As an interior designer in Buffalo, New York with a large focus being on kitchen and bathroom remodels, I talk a lot about how to go about these projects. I stay up to date on current trends, I provide different color scheme ideas based on your style, and I even talk about ways to maximize your space when you’re living in a smaller home.
I LIVE for content like this because I LOVE when people prioritize making their home a space that truly reflects who they are and a space that they look forward to waking up in and coming home to each day.
But something I don’t necessarily talk about enough is the time, effort, and money it takes to really bring these projects to life. Because let’s be real… any good thing in life requires all three.
Luckily, when you prepare well, you can make it happen with ease! So to help you better prepare for a bathroom remodel budget specifically, this blog post will share how to set a realistic bathroom remodel budget so that you can get the results you want without having the added financial stress.
8 Steps To Setting a Realistic Bathroom Remodel Budget
1. Determine Your Budget Range
Before diving into design ideas, it’s crucial to establish a realistic spending range. The cost of a bathroom remodel can vary significantly based on factors such as size, materials, and labor, so establishing a roundabout budget that you’re willing to spend will help you know exactly what types of material or designs that can appropriately fit into your budget.
Here’s a general breakdown of average costs:
Basic remodel: $5,000 – $15,000 (minor updates, budget materials, DIY work)
Mid-range remodel: $15,000 – $30,000 (new fixtures, custom finishes, professional labor)
Luxury remodel: $30,000+ (high-end materials, custom cabinetry, premium fixtures)
Overall, having a budget range in mind allows you to prioritize spending on what matters most while keeping unexpected costs in check.
2. Break Down Your Costs
Next up, it’s important to understand how your budget will be allocated to help prevent overspending in one area while neglecting others.
Generally speaking, a typical bathroom remodel budget breakdown includes:
Labor & installation: 40-50%
Fixtures (toilet, sink, shower, tub): 15-20%
Cabinetry & storage: 10-15%
Flooring & tile: 10-15%
Lighting & ventilation: 5-10%
Plumbing & electrical work: 5-10%
Unexpected expenses & contingency fund: 10-15%
This breakdown gives you a clearer picture of where your money will go and helps prioritize essential elements, such as plumbing and lighting, over purely aesthetic upgrades, like marble countertops or intricate tile designs.
3. Define Your Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves
Once you have a better understanding of your budget breakdown, it’s important to make a list of your must-haves vs your nice-to-haves.
When it comes to designing your home, there’s of course going to be things that in an ideal world you’d love to have, but there’s a chance that those things aren’t super realistic for your budget at the time.
The biggest thing about creating a realistic budget for your bathroom remodel is recognizing that you’re going to have to make some trade-offs. This doesn’t mean that you have to completely ditch everything you want, but it does mean that you’re going to have to create some wiggle room with your decisions.
To do this well, start by listing must-have features that are essential for functionality, safety, and long-term value in your bathroom, such as:
✔️Upgraded plumbing for better water efficiency
✔️Durable, moisture-resistant flooring
✔️Adequate lighting and ventilation
✔️Functional storage solutions
THEN, create a separate list of nice-to-have features that can be included if your budget allows, such as:
✔️Heated floors
✔️Luxury soaking tub
✔️Smart bathroom technology (e.g., LED mirrors, touchless faucets)
✔️High-end finishes like marble countertops
By distinguishing between needs and wants, you can allocate your budget more effectively and make informed decisions when costs need to be adjusted.
4. Research Costs & Get Multiple Quotes
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is underestimating costs for their remodel. To avoid this mistake, before finalizing your budget, research material prices and obtain multiple contractor quotes to compare pricing.
During this process, consider:
DIY vs. professional work – while DIY can save money, certain tasks like plumbing and electrical work should always be left to professionals.
Material selection – high-end materials like marble and custom cabinetry will significantly increase costs, while alternatives like quartz and prefabricated vanities can save money without sacrificing style
Hidden expenses – permits, demolition, disposal fees, and unexpected repairs, such as mold or water damage, can add thousands to your budget.
Overall, gathering multiple quotes helps you make an informed decision and ensures you’re getting fair pricing for quality work.
5. Set Aside a Contingency Fund
Similar to how we’re advised to have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses that life throws our way, I encourage everyone to do the same thing when it comes to remodeling any space in their home.
No matter how carefully you plan, unexpected costs are inevitable in any remodel, so it’s best to set aside at least 10-15% of your total budget for surprises like structural issues, outdated wiring, or plumbing complications.
For example, if your budget is $20,000, allocate $2,000-$3,000 for unforeseen expenses.
Having this cushion prevents project delays and ensures you won’t have to cut corners if something unexpected arises.
6. Explore Cost-Saving Strategies
Speaking of expenses, let’s say that while setting your budget for your bathroom remodel, you begin to notice that your dream remodel is far exceeding what you’re able to spend… not the most exciting realization, right?
I get it – we all have these dreams of what we’d like our home to look like (I think we have Pinterest and our favorite Instagram influencers to thank for that!) and it can feel really defeating when you start to add up all the costs of the things you want.
So, what exactly can you do when this starts to happen?
In this instance, I encourage people to consider various cost-saving alternatives, such as:
Refinish instead of replace – for example, reglazing an old bathtub or painting cabinets can refresh the look without the cost of totally replacing them
Use standard sizes – custom vanities, showers, and fixtures are pricier than standard sizes available in retail stores
Opt for porcelain over natural stone – porcelain tiles offer the same luxurious look as marble but at a fraction of the cost
Do some work yourself – while I don’t advise people to remodel their bathroom all on their own, there are some tasks that can be done easily to save on labor costs, such as painting, demo work, or installing hardware
Being strategic with your spending allows you to stay within budget without compromising on quality or design!
7. Plan for the Long-Term
While staying within budget is important when it comes to your bathroom remodel, cutting corners on quality can lead to higher costs in the future.
It’s important to remember that anytime you do work in your home, you are ideally adding to the long term value of your space. This means that the money you’re spending is actually an investment that needs to be treated as such!
Investing in durable materials and skilled labor can prevent costly repairs and replacements down the road.
Additionally, it can be wise to consider energy-efficient and water-saving features, such as:
✔️Low-flow toilets and showerheads
✔️LED lighting for energy savings
✔️High-quality ventilation to prevent mold and moisture damage
These upgrades not only reduce long-term expenses but also increase your home’s value.
8. Stick to the Plan
Lastly, once your bathroom remodel budget is set, it’s essential to stick to it! Last-minute changes and impulse upgrades can quickly inflate costs, which is NOT what you want.
To stay on track, I recommend:
Finalizing the design before starting to avoid mid-project changes
Monitoring expenses closely and keeping a running total of costs
Communicating regularly with contractors to prevent miscommunications that could lead to added expenses
Overall, sticking to your original plan will ensure that your bathroom remodel stays within budget and is completed on time!
Ready to start your bathroom remodel project?
Overall, a successful bathroom remodel starts with a realistic and well-planned budget. By defining your must-haves, researching costs, preparing for unexpected expenses, and exploring cost-saving strategies, you can achieve a stunning and functional bathroom without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re making small upgrades or doing a full-scale renovation, thoughtful budgeting ensures your investment pays off both aesthetically and financially.
If you’re in search of interior design resources to help you with your bathroom remodel, you’re in the right place!
Click here to browse the blog for more interior design ideas and inspiration OR if you’re local to Buffalo, NY and are looking to work with an interior designer for your project, click here to view my services to see which best matches your needs.
