The short answer
Most full bathroom remodels we build run about $10,750 to $22,500. Larger custom ensuites with upgraded finishes and heated floors typically start around $27,000. A shower renovation alone is usually $5,500 to $9,000. A standard bathroom is often done in 1 to 2 weeks.
Bathroom renovation price ranges in Durham
| Scope | Typical range | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Shower renovation | $5,500 to $9,000 | Tear-out, waterproofing, new tile, valve and trim, glass |
| Full bathroom remodel | $10,750 to $22,500 | Gut to studs, waterproofing, tile, vanity and top, toilet, fixtures, lighting, fan |
| Custom ensuite | From about $27,000 | Larger layouts, custom tile, curbless showers, freestanding tubs, heated floors, double vanities |
Typical ranges for planning, not a quote. Your written estimate is itemized after a free design.
Where the money goes in a bathroom remodel
Bathrooms are labour-heavy rooms. Demolition, waterproofing and tile setting take many skilled hours in a small space.
| Where the money goes in a bathroom remodel | Typical share |
|---|---|
| Labour (demo, tiling, install) | 38% |
| Tile and waterproofing materials | 16% |
| Plumbing fixtures and glass | 16% |
| Vanity, top and mirror | 12% |
| Permits and disposal | 10% |
| Electrical, lighting and ventilation | 8% |
What makes a bathroom expensive
- Tile work and waterproofing. Custom layouts, niches and benches take skilled hours, plus a full waterproofing system behind the tile.
- Moving plumbing. Relocating the toilet, shower or tub means opening floors and changing drain and vent lines. It’s often the biggest hidden cost.
- Shower size and glass. Frameless glass, curbless entries and large walk-in showers cost more to build and enclose.
- Heated floors, fans and lighting. In-floor heat, GFCI circuits, quiet fans and pot lights add materials and inspection work.
- Fixtures and finishes. Freestanding tubs, wall-hung toilets and designer faucets range from hundreds to thousands each.
Smart ways to spend less on a bathroom
- Keep fixtures where they are. Same-location toilet, tub and vanity means far less plumbing and framing.
- Use standard tile sizes. Straight-lay patterns install faster than herringbone or mosaic. Save the pattern for one feature wall.
- Choose a prefab vanity. Quality stock vanities with a quartz top cost far less than custom millwork.
Where not to cut: the waterproofing system, the shower valve and a properly sized, vented exhaust fan. Those protect everything else in the room.
Do you need a permit to renovate a bathroom?
Cosmetic updates often don’t. Moving or adding plumbing, changing electrical or making structural changes usually do. See our Durham permit guide for the rules by town.
How long a bathroom renovation takes
Design to installation is often 1 to 2 weeks for a standard bathroom. Larger ensuites and custom tile take longer, and custom glass is usually installed a week or two after tile, once it’s made to measure.
