Update Small Bathroom

Ideas, costs, tips and plans - the information you need for a successful Small Bathroom Makeover project

December 2021

Homeowners have many important questions about their Small Bathroom Makeover Project. How much will it cost? How long will it take? What problem areas do I need to watch out for? Can I recover my Small Bathroom Makeover investment when I sell? Can I do some of the work myself? What can I do to make sure that the work is done right?

Costs, materials and best practices for the example Small Bathroom Makeover project will help you answer these questions. Use this information to develop a budget, bid requirements, hiring contracts and a project plan.

Small Bathroom Makeover - Project Overview

The approximate costs and value of a typical Small Bathroom Makeover project are summarized below. Use higher estimates for larger metropolitan areas and the lower estimates where home prices are below the national average. Adjust costs for substitutions or refinements in the last section. For size differences of up to 25%, scale total costs in direct proportion to the size of your project. Use the adjusted costs as a basis for setting a material budget and for comparing contractor bids (if you choose to have a professional perform the work).

Project descriptionRefinish cabinet doors, cabinet frames and moldings. Regrout and reglaze tile. Paint walls.Update plumbing and lighting fixtures. Use renovation grade materials and above average finishing detail.
Project size45 square feet
Material and labor cost$1,665 - $1,943
Material cost$990 - $1,155
Do-it-yourself assessmentThe typical Small Bathroom Makeover project can be completed by a moderately skilled do-it-yourselfer; as with any project, high quality Small Bathroom Makeover requires attention to detail and careful planning.
First year Return on Investment - ROIReturns vary widely and are affected by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A high quality Small Bathroom Makeover project in an appropriate neighborhood can return as much as 77% - 91% of its initial cost.
First year Return on Investment - ROIReturns will be impacted by the range of home prices in your neighborhood, the overall condition of your home and sensible design choices. A high quality Small Bathroom Makeover project can return as much as 67% - 78% of its initial cost
Green ratingSmall Bathroom Makeover projects can incorporate renewable or sustainable resources and environmentally friendly materials.

Small Bathroom Makeover - Project Plan and Details

The following list includes major work tasks commonly performed during Small Bathroom Makeover. Use this list to understand the timing and sequence of different steps in the Small Bathroom Makeover project. Click any Task name for a complete written specifications, FAQs and quality checklist for the task - this essential information will help you control Small Bathroom Makeover project cost and quality.

Do you expect to spend more than $250 on your Small Bathroom Makeover project? If so, it is important create and manage a detailed plan for all project activities.

TaskService ProviderTimeDifficultyBasic Cost Range
Develop Bathroom IdeasKitchen Designer5 to 15 d$386 - $644
Specify MaterialsInterior Designer2 to 15 d$258 - $431
Develop Project BudgetGeneral Contractor2 to 15 d$193 - $322
Remove Bath FixturesDemolition Laborer1 d$12.19 - $20.35
Remove Lighting FixturesLighting Contractor1 d$32 - $54
Repair Wall DamageDrywall and Plaster Contractor1 to 2 d$201 - $340
Install Cabinet HandlesFinish Carpenter1 d$22.75 - $38.02
Install Trim MoldingFinish Carpenter1 to 2 d$5.40 - $9.41 per linear foot
Install Door KnobFinish Carpenter1 d$110 - $191 per door
Install ToiletPlumber1 d$409 - $726
Refinish Bathroom CabinetsPainting Contractor2 to 4 d$10.80 - $18.24 per square foot
Paint WallPainting Contractor1 to 3 d$1.57 - $2.70 per square foot
Paint CeilingPainting Contractor1 to 3 d$1.77 - $3.03 per square foot
Regrout TileTile Contractor1 to 2 d$20.23 - $33.83 per square foot
Install GFCI OutletElectrician1 d$229 - $393 per outlet
Replace Bathroom FanElectrician1 to 2 d$222 - $379
Install Ceiling Light FixtureElectrician1 d$230 - $397
Replace Electric SwitchElectrician1 d$74 - $126
Replace Switch PlatesElectrician1 d$20.53 - $34.49
Replace Bathroom FaucetPlumber1 d$277 - $476

Small Bathroom Makeover - Proven Ideas and Project Tips

Review these tips, design suggestions, options and lessons learned before finalizing your Small Bathroom Makeover project plan.

  • To maximize return on the Small Bathroom Makeover project, limit cost to no more than 1.5% of home's total, post project value
  • For best resale value, select a taste neutral design for your Small Bathroom Makeover
  • For best home resale value, follow a consistent design and decorating theme throughout the home
  • Use bright lighting to make a small room appear larger
  • To minimize risk of electrical shock, have all circuits protected by GFCI
  • Install electrical receptacles inside cabinet where electrical devices are stored
  • Incorporate recessed fixtures (lighting, medicine cabinet, etc.) to maximize the feeling of space in a small area
  • Mount hardware and accessories on back of door to make best use of space in a small room
  • Choose wall mounted elements with narrow depth to maximize spaciousness in a small room
  • Decorate with light color shades to make a small room appear larger

Hiring Local Professionals

How to hire a trustworthy pro contractor for your project

Our FREE hiring guide helps you hire wisely, get quality craftsmanship and understand fair pricing for your specific project.



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