Frequently Asked Questions

It depends heavily on your location, bathroom size, and the scope of work. A basic refresh in a lower-cost area might run $8,000–$15,000, while a full gut renovation in a high-cost metro can easily exceed $40,000. That's exactly why we built Bathroom Builder — to give you a number based on your zip code instead of a useless national range.

Three things dominate: location (local labor rates and material costs), scope (are you moving plumbing or just swapping fixtures?), and finish level (builder-grade vs. premium materials). Our calculator accounts for all three. Among these, location is often the most underestimated factor — the same renovation can cost 40–60% more in a high-cost metro compared to a mid-market city.

Our AI pricing engine is calibrated using real economic data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other government sources — not self-reported surveys or crowdsourced data. That said, no online tool can account for hidden conditions behind walls, complex structural work, or the specific pricing of your chosen contractor. We recommend using our AI-generated estimates as a well-informed starting point and budgeting an additional 10–15% contingency.

Most online estimators use national averages — one set of numbers applied everywhere. Our AI pricing engine analyzes eight distinct economic signals specific to your zip code, including local trade wages, regional price parity, housing vintage, and cost-of-living data. The result is an AI-generated estimate that reflects where you actually live, not a generic national figure.

A standard bathroom remodel usually covers demolition of existing finishes, new flooring and wall tile, a replacement vanity with countertop and sink, a new toilet, updated shower or tub, new fixtures and hardware, and basic electrical and plumbing work. Our calculator lets you customize exactly which elements you're replacing and which you plan to keep, so the estimate matches your actual scope.

A straightforward remodel with no structural changes typically takes 2–4 weeks. More complex projects involving layout changes, plumbing relocation, or custom tilework can take 6–8 weeks or longer. Permit processing (if required) can add additional time. These timelines assume you've finalized materials and your contractor has clear access to the space.

In most jurisdictions, you'll need a permit if you're doing any plumbing or electrical work beyond simple fixture swaps. Cosmetic updates like painting, new hardware, or replacing a vanity with one in the same location often don't require permits. Requirements vary significantly by city and county, so check with your local building department before starting.

For each fixture category (tub, shower, toilet, vanity, etc.), you can choose to keep what you already have instead of replacing it. This removes both the material cost and the installation labor for that item, giving you a more accurate estimate for partial renovations where you only want to update certain elements.

We offer three quality tiers — Budget, Mid-Range, and Premium. Budget uses builder-grade materials and standard fixtures. Mid-Range represents popular brands and solid mid-market options. Premium includes high-end fixtures, designer finishes, and upgraded materials. The difference between Budget and Premium can easily be 2–3x on materials, with labor also increasing for more complex installations.

Yes — you can create a free account and get a bathroom remodel estimate at no cost. The free tier shows your estimated total. Paid plans unlock the full itemized cost breakdown, PDF export, email sharing, and additional saved designs. See our pricing page for details.

Your zip code lets us look up the economic profile of your area. We use it to pull data like local construction wages, regional price levels, housing stock age, and cost-of-living indicators. We don't use it for marketing purposes and don't share it with third parties. See our privacy policy for full details.

Absolutely. Bathroom Builder is a planning tool, not a replacement for professional estimates. We recommend getting 2–3 contractor bids for any significant renovation. What our tool gives you is a realistic baseline so you can evaluate those bids with confidence — you'll know if a quote is in the right ballpark or way out of range for your area.