How Much Does It Cost To Add A Bathroom?

Home additions can be intimidating due to the size and complexity of the process. Bathrooms are one of the most sought after home additions, and for good reason. Additional bathrooms add value and comfort to your home, but how much does it cost to install one?

It costs an average of $48,500 for a homeowner to add a bathroom. The plumbing costs $2,750, and the average homeowner spends $6,000 in electrical work for a new bathroom. You may spend $4,000 on a shower, $700 on a sink, and an average of $1,800 on flooring installation.

You pay hefty labor costs to general contractors, tilers, plumbers, electricians, and possibly more professionals. Luxury additions that include jetted spa-style tubs can add as much as $15,000 for the unit and installation to total costs.

Follow along as we go in-depth into how much it costs to add a bathroom to your house. Some of the costs are a no brainer, but you may be surprised at what effects the price.

Adding a bathroom to your house costs between $12,000 and $85,000. The wide range in cost is based on whether you are converting a room that’s already there or adding on to your home. Generally, additions cost between $250 and $525 per square foot depending on how elaborate it is, and the materials chosen.

The location of the bathroom in the house is a big factor, but you sometimes don’t have a choice in the matter. If you were to convert, say a closet or storage room, into a bathroom, it would cost less than building a brand new addition. Brand new bathrooms require foundation and more rigorous and pricey addition costs.

A brand new bathroom addition is a costly and wise investment, as it adds value and space to your home. It can cost between $18,000 and $65,000 to build a brand new bathroom addition. It can cost more or less, and whether you build up or build out affects the price.

When you build out into the yard, a bathroom extension costs more due to the foundation and how it is done. However, you may not have the available space, a basement, or an upper level, and you’ll need to build out. Foundation costs an average of roughly $5.50 per square foot, but it can cost up to $7 per square foot.

There are several people involved in a bathroom addition that carry different rates.

Adding a bathroom to a basement is a great idea, and many builder-owners opt for it. Generally, homeowners pay an average of $11,500 to add a bathroom to their basement. If you are completely remodeling the basement and adding a bathroom, it could $15,000-$30,000.

Bathrooms are more expensive than other additions due to plumbing rough-ins and everyone involved. Some basements have existing plumbing connections or fixtures, and that saves $750 on average. Demolition costs may be necessary, and that can add $300-$4,500 depending on the extent of it.

The walls may need to be opened up when adding a bathroom to a basement. Permit costs can change based on where you live and local codes but can cost between $100 and $2,500 or more easily. You must get the required permits, or else it will be considered an illegal addition in some places.

Plumbing is undoubtedly the most important aspect of a functional bathroom, and one of the biggest costs. It is no different for basement bathrooms, and costs $2,750 on average, but varies based on the plumber and plumbing fixtures.

Factor in another $200-$1,200 at least for drain lines, and roughly $250 for installing faucets. The plumber may carry a rate between $40 and $70 per hour, and it adds up quickly. Plumbing itself only takes 1-2 days generally, and once the doors and vanities go in, they come back to finish up.

If you already have an existing line, count yourself money, and count your savings. However, even if you don’t, it’s worth the cost of new lines and fixtures for the value it brings your home.

It costs $8,000-$20,000 or more to add a bathroom to an existing attic. Costs vary based on access, layout, attic size, and how big of a bathroom you want. Another key factor is whether or not there is existing plumbing in the attic, which is not likely.

If you have an unfinished attic, it can cost much more, but only if you choose to finish it. Many homeowners choose to finish their attic when adding on a bathroom, which can cost $30,000 or more. However, if your attic is finished or you choose to leave it unfinished, there are fewer costs.

Insulation makes up roughly $300-$500 of the attic bathroom addition costs, if not more. Other costs include drywall, vanity, flooring, plumbing fixtures, and lighting which total at least $7,000.

Both bedrooms and bathrooms add value to a house. Sometimes, however, the added value of a bedroom can’t beat the value or usefulness of an extra bathroom. That is why many builder-owners spend between $12,000 and $50,000 for the added luxury of a bathroom conversion.

Converting a bedroom to a bathroom often involves taking out the old flooring, and putting your new choice in. Factor in at least $700 for a plumbing rough-in as the room likely has no prior connections. However, it can cost thousands for a rough-in depending on difficulty, parts, and labor.

If the bedroom in question is on a floor with no prior plumbing, it can get pricey. Drain lines will need to be installed and can add up to $1,200 in costs.

While a closet may seem like a strange space to convert to a bathroom, it’s a great idea. In fact, closet to bathroom conversions are among the cheaper options, and rarely cost over $20,000. Half or ¾ baths make up the $5,000-$15,000 range, with full baths filling in the higher end of the spectrum.

You are limited in how elaborate you can go with a closet to bathroom conversion. While that may seem like a downside, it’s precisely why the cost is so low compared to larger existing rooms. You likely can only add on a half bath addition to a closet due to the size.

Converting a closet to a bathroom involves electrical work and rerouting the plumbing.

Without a toilet, a bathroom is just a, well, a room. The cost of a toilet runs between $200 and $600, but that doesn’t include installation. Factor in another $300-$400 for installation, at least, or up to $1,000 or more if new plumbing needs to be done.

Problems such as leaks, or improper prior installation can complicate things and accounts for the high-end number. The most expensive toilet is an upflush, which can cost between $500 and $600 after installation.

A great cost-effective option is a dual flush toilet, which costs as little as $300, and that includes labor. You could install a toilet yourself, but it is tricky and involves many steps. If you got the DIY route, enlist a friend for help as they weigh up to 90 pounds.

Without electrical wiring, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy, or see, your bathroom fully. The biggest cost in electrical work for a bathroom addition comes from the panel and wiring costs. You may pay as much as $2,000 or more for a panel and proper wiring.

Lighting gets pricey as well, and can cost between $50 and $500, depending on complexity. In fact, high end, elaborate lighting setups can cost up to $850 or more. Outlets and switches add another $250-$500 and are an unavoidable cost for electrical work of any kind.

Finally, there may the cost of upgrading your breaker panel to accommodate the new bathroom. That typically costs an average of $1,150, but you may only spend $400-$500. Total bathroom electrical work costs as little as $1,200, and as much as $10,000 or more.

Do you want a shower for your new bathroom addition? If so, then you could certainly choose to install a new shower for between $1,500 and $7,000. Showers themselves may cost as little as $400-$500, but installation and plumbing work adds hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Bathtubs are similar in cost, and run at about $3,000 or more, on average. That cost includes installation, but both tubs and showers can vary based on add-ons.

Installing a bathroom sink costs between $200 and $1,200. You can pay more or less based on the materials and the layout of the plumbing fixtures. Most homeowners spend closer to $600-$800 for bathroom sink installation.

If your sink runs into troubles, maintenance and repairs can get costly. Replacing even just the faucet $150, on average, but can get up to $250 or more. Replacing components, such as stoppers, can cost up to $230, but beats replacing an entire sink.

Essentially, half baths consist solely of a toilet and sink and converting a room into one costs up to $10,000 on average but can cost more. However, building out into your yard with a new half bath costs an average of $20,000.

A brand new half bath addition can cost as much as $35,000 or more. Half baths are a great addition, especially if you already have a ¾ bath or full bath in the house. Many homeowners also take existing half baths and upgrade them to a ¾ or full bath.

It can cost between $3,000 and $5,000 to convert an existing half bath into a full bath. That investment is well worth it if it makes your total bathrooms and bedrooms equal. Having an equal number of bedrooms and bathrooms can add 20% in value to your home, at least.

A ¾ bath is the best of both worlds and sits between half and full baths. There is a sink, toilet, and shower in a ¾ bath, and that makes up most of the cost. You will pay up to $25,000 to add a ¾ bath to your home.

Costs such as plumbing fixtures, a rough-in, pipes, electricity, and flooring are all important. New pipes for a ¾ bath can cost up to $4,500 to supply all three fixtures. That sounds like a lot, but it still saves you between $1,000 and $1,500 on pipes compared to a full bath.

You can make simple choices to save money while installing a ¾ bath addition. For example, choosing PVC pipes can save $200 or more. You can convert a ¾ bath to a full bath for roughly $3,000-$25,000, and many builder-owners find it worthwhile in value and convenience.

It should be noted that some services and professionals forego charging by the square foot. Bathrooms are small in comparison to a kitchen or living room, so the hourly rate may be high to make up for it. Professionals may charge as much as $35-$90 per hour for bathroom flooring jobs.

Often times, an hourly rate is also applied to the cost per square foot for installation, so both costs add up. If you want to save big, choose concrete, linoleum, or vinyl for your bathroom addition floor.

Related Questions

Does adding a bathroom add value?

Yes, adding a bathroom to your house increases value which helps you when it comes time to sell. You can expect at least a 53% return on investment for adding a bathroom to your home. It may seem pricey at the time, but it’s worth it when at least half its value is added to the value of your home.

How long does it take to build a bathroom addition?

It can take between 4 and 9 weeks at least to build a bathroom addition. Certain factors, such as demolition, cleanup, and foundation installation can make it go by quicker, or take even longer. Full bathrooms with a spa-style set up including add-ons a jetted tub could take up to 4 months of consistent labor.

Is it cheaper to add on or build up?

Building up is actually cheaper than building up, as strange as it may sound at first. The reason for this is that because building out involves digging up your yard and adding foundation. Unfortunately, it is hard to gauge specifically how much more adding on costs than building up, but it generally comes out to be less.

Where should you add a bathroom?

Technically, a bathroom can be added just about anywhere in a house. However, you’re doing yourself a favor if you choose a spot with at least nearby plumbing and electricity. The easier it is to wire and plumb your new addition, the cheaper the total installation and labor costs are.

Is it worth it to add a bathroom?

Adding a bathroom is not only a convenience and luxury but something that can put money in your pocket. When you sell a house that has a bathroom addition, it has an extra 5-6% in value it wouldn’t have had otherwise.  However, that large increase in resale value only applies to a full bath, but any bathroom addition adds at least some value.

What colors make a small bathroom look bigger?

You can save money by using a color such as white to make your bathroom look bigger. It can save you money on adding extra square footage to the room, and still leaves plenty of room. White is reflective, and it creates a visual of a more spacious room than what it really is.

Bathroom additions cost between $12,000 and $85,000 and is determined by countless factors. The factors that most directly affect the cost of a bathroom addition include electrical work, plumbing, labor, and materials. Plumbing fixtures themselves, such as tubs, showers, sinks, and faucets also add to the cost by as much as $200-$7,000 or more.

Bathrooms can be added virtually anywhere in the house, which makes conversions a great option. Converting rooms such a bedroom, closet, and attic, or adding a bathroom to a garage is all possible and adds value to your home. Your resale value increases by 5%-6% when you add on or convert a room to a bathroom.

You can make simple choices, such as cheap flooring or PVC pipes, that can shave hundreds off of the price tag. Building up vertically is actually more cost-effective than building out, which involves foundation and excavation costs that add up fast. If you are on the fence about getting a bathroom addition, think of it more as a worthwhile investment than a temporary convenience and luxury.