Key takeaways
- Cost vs. Value 2025 puts a midrange bath remodel at $30,158 in the Middle Atlantic (NJ) and $25,609 in the South Atlantic (VA, MD, DC, GA).
- Midrange remodels recouped about 79.9% in the Middle Atlantic and 75.3% in the South Atlantic in 2025.
- An upscale bath remodel in the Middle Atlantic ran $90,090 in job cost and recouped 42.2% in 2025.
- Moving plumbing is the single biggest cost driver; HomeGuide puts the cost at $450 to $1,800 per fixture moved.
- Tub-to-shower conversions typically run $1,200 to $3,600 according to HomeAdvisor.
A midrange bathroom remodel in North New Jersey runs about $30,158 in job cost, according to the 2025 Cost vs. Value report published by JLC Online. In Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, and Georgia, the same scope costs about $25,609. Those figures cover a full replacement of all finishes and fixtures in an existing 5-by-7-foot bathroom: new tile floor and one tiled wall, a new vanity with countertop and sink, a new toilet, a new tub/shower surround, and updated accessories. A light cosmetic update costs less. An upscale renovation that expands the footprint and relocates fixtures costs considerably more.
How to read these numbers: figures attributed to a named report are quoted from it. Ranges in headings and line-item costs are Renovexus planning estimates built from those reports, not quotes. Get written bids for your own bathroom before you set a budget.
Costs at a glance
Planning ranges are Renovexus estimates; figures attributed to a specific report are quoted from it.
| Scope | Typical job cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Light update (all regions) | $5,000 to $15,000 | Renovexus planning estimate |
| Midrange bath remodel, Middle Atlantic (NJ) | $30,158 | Cost vs. Value 2025, Middle Atlantic |
| Midrange bath remodel, South Atlantic (VA, MD, DC, GA) | $25,609 | Cost vs. Value 2025, South Atlantic |
| Universal design bath remodel, Middle Atlantic | $46,763 | Cost vs. Value 2025, Middle Atlantic |
| Universal design bath remodel, South Atlantic | $41,203 | Cost vs. Value 2025, South Atlantic |
| Upscale bath remodel, Middle Atlantic (NJ) | $90,090 | Cost vs. Value 2025, Middle Atlantic |
| Upscale bath remodel (national benchmark) | $81,612 | Cost vs. Value 2025, national |
| Upscale bathroom addition, Middle Atlantic | $125,217 | Cost vs. Value 2025, Middle Atlantic |
Light update: $5,000 to $15,000
A light update replaces fixtures, hardware, and visible surfaces without moving any plumbing lines. Typical scope: new vanity with faucet, updated lighting, a new toilet, fresh paint, and new flooring. No structural permits are required in most jurisdictions for this scope.
HomeAdvisor puts a full bathroom remodel at $3,500 to $20,000 depending on material quality and the size of the space. A focused cosmetic refresh of a secondary full bath, keeping all plumbing in place, typically falls in the $5,000 to $15,000 range across all five of our markets. The gap between NJ and the South Atlantic states is smaller at this scope because labor differences matter less when fewer hours are involved.
Angi puts a minor bathroom remodel at $3,000 to $10,000 and a partial update at $10,000 to $25,000. HomeGuide’s minor category runs $3,500 to $7,500. The variation reflects how broadly each source defines “minor.”
Midrange remodel: $25,000 to $45,000
The Cost vs. Value midrange scope replaces all finishes and fixtures in an existing 5-by-7-foot bathroom: a new tile floor, a tiled wall in the tub or shower area, a new vanity with solid-surface countertop and sink, a new toilet, a new tub and shower, and all trim and accessories. Plumbing stays in its existing location.
Cost vs. Value 2025 (Middle Atlantic region) puts the midrange bath remodel at $30,158 in job cost for New Jersey and the surrounding Middle Atlantic states. At resale, the project returned $24,097, recouping approximately 79.9% of what was spent.
Cost vs. Value 2025 (South Atlantic region) puts the same scope at $25,609 for VA, MD, DC, and GA. The resale value came in at $19,273, recouping 75.3% of cost.
The roughly $4,500 gap between the two regions reflects higher trade labor costs in the NJ and greater New York markets compared to the South Atlantic average.
Universal design bath remodel
A universal design conversion updates the same 5-by-7 footprint to meet accessibility standards: a zero-threshold walk-in shower with fold-out bench and adjustable showerhead, a comfort-height toilet, a 36-inch-wide doorway, an accessible vanity, and electric radiant heat under luxury vinyl tile.
Cost vs. Value 2025 puts the universal design bath remodel at $46,763 in job cost in the Middle Atlantic region, recouping 64.1% at resale ($29,995 returned). In the South Atlantic, the regional average came in at $41,203, recouping 61.5%. The structural framing and expanded doorway on this scope typically require a building permit in all five of our markets.
Upscale remodel: $75,000 and above
An upscale bathroom renovation expands the room and relocates fixtures. The Cost vs. Value definition for this scope: expanding an existing 35-square-foot master bath to 100 square feet within the existing house footprint, relocating all fixtures, installing a neo-angle shower with ceramic tile and a frameless glass enclosure, adding a freestanding soaker tub, a stone countertop with two sinks, mirrored medicine cabinets, and a compartmentalized commode area.
Cost vs. Value 2025 (Middle Atlantic) puts the upscale bath remodel at $90,090 in job cost, returning $38,055 at resale and recouping approximately 42.2%. Adding a full bathroom from scratch (an upscale bathroom addition in the same region) runs $125,217 in job cost and recouped 35.6%.
For the South Atlantic region (VA, MD, DC, GA), the 2025 South Atlantic regional page was not accessible at the time of writing. The 2025 national benchmark for an upscale bath remodel is $81,612, with 41.7% recouped nationally. NJ projects consistently run above the national average at this scope. Projects in the DC metro market often approach the Middle Atlantic benchmark because of shared labor markets.
What drives cost
Plumbing location is the single biggest variable. Keeping the toilet, sink, and shower or tub drain exactly where they are is the most effective way to control your budget. Moving a toilet line or shower drain requires opening the floor, running new drain pipe, and patching and retiling around the new location. HomeGuide puts the cost of moving plumbing at $450 to $1,800 per fixture. A project that relocates two or three fixtures can add $2,000 to $5,000 to the total before any surface is updated.
Tile selection and coverage. Floor tile runs $0.50 to $15 per square foot for ceramic, porcelain, and stone at standard grades, according to HomeAdvisor, with luxury materials reaching $35 per square foot. A typical bathroom floor and shower surround together cover 60 to 120 square feet of tile surface. Choosing large-format stone for every wall is one of the fastest ways to raise project cost.
Vanity. A stock vanity with sink and faucet runs $400 to $1,700 installed, per HomeGuide. A semi-custom or made-to-order unit runs $1,000 to $4,000. A premium double vanity for a master bath can reach $6,000 or more installed.
Tub-to-shower conversion. Converting an existing tub to a walk-in shower averages $1,200 to $3,600 according to HomeAdvisor. Projects requiring a new liner, curb or curbless pan, full tile, and a frameless glass door can reach $8,000 or more.
Shower glass and hardware. A standard rod and curtain adds almost nothing to the total. A frameless glass enclosure adds $1,500 to $4,000 depending on configuration and size.
Labor differences by market
North Jersey. Labor costs in the NJ metro market are among the highest in the five-state area. The Middle Atlantic Cost vs. Value figures run $4,000 to $5,000 above the South Atlantic for the same midrange scope.
Northern Virginia and Washington DC. The metro DC labor market serves Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland, and the District. Projects in Fairfax, Arlington, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County draw from the same pool of licensed tradespeople and typically run at the upper end of the South Atlantic regional range.
Maryland. Projects in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties track the DC metro market. Work in Frederick, Howard, and Anne Arundel counties typically lands closer to the South Atlantic regional average.
Georgia and Atlanta. Midrange projects in the Atlanta metro typically come in near or slightly below the South Atlantic regional average. Labor costs in Fulton, Cobb, and DeKalb counties run somewhat higher than in outlying Georgia markets.
Permits
Most jurisdictions require a building permit for any bathroom work that involves structural changes, moving plumbing, or replacing electrical components. Plumbing and electrical permits are typically required separately when those systems are touched. A cosmetic update that replaces fixtures in-kind without moving anything may not require a permit in many jurisdictions, but requirements vary.
See our per-state permit guides for fee ranges, required inspections, and contractor licensing requirements:
- NJ bathroom remodel permit guide
- Virginia kitchen and bathroom remodel permit guide
- Maryland kitchen and bathroom remodel permit guide
- DC kitchen and bathroom remodel permit guide
- Georgia kitchen and bathroom remodel permit guide
Find a bathroom remodeler
Ready to get bids? Browse verified bathroom remodelers in your area: bathroom remodelers in North Jersey, Northern Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Georgia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of a bathroom remodel in 2026?
HomeAdvisor puts the national average at $12,153, with most projects falling between $6,651 and $17,660. That range covers a standard full bath with mid-grade materials and no layout changes. Primary bathroom renovations with expanded square footage and high-specification finishes run $40,000 to $80,000 and above.
Does bathroom remodel cost vary much between NJ and the South Atlantic states?
Yes, noticeably for midrange and upscale scopes. Cost vs. Value 2025 shows a roughly $4,500 to $8,000 gap between the Middle Atlantic (NJ) and South Atlantic (VA, MD, DC, GA) regions on the same project scopes. The gap narrows for light updates and widens for larger upscale projects with more labor hours.
Should I move plumbing to get the layout I want?
Moving plumbing significantly raises cost and scope. HomeGuide estimates $450 to $1,800 per fixture to relocate plumbing lines, and in older homes with cast iron drain lines the cost is often higher. If the existing layout is functional, keeping fixtures in place is almost always the right financial call. If an accessibility renovation requires a different layout, plan for the added cost and confirm permit requirements before starting.
How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost?
HomeAdvisor puts a tub-to-shower conversion at $1,200 to $3,600 for a basic conversion. A project that adds a curbless pan, full tile walls, a custom bench, and a frameless glass enclosure typically runs $5,000 to $10,000 depending on tile selection and glass configuration.
How do I get an accurate quote?
The figures in this guide are benchmarks, not bids. The only reliable way to price your project is to have a licensed contractor measure the space, review your selections, and deliver a written, line-item proposal. Get at least two quotes from licensed contractors before committing to a budget or a contractor.
Sources
- Remodeling Cost vs. Value 2025: Middle Atlantic Region jlconline.com
- Remodeling Cost vs. Value 2025: South Atlantic Region jlconline.com
- HomeAdvisor: Bathroom Remodel Cost 2025 homeadvisor.com
- Angi: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost? 2026 angi.com
- HomeGuide: Bathroom Remodel Cost 2026 homeguide.com
