Adding a bathroom costs an average of $35,000
The average cost to add a bathroom ranges from $5,000 to $75,000, with most projects averaging $35,000.
Location, labor rates, fixtures, and installation choices all influence the final price.
Converting an existing space starts at $200 per square foot, while adding a new space begins at $400 per square foot.
Adding a bathroom can provide a 55% ROI and improve your home’s resale potential.
Hiring a bathroom-remodeling pro costs $45 to $200 per hour and helps ensure the work is safe and code-compliant.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Budgeting is crucial when you plan a bathroom addition. On average, the cost to add a bathroom falls between $5,000 and $75,000, with most homeowners spending an average of $35,000. Expect a cost of $375 per square foot, depending on size, materials, and labor. A bathroom pro can give you an accurate estimate and handle the code work.
Many factors impact your bathroom addition costs, including whether you’re adding onto your home or converting an existing room into a bathroom, as well as permits and labor rates for plumbing and electrical pros. Here are the cost breakdowns for these factors.
Plan on spending $375 per square foot on the cost to add a bathroom, but the price changes if you convert an existing room instead of building a brand-new bump-out. Here’s the cost-per-square-foot breakdown for these two different types of builds.
Build Type | Cost per Sq. Ft. |
---|---|
Conversion | $200–$250 |
Addition | $400–$550 |
Bathroom fixtures run a wide range of costs depending on the quality you choose. These are the average cost ranges of bathroom fixtures.
Fixture | Average Cost |
---|---|
Shower | $1,200–$19,000 |
Shower or bath liner | $1,800–$5,200 |
Glass shower door | $500–$1,400 |
Bathtub | $1,100–$5,900 |
Toilet | $200–$800 |
Vanity | $400–$5,000 |
Medicine cabinet | $200–$500 |
Exhaust fan | $300–$1,000 |
Sink and faucet | $200–$700 |
Lighting | $150–$900 |
Building permits cost $50 to $2,000, depending on location and project scope. You’ll likely need one for electrical, framing, drywall, plumbing, and some finishes. Since requirements vary by area, it's important to check with your local code enforcement office. Permits are necessary if you're planning to:
Alter the existing floor plan
Make structural changes, such as adding doors or windows
Install new ductwork or modify existing systems
Relocate or install new electrical or plumbing fixtures
Labor makes up an average of 55% of the total budget. A plumber charges $45 to $200 per hour, depending on location, experience, and license level. Plumbing a new bathroom can cost $1,000 to $10,000, and prices climb the farther the space sits from existing lines. The farther away it is and the more complex it is, the more you’ll pay. It’s best to place your new bathroom near existing plumbing. Otherwise, the cost of running new lines to your bathroom can dominate your budget.
Bathroom plumbing rough-in costs $3,000 to $20,000, depending on the number of fixtures you want. Sometimes, that price includes final hookups as well as the rough-in, but it will require a second trip. After the rough-in, the plumber returns once floors, walls, and cabinets are in place to set fixtures and make final connections.
The type and size of bathroom you install will determine the final cost of your bathroom addition. Keep costs down by putting it near existing plumbing. Here are the costs associated with different bathroom types.
Adding a primary bathroom costs $22,000 to $90,000, depending on the fixtures and features you choose. Luxury additions add to the cost. For example, whirlpool tub installations run an average of $10,000.
Adding a half bathroom, also known as a powder room, costs between $4,000 and $12,000. This is a great option to enhance guests' convenience and reduce traffic in your main bathrooms without taking up much space.
A full bathroom costs between $10,000 and $50,000, and a three‐quarter bathroom costs between $6,000 and $22,000.
Transforming an existing space into a bathroom costs between $5,000 and $35,000, with most homeowners spending an average of $15,000. The final price depends on factors like the room's location, the finish quality you desire, and how close it is to existing plumbing.
Bathroom Location | Average Cost |
---|---|
Upstairs | $8,000–$35,000 |
Laundry room | $5,000–$19,000 |
Attic | $8,000–$35,000 |
Garage | $8,000–$25,000 |
Bedroom | $15,000–$50,000 |
Closet | $5,000–$10,000 |
Existing bathroom split | $10,000–$30,000 |
Adding a bathroom upstairs can cost between $8,000 and $35,000. A key factor is whether there's existing plumbing on the second floor. If you're placing a bathroom where no plumbing currently exists, you'll need to install new lines, which can increase the cost.
Turning your laundry room into a bathroom costs between $5,000 and $19,000. Since the plumbing is already in place, you can save a significant amount on installation costs. With only minor modifications needed, adding a half bath or powder room could be an affordable way to enhance your home's convenience.
Converting attic space into a bathroom costs $8,000 to $35,000, depending on the level of finishing required. Unfinished attics will cost more due to the need for installing insulation and drywall.
Installing a bathroom in your garage costs between $8,000 and $25,000. Garages offer flexibility in spacing and design, and because they often have easy access to electrical and plumbing connections, you can keep costs down.
If the bathroom is primarily for utility purposes, standard finishes may suffice, making this an economical option. Walls that border a garage often bear loads, meaning you’ll need to install a header beam to carry the load when putting a door in.
Turning a bedroom into a bathroom costs anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000 on average. However, if you’re creating a master suite, you might pay $90,000 or more, depending on a few factors, including:
Size of the space: More space means more flooring, tile, amenities, and remodeling expenses.
Quality of finishes: Finishes greatly impact budgets. You can choose anything from builder-grade basics to high-end works of art.
Distance from plumbing: The farther you are, the longer it will take to run lines.
Converting a closet into a bathroom can cost between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on the closet's size and its proximity to existing plumbing. Due to limited space, closet conversions focus on essential features, making them a practical option without the need for elaborate fixtures.
Turning one bathroom into two costs $10,000 to $30,000 on average, which can be a good investment if you're creating a master suite or increasing the number of bathrooms to match the number of bedrooms.
Even if you’re handy, it’s wise to bring in a local bathroom remodeler for an addition of this size. A bathroom requires expertise in plumbing and electrical work, as well as installing fixtures, and a remodeling pro can manage these components to ensure that your new bathroom addition is built safely and to code.
Hire a trusted bathroom-remodeling pro to keep the work safe and code-compliant.
An extra bathroom boosts day-to-day convenience and can raise your home’s resale value. Homeowners often see a 55% return on investment (ROI) for a bathroom addition when selling their home. Beyond the financial return, an extra bathroom improves daily convenience and can lead to energy and water savings with modern, efficient fixtures.
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Yes, you can add a bathroom on a concrete slab, but the crew will need to saw-cut the slab, trench in new supply and drain lines, and then patch the concrete without weakening the foundation. Working with an experienced plumber and concrete pro keeps the structure intact and helps the new bathroom pass inspections.
schedule covers planning, permits, framing, rough-ins, finishes, and punch-list items.
Larger spaces or extensive plumbing and electrical upgrades can stretch the timeline, while a simple powder-room conversion may wrap up faster. Hiring licensed pros helps keep the schedule on track and the work up to code.
The best location depends on how your family uses the space. An upstairs bath keeps nighttime trips close to the bedrooms, while a first-floor powder room is handy for guests and everyday traffic.
Think about where plumbing lines already run, how much square footage you can spare, and what layout changes fit your budget. A pro can map out the smartest spot and handle any code hurdles.
With the right planning, you can carve out a bathroom in almost any part of the house. A successful addition requires sufficient space, proper ventilation, and access to plumbing and electrical systems. Structural modifications and adherence to building codes are essential.
This process demands careful planning and the coordination of specialized professionals who ensure that the new space meets all code requirements and functional needs.
Under specific conditions, adding an extra bedroom can boost home value more than adding a bathroom. Home value is driven by overall configuration, market demand, and functional balance. A new bedroom influences the property’s appeal in different ways, while an additional bathroom enhances living convenience. Evaluating the current layout and market trends determines the optimal choice for maximum value.