Kitchens and bathrooms are common focuses of remodeling projects. After all, these spaces typically get the most traffic and are in high demand throughout the day. Bathrooms, in particular, are often remodeled, whether because there’s very little storage, a toilet that doesn’t flush correctly or a drain showing signs of clogging. Homeowners may also remodel their bathrooms to enhance aesthetics or increase the value of their homes by investing in updated fixtures.
Cost significantly influences whether a homeowner decides to update their bathroom. If you want to remodel a small bathroom in your home, check out this guide on how much it’ll likely cost.
Factors Influencing the Cost of a Small Bathroom Remodel
Because you’re remodeling a small bedroom, the total cost will likely be lower than that of a large bathroom remodel. However, several other factors influence the price of a remodel, and you may have to prioritize your biggest goals and make some compromises to stay within your budget. These factors all play a role:
- Scope of the remodel: The number of items you are looking to redo will affect your bottom line. For example, if you plan a cosmetic update like painting your walls and changing your faucets, the total price will be lower than if you overhaul the floor, bath, shower and toilet. The more extensive the remodel, the higher the cost will be.
- Quality of materials: Higher-quality items often last longer and function better. However, if you go with luxury tiles and top-of-the-line fixtures, you will pay a lot more. You can likely strike a happy medium between cost-effective and high-end materials to create the perfect bathroom.
- Labor costs: You can get a few quotes to determine which company best suits you and your needs, and you can also consider handling some aspects of the remodel yourself. For example, you might be able to paint walls yourself.
How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Small Bathroom?
Small bathroom remodels could cost anywhere between $1,500 and $10,000, depending on the factors listed above. If you choose luxury fixtures, prices could escalate further. The average cost of a small bathroom remodel is likely somewhere in the middle, in the $2,500-$7,000 range. A half-bathroom remodel will likely be on the more affordable side.
Labor is the most significant cost consideration and will likely account for about half the cost. For example, if you’re looking at $5,000 worth of materials for your remodel, you can expect to pay roughly another $5,000 to get professionals to install everything for you. Additionally, when you create your initial budget, try to include a 20% buffer for any unexpected issues.
High-Impact Changes and How Much They Cost
“High impact” can have a broad meaning. For example, if you have a shower door that doesn’t close properly and half the water ends up on the bathroom floor every time you shower, then fixing that door could be highly impactful on your personal life. Every time you shower, you’ll look at it, take a breath and be a little happier that it’s fixed.
The following renovations can also have a major impact on your bathroom:
- Floor change: Floors, walls and ceilings usually make up the largest amount of space in a bathroom, and changing just one can be huge. Remodeling the floors is a popular choice, as bathroom floors get a lot of traffic from everyone in the house and are one of the first things to show signs of wear and tear. Vinyl plank flooring is one of the most affordable options, costing between $2.50 and $13 per square foot with labor. Porcelain tiles are another common choice and cost between $9 and $50 per square foot for materials and labor. Ceramic tiles come in a range of patterns and typically cost $15-$20 per square foot.
- Walls: A fresh coat of paint instantly makes a bathroom look brighter and cleaner. However, an important thing to note is that bathroom paint is different from the rest of your house. It needs to be able to endure humidity from the shower and bath, and it has to be resistant to mold and mildew. You’ll notice that bathroom paint is a lot thicker and tackier than regular interior paint. Painting bathroom walls typically costs between $200 and $500, though it will depend on the company you work with, the size of your bathroom and whether you’re also repainting the trim and ceiling. You can also install wallpaper as long as you ensure it’s durable.
- Fixtures: Updating your toilet, sink or shower can improve your bathroom’s functionality, making it a renovation that packs a punch. New toilets can cost anywhere between $200 and $800 for materials and labor, while replacing a vanity is a more significant investment and could cost more than $3,000 with labor. Shower remodels can cost as little as $1,000 or as much as $15,000.
- Storage: Storage is an amazing add-on to a bathroom — it is visually impactful and adds some excellent functionality. A lot of homes don’t have adequate storage for bathroom cleaning supplies, extra toilet rolls, possible reading material, bins and towels, and adding cabinets can help out. Cabinets typically cost between $330 and $1,200, depending on how large they are and whether they’re customized at all.
Cost-Saving Tips for a Small Bathroom Remodel
If you’ve broken out the bathroom remodel cost calculator and are looking for ways to save, check out these tips:
- Choose high-end materials wisely: While custom, luxurious elements can definitely enhance your bathroom, you likely don’t need every new item to be high-end. Determine which elements are the most important and default to mid-range materials for lower-priority items.
- Refinish your current vanity instead of replacing it: If your vanity is perfectly functional, you can have it refinished or repainted to give it a fresh look without replacing the entire fixture.
- Try painting yourself: You can paint your bathroom yourself to save costs if you’re confident in your DIY abilities.
- Explore space-saving techniques: If you think your bathroom is too small, you can explore some space-saving storage solutions rather than make the room bigger. For example, recessed bathroom cabinets allow you to make the most of your existing space without making large structural changes.
Find Bathroom Storage Solutions at WG Wood Products
There are many storage opportunities to be found within the walls of your bathroom. After all, there is only so much you can fit under the sink! If you want to make the most of your small bathroom during your remodel, explore the solutions from WG Wood Products. Our cabinets, magazine racks and wooden toilet paper holders can help you make more space for your personal items.
Shop our bathroom storage solutions online, or contact us for more information or request a quote.
