
The cost to gut a house down to the studs depends on the size of the space and what’s behind your walls. This guide can help you create a budget.
The cost for a bathroom remodel in Boston ranges from $7,339 to $17,928, with a national average of $12,625. You can expect to pay more if you choose high-end materials or change your bathroom layout.
Labor accounts for 40% to 60% of your total remodel budget in the Boston area.
Tile installation in Boston averages around $12.50 per square foot, depending on the material and layout.
Tubs and showers range widely in Boston, from around $500 to over $25,000 for luxury builds.
Many of Boston’s older homes require plumbing updates or custom fittings, which can increase labor and material costs.
As one of the oldest cities in the U.S., Boston is home to a wide mix of historic townhouses, brownstones, and condos, and many of these feature outdated bathrooms that could benefit from a refresh. The average bathroom remodel cost in Boston is $12,625, with most homeowners spending between $7,339 and $17,928. This guide will walk you through Boston remodeling costs and how to budget for them.
Bathroom remodeling costs in Boston vary depending on the age of the home, its layout, and the scope of the remodel. These are the main factors that will impact your total cost.
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 |
Boston homeowners pay an average of $8,900 to cover the cost to install a new shower. A premade shower kit or tub-and-shower combo averages between $516 and $8,600 installed, while a high-end wet room conversion can exceed $25,000 due to extensive tilework, waterproofing, and labor.
The cost of replacing a bathtub in Boston averages between $2,200 and $9,900, depending on the tub style and material. If plumbing rerouting or structural modifications are required, that will raise the final cost.
Style | Average Cost Range (Materials and Labor) |
---|---|
Premade Shower Kit | $516–$1,548 |
Walk-In Shower | $3,636–$7,310 |
Tub-and-Shower Combo | $516–$8,600 |
Tub-to-Shower Conversion | $1,032–$3,096 |
Wet Room Conversion | $1,720–$25,800 |
Cast-Iron Tub | $344–$1,204 |
Acrylic Tub | $601–$11,960 |
Cultured Marble | $1,720–$4,300 |
Fiberglass | $172–$688 |
Steel | $172–$860 |
The cost of installing bathroom tile in Boston averages $12.50 per square foot, but intricate patterns, layouts, or smaller tiles can cost significantly more. For those avoiding tile, luxury vinyl planks provide water resistance and visual warmth that works well in both historic and modern Boston homes.
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 |
In Boston, standard sink installation runs between $270 to $730 on average, depending on the complexity and setup.
Here are the average material costs to consider:
Wall-mount sink: $340–$630
Drop-in sink: $58–$480
Undermount sink: $160–$1,920
Farmhouse sink: $320–$1,920
Pedestal sink: $290–$700
Vessel sink: $410–$4,800
The cost of replacing your bathroom faucets in Boston averages $180 to $380. A countertop-mounted faucet runs $45 to $200 on average, while a wall-mounted version can exceed $800.
If your remodel includes replacing or moving fixtures, a plumber may need to modify existing piping. Rough-in plumbing for a new bathroom or major upgrade averages $7,420. New pipe installation costs between $0.55 and $8.50 per linear foot for materials alone. On average, plumbing updates during a remodel cost $850.
Expect to spend around $415 to install a midrange toilet in Boston, which is slightly higher than the national average.
Toilet Type | Average Cost |
---|---|
Two-piece | $805 |
One-piece | $1,135 |
Wall-mounted | $750 |
Low-flow | $565 |
Dual-flush | $390 |
Upflush | $1,055 |
Composting | $1,000 |
Smart | $4,430 |
New bathroom cabinets range from $110 to $45,780, averaging $220 to $655 per unit. Cabinets, vanities, and medicine cabinets take up significant space outside plumbing fixtures and play a starring role in bathroom remodels. Customized vanities can add around $10,900 to your total.
In Boston, replacing a bathroom vanity countertop costs between $500 and $4,600 on average, including labor and materials.
You'll also want to budget around $350 to remove and dispose of the old countertop and $250 to $1,100 for professional installation. If plumbing adjustments are needed to fit the new setup, hiring a plumber may add to your total cost.
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 | $27,648–$81,448 |
Partial remodel | Updates one or more key fixtures like the sink or tub; more affordable than a full remodel | $11,063–$25,465 |
Minor remodel | Keeps existing layout; focuses on cosmetic updates like paint, vanity, and accessories | $3,303–$10,222 |
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:
Full remodel: A full remodel includes stripping everything out of an existing bathroom and replacing every fixture and surface without altering the plumbing. The three main fixtures in a bathroom are the toilet, sink, and tub or shower. This level of work is an investment but could have some return if you’re updating an old bathroom.
Partial remodel: A partial remodel includes replacing at least one of the three main bathroom fixtures. Planning a partial remodel is a way to start upgrading your bathroom without breaking the bank. Some examples are replacing the sink, updating countertops, and replacing outdated floors.
Minor remodel: A mini remodel includes retaining or refinishing the existing fixtures, new paint or wallpaper, replacing the vanity, or adding accessories, like towel bars and rings, robe hooks, grab bars, bath exhaust fans, or other minor items.
Boston’s historic brownstones and triple-deckers often require custom-sized doors or windows, especially in smaller bathrooms. For homes in older neighborhoods like Beacon Hill or Dorchester, expect potential extra costs for framing or structural adjustments.
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
Painting a bathroom costs between $150 and $900, while wallpaper installation ranges from $3 to $13 per square foot, including materials and labor. Boston homeowners with DIY experience can save on labor by handling the painting themselves, which is a great way to stay within budget.
Finishing touches give your bathroom character and a touch of luxury without breaking the budget.
Towel racks (heated and non-heated): $100–$500
Showerhead: $75–$700
Cabinet hardware installation: $3–$200 per piece
Bidet installation: $40–$2,000
Install a new light fixture: $200–$600
Install a bathroom vent fan with a light: $400
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 Boston, expect your local bathroom remodeler to take up roughly 20% of your overall bathroom remodeling budget. Since older New England homes often need plumbing and electrical updates, total labor costs can land between 40% and 60% of your final bill.
A bathroom remodeler often coordinates the entire crew, but here’s what you might pay if you hire certain pros individually:
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
Boston’s historic homes, many with bathrooms that haven’t been updated in decades, are common across many neighborhoods, making bathroom remodels a smart investment for boosting both home value and buyer appeal. In terms of bathroom remodel ROI, with a high-quality renovation, Boston homeowners can expect to recoup around two-thirds of their investment at resale.
Mid-range remodels tend to offer the best return, while high-end projects may deliver slightly less ROI. Even small updates like modern lighting, new hardware, and a fresh coat of paint can make a big impact in creating a bathroom that feels more modern, clean, 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 survey 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost to gut a house down to the studs depends on the size of the space and what’s behind your walls. This guide can help you create a budget.
A bidet—stand-alone, attachment, spray nozzle, or toilet combo—reduces toilet paper usage and saves money, but how much is a bidet? Here’s how much you’ll pay.
A laundry remodel can add beauty and organization to your home. Learn the factors contributing to your laundry room remodel costs.
If your shower door has been acting up, it’s time to get it back in working order. You can adjust a shower door with some common adjustments.
An updated bathtub can give a bathroom a whole new look. Find out how much it costs to replace a bathtub in Washington, D.C., including prices by type and labor costs.
Home exterior remodel costs depend primarily on what you choose to upgrade. While a significant investment, exterior work can have a high ROI.