra price
  • Often, toilets and sinks can come in several different heights, shapes and styles – and taking this into consideration can often be crucial. For example, a low toilet may not be ideal for tall individuals, while high sinks may not be ideal for smaller children
  • Consider the different finishes available – such as brushed brass, copper, gold-plate and stainless steel
  • For some, having a vanity over the sink is the most convenient option
  • For a working couple, a “His and Her” vanity might be the best option
  • If you don’t have much wall space, you might want to install your vanity in a corner

Average costs for toilets, sinks and vanities: While the costs of toilets and sinks can vary greatly depending on style and features, basic vanities (and related hardware) can cost as little as a few hundred dollars for budget options, but can reach into the thousands for designer brands.

Plumbing and Electrical Systems

In some cases, you may have to update existing plumbing or electrical systems, but if there’s really no need to; you may not want to pay out the extra cash that upgrades can cost. In most cases, these types of tasks will require the help of a specialist tradesperson. Moving plumbing around shouldn’t pose too much of a difficult task for those with a basement or decent amount of crawlspace.

Average costs of plumbing and electrical services: $110 per hour for electrical systems, $95 per hour for plumbing.

Permits and Legal Requirements

Often, it’s crucial to leave any changes to electric and plumbing systems to a licensed professional, as well as any structural elements. Making sure that the structure will be able to hold any additional weight can be worth considering, too.