If you’re considering adding a bathroom to your home, you’re in the right place. Embarking on a home improvement journey involves balancing your wishes and budget. Adding a bathroom is a great investment idea for homeowners who want to increase the functionality and value of their homes.
The average cost to add the bathroom is $23,000, but the price depends on numerous factors. The typical range for adding a bathroom goes from $6,000 to $76,000.
Whether you want to expand your living space or increase the market value of your property, the most important thing is understanding the costs of adding a bathroom. Stay with us as we show you all the costs and prices that influence the bathroom costs while helping you to turn your vision into reality.
Key Takeaways
- The average cost of adding a bathroom is $23,000
- The cost to add a bathroom in the basement is between $11,000 and $26,000
- The cost of adding a half bathroom is between $4,000 and $9,000
The average cost of adding a bathroom
The average cost to add the bathroom is $6,000 to $26,000 to convert an already existing space. The cost of a new bathroom addition goes from $21,000 to $76,000 or more, because of new construction costs.
If you want to add a full-size basement bathroom, the cost goes from $11,000 to $26,000, while adding a half bathroom costs from $4,000 to $11,000 with standard features. For an extra-large bathroom addition, you can spend up to $150,000 or more.
Price breakdown for adding a bathroom:
| Average | $26,000 |
| Low end | $6,000 |
| High end | $150,000 |
In the table below, you can see the average cost breakdown depending on the bathroom type:
| Bathroom type | Average total installed cost |
| Converting existing space into a bathroom | $6,000 – $26,000 |
| Building a new bathroom (extension) | $21,000 – $76,000+ |
Now let’s see what factors influence the bathroom installation cost.
Factors that affect the cost of adding a bathroom
The cost of adding a bathroom depends on several factors and can vary. Three major factors that influence bathroom addition costs are:
- Type of bathroom
- Size of the bathroom
- Location in the house
1. Costs of adding a bathroom by type
If you want to install a basic bathroom with standard amenities, it will cost from $300 to $500 per square foot. Luxury bathroom additions can go from $700 to $900 per square foot or even more.
In the table below, check out bathroom cost by type:
| Type | Basic bathroom | Luxury bathroom |
| Half-bath/powder room | $4,000 – $9,000 | $10,000 – $17,000 |
| Three-quarter bath | $6,000 – $17,000 | $16,000 – $33,000 |
| Full bathroom | $9,000 – $21,000 | $25,000 – $41,000 |
| Jack and Jill bathroom | $11,000 – $26,000 | $31,000 – $51,000 |
| Wet room | $11,000 – $21,000 | $31,000 – $41,000 |
| Primary bathroom | $21,000 – $81,000 | $61,000 – $161,000+ |
Let’s see how the price changes when we talk about bathroom sizes.
2. Size – the cost of bathroom addition per square foot
No matter if you’re converting an already existing space or adding a new extension to your home, bathroom cost depends on its size. The bigger the bathroom, the more it costs for labor and materials.
In the table below, see the cost of bathroom addition when it comes to the size of the bathroom:
| Size (square feet) | Conversion cost | Addition cost |
| Small half bath (15-20) | $4,000 – $6,000 | $7,000 – $11,000 |
| Small bath (24-40) | $6,000 – $11,000 | $11,000 – $21,000 |
| Medium sized full bath (40-50) | $9,000 – $13,500 | $17,000 – $26,000 |
| Large full bath (50-100) | $11,000 – $26,000 | $21,000 – $51,000 |
| Primary bath (100-200) | $21,000 – $51,000 | $41,000 – $100,000 |
Now let’s establish prices when it comes to bathroom location in the house.
3. The cost of adding a bathroom by location in the house
Location where you want to build a new bathroom plays a significant role when it comes to project costs. If you decide to convert an already existing space such as a closet or laundry room to a bathroom, you will save almost 50% over the cost of building a new addition to your home for your bathroom.
Converting an existing space
If you want to convert an existing space into a bathroom, it will cost you from $300 to $350 per square foot. You can convert under-stairs storage or a walk-in closet into a small bathroom depending on your needs.
Check out the different location prices for converting an existing space to a bathroom:
| Location | Size (square feet) | Average conversion cost |
| Closet /under staircase | 15 – 30 | $4,000 – $8,500 |
| Laundry room | 40 – 70 | $8,500 – $17,000 |
| Upstairs space | 40 – 80 | $9,000 – $21,000 |
| Basement | 50 –100 | $11,000 – $26,000 |
| Attic | 50 – 150 | $11,000 – $39,000 |
| Bedroom/office | 100 – 150 | $21,000 – $39,000 |
| Garage | 100 – 120 | $21,000 – $31,000 |
If you convert an already existing space that has its plumbing, like the laundry room, you will save money.
Completely new bathroom addition
In case you don’t have an existing space that is possible to convert into a bathroom, you can build a home extension. A house addition cost that includes a bathroom with standard features costs $500 per square foot and a luxury one costs from $700 to $900 per square foot. A tip for saving money is to build your new bathroom close to your kitchen, current bathroom, or laundry room because of the existing plumbing system.
After we’ve explored the different factors that influence the overall cost of a bathroom addition, in the following text let’s see what is the cost of basic bathroom amenities.
Cost of bathroom features
When you are considering and preparing the budget for your new bathroom addition project, you need to take into account all the costs that come along the way. Such costs include different fixtures and features, and if your budget is tight, you need to be aware of the prices and stick with the most standard amenities to lower your overall costs and save your budget.
In the table below, we will break down the cost of all bathroom features:
| Fixture | Average installation cost (includes materials and labor) |
| Shower | $2,000 – $16,000 |
| Tub | $900 – $5,600 |
| Toilet | $450 – $900 |
| Sink and faucet | $680 – $3,000 |
| Countertop, and vanity | $500 – $5,000 |
| Flooring | $450 – $3,500 |
| Plumbing | $550 – $2,800 |
| Electrical wiring | $275 – $950+ |
| Light fixtures | $300 – $700 |
| Exhaust fan | $350 – $1050 |
| Mirror | $240 – $530 |
| Medicine cabinet | $250 – $500 |
Since a bathroom addition in the basement is a common option for a lot of homeowners, let’s explore the cost of it in more detail and see all the costs involved in this type of bathroom installation.
Cost to add a bathroom in the basement
Bathroom installation in the basement is a good addition to any home because it provides extra space for family and guests. It adds convenience to the house and also boosts its value. The cost of adding a bathroom in the basement depends on several factors such as the size of the room, bathroom fixtures, and if needed, structural changes.
Adding the bathroom in the basement often requires a professional. It also requires a new plumbing system and because of it, it can be expensive. The average conversion cost goes from $11,000 – $26,000.
You can add a full bathroom or a half bathroom, depending on your needs and preferences. In the following text, let’s see what it’s like adding a half bathroom to our home.
Cost to add a half-bathroom
The average cost of adding a half bathroom goes from $4,000 – $9,000. A half bathroom or a powder room is a great home addition. It’s usually located near the guest area and contains the minimum features such as a toilet and a sink.
This type of bathroom has limited space and the average size is 18-20 square feet or 20-32 without a tub or a shower. Since it’s small, it’s easier for maintenance and cleaning than a larger bathroom.
Having a half bathroom can increase the value of the home by about 10%.
Now, let’s try to understand additional costs that can impact your bathroom addition project and have a more detailed insight into our budget.
Additional factors that influence the bathroom cost
Here are some additional factors that you should pay attention to because they influence the overall cost of bathroom addition:
- Materials – The quality of materials that you choose will affect the price. More expensive materials such as marble, granite, porcelain, artisan ceramic tile, or custom cabinetry will add to the overall cost of bathroom installation.
- Labor – Labor carries 50% of the overall project costs. You will need to hire professionals for plumbing, electricity, and HVAC contractors.
- Permits and inspections – Depending on local regulations you will probably need a building permit. The building permit cost can add at least $300 to your overall project’s cost. It’s important to know that building without a permit can be illegal and can cause a lot of problems during the project, so don’t forget permit costs when starting a bathroom addition.
- Site plan – You will need to provide a detailed site plan of your property to ensure compliance with local building codes and regulations for bathroom installation.
One more thing you should think about when adding a bathroom is whether you should do it yourself or hire a pro. Let’s find out which approach is better.
DIY bathroom installation vs. hiring a pro – cost breakdown
Although a DIY bathroom installation is very tempting because it can save us labor money, when it comes to a project this big, it’s better to hire a professional who will do the job correctly. You will probably need plumbing, electrical, and foundation work, that needs to be done by someone who knows how things work.
A professional contractor has the skills and knowledge that are required to handle complex construction tasks safely and efficiently while reducing the risk of accidents and potential errors.
If you are building a bathroom addition, a licensed professional will have to plan, do some architectural drawings, and execute the work to ensure that the process is running smoothly and according to local building codes.
It’s important to explore cost-saving measures to make sure that your bathroom project stays within budget, so let’s find out some tips on how to save money.
5 tips on how to save money on a bathroom addition
Here are 5 tips on how to save money and stay within the budget when it comes to bathroom installation:
- Carefully plan your budget – Write down all expenses and create your bathroom installation plan according to the costs of materials, labor, bathroom amenities, and permits.
- Think about the layout – Have your bathroom’s layout close to the existing plumbing and electrical as it will reduce the costs.
- Choose a smaller bathroom – A smaller bathroom addition costs less than a big bathroom suite.
- DIY where it’s possible – Although there’s no way to do the bathroom installation without the help of professionals, you can save some money if you paint the walls and cabinets yourself, or tile the floor.
- Use budget-friendly materials – Try to use materials like quartz, and avoid the high-end ones to stay within the budget.
Let’s see the most common questions when it comes to the cost of adding a bathroom to a house.
Bathroom installation costs FAQs
Does adding a bathroom add value to my house?
Yes, an expertly done bathroom addition will increase your property value, and the average ROI of adding a bathroom is around 50-60% of the initial investment. Bathroom addition increases the value of your home and leads to higher property valuations and increased marketability. It isn’t just a financial investment, it’s also an investment in better functionality and appearance of your home.
What is the cost of bathroom backsplash?
A tile bathroom backsplash costs from $600 to $1,350, while the installed ceramic tile backsplash costs $12 to $120 per square foot.
What bathroom features can make the project more expensive?
If you decide to use high-end materials such as marble or custom cabinetry or install luxury amenities such as rainfall showerheads or jetted tubs, heated floors, or steam showers, it will make the project’s overall costs very expensive.
What is the cost to add a bathroom to a garage?
Adding a bathroom to a garage typically ranges from $5,000 – $31,000 depending on the size, type, and bathroom fixtures.
How much does it cost to build a small bathroom?
The cost to add a small bathroom goes from $11,000 – $21,000, and the cost to convert an existing place to a small bathroom goes from $6,000 – $11,000.
Adding a bathroom can be a positive experience
A positive and successful renovation experience requires knowledge about the prices and overall costs. Expanding a living space can be exciting if you know how to navigate through the process and understand the project’s finances. Now, with all the knowledge about bathroom installation costs, you can navigate through the process and all the challenges that show up along the way.
If you’re interested in adding a bathroom to your home and want to ensure a smooth construction process, you must provide a site plan for permits for a successful project.
Please contact us for guidance and assistance in obtaining a site permit, as our team will answer all your questions and concerns. An authorization for your dream bathroom is our priority and it’s on the way!
