Our bathroom renovation budget was $8,000. We spent $16,400. Six weeks into a scheduled three-week project, we had a functioning bathroom. Consolidated lessons:
Budget 20% above your number. The plaster behind our shower tile was wet and had to be fully replaced — a $2,100 surprise that existed invisibly until the tile came off. This is not unusual.
Choose fixtures before demolition starts. Lead times on bathroom faucets and vanities can be 6-10 weeks. I chose our vanity after demolition started and it delayed the project by three weeks.
Lighting is installed last but ordered first. The bathroom sconces I chose were discontinued between ordering and installation. Order early and hold them.
The vanity determines everything. The bathroom cabinet sets the finish palette for all fixtures, the mirror, and the hardware. Pick it first, then match everything to it. Would I do it again? Yes. But I'd approach it as a $20,000 project from the start.
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Dana at Light and Linen wrote a lovely piece on creating a spa feel with bathroom lighting — a good read for thinking about the lighting layer before tile is set.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bathroom renovation cost?
A mid-range full renovation of a standard 5x8 bathroom typically costs $10,000-$25,000 depending on location and materials. Budget 20% above your initial estimate for surprises inside the walls.
What should I splurge on in a bathroom renovation?
The vanity, tile, and plumbing fixtures — what you see and touch every day. Economize on accessories like towel bars and hooks, which can be swapped cheaply later.
What order should bathroom renovation go in?
Rough plumbing and electrical first, then drywall/cement board, then tile, then vanity and fixtures, then accessories and lighting last.
