
Accessory dwelling units can be a smart investment, but your ADU cost will depend on the size, type, and materials you choose. Here’s how it breaks down.
The cost for a bathroom remodel in Washington, D.C. ranges from $7,080 to $18,260, with a national average of $12,651. You can expect to pay more if you choose high-end materials or change your bathroom layout.
Bathroom remodel costs are heavily influenced by the age of the home, layout limitations, and whether plumbing or electrical systems require upgrades to meet local building codes.
Installing a new shower in D.C. averages $7,100, while bathtub replacements range from $2,100 to $9,700.
Expect to pay about $12.50 per square foot for new bathroom flooring, with tile installation costing more due to additional labor.
Labor costs make up 40% to 60% of your total remodel budget in the D.C. area.
From historic rowhouses on Capitol Hill to contemporary condos in downtown, D.C. homes often feature bathrooms ready for a refresh to boost both comfort and resale value. The average cost of a bathroom remodel in Washington, D.C. is $12,651, with most projects falling between $7,080 and $18,260. Let’s review what to expect from your bathroom remodeling budget in the nation’s capital.
The cost of remodeling a bathroom in Washington, D.C. is shaped by several key elements, including the home’s age, layout, and the type of finishes selected. These are the main cost factors to consider.
The size and layout of your bathroom are the first places to start when estimating the cost of renovations. Bathroom remodels range from $70 to $250 per square foot, depending on the type of bathroom and whether you opt for basic or designer finishes.
If you have a larger bathroom, need to completely remove a tub, or want a custom vanity or custom features, such as a unique shower door, you can expect to pay more during a bathroom remodel.
In addition to defining the scope of your project, you’ll want to decide which type of materials you’ll be investing in for your remodel. There are three different levels to choose from, with their own benefits and drawbacks:
Material Level | Description | Examples |
---|---|---|
DIY | The quality is lowest in this category, but installation is often doable for a DIYer, which helps save money in the long run. | Faucets or shower stalls found at big-box stores |
Mid-range | Mid-range fixtures and materials offer a good balance between durability and affordability and are a notch or two higher in quality. They cost more but will last longer with proper maintenance. | Kohler toilet or ceramic tile |
Upscale | Luxury bathroom features include custom or high-end materials with high durability and numerous options | Soaking tub, steam room, quartz countertops, glass tiles |
In Washington, DC, the average cost to install a new shower is about $7,100, with most projects falling between $500 and $15,000, depending on materials and layout changes.
Bathtub replacement costs in DC usually range from $2,100 to $9,700. Lower-cost options include fiberglass and steel tubs, while premium choices like acrylic, cast iron, or cultured marble can significantly increase the final price.
Style | Average Cost Range (Materials and Labor) |
---|---|
Premade Shower Kit | $516–$1,548 |
Walk-In Shower | $3,610–$7,306 |
Tub-and-Shower Combo | $516–$8,590 |
Tub-to-Shower Conversion | $1,032–$3,090 |
Wet Room Conversion | $1,720–$25,740 |
Cast-Iron Tub | $344–$1,204 |
Acrylic Tub | $602–$12,040 |
Cultured Marble | $1,720–$4,300 |
Fiberglass | $172–$688 |
Steel | $172–$860 |
In the D.C. area, expect to pay around $12.50 per square foot to cover the cost of new bathroom flooring. Here are the average material costs to consider for different tiles and flooring materials.
Tile or Flooring Material | Cost per Square Foot (Materials Only) |
---|---|
Ceramic | $2–$30 |
Porcelain | $2–$30 |
Laminate | $2–$11 |
Corian | $8–$90 |
Granite Slab | $4–$15 |
Marble | $5–$35 |
Stainless Steel | $6–$25 |
Vinyl | $1–$14 |
Polished concrete | $3–$8 |
Sink installations in Washington, DC average $215 to $580 for mid-range models. Here are the average material costs for each sink style:
Wall-mount sink: $330–$610
Drop-in sink: $57–$470
Undermount sink: $160–$1,880
Farmhouse sink: $330–$1,880
Pedestal sink: $300–$680
Vessel sink: $420–$4,700
In Washington, D.C., the cost of replacing bathroom faucets averages around $180 to $380. Prices vary depending on how the faucet mounts and the type of finish. A standard countertop-mounted faucet may cost $40 to $210, while wall-mounted faucets can exceed $795.
If new fixtures require plumbing changes, a professional may need to reroute pipes. Rough-in plumbing for a major remodel in DC averages around $7,420. Installing new pipes costs $0.50 to $8.50 per linear foot for materials. For basic plumbing updates during a remodel, budget around $850.
Installing a mid-range toilet in Washington, D.C. generally costs around $400, reflecting the city’s slightly above-average bathroom remodel expenses. Here are the average local costs to consider for each type of toilet.
Toilet Type | Average Cost |
---|---|
Two-piece | $780 |
One-piece | $1,105 |
Wall-mounted | $730 |
Low-flow | $550 |
Dual-flush | $380 |
Upflush | $1,025 |
Composting | $970 |
Smart | $4,315 |
Washington, D.C. homeowners can expect to pay between $95 and $37,740 for bathroom cabinets, averaging $185 to $540 per unit. Cabinets, vanities, and medicine cabinets make up a large portion of the space outside plumbing fixtures. Custom vanities add about $8,900 to your budget. DIY shelf units cost around $50 to $95, with professional installation running up to $1,295.
In Washington, D.C., replacing a bathroom vanity countertopcosts between $440 and $4,800, including both labor and materials.
If you’re opting for a stock vanity with a built-in top, prices typically range from $100 to $2,600. For a more tailored look, custom countertops usually fall between $500 and $2,800, depending on your material choice.
Don’t forget to budget around $300 for removal and disposal of your old countertop and between $200 and $1,000 for installation labor. If your new vanity requires plumbing adjustments, you may also need to hire a plumber to modify the connections.
Countertop Material | Average Cost per Square Foot |
---|---|
Ceramic | $1–$15 |
Porcelain | $3–$28 |
Laminate | $8–$27 |
Corian | $20–$75 |
Granite slab | $15–$140 |
Marble | $15–$190 |
Stainless steel | $60–$100 |
Scale of Project | Description | Average Cost |
---|---|---|
Full remodel | Replaces all fixtures and surfaces without moving plumbing; major update with potential ROI | $26,800–$86,500 |
Partial remodel | Updates one or more key fixtures like the sink or tub; more affordable than a full remodel | $10,700–$26,800 |
Minor remodel | Keeps existing layout; focuses on cosmetic updates like paint, vanity, and accessories | $3,200–$10,700 |
Defining the scope of your bathroom remodeling project will help you set a realistic budget, depending on your goals. For example, the extent of the work being done and the brand, model, and color of items like new toilets and faucets factor into the scope. Determine whether your project is a minor, partial, or full remodel:
Proper ventilation is crucial in the District’s humid summers and chilly winters to prevent mold, especially in bathrooms with limited natural airflow. In many of DC’s older homes, retrofitting ventilation systems may require extra electrical upgrades or creative solutions to meet code.
Install a bathroom vent fan with a light: $400
Install a vent with a heating lamp: $425
Install a wall-mounted vent: $130
Install a new light fixture: $200–$600
Replacing old windows or doors can help with energy efficiency—an important consideration during the hot, humid summers and cold winters.
New door installation: $375–$1,300
Trim installation: $2–$3 per linear foot
New bathroom hardware: Around $200
Replace an existing window: $100–$300 per window
Install glass block windows: $460–$980
Bathroom painting in Washington, D.C. costs between $150 and $900, while wallpaper installation averages $2 to $6 per square foot for supplies and $1 to $7 per square foot for labor. If you’re going for a budget-friendly boost, consider painting the space yourself.
D.C. homeowners often lean into sleek, smart features that add convenience, like heated towel bars, bidets, and modern fixtures. Here are a few options to consider:
Towel racks (heated and non-heated): $100–$500
Showerhead: $75–$700
Cabinet hardware installation: $3–$200 per piece
Bidet installation: $40–$2,000
The demolition of your old bathroom will add between $1,000 and $2,300 to your bill. Make sure to double-check that these costs are in your contractor’s estimate. Your contractor will charge their hourly rate to clean up your space after the remodel, but you may have to hire a junk removal service to dispose of your old tiles, flooring, and fixtures for about $100 to $800.
In the D.C. area, local bathroom remodelers charge about 20% of the total bathroom remodeling cost. Full renovations often require support from electricians, plumbers, and tile installers, so labor overall tends to take up between 40% and 60% of the total budget.
If you're working with a bathroom contractor, they’ll likely bring in subcontractors as needed. If you’re sourcing specialists yourself, expect to pay around the following rates in Washington, D.C.:
Hourly rate plumbers charge: $45–$200 per hour
Cost to hire an interior designer: $50–$200 per hour
Cost to hire an electrician: $50–$200 per hour
Hourly rate for HVAC repairs: $100–$250 per hour
In Washington, D.C., where many homes feature aging bathrooms tucked inside historic rowhouses or prewar buildings, remodeling can have a major impact on value and livability. A quality bathroom renovation can boost both resale value and curb appeal, with homeowners typically recouping around 65% to 68% of the project cost.
Mid-range updates tend to offer the strongest ROI for a bathroom remodel in D.C.’s market, while high-end remodels may appeal more to niche buyers. Even minor cosmetic changes, like swapping out outdated fixtures or improving lighting, can help a home feel more modern and move-in ready.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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