Adding a Bathroom to Your Home: Where to start in 2024

The bathroom is an essential aspect to any home, be it new or remodeling an older home and subsequently, adding one can do wonders for sprucing up your home. However, before you add a bathroom into your home, it is important to understand the cost associated with such a project and whether it is the right fit for you.  

• What’s the average cost of adding a bathroom to your home?
• Does adding a bathroom add value to your home?
• Can you add a bathroom anywhere in your house?
• 6 Common areas for a new bathroom:
• Extending an existing bathroom
• Common questions about adding a bathroom

What’s the average cost of adding a bathroom to your home?

The average cost of adding a bathroom to your home can vary widely depending on the scope of the project. For a basic bathroom remodel or conversion of an existing space, you can expect to spend between $3,000 and $5,000. This typically covers minor updates such as painting, wallpaper, flooring, and the replacement of fixtures like a shower or bathtub. These costs are relatively modest when compared to a full-scale renovation or the addition of a new bathroom to your home.

When it comes to building a brand new bathroom, the price can increase significantly. A full bathroom addition can range from $25,000 to $30,000, especially if you’re expanding the footprint of your home. This figure includes labor, materials, and new plumbing. Larger projects or more luxurious finishes can push the cost higher, often reaching $40,000 to $50,000. On the higher end, the national average cost for a 100-square-foot luxury bathroom can climb to around $75,000. These prices make it essential to plan your budget carefully and consider factors such as materials, labor, and additional features.

What are the Cost Factors of Adding a Bathroom? 

Many factors will impact the cost of adding a bathroom to your home; however, the biggest one is whether you’re converting an existing room into a bathroom or adding a new space. Other than that, expect your choice of a bathroom type, bathroom size, location, and bathroom features to all impact the final cost of your bathroom. 

Bathroom Type

There are many different bathrooms you can add to your home, depending on the space available and your budget. After all, there are bathrooms you can have for $3,000, while others will require you to spend over $10,000 to have a complete, functioning bathroom. 

Bathroom Size

The size of the room where you plan to add your bathroom has a great impact on the final cost as well. Larger rooms need more material and labor, so keep in mind that often, the price will increase with square footage. Typically, homeowners pay between $200 and $250 per square foot when converting an existing room into a bathroom. For more information, refer to common bathroom sizes and dimensions to better plan your project.

Location

The amount you will need to pay will also depend on the level of accessibility your new bathroom will have. Does it require to significantly  change the layout of your home? Is there any existing plumbing in that room? If there is no plumbing, expect that the installation of it will not only increase your budget but also extend the timeline of the project. 

That is why laundry rooms are the perfect choice when converting an existing room in your home to a bathroom. If you’re thinking about converting your garage or a basement, make sure to check the plumbing first before making any important decisions. 

Bathroom Features

A simple bathroom with only a toilet will obviously cost less than a bathroom with a walk-in shower. However, there are other bathroom features that you need to consider for your bathroom, depending on the type you’ve chosen. 

Does adding a bathroom add value to your home?

Adding a bathroom will always increase the value of your home, but how much will largely depend on your location. The average return on the west coast of the United States is around 67 percent. East coast is roughly 47 percent, but this number will change largely on the materials and size of the bathroom you are adding to your home.

Can you add a bathroom anywhere in your house?

The short answer is yes, you can install a bathroom almost anywhere that you can afford it. However, this will largely depend on your plumbing and electrical setup and what style of bathroom you want, which goes into another common question.

6 Common areas for a new bathroom:

Although it is quite tempting to immediately want a new bathroom addition to your home, consider that there are plenty of spaces in your existing home that can be multi-purposed into a decent bath space, therefore, saving you a fair bit of money as entirely new additions to your house can be quite time consuming and heavy on the budget.

Closet

If your house is lacking a large enough room for another bathroom, the closet actually serves as a space friendly alternative. Since many homes come equipped with a walk-in closet, you can simply convert your closet into a bathroom so long as you have roughly 25 square feet. 25 square feet is equivalent to a half bath, which can easily fit a shower, a sink and a toilet, though it might be a little more cozy than a full bath. The negative with this is that full baths add about twice the value to your home whereas half baths only increase your home’s value by roughly 10%. A bathroom of this size on average will run around $3,000.

Hallway

Similar to the idea of a closet, hall bathrooms are another flexible option. If your home has a long hallway with a fair bit of empty space between rooms, a hall bathroom can be ideal. Depending on the size of your space available, this can either be a half or full size bath, just consider the rooms adjacent to it and plan accordingly. For example, a sliding door can help to make this bathroom style more accessible. Just be sure that your utilities can support this bathroom before carving out the area, otherwise you may need to hire a plumber to help support this bathroom. For this style of bathroom, installation should run anywhere from $3,000-5,000 depending on the size.

Bedroom

Another popular choice is adding a bathroom into a master bedroom as they are typically built with more space than is actually utilized. A common idea is to carve out a space in your bedroom to serve as the area for your bathroom. Just be sure that your utilities can support this, otherwise you may need to pay more to install further plumbing and electrical functions. The price for this will generally float around $3,000 as you are adding onto an existing space rather than installing an entirely new bathroom.

Garage

Since most garages are spacious enough to accommodate two cars, there is also ample space to install a bathroom if needed. Since it is ground level and most houses are designed to have the utilities in the basement, this means that a garage bathroom wouldn’t have much issues connecting to the power and water. The only issues that may arise would be accounting for humidity as standard housing code requires a window to provide ventilation so that the moisture does not damage your walls. Installing one of these bathrooms will typically run anywhere from $3,000-5,000 as it is just adding onto your existing area.

Basement

Quite similar to a garage setup, a basement installation would be below ground, which means that condensation and moisture buildup should be considered, especially if you want to add a shower or bath to your bathroom. If you do include a shower in your basement bathroom, make sure it is properly ventilated and the walls have some protective coating, otherwise you will face rot. Since the basement forms a key structural component of your home, this specific location will be a little more price heavy as it is best to consult a professional so that you do not risk any accidental damages to the foundation of your home. Starting rate for these type of projects is $5,000, but can easily climb to $10-15,000.

Under a staircase

Similar to a closet space bathroom, another option for placing your bathroom would be under or above a staircase, as many of these areas have shoe closets or pantry locations. So long as the space is around 25 square feet, your shower, sink and toilet should fit quite easily with at least 1 square foot size window for proper ventilation. The benefits of this location is accessibility as the stairs in a home typically don’t see that much foot traffic and everyone can easily access this bathroom. The average cost of this installation type will start at $3,000 minimum.

Extending an existing bathroom

A popular option would be extending an existing bathroom instead of installing a new one somewhere in your home. The benefits of this would be that you get to keep your existing bathroom design as you would only be expanding the size of your previous bathroom. In addition, any modifications or improvements you make already have an existing framework to build off of which means less stress on your wallet. Depending on the size of a change you want to make, this type of installation will run anywhere from $2,000-5,000+ depending on how large you want your bathroom to be.

What Should I Know Before Adding a Bathroom?

Before you look to add a new bathroom to your home, you should ask yourself, who is this bathroom for? Below are some considerations you should keep in mind when looking to add a bathroom: 

You Need Room

No matter what size home you have, space is always a premium. Installing a new bathroom to an existing space such as a closet, garage, or an otherwise underused part of your home can drastically increase the amount of available space. The drawback to this is that you may need to alter the plumbing to reach your new bathroom, and adding a new bathroom can be quite expensive-ranging, from $4,000-12,000.

Make it Accessible

Making a bathroom more accessible is always positive, and especially for older individuals, navigating stairs can be pretty troublesome. So before you add a bathroom, consider its accessibility and look to make it easily accessible for all household members. The most significant drawback to an accessible bathroom will also be ensuring that the plumbing lines up.

Decide on Height

Before you look to install a bathroom, remember to make your calculations and position your fixtures and accessories accordingly. You want to ensure you have a rough idea of how large your space will be to ensure that everything fits; otherwise, it will be a great hassle to re-do an area due to improper measurements.

Fit Pipes Well.

You don’t want your bathroom pipes to use the exterior walls for plumbing and fixtures. When adding a bathroom, you want to ensure your pipes are aligned to accommodate everything in your bathroom layout. If you don’t have plumbing knowledge, a plumber will charge you anywhere from $700-20,000, depending on the complexity of your home and existing plumbing setup.

Consider Your Wiring

Many bathrooms often utilize a single outlet which can violate safety issues and risk overloading the power in your bathroom. Plan and distribute your wires evenly so you can use multiple outlets to power your bathroom. An electrician will charge you roughly $200-1,000, depending on the size of your bathroom.

Get Lighting Right

Proper lighting in your bathroom can make it more enjoyable and safer. Keep heavy traffic areas illuminated. You can utilize traditional lighting or add a dimmer switch for a more subdued environment. Mirror backlighting is popular as it is less intrusive than conventional setups. Choosing the right wattage for bathroom lighting is essential to achieve the desired effect. Lights range from $100-500, depending on style and size.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

Moisture and your bathroom don’t get along, so it’s essential to ensure that your bathroom is properly ventilated. Excess moisture can cause mold and odors, so ensure you have a fan that covers at least 1 CFM per square foot of room area. Installing a new fan with ducts and a roof vent will cost around $350, with higher-end models costing about $800.

Do I need a permit to add a bathroom in my house?

The answer to that question will depend on several factors. You need a permit if you plan to make structural changes to your property, such as building a new bathroom, knocking down an interior wall, or adding a window. A permit is not necessary for decoration purposes, whether changing your bathroom faucet, sink, countertop, wall, or floor. 

This permit can be acquired through your contractor or on your own. So, before you add a bathroom to your home, make sure you’ve contacted your local city or district to learn all the requirements and costs. 

Community Question – “Should I add a Bathroom to my townhome and What Should I Consider?”

Adding a bathroom to your townhome can improve both your daily life and your home’s value, but it’s important to plan carefully. Here are the key things to consider:

• Space:
  • Look for underused areas like a closet, part of a bedroom, or a basement.
  • Decide if you need a full bathroom (with a shower or bathtub) or a half bath (with just a toilet and sink).
• Plumbing:
  • Placing the bathroom near existing plumbing lines can save time and money.
  • Work with a plumber or contractor to ensure the project is feasible and meets local building codes.
  • Be aware that permits, plumbing changes, and structural adjustments can add to the cost and timeline.
• Investment Value:
  • Adding a half bath can increase your home’s value by around 10%.
  • Adding a full bath can boost the value by up to 20%.
  • An extra bathroom can make your townhome more attractive to potential buyers, especially families.

By considering these factors, you can ensure your bathroom addition meets your needs and adds value to your home.

Community Question  – “What about adding a bathroom to your ADU?”

Adding a bathroom to an ADU can greatly improve its functionality and value. With space often being limited, it’s important to optimize the layout by using compact fixtures like corner sinks or small toilets. Decide whether you need a full bath or just a half bath based on the ADU’s purpose. If the ADU is detached, connecting it to existing plumbing may require more work, so plan accordingly to keep costs manageable.

A bathroom addition significantly boosts the convenience and appeal of an ADU, making it more suitable for long-term tenants or guests. This upgrade can also increase your property’s value and rental potential, as a fully functional ADU with a well-designed bathroom is a major selling point for prospective buyers or renters.

Common questions about adding a bathroom

Is there existing water and waste piping near your new bathroom?

Before installing, check to make sure that water flow exists for your new bathroom. If it doesn’t, you may need to hire a professional plumber to sort out your needs and get water flow to the room of your choice.

Do you have enough space for a bathroom?

An important question to consider, as not every space can fit all the bathroom necessities you may require. The starting point for most bathrooms is roughly 25 square feet-this size gives you just enough room for a small bathtub, a toilet and a modern sink, though keep in mind this size may be too small for you.

Does your city code allow you to add a bathroom in your designated space?

Another tricky subject as every city will be different and it is important for you to consult your nearest authority on the matter. Many cities do not permit alterations to your home or some extensions may be too large for city code without the right permits, so it is best to understand what you can and cannot do to your house before you begin.

Should you have a professional assist with adding a bathroom?

The short answer is yes. In many cases, electrical and plumbing alterations must be handled by a trained professional. If you are confident of your abilities and have the requisite experience, then some steps can be DIY, but ultimately, utilities must be handled by a professional.

Adding a bathroom to your home can help increase its value. To see how much value a bathroom can add, it is best to consult a professional to assess your situation and prevent any unnecessary building mishaps and further costs. For more information and tips, refer to our bathroom buying guide.

Eric Jensen

Eric is the founder and president of Badeloft USA. He has been the president of Badeloft’s US division for over ten years and oversees all marketing and branding aspects of Badeloftusa.com.
His expertise lies in small business development, sales, and home and bathroom industry trends and information.

Contact us with any business related inquiries.