Whether you're just starting to plan your dream bathroom or already working with a designer, one of the most important aspects of any renovation is the cost.
Every renovation is unique but these are the 6 biggest factors we have seen impact the cost of a Buffalo bathroom remodel.
1. The size of your bathroom
In almost every instance, the bigger the bathroom, the more it will cost to renovate. It seems obvious, but can't be overlooked.
More floor area and large showers will mean more labor spent on tile work, larger vanities, more trim work, and more finishing materials.
Some parts of your bathroom have more cost increase based on size like:
- Shower glass
- Tiled showers and floors
- Vanities and countertops
Other items like drywall, painting, plumbing and electrical may cost more on a larger project but will increase less than the items listed above.
2. Your scope of work
A "Bathroom remodel" can mean anything from swapping out a vanity and installing a new floor, to gutting the bathroom to the studs and creating a whole new space. The more original features that stay the less the renovation typically costs.
Some items that can remain during a remodel include:
- Drywall walls and/or ceilings
- Tile floors
- Plumbing and electrical locations
In addition to what stays from your old bathroom, what features, finishes, and layout you want when you update will have a big impact on cost.
Special Bathroom Features
A heated floor or sauna can make your master bathroom feel like a spa, but will involve additional electrical work and labor to install.
Adding pocket doors and unique features like arched soap shelves, charging drawers with outlets, or LED lighting in showers or under vanities will all factor into the renovation costs.
Hiring a Designer
Some clients have a clear vision in mind and know exactly what they want but in many of our higher end renovations customers have really valued the guidance of a professional.
Of course hiring a designer comes at a cost, but it is often well worth the price with all the coordination and decisions to be made. We are always happy to recommend a few of our favorites in the Buffalo area!
The age of your house
Buffalo is full of old bathrooms from the early 1900's that are in serious need of a renovation (like some of our projects in Parkside and the Delaware District), and in most cases the older the bathroom the more expensive it is to remodel.
Newer homes in Hamburg, Orchard Park, or Amherst will have more modern wiring, plumbing, and framing while an original bathroom in downtown Buffalo will have plaster, knob and tube wiring, and old cast iron drains.
3. Plumbing and electrical changes
The work behind the walls can have a big impact on your bathroom remodel costs with some of the biggest factors being changing fixture locations, the number of fixtures, and the condition of existing plumbing and electrical.
Moving Drains
Changing the locations of plumbing fixtures requires moving the drain. This can involve drilling through joists or making framing reinforcements which is often the most tedious plumbing work in a bathroom renovation.
Additionally, many old homes in the Buffalo area have original cast iron or galvanized drains that corrode over time and are replaced as much as possible.
Style and Number of plumbing Fixtures
Adding a tub with a floor mounted filler, having multiple sinks or several shower fixtures will all increase your projects plumbing budget.
A hallway bath might have one vanity with a basic sink, a toilet, and a single shower head while an elaborate master bathroom also includes two wall mount sink faucets, a shower handheld, and a freestanding tub and tub filler.
Some fixtures like tub fillers, wall mount faucets, or unique toilets will be more labor intensive to install.
Electrical circuits and bath fans
Many old homes in Buffalo have outdated wiring that will require new electrical to be run to your panel for everything to work properly and conform to modern building codes.
Improper bath fan venting (or none at all) can require new ductwork to be run to the exterior for your new fan to work correctly.
Other bathroom electrical fixtures like outlets, can lights, wall sconces and dimmer switches are fairly consistent among most renovations and don't play a large part in the overall cost.
4. Structural and framing changes
Creating a new layout during your renovation will guarantee a bathroom that feels like a whole new space, but consider that these types of changes can be a main cost driver to plan for.
Structural repairs or water damage
Water damage can usually be anticipated based on the condition of the existing bathroom allowing us to budget for framing repairs, but in some cases it is difficult to see the full extent of the damage.
Structural repairs, if needed, are most common on the floor joists and subfloor. Old or damaged plywood might not be suitable for installing new tile and joists can be damaged or compromised by previous work.
Moving or changing windows
Replacing a window while keeping the same opening is fairly straightforward. However, changing the size, moving the location, or removing the window entirely is much more involved.
The framing is changed to account for the new size, the exterior is waterproofed, and new siding and trim must be installed to match what is already there making the process more costly.
relocating or removing walls
Giving your bathroom a bigger footprint during a remodel by expanding a bathroom into a bedroom, or converting unneeded closet space is awesome.
But, in addition to removing and building a new wall there are other cost factors to consider:
- Is there plumbing, electrical or HVAC that needs to be moved?
- Matching the paint and trim in the other room
- Will existing flooring like tile or hardwood need to be tied in?
- Is the wall load bearing?
All of these factors determine what the cost of your new expanded bathroom might be.
5. Tile work
Experienced labor is the largest portion of a bathroom remodel budget and since tile is the most labor intensive trade it will be a big ticket item.
Some decisions that will impact the overall cost of your tile work include a tile shower pan, the type of tile you choose, and the layout.
Tile shower pan vs. acrylic
A tiled floor gives a beautiful look to a shower and the customizations are almost endless. While an acrylic pan can be set in place, a tiled shower pan must be built, waterproofed, tiled and grouted making it a more expensive option.
Curbless shower pans that have no threshold between the main floor and the shower pan have become very popular in remodels, but require additional work to lower the floor in the shower.
Layouts and Tile Labor
Not all tiles are installed the same.
1ft x 2ft floor tiles, subway tiles and medium format tiles are all straight forward to install, while extremely large format porcelain, penny tiles, or patterned mosaics take extra time and attention to detail.
Choosing a unique installation pattern like a basket weave or herringbone, or adding mitered corners to your shower also increases the cost of installation.
6. Level of finishes
Choosing your finishing items like light fixtures, tiles, faucets and vanities is an exciting part of a renovation with so many options for every budget.
When planning, these are the selections in your bathroom that will have the biggest variation:
Plumbing and Electrical Fixtures
You could choose a $100 dollar vanity light and a $300 delta shower setup from Home Depot, or $500 dollar wall sconce from Rejuvenation and a $3,000 shower faucet with body sprayers from Signature Hardware.
You have plenty of control here but we always recommend buying name brand items with warranties and not something from Amazon.
Carpentry and Woodwork
Baseboards, window trim, and door casing can be purchased in-stock and ready to be painted, or a stain grade profile to match existing woodwork may be custom made for several times to cost.
Just like trim, a premade vanity and top can be bought at a big box store or one can be built in the exact style, size, and color you love.
Tile materials
Standard white subway tiles cost somewhere between $2-4 per sqft while a detailed marble mosaic might be $70+ a sqft which could be the difference between $300 worth of tiles in your shower or $7,000+.
Determining your bathroom remodel cost
There are so many moving parts to think about when planning your bathroom renovation that the earlier a contractor or design professional is able to help, the better.
Starting with budget in mind and determining which features are most important in your project is the best way to start any remodel and hopefully these key cost factors give you a head start on your planning.