How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Portland?
So, the time has come to remodel your bathroom. Naturally, one of the first things you need to know is how much it will cost. Various sources will quote you a wide range of prices – some high, others not so much. The simple truth is that the cost to remodel your Portland bathroom depends largely on what you want to change.
As one of Portland’s leading remodelers, Lamont Bros. has guided dozens of homeowners through the process of remodeling their bathrooms. We know what a high-quality bathroom remodel should cost in the Portland area because we estimate projects like this every day.
In this article, we’ll discuss the main questions that Portland homeowners ask about the cost of remodeling their bathrooms. Here, you can learn more about how much you can expect to spend on your remodel. The specific topics you can read about here include:
- The main 3 types of bathroom remodels
- Average bathroom remodel cost in Portland
- The cost breakdown for a new bathroom
- Factors that increase bathroom remodeling costs
- How to save money on a bathroom remodel
What are the different types of bathroom remodels?
Remodeling a bathroom doesn’t need to be complicated, but it certainly can be. The scope of work involved in a bathroom remodel has the greatest impact on the cost. There are three main categories of bathroom remodels which range in scope from surface-level changes all the way up to a fully re-designed bathroom.
Cosmetic Refresh – $35,000-$45,000
A cosmetic refresh is the simplest and often least expensive type of bathroom remodel. The goal of a cosmetic refresh is to improve the visual appeal of your bathroom only. As a result, the changes to the bathroom are almost exclusively surface-level.
In a cosmetic refresh, most or all of the major elements in the bathroom don’t go anywhere. This includes the shower, sink, toilet, and vanity. Instead, this type of remodel focuses on updating surface finishes. So, you might choose to replace your bathroom countertop, install new plumbing fixtures on the sink and shower, or update your flooring.
The primary goal of a cosmetic refresh is to make several small, easy changes that work together to improve the appearance of your bathroom. You’re not going to achieve much in terms of functionality from a remodel in this category. The bathroom will work exactly the same way as before. However, if you’re on a budget and want to give your bathroom a modest makeover, a cosmetic refresh is the way to go.
Pull-and-Replace – $45,000-$75,000
For bathrooms that need a little more attention than a cosmetic refresh has to offer, there’s the pull-and-replace. In this type of bathroom remodel, the layout of the bathroom remains the same, but everything gets replaced with a newer version of itself.
With a pull-and-replace, you’ll get a new shower, toilet, vanity, mirror, and fixtures – everything you need to completely redo your bathroom. It’s important to note that every new item goes in exactly the same place where the old one was. Homeowners will often choose this type of bathroom remodel when they want to replace a fiberglass tub-shower combo without rearranging the entire bathroom.
One of the major benefits of a pull-and-replace remodel is that it saves you costs on plumbing and electrical. When all the new items go back where the old ones were, they can use the same utility hookups. This spares your build team from needing to tear out the lines and hire a subcontractor to rewire and replumb the bathroom.
Full Custom Remodel – $65,000-$100,000+
If you want to fully redesign your bathroom, a full custom remodel is the choice for you. Do they cost substantially more than the other options? Yes. However, if you want a bathroom that is designed specifically to fit your own needs as a homeowner, that’s exactly what you’ll get with a custom bathroom.
When designing the layout for a custom bathroom, nothing is off-limits. You can remove walls, move fixtures and features around, and even change the location of your shower. As with any remodel, what you change is limited by your budget. The more you’re willing to spend on a bathroom remodel, the more freedom you’ll have to customize your bathroom.
Full custom bathroom remodels are common in master suites where the homeowner wants to add a personal touch to the comfort and style of their bathroom. It’s also normal to re-design bathrooms for seniors who struggle with mobility and the bathroom to be better accessible.
What does a bathroom remodel cost in Portland?
The wide range of scope for different bathroom remodels can make it difficult to estimate exactly how much yours will cost. In 2021, our average cost for a bathroom remodel in Portland was $61,000. The least expensive bathroom remodel we did cost $18,000, while the most expensive was $126,000.
The type of builder you hire to complete a bathroom remodel will also have an impact on your total bill. As a design-build firm, Lamont Bros. is a full-service remodeling company. A general contractor, handyman, independent designers and artisans all have different cost structures, advantages and disadvantages. Each client and bathroom remodel are unique and you need to determine what the best approach for you is. Read this article on when a design/build firm is a good fit to help you make that decision.
How much resale value does a bathroom remodel add?
Like most investments it is rare for a remodel to immediately add more in value to a home than what it costs. According to Remodel Magazine’s 2021 Cost Value Report, a bathroom remodel adds on average 68% of its total cost back into the value of your home. By this metric, the average $61,000 bathroom remodel would add about $41,000 back into the value of the home.
It is important to keep in mind that the value added to the home by a remodel also increases as the value of the home increases. According to our investment calculator , that same remodel has the potential to add over $22,000 of cash value to your home after 5 years or a 37% return on investment.
Where does the money go in a bathroom remodel’s budget?
When it comes to high-cost purchases like a bathroom remodel, it’s important to many homeowners to know how their money is being spent. Below, you can read through a breakdown of the total cost of a bathroom remodel.
Plumbing & Electrical – 26%
Almost any bathroom remodel requires at least some form of plumbing work. The more you change your bathroom’s layout, the more your plumbing costs will increase. Electrical work also costs more when you choose to move lighting fixtures or switches. The extensive work required by skilled tradesmen in a bathroom remodel is why plumbing and electrical is often the most expensive part of the project. Plumbing fixtures can cost between $4,000 to $15,000, and are included in this category, as well.
Painting & Drywall – 14%
Another major cost factor when changing the arrangement of a bathroom is the walls. If your build team has to open your walls to move plumbing, rearrange fixtures, or move a shower, that will also dramatically add to the cost. This is because drywall must be installed, textured, and painted to match the rest of the bathroom.
Tile – 12%
Although tile itself isn’t especially expensive, the labor required to install it is. Tile setting is a complicated process that requires practice and experience to perform correctly. Custom tile showers, tile floors, or tile backsplashes can take up a large portion of the budget if you choose to go this route.
Finish Work – 11%
After all the major items in the bathroom are installed, the finish carpentry begins. This is the phase where your bathroom goes from rough installation to move-in-ready. The build team will install trim, mirrors, door casings, windows, cabinet hardware, towel racks, and perform any other required polish-ups to get your bathroom ready for you to start using.
Cabinets & Countertops – 11%
Bathroom vanities and countertops don’t take up as much of the budget as they do kitchen remodels. However, they can still make a substantial difference in your total cost depending on the cabinet line and countertop material you choose.
Demolition – 7%
In order to get a new bathroom, the old one has to go. Believe it or not, demolition is more than just destroying things with a hammer until there’s room for the new bathroom. The process of demolition requires great attention to detail in order to prep the surfaces for new items to go in. This process can take up to two days for a standard-sized bathroom.
General & Administrative – 7%
Any construction company you hire to do a remodel will have overhead expenses to cover. As a rule of thumb, the more value a contractor brings to the project, the higher their overhead will be. This may include company vehicles, warehouse and shipping costs, and administrative personnel.
Design – 6%
If you want a bathroom remodel that meets your needs and reflects your style, a good design is the best place to start. It sets expectations clearly from the beginning and gives your builders clear instructions on what needs to be done.
Framing – 5%
For bathroom remodels with major structural changes, the framing costs can make up a big portion of the bill. The most obvious case where you’ll need framing work is if you are enlarging your bathroom. However, it can happen if you add or change the size of a window, move your shower, or need water damage repair.
Cleanup – 1%
Any courteous construction company will make sure to leave your remodel space squeaky clean before you move in. Sometimes, this involves cleaning out the space themselves. At Lamont Bros., we hire a professional cleaning service to deep clean the entire remodel space so it’s ready for you to start using.
What can increase the cost of a bathroom remodel?
When remodeling your bathroom, there are a few things that can quickly drive up your cost. It’s important to be aware of how the choices you make in the design of your remodel can affect your overall cost. If you’re on a strict budget, here’s what you should try to avoid.
Plumbing changes
Unless the placement of your sink, toilet, or shower absolutely needs to change, you’ll save a lot of money by leaving them where they are. Any time you move one of these items, you’ll also have to pay to move the water supply lines and the drainage lines, as well.
High-end finishes
When a homeowner decides to buy top-of-the-line fixtures and countertops, a $4,000 smart toilet, and a jumbo-slab shower wall, those costs add up. Can you do all of these things in your bathroom? Certainly, and there are some compelling reasons to do it. However, something isn’t necessarily better just because it’s labeled “high-end.” It’s best to consider your options and decide whether you actually need top-tier quality finishes. Oftentimes, a good designer can help you find products that fit your vision and your budget.
Installing Tile
This is one of the most expensive decisions you can make for a bathroom remodel. Whether it’s on your floor or in the shower, tile can add thousands of dollars to your total remodel budget. While the material itself isn’t usually very expensive at $2-12 per square foot, the labor is a different story. Tile setting is an extremely nuanced and refined skill that takes years to master. Even then, a good tile job will take a master craftsman several hours to complete. As a result, you’ll end up paying $18,000-$25,000 for a custom tile shower alone.
How can you save money on a bathroom remodel?
Sometimes, avoiding the high-cost items simply isn’t enough to be able to afford to remodel your bathroom. If you are actively looking for ways to save costs on your bathroom remodel, here are a few tricks you can use.
Only change what you need
Sometimes, replacing everything in your bathroom will cost more than is necessary. Is your toilet still in good working condition? If so, there probably isn’t a need to get a new one. Instead of replacing the whole vanity, consider just replacing the countertop.
Also, consider the cost difference between custom and pre-made items. Shower doors are especially easy to save money on if you can settle for a standard size.
Be flexible
Everybody has a dream, and everybody has a budget. Those two things don’t always align. In order to achieve your major goals and objectives for a bathroom remodel, it’s important that you remain open to different ideas and solutions.
Value engineering a remodel often involves a lot of give-and-take. For example, if your heart is set on the look of a tile shower but you also wanted to extend your shower outward, you may have to choose one or the other.
Work with a professional designer
One of the best things you can do to save yourself time and money in a bathroom remodel is to work with a designer.
When you choose to go this route, you don’t have to be the one to come up with solutions to your problems all by yourself. Rather, you can present the challenges of your remodel to a professional who can help you weigh your options and offer solutions that you might not have thought of yourself.
A designer can also help you avoid high-cost design decisions and find affordable materials that fit your expectations and your budget.
Ready to start designing your bathroom remodel?
By now, you should have a better understanding of how much a bathroom remodel in Portland might cost you. If you want to learn more about bathroom remodeling and maybe even gather some inspiration for your upcoming remodel, read our Ultimate Bathroom Remodel Guide. It covers everything you need to know before beginning a bathroom remodel project.
Once you’ve researched your options and are ready to start designing your own bathroom remodel, we would love to talk with you about your plans. Click the button below to schedule a call with one of our professional design consultants. We’ll guide you through the process of remodeling your bathroom from start to finish.