Top 7 Tips to Save Money on Your Bathroom Remodel

Tired of your same-old bathroom and wondering how you can reimagine the space and maximize your investment? With a few affordable bathroom remodel tips, your dollar can go a long way. 

“Remodeling your bathroom can provide you with an in-home spa and add value to your home. Get the most value for your remodel by shopping smart and doing your homework,” says Beezee Honan of Designer Bath.

1. Find Sell-off Areas Online or In Stores

An easy way to save on big-ticket bathroom items is to shop for sales, specifically deep discounts. “Check to see if there is a sell-off area in-store or online,” says Honan. These items are typically ones retailers are looking to offload at a lower price. Often tent sales also have great prices on items you will need for your bathroom remodel, including:

• Faucets

• Sinks

• Shower trim

• Showerheads

• Toilets

• Tubs

• Medicine cabinets

• Mirrors

• Lighting

• Vanities

2. Select an Affordable Finish for Bathroom Fixtures

Faucets, toilet paper holders, and towel racks come in a variety of finishes. You can have fun and mix finishes or select one inexpensive finish to keep on budget. Honan advises choosing chrome as a finish as it is the least expensive option for an affordable bathroom remodel. Some other options include brass, bronze, and copper.

3. Choose In-Stock Items for Your Bathroom

Avoiding items that are on backorder or that you’ll need to order online can not only make your project go more quickly, but can also save you money.

“Select items that are in stock. This can eliminate delivery expenses which can add up quickly,” says Honan. Some advantages of shopping at a brick-and-mortar store are that you can touch and test items when you are comparing them and avoid return fees if you purchase online.

4. Go for Energy-Efficient Bathroom Appliances

When it comes to your bathroom remodel, you may be focusing on saving money right away. However, think big picture: You can save both money and energy annually by installing energy-efficient equipment in your bathroom.

• Install a dual-flush toilet

• Purchase water-saving showerheads

• Add an aerator to your faucet

• Install a skylight or solar panel

• Switch to an energy-efficient water heater

5. DIY What You Can

The more you can DIY, the further you can extend your budget. While you might not be an electrician or a plumbing pro, there are many bathroom upgrades you can make yourself. Some include:

• Hang a new mirror above the vanity

• Install and paint the vanity, then have a local plumber hook up the sink

• Repaint bathroom walls

• Swap cabinet pulls

• Add a towel warmer

• Place a pendant in front of the mirror

• Wallpaper the room with a bold pattern or color

• Hang a chandelier above the tub

• Install peel-and-stick tiles

• Add a frame to the mirror

Every step you do on your own will save you money that you can invest in other areas of your bathroom remodel.  

6. Upgrade the Accessories

A cost-effective way to spruce up your bathroom is to step up any accessories. Changing faucets, light fixtures, towel racks, and cabinet pulls are low-cost ways to add high impact to your bathroom. While these items may seem like small touches, they can elevate your bathroom ambiance. 

7. Prioritize, Plan, and Communicate

Set a budget, develop a plan, and share them with your salesperson. Be as transparent as possible so they can help you stay on track. 

“Communicate your budget to your salesperson and work with that person to prioritize rooms—some people want to design a luxurious [primary] bath spa while others want visitors to their home to experience a ‘wow’ moment when they use the guest bathroom,” says Honan.

How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Typically Cost?

Now that you’ve got plenty of inspiration for your bathroom remodel, find out how much you’ll need to budget to get the job done. Keep in mind that costs can vary by location and how much work you want to do.

Cost to Hire a Pro to Remodel Your Bathroom

The typical cost for a bathroom remodeling project if you hire a local bathroom remodeling contractor ranges from $6,200 to $15,250, with a national average of $10,800. Labor costs for a bath remodel typically run between $50 to $110 per hour for licensed professionals.

DIY Bathroom Remodel Cost

The average cost range for a DIY bathroom remodel is between $3,000 to $8,000. Taking this on yourself will definitely save you money, but it’s important to assess whether the project is in your wheelhouse, or else you could spend more money in the long run.