Cost of Adding a Bathroom to Your Home
By ProMatcher Staff
How Much Does a Bathroom Addition Typically Cost?
The cost of adding a bathroom to your home is about $13,338. The average cost ranges from $10,000 to $20,000 for a typical 80-100 square foot bathroom with standard-grade fixtures. However, there are many factors that may impact the total price. A high-end bathroom addition can easily cost over $50,000. Continue reading to learn more about the costs associated with adding another bathroom to your home.
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Items that Factor into the Cost:
We have identified a few of the items that may have the largest impact on the total cost of your new bathroom.
1. Your Geographic Location
Your geographic location may have a significant impact on the cost of your project. Material prices and labor costs are substantially higher in certain regions of the United States. This particularly true if you live in a major city like Chicago or San Francisco, where the cost of living is well above the national average.
Curious about costs in your area? Enter your zip code into our Bathroom Remodeling Cost Report to research average prices near you.
2. Bathroom Size
The total square footage of your bathroom will also factor into the cost. Are you adding a small powder room or are you building a 200 square foot master bathroom? Larger bathrooms are typically more expensive due to the additional labor and materials required to complete the work.
3. Access to Existing Plumbing
How far are the home’s existing plumbing connections from the new bathroom? Plumbing costs will rise if you need to install long and/or complicated pipe runs. Your best bet is to place the new bathroom near an existing bathroom.
4. Bells and Whistles
The quality of materials you select will have a major impact on your bottom line. Basic bathroom fixtures are relatively affordable; however, premium building materials and high-tech upgrades can be very expensive. If you have your heart set on imported marble countertops or expensive designer wallpaper, you will need to budget for these expenses.
Why Do You Need a New Bathroom?
There are several reasons that you may need to add a bathroom to your home. Many people choose to add a bathroom while finishing the basement. By extending your home’s plumbing system to the basement, you also have the option of building a small kitchenette, wet bar, or laundry room at the same time.
Get Basement Finishing Cost Estimates »
If one of your family members can no longer go up and down the stairs, you may consider adding a bathroom to the ground floor of your home. If this is the case, we can help you find local contractors who specialize in aging-in-place and disability remodeling. You may also need to think about installing a walk-in tub, building a wheelchair ramp, widening doorways, and putting in safety grab bars.
You may just have too many people sharing the one bathroom in your home. If this is the case, it might make sense to add an extra bedroom or additional living space to your home. This can be a convenient alternative to moving to a new house. If you are interested, we have everything you need to know about building a home addition.
Read More about Additions:
» Home Addition Pros & Cons
» Average Costs & Pricing Information
» Permitting Requirements
Planning & Research
» Are you allowed to build a bathroom?
Although you may have the space to build a bathroom, it does not necessarily mean that you are allowed to do so. You will have to do some research about local building codes. Even if you are planning to make this a DIY project, you are still responsible for securing the right permits and scheduling the necessary inspections.
» Will adding a bathroom boost the resale value of your home?
Although adding a bathroom typically increases the value of your home, it may not add as much value as you think. If you plan on moving in the near future, you may want to consult with a real estate agent before beginning your remodel.
» Do you know what type of bathroom you want?
Before contacting a contractor, take some time to figure out what type of bathroom you would like. You can find ideas for your new bathroom in a variety of different places, from home improvement magazines to interior design websites. You may also want to research average material costs to see what fits in your budget.
Budgeting for a New Bathroom
When building a new bathroom, plumbing is just one of many things you need to consider. Your project will likely require the services of many subcontractors, in addition to a plumber. Think about the labor and materials needed to frame the room, hang drywall, lay tile, put in the electrical, and configure the proper ventilation.
When it comes to designing your bathroom, the options are endless. Everything can be completely customized to your taste. However, a $12,000 bathroom addition can quickly turn into a $25,000 project (if you are not careful). It’s important to set a budget that you feel comfortable with and stick to it. A standard bathroom addition might include a basic porcelain sink, a standard-grade toilet, and an a stall shower with a hinged door. If there is a little more room in the budget, you may add underfloor heating or a freestanding tub.
With any remodeling project, unexpected problems are likely to arise. You could find mold damage in your attic. You may need to move a floor drain in your basement. By building a little wiggle room into the budget, you will be better prepared to handle any of these additional costs.
Where Will the Bathroom Fit?
A basic bathroom with just a toilet and a sink can actually fit in a surprisingly small area. However, local building authorities typically set strict guidelines pertaining to the minimum square footage and ceiling height of a bathroom addition. Each bathroom fixture may require a set amount of space. Unfortunately, codes can vary significantly from city to city. You will need to do some research on your own or contact a professional to learn more about the regulations in your local area.
If you are looking to cut down on plumbing costs, try to situate the new bathroom as close to your existing utility connections as possible. This may be right under or right next to an existing bathroom or sink.
Note about Basement Bathrooms
There are some additional complications associated with adding a bathroom to the basement. For instance, you may need to install an upflushing toilet or a sewer ejector pump (depending on the location of your waste and water pipes). Bathrooms on the upper floors of your home rely on gravity to move waste, whereas basement toilets may not have that luxury.
Has your basement been pre-plumbed for a bathroom? Unfortunately, if there is no rough-in plumbing, your plumbing costs may be significantly higher. Water lines are often located below the home’s foundation. In order to access plumbing, it may be necessary to jackhammer into the concrete floors. Concrete demolition can be a messy (and expensive) process.
No Room for a Bathroom?
If there is no available room in your home for a new bathroom, it is possible to add on to your house. A full bathroom addition is a much more expensive undertaking. A project like this typically requires the services of an architect and a general contractor. You will also have to think about siding, roofing, and other exterior building materials that are not involved with an interior bathroom addition.
» Find Home Addition Contractors
Get Multiple Bids
Before hiring a pro, it’s important to contact multiple companies about your project. By meeting with more than one contractor, you can learn more about your options. Take a few minutes to check references, verify all licensing information, and make sure that your contractor and his crew is fully insured.
Make sure to review each cost estimate carefully. Although your contractor may give you an initial estimate over the phone, you need to see a written, itemized quote before agreeing to the work. The quote should include very specific information about the materials being used and the amount of labor required for each part of the project.
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About the Author
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| ProMatcher Staff, ProMatcher
Orlando, FL 32803
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