Maybe you’re planning on selling your home soon, or maybe you’re considering renovations to add value down the road. But something has you thinking about your bathroom—maybe you’re adding up potential renovation costs, weighing the pros and cons of making changes and wondering how much value a bathroom could really add to your home. After all, it is a small space—not a showpiece like a kitchen, and not as visible as the front of the house.
But if you’re considering making changes to your bathroom, you’re on the right track. This article is here to break down the value a bathroom could add to a house and which improvements could help you get the biggest bang for your buck.
How much value does a bathroom add to a house?
When it comes to bathrooms, numbers are important. Buyers often want two full bathrooms and a half-bath, and when it comes to space and convenience, two-and-a-half baths can be nice. While adding a new bathroom could increase your home’s value by up to a whopping $51,000, renovating a bathroom that already exists in the home can also add thousands in value.
Bathroom renovations tend to recoup about 60 – 67% of their initial costs in resale value. That means that a bathroom renovation that costs roughly $20,000 could add $13,000 to a home’s value, and a more expensive bathroom renovation could add up to $38,000 in value.
And none of this takes into account the Joy Score—a rating calculated by a survey of homeowners who have undertaken renovation projects. This rating estimates how much enjoyment homeowners take in their finished projects, on a scale of 1 to 10, with a higher score indicating greater pleasure.
While kitchen renovations clock in at a 10 out of 10, bathroom renovations aren’t far behind, earning a score of 9.6. While you can’t calculate the monetary value of increased enjoyment, the numbers speak for themselves—homeowners find great value in their renovated bathrooms.
How much should you spend on a bathroom renovation?
Bathroom renovations, like any home project, vary widely in cost. The variations might be based on the space, the number of changes made in it, and the materials used. Generally, bathrooms are one of the most expensive spaces in a home to remodel—though that doesn’t mean a renovation has to be out of reach.
A bathroom renovation should cost no more than 5 – 10% of your home’s value—that includes labor and materials. Nationally, the cost averages at about $16,000 for a full renovation. But that’s not to say that updating a bathroom needs to cost that much. Selecting which features to redo can save major amounts of money. Picking practical features to renovate and leaving some original fixtures in place can give a bathroom a new look without breaking the bank.
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?
Labor and installation will almost always be the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel, but unless you’re an experienced DIY-er, it’s probably impossible to keep a professional from getting involved.
When it comes to which features cost the most to update, changes to the floor plan of your bathroom are expensive—that includes enlarging the space or taking out load-bearing walls. Changing the location of the tub, shower, or sink, and all of the plumbing that goes along with making those changes, is also expensive in terms of both materials and labor.
Bathtubs in particular are expensive to move or replace. A new tub often doesn’t cost much, but the costs of demolition of the old tub—which is often built into the wall and floor—the removal of that heavy porcelain, and the adjustments the walls, floor, and plumbing rack up fast and make tub replacement one of the more expensive projects that you can undertake.
What bathroom remodel ideas can save money?
Always consider high-impact, low-cost changes. A new toilet or vanity can update the look and function of the bathroom without requiring major updates. New faucets and hardware can also be quick, inexpensive changes that improve the space, as can painting or adding more lights. Prioritize your upgrades—for more cost-saving ideas, visit our blog!
But what about the bathtub? If you’re updating an outdated green, blue, or pink bathroom, that avocado or salmon-colored tub will remain an eyesore even if you replace the toilet and update the vanity. And if your tub is cracked, peeling, or in need of repairs, it will look worn and tired no matter how much you clean, detracting from the look of your other improvements.
The good news is that there’s an affordable solution—bathtub reglazing. During this process, our factory-certified technicians will ventilate your bathroom and cover other fixtures before sanding down your bathtub, repairing cracks, chips, or other damage, and applying a high-gloss coating that will make your tub look and feel like new. (If that sounds too good to be true, take a look at our before-and-after photos!)
The process only takes a few hours, plus four more for the new coating to set, and then your bathroom is back up and running—for just a fraction of the cost and time a new bathtub would require. The updated appearance and function of the space—plus the repairs that can avert long-term damage—help to add value to your home.
Where can I find bathtub reglazing near me?
Bathrooms add value to your home, in terms of money and satisfaction with your space. Whether you’re looking to sell soon or sometime down the road, The Tub Pros are here to help with your bathroom projects. In addition to refinishing tubs, sinks, showers, and countertops, we can also add tub steps or benches to improve safety and function in your bathroom.If you’re wondering where can I find tub refinishing near me? and are located in the greater Memphis area, look no further! Give us a call at 901-871-8827 to get started on your project today.