Breakdown of Different Bathroom Renovation Costs in LA
Los Angeles is a beautiful city, but bathroom renovations can be expensive. This article will discuss the different factors that affect the cost of a bathroom renovation in Los Angeles, so you can budget accordingly. We’ll cover full, half, and primary bathroom remodels, and discuss how the size, materials, and fixtures you choose will impact the final price tag. We’ll also explore how plumbing fixtures and layout changes can add to the cost.
At Sweeten, we’re experts at all things general contractors — we pre-screen them for our network, carefully select the best ones for your remodeling project, and work closely with hundreds of general contractors every day. So, we’ve tapped our internal expertise to bring you this guide.
Now, let’s break down these variables with an example. For a full renovation of a standard full bathroom in LA, without any layout changes, and including basic general contracting services, here’s what you can expect in terms of starting costs in 2024:
- Budget full bathroom renovation costs: Starts at $22,000
- Mid-grade full bathroom renovation costs: Starts at $32,500
- High-end full bathroom renovation costs: Starts at $45,000
Please note: These are starting points and can vary significantly based on specific factors like material choices, size of the bathroom, and the complexity of the project. It’s always recommended to get multiple quotes from local contractors to get a more accurate estimate for your specific needs.
We want you to be completely prepared for the cost of your home remodeling project, so our pricing estimates are inclusive of all materials, labor, overhead, and a standard general contractor’s margin.
When you’re ready to get started on your bathroom or home remodel, work with Sweeten to renovate with the best contractors in Los Angeles.
Size: How dimensions affect your bathroom renovation costs in Los Angeles
While it may seem obvious, the size of your bathroom significantly influences the cost of your renovation project. However, it’s not solely about the square footage; what truly drives expenses are the fixtures and finishes that populate the space as well as any layout changes to the space. More plumbing fixtures, such as sinks, showers, and toilets, translate to higher costs, as do moving the location of any or all of these fixtures! Here’s a breakdown to help you assess the scope of your bathroom renovation plan:
Half bathrooms (powder rooms): These intimate spaces typically house a sink and toilet, with fixture counts ranging from 1 to 2. These compact spaces, strategically placed near the entryway or communal areas, offer a discreet haven for guests. Despite their modest size, powder rooms in LA homes exude sophistication, with renovation projects often embracing high-quality elements to make a stylish statement despite the limited dimensions.
Full bathrooms: Comprising a sink, toilet, and either a bathtub or shower, with fixture counts averaging 3 to 4, full bathrooms in Los Angeles serve as versatile canvases for a diverse array of design styles. Within the confines of many Downtown LA’s compact living spaces, renovation plans for full bathrooms prioritize ingenious space utilization, seamlessly integrating space-saving fixtures and ingenious storage solutions. Each full bathroom is a testament to the homeowner’s individuality, reflecting a harmonious fusion of personal taste and urban sensibilities.
Primary bathrooms (master bathrooms): Defined by a spacious vanity area featuring two sinks, alongside a toilet and either a bathtub or shower, primary bathrooms typically boast fixture counts of 4 to 5. In upscale residences throughout LA such as Beverly Hills, primary bathrooms epitomize refined luxury, showcasing premium fixtures and finishes that seamlessly blend aesthetic appeal with functional elegance. Renovations in Los Angeles often pivot towards bespoke customization, enabling residents to craft serene retreats tailored to their tastes and lifestyle preferences.
Deluxe primary bathrooms: Distinguished by dual sinks, an expansive vanity, a generously proportioned shower or separate bathtub, and a toilet, fixture counts for deluxe primary bathrooms typically exceed 5. Each detail, from custom cabinetry to cutting-edge fixtures, converges to redefine the art of bathing in the City of Angels. From panoramic views of the city skyline to meticulously curated design elements, deluxe primary bathrooms encapsulate the essence of LA’s aspirational lifestyle.
Essential fixtures:
- Sink and Vanity: The sink and vanity are the focal point of any bathroom. Choose a style that complements your overall design and provides ample storage space.
- Faucet: The faucet is a functional and stylish element that can add a touch of luxury to your bathroom. Consider factors like water pressure and ease of use when selecting a faucet.
- Toilet: Toilets come in a variety of styles and features, including dual flush, elongated bowls, and heated seats. Choose a toilet that meets your needs and preferences.
- Shower Head: The shower head is a crucial component of any bathroom. Opt for a showerhead that provides ample water pressure and coverage. Consider features like rainfall showerheads or body jets for an enhanced experience.
- Bathtub: If your bathroom has space for a bathtub, consider the type and size that best suits your needs. Freestanding tubs add a touch of elegance, while corner tubs are a space-saving option.
- Accessories: Don’t forget about the finishing touches! Accessories like towel racks, soap dispensers, and mirrors can complete the look of your bathroom.
Cost considerations:
The cost of bathroom fixtures can vary widely depending on materials, brand, and style. Here’s a general breakdown of costs:
- Low-end fixtures for a small bathroom: Approximately $1,500 – $3,000
- Mid-range fixtures for a medium-sized bathroom: Approximately $3,000 – $6,000
- High-end fixtures for a large master bathroom: Approximately $6,000 – $15,000 or more
Finish level: How bathroom design affects renovation costs in LA
Finish level refers to the general quality and price level of fixtures, materials, and finishes. These encompass wall treatments, vanity materials and fabrication, flooring choices, and the brands and models of sinks, faucets, and fixtures you select. The higher the finish level, the faster your costs will escalate.
Budget finish: More affordable materials often hail from renowned “big box” stores like Home Depot or IKEA. Here, stock vanities stand alongside a myriad of tiles under $5 per square foot, including household names like Pergo and Daltile. Fixtures by trusted brands such as Delta, Moen, and Pfister grace these spaces, offering affordability without compromising functionality.
Mid-grade finish: Balancing cost efficiency with material quality, mid-grade materials find their place in the discerning homes of Los Angeles. Vanities from Design House, Fresca, and Signature Hardware bring a touch of sophistication, complemented by tiles sourced from reputable suppliers like TileBar. Popular brands such as American Standard, Hansgrohe, and Kohler grace these spaces, offering a harmonious blend of affordability and refinement.
High-end finish: Elevating craftsmanship and quality above standard, high-end materials reign supreme in Los Angeles’s most refined homes. Here, tiles sourced from elite suppliers like Clé Tile, Ann Sacks, and Artistic Tile transform spaces into works of art. Vanities from esteemed brands like Duravit, Robern, and DXV exude elegance, while fixtures by Kallista and Brizo add a touch of luxury to everyday routines.
Luxury finish: In the realm where customization knows no bounds, LA’s luxury renovations can reach unprecedented heights. Consider brands such as Lefroy Brooks, THG Paris, and Samuel Heath, where craftsmanship and materials surpass ordinary expectations. Here, every detail exudes opulence, providing a glimpse into a world where luxury has no limits.
Scope: Rip-and-replace vs. gut bathroom renovation in Los Angeles
Project scope refers to the amount and type of work that needs to be done, and can have implications on which professionals you’ll need to hire. We divide scope into the following broad categories (when a contractor prepares an estimate for your renovation, it will be much more detailed, and will include costs of the exact fixtures and finishes):
Full renovation (also known as “Rip-and-Replace”)
Imagine breathing new life into your space by replacing every outdated fixture and finish with pristine, modern counterparts. In a full renovation, the layout remains unchanged, similar to a blank canvas receiving a fresh coat of paint. Here, the essence of transformation lies in the seamless exchange of old for new, a process often overseen by a trusted licensed general contractor. It’s the straightforward path to revitalizing your space, where familiarity meets innovation.
Gut renovation (or a “Reimagine” as we at Sweeten like to say) Sweeten brings homeowners an exceptional renovation experience by personally matching trusted general contractors to your project, while offering expert guidance and support—at no cost to you. Renovate to live, Sweeten to thrive!
Prepare for significant changes as walls come down, plumbing lines are rerouted, and everything is stripped down to the studs and subfloor. This comprehensive transformation requires the expertise of architects and designers to navigate permits and regulations. It’s a process of rebuilding from the ground up, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and functional integrity.
Services: Bathroom renovation services and their impact on costs
The two main services to consider for your bathroom renovation are build service and design service. Depending on your needs, you have some options for what types of firms to hire.
Build service with a general contractor
When planning a renovation project in Los Angeles, hiring a general contractor for build services is a pivotal step. These services encompass demolition and construction, orchestrated by seasoned professionals familiar with the city’s unique architectural nuances. In LA, some general contractors operate as build-only firms, focusing solely on the execution of plans without offering full professional design. However, within this category, there’s a spectrum of service offerings. Some contractors strictly adhere to finished plans from professional designers, while others collaborate closely with clients to bring their visions to life. Some even provide creative input and advice on material and fixture choices, offering rough visualizations for spatial layout. The competitiveness of a contractor’s pricing is influenced by factors like service level, experience, firm size, and overhead costs. It’s advisable to connect with multiple contractors to find the level of service that best aligns with your vision.
Design service with an architect or interior designer
Design services in LA can elevate your home renovation or construction project. Architects and interior designers collaborate to create personalized and functional spaces. Their expertise ensures efficient space utilization, stunning aesthetics, and compliance with regulations. Design fees typically range from 10-20% of the construction budget, varying based on project complexity. Consider hiring a designer for complex projects, custom designs, space constraints, or regulatory compliance. Choose a designer with experience, a strong portfolio, effective communication, and positive referrals.
Full-service, design-build firms
For a seamless integration of design and construction services, consider the allure of a full-service design-build firm. In Los Angeles, these firms offer a holistic approach, combining professional design and construction expertise under one roof. By working with the same firm from planning and design to execution, you benefit from continuity and streamlined coordination. This collaborative synergy not only saves time but also enhances communication, potentially keeping your project on budget amidst the dynamic backdrop of LA’s renovation landscape.
Ready to renovate your bathroom in LA?
Post your project on Sweeten today and get matched with our vetted general contractors for free! Find endless home renovation inspiration, detailed guides, and practical cost breakdowns from our blogs.
FAQs about bathroom renovation in LA
The final cost of a bathroom remodel will depend on the size of your bathroom, the quality of fixtures and finishes, and whether any plumbing fixtures will be moving or changing. For an average, full bath, a full, rip-and-replace bathroom remodel in Los Angeles will range from $18,000 to $74,500 and up, depending on finishes. This estimate includes all materials, labor, overhead, and a standard general contractor margin.
A major gut bathroom remodel would add an additional 15-25% to the total cost of materials and labor for the same square footage. Also keep in mind that a half bathroom with fewer fixtures will cost less, while a primary bathroom with more fixtures will cost more.
Demolition signifies the start of a renovation and is one of the quickest parts of the process to complete. Bathroom demolition costs are typically tied to the square footage of what is being removed. Usually, bathroom demolition costs start at $39 per square foot in Los Angeles, but can be more depending on what needs to be removed.
The cost of labor for a bathroom remodel goes towards the renovation crew, behind-the-scenes administrative employees, and subcontractors. Generally, the cost of labor is dependent on a project’s complexity, size, and location. In Los Angeles, the labor portion of a bathroom remodeling project usually adds up to around 25-35% of the total project cost, give or take.
Generally speaking, labor will make up a larger portion of total cost for a bathroom project with budget-grade materials, and a lower portion of the total for high-end materials. The addition of any highly specialized labor (beyond standard) will cost more.
Permit requirements vary between states and local municipalities, so be sure to check your local requirements in Los Angeles. Often, permits are needed for bathroom remodels if any plumbing, electrical, or mechanical elements will be moved, or if load-bearing walls are being moved or coming down. This can also include converting a tub to shower, or vice versa, due to plumbing implications.
If you need a permit for your bathroom remodel, the costs can be calculated as a flat rate for specific scopes of work or as a percentage of the cost of the project. In some areas remodeling permit costs might be as high as 10%, but it’s usually less.
The purchase of tile is only part of the budget to tile a bathroom. There is cost to prepare the space for tiling where items such as baseboards and the toilet are removed. Raw materials, such as subflooring and thin-set, are required for the job. Installation and labor costs factor into the final tiling budget. The total average cost to tile a bathroom in Los Angeles ranges from $26 to $82 per square foot.
The cost to replace a bathroom vanity includes preparation of the worksite, raw materials, and labor. Depending on the scope of work, the cost increases if plumbing and electrical systems are relocated or if they need to be brought up to code. The materials chosen based on price point will also factor into the budget. The total average cost to replace a bathroom vanity in Los Angeles ranges from $440 to $3,800, however, for high-end and custom work, the total cost of replacing a vanity can run even higher.
Remodeling a walk-in shower can cost anywhere between $2,000-$15,000 in Los Angeles, and can run even higher for high-end and custom work, or major layout changes. This includes installation, plumbing, fixtures, and kits. Leaving the plumbing where it is will be less expensive than if water sources are moved (like when converting a tub to a shower).
The cost to remodel a shower will also vary depending on the price point of the tile chosen. Standard ceramic tile can start at just $1.50 per square foot while marble tile is closer to $50 per square foot. Add a standard overage amount of at least 10% of raw material. Running short of tile will cause delays and incur more costs
The bulk of your bathroom remodeling costs will be tied to the total number of fixtures, and the quality of the fixtures and materials you choose. A small full bathroom with 3-4 fixtures and a large full bathroom with 3-4 fixtures, might cost close to the same because the only difference will be in square footage of flooring and wall treatments. On the other hand, a half bathroom with only 2 fixtures, a sink and toilet, will cost considerably less than a full bath renovation with 3-4 fixtures.
In Los Angeles, the cost for a typical half bathroom remodel can range from $7,500-$27,000 and up; whereas the cost for a full, rip-and-replace remodel of a small full bathroom can range from $18,000-$74,500 and up, depending on finish level of the materials used. A major gut renovation for a bathroom of the same size would add an additional 15-25% to the total cost of materials and labor.
Your general contractor can give you an idea of possible issues that may arise during a bathroom remodel in Los Angeles, based on the age and type of home they’re working on. However, a contractor cannot price out every possible problem, as things can arise after walls are broken into. They may discover an issue with your plumbing or electrical, for example.
Major projects often involve permitting fees, and change orders after a contract has been signed can also add to the overall cost. To protect yourself from unseen costs, set aside a 10-15% contingency budget for a non-gut renovation. If you are planning a gut remodel, set aside 15-20% for issues that come up along the way. Having a monetary cushion will keep your remodeling project on track.
Absolutely! The first step is to take less than 5 minutes to tell us about your project on sweeten.com. Once we have that information, we will provide you with a curated short list of vetted general contractors perfectly suited to your unique project. Once you have that list, you’ll decide who you would like to invite out to your home for site visits so they can create estimates for your project. And once you have estimates, you can schedule a call with a Sweeten expert to help you compare your contractor options and review best practices for hiring and kicking off your bathroom project!
Yes, Los Angeles has its own set of building codes and regulations that govern construction and renovation projects, including those for bathrooms. It’s crucial to ensure that your renovation plans comply with these codes to avoid any delays or issues during the project. Consulting with a knowledgeable contractor or architect familiar with local regulations can help ensure your renovation meets all necessary requirements.
Los Angeles residents are increasingly conscious of sustainability, and there are several ways to incorporate eco-friendly elements into your bathroom renovation. Consider installing low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads to conserve water. Opt for energy-efficient lighting fixtures and utilize eco-friendly building materials such as bamboo flooring or recycled glass countertops. Additionally, incorporating natural light through strategically placed windows or skylights can reduce the need for artificial lighting while enhancing the overall ambiance of your bathroom.
One common challenge in Los Angeles bathroom renovations is dealing with limited space, especially in older homes or apartments. To address this, consider space-saving design solutions such as wall-mounted toilets, floating vanities, or built-in storage niches. Another challenge is navigating the permitting process, which can be complex and time-consuming. Working with a contractor experienced in obtaining permits and navigating local regulations can streamline this process and prevent delays. Additionally, coordinating with professionals who understand the unique architectural styles and building materials common in Los Angeles can ensure your renovation aligns with the city’s aesthetic while meeting your functional needs.
