Interior
Bathroom Remodel: Cost, Permits & Timeline
Renovating a full or half bathroom. A shower pan replacement, relocated fixtures or new circuits generally require a permit and a pan water test inspection.
Model reviewed August 2026
Typical cost
$18,500
$9,000 – $42,000
per bathroom
$9,000 – $42,000
Permit
Depends
$150 – $600
Timeline
3-6 weeks
3-6 weeks
Do you need a permit for bathroom remodel?
It depends on scope
Cosmetic, like-for-like bathroom remodel work is often exempt. A permit is required as soon as you change structure, plumbing, electrical or the building envelope.
What drives the cost
- Tub-to-shower conversion versus like-for-like replacement
- Tile area and material
- Vanity, fixtures and glass enclosure
- Whether plumbing is relocated
- Waterproofing and subfloor repair
Permit, inspections and documents
| Permit status | conditional |
|---|---|
| Typical permit fee | $150 – $600 |
| Licensed contractor required | Not always |
| Owner-builder allowed | Yes, on owner-occupied homes |
| Inspections | Rough plumbing, Shower pan water test, Final inspection |
| Timeline | 3-6 weeks |
| DIY difficulty | 4/5 difficulty |
Documents typically required
- • Permit application
- • Plumbing scope
- • Waterproofing details for shower pans
Bathroom Remodel cost by city
Local labor and material pricing applied to the national baseline.
| City | Typical range | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $14,200 – $66,400 | +58% |
| Los Angeles | $12,200 – $56,700 | +35% |
| Miami | $11,000 – $51,300 | +22% |
| Chicago | $11,000 – $51,200 | +22% |
| Phoenix | $9,200 – $43,100 | +3% |
| Dallas | $8,900 – $41,700 | -1% |
| Houston | $9,000 – $41,900 | 0% |
| Tampa | $9,600 – $44,600 | +6% |
| Denver | $10,200 – $47,400 | +13% |
| Orlando | $9,300 – $43,200 | +3% |
| Atlanta | $9,000 – $42,100 | 0% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $10,600 – $49,500 | +18% |
Bathroom Remodel across the country
National pricing, state-by-state pricing, and the tools behind both.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a bathroom remodel?
Replacing a vanity, toilet or fixtures in the same location is usually permit-exempt. Rebuilding a shower pan, moving drain lines or adding circuits requires a plumbing or building permit and inspection.
How long does bathroom remodel take?
3-6 weeks. Permit review and inspection scheduling are usually the largest source of variation.
What changes the price the most?
The largest cost drivers are tub-to-shower conversion versus like-for-like replacement; tile area and material; vanity, fixtures and glass enclosure.
Sources
Sources & verification
Model vintage August 2026. The links above are the issuing agencies' own pages — we publish them so you can confirm the current rule yourself, not as evidence that each fact on this page was re-checked with them today. Cost figures are modeled estimates based on national baselines adjusted for local labor and material pricing, not quotes. Permit rules change; confirm with the building department before starting work.