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How much does it cost to install plumbing in a bathroom remodel?
Plumbing is the most expensive area of a full bathroom remodel, but it's worth looking into as bathroom remodels provide some of the highest resale returns on investment. This costs guide is looking at the costs for plumbing a 40 sq.ft., first floor basic full bathroom.
Cost breakdown
- Labor: professional plumbers typically charge between $45-$65 per hour. A full plumbing job including the planning, site preparation, fitment and installation of a toilet; bathtub, shower and sink; the hooking up of each fixture to current plumbing, and site clean up will take 46 hours and cost between $2070 and $2990.
- Materials and supplies: the basic materials and supplies to complete the plumbing in a bathroom includes adhesives, fittings, sealers 1, and finishes. These can be expected to cost around $100.
- Fixtures: the cost of the fixtures will depend greatly on the style and quality chosen. For a low cost bathtub expect to pay $400-$1500. A shower will cost between $450-$2000. A new sink will cost around $100-$500. A new toilet can be expected to cost around $100 and $250.
- Removal and disposal fees: the cost to remove and dispose old plumbing fixtures, including toilet, sink, bathtub and shower will be around $150 and 10 hours of labor costing between $450-$650.
Enhancement and improvement costs
- Change the floorplan of your bathroom by altering where the toilet, sink or bath is placed. It can cost $500-$1000 to move sink (or any plumbing appliance) more than three feet.
- Upgrade fixtures based on your budget.
| Item | Low Cost | Medium Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathtub | $400-$1500 | $2000-$4500 | $5000-$8000 |
| Shower | $450-$2000 | $2500-$4000 | $6,000-$10,000 |
| Sink | $100-$500 | $1000-$1500 | $2000-$6500 |
| Toilet | $100-$250 | $350-$500 | $550-$700 |
Additional considerations and costs
- If moving any bathroom fixture, a permit will be needed. Permits vary by county, but typically cost around $75.
Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet
Definitions in laymen's terms, cost considerations, pictures and things you need to know.See full cheat sheet.
How much does it cost to install plumbing in a bathroom remodel in my city?
Cost to install plumbing in a bathroom remodel varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
Labor cost by city and zip code
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