Cost of bathroom renovations in DC metro area?

[My2Princesses]

We're looking at a bathroom renovation in the near future and I'm wondering about the typical cost in the DC area (we're in MoCo). It's a small master bath, about 5 feet wide by 8 feet long (including the standing shower). So far the estimates have been either around $5,000 or higher at $9-12,000. I'm trying to figure out if the lower one is normal and the higher ones are trying to bleed me dry, or if the lower ones are too low (indicative of shoddy work) and I really am looking at $9-12,000. It would be a mid-line renovation (not cheap but not too expensive/high end). We're in a townhouse.

Thanks for any info you might have!

[Anonymous]

I think your $9-12 figure is probably more like it. Nothing fancy but you'll get some nice things like - better shower heads, granite, better toilets (don't do cheap toilets!), maybe a tub with jets.

[Anonymous]

$10-12 is probably about right for a mid-range renovation

[Anonymous]

Builder here. Not in your area. 10-12 is on the money.

[Anonymous]

5 to 7

[Anonymous]

My2Princesses wrote:We're looking at a bathroom renovation in the near future and I'm wondering about the typical cost in the DC area (we're in MoCo). It's a small master bath, about 5 feet wide by 8 feet long (including the standing shower). So far the estimates have been either around $5,000 or higher at $9-12,000. I'm trying to figure out if the lower one is normal and the higher ones are trying to bleed me dry, or if the lower ones are too low (indicative of shoddy work) and I really am looking at $9-12,000. It would be a mid-line renovation (not cheap but not too expensive/high end). We're in a townhouse.

You need to clarify what "bathroom renovation" comprises. Are you expecting to alter the structure, relocate sinks, relocate toilets, etc? Add things like heated flooring, a steam shower, etc? If you are simply trading vanities, changing tiles, changing fixtures, and replacing toilets, $9-12k for tiny bathroom is ripoff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

My2Princesses wrote:We're looking at a bathroom renovation in the near future and I'm wondering about the typical cost in the DC area (we're in MoCo). It's a small master bath, about 5 feet wide by 8 feet long (including the standing shower). So far the estimates have been either around $5,000 or higher at $9-12,000. I'm trying to figure out if the lower one is normal and the higher ones are trying to bleed me dry, or if the lower ones are too low (indicative of shoddy work) and I really am looking at $9-12,000. It would be a mid-line renovation (not cheap but not too expensive/high end). We're in a townhouse.

You need to clarify what "bathroom renovation" comprises. Are you expecting to alter the structure, relocate sinks, relocate toilets, etc? Add things like heated flooring, a steam shower, etc? If you are simply trading vanities, changing tiles, changing fixtures, and replacing toilets, $9-12k for tiny bathroom is ripoff.

By "renovation" I mean gut existing bathroom (standing shower, cabinet, tiles on floor), rebuild new standing shower, new floor tiles, new cabinet with granite countertop, new lights, new mirror/cabinet, maybe new toilet. No structural changes or relocating sink or toilet. From feedback here and elsewhere, looks like we are indeed looking at $9-12K for a tiny bathroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

My2Princesses wrote:We're looking at a bathroom renovation in the near future and I'm wondering about the typical cost in the DC area (we're in MoCo). It's a small master bath, about 5 feet wide by 8 feet long (including the standing shower). So far the estimates have been either around $5,000 or higher at $9-12,000. I'm trying to figure out if the lower one is normal and the higher ones are trying to bleed me dry, or if the lower ones are too low (indicative of shoddy work) and I really am looking at $9-12,000. It would be a mid-line renovation (not cheap but not too expensive/high end). We're in a townhouse.

You need to clarify what "bathroom renovation" comprises. Are you expecting to alter the structure, relocate sinks, relocate toilets, etc? Add things like heated flooring, a steam shower, etc? If you are simply trading vanities, changing tiles, changing fixtures, and replacing toilets, $9-12k for tiny bathroom is ripoff.

By "renovation" I mean gut existing bathroom (standing shower, cabinet, tiles on floor), rebuild new standing shower, new floor tiles, new cabinet with granite countertop, new lights, new mirror/cabinet, maybe new toilet. No structural changes or relocating sink or toilet. From feedback here and elsewhere, looks like we are indeed looking at $9-12K for a tiny bathroom.

I think you can beat $9k, especially if there's no new plumbing or electrical involved. Rebuilding a 5x8 bathroom is not a big job.

[Anonymous]

Anything over 6k is a con, from a contractor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

My2Princesses wrote:We're looking at a bathroom renovation in the near future and I'm wondering about the typical cost in the DC area (we're in MoCo). It's a small master bath, about 5 feet wide by 8 feet long (including the standing shower). So far the estimates have been either around $5,000 or higher at $9-12,000. I'm trying to figure out if the lower one is normal and the higher ones are trying to bleed me dry, or if the lower ones are too low (indicative of shoddy work) and I really am looking at $9-12,000. It would be a mid-line renovation (not cheap but not too expensive/high end). We're in a townhouse.

You need to clarify what "bathroom renovation" comprises. Are you expecting to alter the structure, relocate sinks, relocate toilets, etc? Add things like heated flooring, a steam shower, etc? If you are simply trading vanities, changing tiles, changing fixtures, and replacing toilets, $9-12k for tiny bathroom is ripoff.

By "renovation" I mean gut existing bathroom (standing shower, cabinet, tiles on floor), rebuild new standing shower, new floor tiles, new cabinet with granite countertop, new lights, new mirror/cabinet, maybe new toilet. No structural changes or relocating sink or toilet. From feedback here and elsewhere, looks like we are indeed looking at $9-12K for a tiny bathroom.

I think you can beat $9k, especially if there's no new plumbing or electrical involved. Rebuilding a 5x8 bathroom is not a big job.

You will want to get specifics from the contractors that you talk to. You can get a plastic shower pan or a poured/tiled shower pan for instance. A cheap shower door or something more substantial....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will want to get specifics from the contractors that you talk to. You can get a plastic shower pan or a poured/tiled shower pan for instance. A cheap shower door or something more substantial....

Agreed! If there's a dollar amount the OP would prefer to spend, best to identify it to the GC. Something as simple as fixtures (Grohe vs. Moen) can impact a budget by $1000, easily...even tile can add/remove $500 depending on the grade/material.

[Anonymous]

I got three estimates in Arlington for the same bathroom. $7k, $8k (note - plumbing & electrical replaced, but these quotes didn't include permits. Permits would be 2-3k more). Third estimate was $15,500.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got three estimates in Arlington for the same bathroom. $7k, $8k (note - plumbing & electrical replaced, but these quotes didn't include permits. Permits would be 2-3k more). Third estimate was $15,500.

Why were permits $2-3k more? Is that even legal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

My2Princesses wrote:We're looking at a bathroom renovation in the near future and I'm wondering about the typical cost in the DC area (we're in MoCo). It's a small master bath, about 5 feet wide by 8 feet long (including the standing shower). So far the estimates have been either around $5,000 or higher at $9-12,000. I'm trying to figure out if the lower one is normal and the higher ones are trying to bleed me dry, or if the lower ones are too low (indicative of shoddy work) and I really am looking at $9-12,000. It would be a mid-line renovation (not cheap but not too expensive/high end). We're in a townhouse.

You need to clarify what "bathroom renovation" comprises. Are you expecting to alter the structure, relocate sinks, relocate toilets, etc? Add things like heated flooring, a steam shower, etc? If you are simply trading vanities, changing tiles, changing fixtures, and replacing toilets, $9-12k for tiny bathroom is ripoff.

By "renovation" I mean gut existing bathroom (standing shower, cabinet, tiles on floor), rebuild new standing shower, new floor tiles, new cabinet with granite countertop, new lights, new mirror/cabinet, maybe new toilet. No structural changes or relocating sink or toilet. From feedback here and elsewhere, looks like we are indeed looking at $9-12K for a tiny bathroom.

I think you can beat $9k, especially if there's no new plumbing or electrical involved. Rebuilding a 5x8 bathroom is not a big job.

I would think a 5x8 bathroom wouldn't be terribly difficult. I had one person here the other day and I was given a preliminary quote of 9-12. Our immediate neighbor just had their ENTIRE kitchen remodeled with the same company for around $13K (cabinets, granite counter tops, appliances, lighting, etc.). I was amazed that my tiny little bathroom would be in the same ballpark! In fact, I had another quote (via phone, sight unseen) today for $17K-23K!!! That's ridiculous!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got three estimates in Arlington for the same bathroom. $7k, $8k (note - plumbing & electrical replaced, but these quotes didn't include permits. Permits would be 2-3k more). Third estimate was $15,500.

Why were permits $2-3k more? Is that even legal?

The break in the time for the work. They said they could do the job in 6 days. Pulling the permits woukd require the work to start, then stop and wait for the inspection. Start again, then stop and wait for the next inspection. And the permits themselves cost money. He said we could save some money by going to pull the permits ourselves. We might go this route as we want all the 1940s plumbing and electrical pulled and replaced.