Who to Hire for a Bathroom Remodel Project?
Wash away your worries about finding the best bathroom contractor
From choosing new bathroom tiles to deliberating over the hottest trends in bathtubs, no question that renovating your bathroom is the ultimate dream project. There are also plenty of ways to lower the stress of a bathroom renovation—but finding the right team tops the list.
Bathroom contractors are typically your best option as they specialize in areas from tiling to plumbing to ventilation. During your research, you may find companies marketed as kitchen and bathroom remodelers, as the processes require similar knowledge. To hire the best bathroom remodeling contractors, you'll want to perform thorough research and craft a strategic plan.
Benefits of Hiring a Contractor for a Bathroom Remodel
Having a contractor to handle your project from start to finish reduces the potential for hitches and headaches. Some benefits of hiring a contractor for a bathroom remodel include:
Expert advice: Not sure what’s the most practical bathroom layout? A contractor can suggest the best place for your toilet and sink, along with ideas for design elements.
Flawless finish: No need to worry about crooked cabinets or untidy tiling. Reputable professionals guarantee quality, long-lasting work.
Safety: A bathroom remodeling contractor often has licensed local plumbers and electricians on their team or gets discounted rates from these trades. Any pipework or electrical rewiring repositioning will be safe and up to code.
Efficiency: DIY bathroom remodels take time. You could be working on it for weeks if you’re trying to complete the job over evenings and weekends. Contractors put in full days and tackle the tasks more quickly and efficiently.
Handles permits: Professionals know when you need a permit and are up to date on building codes for structural or plumbing changes. They can help you handle the often complex application process, too.
Peace of mind: You won’t have to worry about costly DIY disasters, like hidden leaks or botched tiling. Hiring a pro takes the stress out of this complex remodeling project.
Can I DIY a Bathroom Remodel?
We don’t recommend DIY remodeling your bathroom. This demanding project requires time, patience, and high skill levels across carpentry, plumbing, waterproofing, and more.
If you’re undertaking a full bathroom remodel, especially if it involves major layout, structural, or plumbing changes, you must bathroom remodeling contractor. Even if you’re deft at DIY, you shouldn’t attempt complex rewiring or replumbing work. Hiring a pro makes your bathroom remodel stress-free.
To save some money, the average DIYer can complete some refreshing tasks in lieu of a remodel, like applying a lick of paint, replacing hardware, and installing a new vanity unit or lighting.
Bathroom Contractor Hiring Tips
It's important to get a few ducks in a row—your budget, a timeline, and any other project parameters—before contacting prospective contractors for the first time.
Know your scope: Whether you’re gutting your entire bathroom or just updating some fixtures will determine the kind of pro you need.
Have a plan for your project: Be specific about what you want and set an achievable budget.
Check qualifications and references: Contact at least three contractors and schedule an in-person walkthrough for an estimate.
Cost to Remodel Your Bathroom
The standard cost to remodel a bathroom ranges from $6,600 to $17,500. Budgets vary widely depending on your space's size, the remodel's extent, the finishes, and how much work you tackle yourself. You might spend $500 upgrading hardware, installing new lighting, and repainting the room yourself.
The cost of a small bathroom remodel could range from $1,500 to $15,000, with an average cost of $6,500. However, hiring a contractor for a major spa-like renovation of a primary bathroom involving retiling, replacing fixtures, and high-end materials could cost up to $30,000.
Kate Fann contributed to this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bathroom remodels are home improvement projects that add value and offer a great return on investment. Done well, they are worthwhile. Homeowners can recoup as much as 70% of the cost of a recent full bathroom remodel on resale. Even a basic refresh involving painting, plants, and accessory updates can make your bathroom a more inviting, spa-like space.
There are many ways to save money on your bathroom remodel—you don’t just have to rely on DIY. Proper planning and savvy design strategies can cut costs considerably. Save on pricey items like tiles and tubs by shopping sales and at discount stores. Alternatively, avoid major renovation work and focus on making affordable but impactful smaller changes such as upgrading hardware, installing new lighting, and introducing stylish but economical accessories.
Labor is usually the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel. If you’re doing a major remodel, structural changes (such as moving walls) and plumbing reconfiguration can be costly. For a standard remodel, the big-ticket items are typically tiles and new tub or shower fixtures.
Completing a full standard bathroom remodel offers the best value, providing an average 70% return on investment. However, some of the best bathroom upgrades don’t involve a full rip-out and remodel. If you want to save money while still making a splash, you can increase resale value by upgrading to a walk-in shower, resurfacing a tub, retiling, or adding or upgrading cabinets and vanity units.