How Much Does It Cost to Add a Bathroom? (2024)
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Converting an existing space into a bathroom costs an average of $15,000, while constructing a new addition can cost up to $57,000. Sometimes a bathroom remodel isn’t enough. If your family is growing or your needs have changed, you may need an entirely new bathroom to accommodate everyone in your home. You can convert an existing room into a bathroom by adding the necessary plumbing and fixtures, or you can build an addition for your new bathroom.
Learn about various cost factors and get tips for reducing your total price in our guide.
Note: Cost figures in this article are sourced from Remodeling Magazine, Home Advisor, and Fixr.
Major Cost Factors When Adding a Bathroom
The primary factors that determine the total cost of this project are the type and size of the bathroom as well as its location in the home.
Cost by Bathroom Type
The type of bathroom you add will determine not only its approximate size but also the features it needs to contain. Obviously, a primary bathroom will cost more than a half bath. These are the most common types of residential bathrooms.
Half Bathroom
A half bath, also known as a powder room, typically contains only a toilet and sink. These are very small bathrooms that are usually 15 to 20 square feet, making them the least expensive bathrooms to add at $3,000 to $12,000.
Three-Quarter Bathroom
Small bathrooms are usually three-quarter baths containing a sink, toilet, and shower stall but no tub. They may be anywhere from 20 to 35 square feet and are typically just large enough for a small cabinet or closet. These can cost as little as $5,000 for a converted space or as much as $18,000 for a home addition.
Full Bathroom
A full bath has a sink, toilet, shower, and bathtub. Most guest bathrooms are full bathrooms, though they aren’t quite as well equipped as primary baths. These include a bathroom vanity and other cabinets and are usually between 35 and 50 square feet. A full bathroom costs $7,000 to $30,000 to create.
Wet Room
A wet room can be any size, but it’s typically either a three-quarter or full bath. What distinguishes a wet room is that the entire bathroom is waterproofed, not just the tub and shower surrounds, which accounts for the extra expense of $10,000 to $32,500. This can allow for an open plan bathroom with no need for a shower door or curtain. It can also allow you to add a showerhead to a bathroom that would otherwise be too small to accommodate a separate stall.
Jack and Jill Bathroom
Located in the space between two bedrooms with a door leading in from each, Jack and Jill bathrooms often have two sinks and individual storage spaces on either side of a shared tub and shower. It’s fairly easy to convert a third bedroom into a Jack and Jill bath, but they’re rarely constructed as additions because of the specific placement between two other rooms. You may pay anywhere from $14,500 to $54,000 for this project.
Primary Bathroom
A primary bathroom is usually the largest in a home and is accessed through the main bedroom. These bathrooms are usually between 70 and 160 square feet, with room for a double vanity or freestanding tub. You’ll pay at least $20,000 to convert an existing room into a primary bath and up to $96,000 to add one.
Luxury Bathroom
There’s no standard definition for a luxury bathroom, but they’re usually large—between 100 and 160 square feet—and full of high-end materials and fixtures. They tend to have a spa-like feel and may contain a jetted tub, steam shower, or walk-in tub shower combo. Homeowners who build luxury bathrooms may use high-quality materials such as natural stone or metal, making these bathrooms the most expensive to add. They cost at least $40,000 and as much as $192,000 or more.
Here are some typical cost ranges for various types of bathrooms.
| Type of Bathroom | Cost to Convert Existing Space | Cost to Build New Addition |
|---|---|---|
| Half bath/powder room | $3,000-$5,000 | $8,000-$12,000 |
| Three-quarter bathroom | $5,000-$7,000 | $10,000-$18,000 |
| Full bathroom | $7,000-$12,500 | $14,000-$30,000 |
| Wet room | $10,500-$17,500 | $15,750-$32,500 |
| Jack and Jill bathroom | $14,500-$22,500 | $28,000-$54,000 |
| Primary bathroom | $20,000-$40,000 | $40,000-$96,000 |
| Luxury bathroom | $40,000-$80,000 | $80,000-$192,000 |
Cost by Bathroom Size
Larger bathrooms require more materials and labor, so cost tends to increase directly with square footage. Usually, it costs between $200 and $250 per square foot to convert an existing living space into a bathroom and $400 to $600 per square foot to build a new bathroom addition. Here’s how that works out for bathrooms of various sizes.
| Square Footage | Conversion Cost | Addition Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | $4,000–$5,000 | $8,000–$12,000 |
| 35 | $7,000–$8,750 | $14,000–$21,000 |
| 50 | $10,000–$12,500 | $20,000–$30,000 |
| 75 | $15,000–$18,750 | $30,000–$45,000 |
| 100 | $20,000–$25,000 | $40,000–$60,000 |
| 160 | $32,000–$40,000 | $64,000–$96,000 |
Cost by Location
The cost of your new bathroom also depends how easy the space is to access, how much your home’s layout needs to be changed, and whether there’s existing plumbing. Laundry rooms are usually less expensive to convert than bedrooms or attics because they already have plumbing. With garages and basements, it will depend whether plumbing already extends to these rooms.
| Location | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Closet/beneath staircase | $3,000–$7,500 |
| Upstairs space | $7,000–$12,500 |
| Laundry room | $7,200–$9,800 |
| Attic | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Bedroom | $14,000–$40,000 |
| New addition | $14,000–$96,000 |
| Garage | $15,000–$30,000 |
| Basement | $20,000–$30,000 |
Labor Cost
Adding a bathroom requires the help of several types of contractors, most of whom charge by the hour. The more plumbing and electrical work your project requires, the more it will cost, since these are licensed trades. Here are some typical rates, according to HomeAdvisor.
- Carpenter: $13–$39 per hour
- Plumber: $45–$200 per hour
- Electrician: $50–$100 per hour
- Drywall contractor: $60–$90 per hour
- Flooring contractor: $60–$120 per hour
- Tiling contractor: $60–$120 per hour or $15 per square foot
- General contractor: 10%–20% of the overall cost of the project
Additional Factors Affecting the Cost of Adding a Bathroom
You may need to consider the following factors, depending on the scope of the project.
Bathroom Features
Outfitting a new bathroom requires more than just installing a toilet. The features and fixtures you choose can alter the price substantially. High-end materials and customization will cost more, such that a small bathroom with a customized walk-in shower could end up costing more than a larger bathroom with standard features. Here’s how much various bathroom features tend to cost individually.
- Flooring: $3–$20 per square foot
- Towel racks: $20–$100
- Shelving: $25–$50
- Light fixtures: $200–$1,000
- Faucets: $225–$475
- Exhaust fan: $250–$500
- Sink: $300–$5,500
- Toilet: $350–$3,500
- Countertops and vanity: $2,500–$3,500
- Bathtub: $3,000–$7,000
- Shower: $3,000–$7,000
New Addition vs. Existing Room
Expanding an existing bathroom or converting an existing space into a bathroom costs substantially less than constructing a new addition to your home. Converting an existing space typically costs $5,000 to $35,000, depending on the size of the space and how much work is required. How much new plumbing or how many layout changes are required have the biggest impact on price.
Adding square footage to your home usually costs at least $20,000, or up to $90,000 depending on the size of the space. Building an add-on means hiring a structural engineer, roofer, and other types of contractors that an interior bathroom remodel doesn’t. You’ll have to extend your foundation and crawl space, potentially create a dormer on your roof, and possibly install new framing and siding.
Materials
The materials you pick for your bathroom flooring and tub or shower surrounds are areas where you can choose to save or splurge. Synthetic, low-maintenance materials such as acrylic and fiberglass usually cost the least, but they look less luxurious and may not be as durable.
Composite materials—which often combine stone particles with resin—and porcelain are priced midrange. Natural stone such as marble and granite have the highest price point, but they’re also generally more durable. Ceramic tile comes in a range of prices from cost-effective to high-end depending on the tiles’ size, appearance, and hardness.
Professional vs. DIY Bathroom Addition
You’ll need to hire professional contractors for any plumbing and electrical work. However, you may be able to complete some tasks yourself when adding a new bathroom to your home.
Professional Bathroom Installation
The bulk of the work will need to be completed by professionals, particularly if you’re building a bathroom addition. Licensed contractors will need to plan and execute the work to ensure that everything’s up to code, including your home’s structure and any new plumbing. Paying for labor also helps to preserve your home’s value, since professional work often comes with a workmanship warranty. Ensuring the work is done right is worth the extra cost, and professionals will be able to complete the job much faster.
DIY Bathroom Addition
Although most of the work should be completed by professionals, do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) can tackle some aspects of building an additional bathroom. You should consult with a contractor first, but you can often do the preparation and some of the demolition yourself. Time-consuming finishing tasks such as painting or laying tile are also DIY-friendly. Be honest with yourself about the limits of your home improvement knowledge and the time you have to spend on the project.
How to Hire a Professional
Adding a bathroom requires you to hire a number of professional contractors. Here are some things to keep in mind as you review candidates.
- Some specialities, like plumbing and electrical work, require a specific license from the state. Make sure that these contractors have current licenses in good standing.
- Regardless of licensure, all contractors who do work on your home should be bonded and insured.
- Look at each company’s Better Business Bureau page, which will show the company’s rating and accreditation status. You’ll also get a glimpse at how well they handle customer complaints.
- Ask for references from previous customers, and check customer reviews on sites such as the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot.
- When getting estimates, inquire about the timeline for the project. Get itemized estimates whenever possible so you know where your money’s going.
- Ask about warranties on both materials and workmanship.
- Make sure you understand the payment process, including schedules and down payments, before handing over any money.
How to Reduce Bathroom Addition Costs
Even if you hire professional contractors for most of the work, you can save some money with the following tips.
Start with a Plan
Plan your bathroom design and budget carefully before you begin. This will help keep you on track and prevent you from making decisions that aren’t cost-effective once the construction starts. Most experts recommend including about 10% to 20% overage in your budget to cover unforeseen problems. Once you start cutting into walls and floors, you may discover necessary repairs that could eat into your budget.
Convert Instead of Expanding
Whenever possible, work within your home’s existing space instead of adding square footage. An addition is often at least twice as expensive as converting a space. In some cases, an addition may be the only realistic option, but consider whether you could benefit from an attic or basement bathroom before you commit to expanding.
Consider Location
When looking for a space to convert into a bathroom, consider rooms that already have plumbing and electrical lines, such as laundry rooms. If that’s not an option, pick the space with the least distance from these critical systems. Extending plumbing and wiring requires cutting into and then repairing your walls and will drive your project’s price up.
Save on Materials
The materials you choose can have a large impact on cost, particularly when it comes to tubs, showers, and flooring. Luxury tile and natural stone may be beautiful, but both the materials and the labor to install them will cost more. Of course, it’s important to balance budget with long-term durability, but look for bulk discounts on materials when possible.
Remember Resale Value
Unless you’re committed to remaining in your house for a long time, you’ll want to keep your home’s resale value in mind. Remodeling magazine’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report found that the adding a midrange bathroom had a return on investment of about 30.2%, though that represents a steep drop from the previous years, when it had been between 50% and 60%.
It remains to be seen whether this is a blip or a true trend, but it’s still a good idea to keep functionality and market appeal in mind when planning your new bathroom. Although you can certainly design the bathroom to fit your own needs and style, it pays to consider how it will look to future buyers.
Skip the General Contractor
General contractors keep the project organized and on track by acting as a central information hub for subcontractors, but they also increase the total cost by 10% to 20%. If you have the time and ability, consider acting as your own general contractor to hire and coordinate the various other professionals needed for the project.
Our Recommendation
Whether you convert an existing space or build an addition, adding a bathroom is a substantial investment of both time and money, so be sure to plan carefully before you begin. We recommend getting detailed estimates from at least three contractors before making a selection to compare costs and services. Also, keep some extra room in your budget for unexpected expenses.
Cost to Add a Bathroom FAQ
Which is better: an upstairs or downstairs bathroom?
Since most homes have common living spaces downstairs and bedrooms upstairs, an upstairs bathroom is usually the more desirable location. It offers more privacy and a shorter walk in the middle of the night. However, laundry rooms are usually the easiest spaces to convert into a bathroom, and these are typically located downstairs.
What permits and legal regulations do I need to consider when adding a bathroom?
The specifics of permits and building codes vary by city and state. Anything that requires adding or altering plumbing or wiring will require a permit, so be sure to check with your local permit office when planning your new bathroom.
Can I add a bathroom anywhere in my house?
Yes, you can install a bathroom anywhere in your house, but some spaces are easier and less expensive to convert than others. Consider your existing plumbing system, the flow of traffic in your home, and the space you have to work with when determining the location of your new bathroom.
Should I go with a full bath or half bath?
If you have the space and the budget, a full bath is generally the better option, particularly if you have a large family. You’ll get more functionality out of a full bathroom, and more people will be able to use it.