A bathroom addition can range from a small half-bath (sink, toilet and mirror) to a spa-like master bath. Adding a bathroom is usually more expensive per square foot than other rooms because it requires specific types of plumbing, heating, electricity and ventilation.
Typical costs:
Converting existing floor space inside a garage, basement or attic into a simple bathroom starts around $3,000-$6,000. However, costs can be $7,000-$25,000 or more for a more luxurious bathroom, or if the new bathroom is far from existing water and sewer lines. Prices may vary significantly by region, depending on local labor rates.
Costs for do-it-yourself materials start around $500-$1,500, but can run $2,000-$5,000 or more depending on room size, the quality of fixtures and other amenities. A Pennsylvania homeowner[1] added a 4x8-foot powder room with granite and upgraded fixtures for about $5,000, doing all the work himself except the rough-in plumbing.
Adding new floor space to your home for a basic 6x8-foot bathroom addition starts around $25,000-$50,000 and goes up depending on complexity, quality of fixtures, number of amenities and local labor rates. Remodeling Magazine[2] pegs the price of a 6x8-foot bathroom addition at averages of $33,188-$41,195 in the Midwest, $34,876-$42,491 along the East Coast and $35,987-$47,052 in the Western states. For a spa-quality 100-square-foot master bath the survey says it averages $75,812 nationwide.
If you're adding new floor space, before you do anything else check with your local planning department. Better Homes and Gardens provides an overview of legal remodeling requirements.
As a general rule, a half-bath should be at least 3-4 feet wide and 6-8 feet long, or at least 18 square feet; a bathroom with shower should be 30 square feet or more; and a bath with both a shower and tub should be at least 35 square feet. ThisOldHouse.com explains how to plan a half-bath[3] (also called a bonus bath) while RemodeOrMove.com lists things to consider[4] for any size bathroom addition.
Additional costs:
Adding a tile floor, marble counter tops, or other upscale features can dramatically increase the weight load on your foundation. You might need to consult with a structural engineer (anywhere from $300-$800 or more, depending on what's needed and rates in your area) to see if the foundation needs to be reinforced.
Hiring an architect to create a set of plan drawings could cost you a flat fee of $700-$30,000 or more, depending on size and complexity, or the architect may charge 5-15 percent of the project's costs.
Usually a bathroom addition will trigger a reassessment of your property taxes and a resulting tax increase, but in most areas the reassessment will only be on the value of the addition, not the entire house.
Bathroom design books[5] cost $10-$40 or more, and can give you great ideas and tips; they may also be available at your local library.
Shopping for a bathroom addition:
Gather photos of bathroom styles and details that appeal to you. Better Homes and Gardens displays a slide show of contemporary styles and Kasmar Publications posts pictures of luxury bathrooms.
Even if you want to do some of the work yourself, most experts recommend hiring a licensed and certified plumber. Ask family or friends for recommendations, or search for referrals from the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association[6] and the National Electrical Contractors Association[7] .
If you want a remodeling contractor to handle all aspects of your bathroom addition, the National Association for the Remodeling Industry provides an online booklet with tips[8] for hiring a contractors.
Check whether a contractor is licensed in your state. A written contract should include a detailed outline of the work required and materials used, dates within which the project will be done, and a payment schedule.
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Added a shower to existing 1/2 bathroom in basement. Used ceramic wall tiles for shower and added tiles to toilet section as well. Materials cost approx. 1500 including shower door. Gave a friend $500 as thank you for general assistance during the 4 weekends it took to complete project.
Required adding all plumbing and electrical work. Also adding an exhaust fan that required drilling a 6-in hole through exterior brick wall of house. Used high-end building materials: cast iron shower pan, glass frameless shower door, ceramic wall tile with custom niche for soap, marble counter top, slate flooring, and high-end fixtures/faucets.
Built a full bath in the "Florida basement" space from the garage area of my three story home. Building out masonry walls, tapping into the sewer and water, running electrical, fitting out a two head shower, tiled walls and floor, and AC ducts.
I would like to get and estimate of how much it would cost to add a master bath to the upstairs of my 1.5 story house. Using existing floorspace, framining myself and installing pre-fab vanities, sinks and showers. Hiring for outside plumbing. Bathroom would be about 10-15 feet from existing plumbing a floor below. Any thoughts on how much this will run me???
To break concrete floor and install drainage and vents I hired a plumbing company, which was $4500. I did the remainder of work including electrical and other.
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