Do you need an extra bathroom at home? Well, a bathroom addition project is a great idea. However, you must take note that adding a bathroom, in the first place, can cost you a lot of money just like other home improvement projects. But still, expenses will all be worth it in the end as a bathroom addition adds value to any property as well as makes every house a more convenient home for everyone in the family.
The Cost Of A Bathroom Addition
The price range of usual bathroom additions is $7,000 to $25,000.
This includes the following:
- hiring a professional for the project
- adding a new floor space at home for the bathroom
- plumbing and electrical works
- purchase of standard-grade materials
- installation of fixtures and accessories
Factors Affecting The Cost Of Adding A Bathroom
Bathroom type. The type of bathroom you want to create will determine costs of the project. A full bath with toilet, tub, shower, and sink is basically a lot more expensive as compared to a half-bath, which only has a toilet and sink.
Size. The bigger the bathroom you want to add, the more expensive the project usually becomes.
Finish. The quality of the finish you want your bathroom to have will also affect prices. Simple bathrooms are basically at the lower end of the spectrum. However, if you consider luxurious bathrooms, you can spend up to $80,000 for this project alone. Check this comparison of mid-range and upscale bathroom addition projects as per reported by Remodeling Magazine:
| Mid-range | Price: $40,096 | Add a full 6×8 bathroom over a crawlspace with poured concrete wallsAccessories include:
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| Upscale/Luxury | Price:$76,209 | Add a 100 sq. ft. master bathroomAccessories include:
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Notice that the more accessories you add and the more luxurious your options are, the higher the cost of the bathroom addition project becomes. A very minimal and modest set of accessories will basically lead you to the lower range of $7,000 to $25,000.
Construction. Also, the way you start the project affects prices. Converting an existing floor space (attic, basement or garage) into a bathroom will make the cost lower. Usually, you will likely spend $3,000 the least. However, adding a new floor space at home for a new bathroom can mean a more expensive package.
Materials. The materials you choose for the bathroom will also affect prices. This includes your choice of tub, shower, toilet, drywall, and tiles. Some bathroom tiles will cost you $20 apiece while some luxury tiles will cost you $100 per piece.
Contractor. Contractors charge differently for a bathroom addition project depending on competition, location, and experience and reputation in the field. In some cases, contractors will charge you lower if you do some components of the project yourself such as tiling the floor.
Additional Costs When Adding A Bathroom
Accessories such as mirror, toilet paper holder, towel racks, and the like are mostly an extra cost when adding a new bathroom.
Choosing upscale features like marble countertops will cost you extra as well.
You may need to hire an architect to help you in designing the bathroom. You are likely to pay an architect’s fee of around $700 or more depending on the complexity of the bathroom addition project.
Tips Before You Decide To Add A Bathroom At Home
If you want to save money, you may consider doing the project yourself. However, understand that a DIY bathroom addition requires a lot of skills, patience, time, and knowledge. Plus, take note that some components such as plumbing and electrical works are better left to the hands of professionals to ensure the success of the bathroom addition project.
Search for qualified and licensed contractors in your area. Call three or more contractors to get price quotations and choose one with the best offers of services at the best price possible. Don’t usually settle for the cheapest. It is a wise idea to double check the inclusions in the package because most of the time, one contractor will quote a very cheap price but later you will find out that the materials they will be using are below standard quality.
You may want to check pictures of bathrooms from magazines or the Internet to find bathroom designs that appeal to you. When you talk to your contractor, discuss what you want for your bathroom and see whether or not it will be feasible for your project and budget.
Consult local agencies to find out whether permits are necessary for your bathroom addition project. Most of the time, you need to obtain permits if the bathroom addition requires adding a new floor space at home.
Save Money When Adding Bathroom At Home
Your bathroom addition project does not always have to break the bank. There are a lot of ways you can consider to help you save money with such kind of project at hand.
- Establish a strict budget. Know how much you can afford to spend for the bathroom addition project. This will help you decide on the kind and size of bathroom you have to work on for your home.
- Find a contractor who is willing to work with you for the budget you have at hand. Make sure that the contractor will offer you the best possible deals without sacrificing the quality of your bathroom just because you have a low budget. Good contractors know several cheap alternatives in various components of the project to help you save money.
- Talk with your contractor about possibly shopping for the materials, fixtures, and accessories yourself. Some contractors get a commission out of buying everything for your project but the money they get is usually passed on to you.
- Analyze your needs for a bathroom. Do you really need a whirlpool tub or a marble countertop? There are a lot of features that are simply just luxuries that you can live without definitely. There is no point spending too much for a whirlpool when in fact, you seldom will be using it.
- Choose cheaper materials over luxury items. There is no point spending on a thousand-dollar worth of shower when you can purchase a good quality one for around $300. Also, you may choose vinyl flooring as compared to going for more expensive ceramic tiles.
- Do some of the work yourself. There are various things that you can do in line with the project such as painting the walls, installing wallpaper, and even tiling. The more work you can do yourself, the more money you can save on labor costs.