The cost of a bathroom remodel varies based on your design choices and project scope. That said, we’ve helped countless homeowners with bathroom remodeling projects and can provide some general guidance on how much your project might cost.
In this post we’ll provide some Portland-specific data and dive into how the remodeling decisions you’ll make will directly influence cost.
Here’s everything we’ll cover:
- Average Bathroom Remodel Cost in Portland
- The Different Levels of Bathroom Remodel
- Where Does the Money Go in a Bathroom Remodel Budget?
- Factors that Increase Bathroom Remodeling Costs
- How to Save Money on a Bathroom Remodel
Average Bathroom Remodel Cost in Portland?
The wide range of scope for different bathroom remodels can make it difficult to estimate exactly how much yours will cost. According to data published in the 2023 Cost vs. Value Report, the average cost of an upscale bathroom remodel in the Portland area is $88,627.
In 2023, our median cost for a bathroom remodel in Portland was $90,780. However, the least expensive bathroom remodel we did cost $16,000, while the most expensive bathroom remodel cost $212,000, so there’s certainly a range.
Start Your Custom Bathroom Remodel
What Are The Different Types of Bathroom Remodels?
We split bathroom remodels in three categories: Cosmetic, Pull and Replace, and Full Custom Remodel. A Cosmetic Refresh is the simplest of the three, geared towards updating the look of your bathroom to better match your style. Full Custom Remodels overhaul the bathroom to provide a new layout and major updates.
Let’s look at each type of remodel.
Cosmetic Refresh
HALF BATHROOM
— 25 – 40 SQ FT —
$10,000 – $20,000
FULL BATHROOM
— 40 – 60 SQ FT —
$20,000 – $40,000
PRIMARY BATHROOM
— 60 – 200 SQ FT —
$40,000 – $75,000


A cosmetic refresh updates your bathroom’s appearance through surface-level changes while keeping major elements in place. This budget-friendly option includes:
- New countertops, flooring, or plumbing fixtures
- Existing shower, sink, toilet, and vanity remain
- No changes to bathroom layout or functionality
Perfect for homeowners seeking an affordable visual upgrade without structural changes.
Our Favorite Bathroom Remodels
Pull-and-Replace
HALF BATHROOM
— 25 – 40 SQ FT —
$15,000 – $35,000
FULL BATHROOM
— 40 – 60 SQ FT —
$35,000 – $60,000
PRIMARY BATHROOM
— 60 – 200 SQ FT —
$60,000 – $120,000


A pull-and-replace remodel installs new fixtures and finishes while maintaining your bathroom’s existing layout. This includes:
- All new fixtures (shower, toilet, vanity, mirror)
- Same placement as original elements
- Uses existing plumbing and electrical connections
This option costs less than a full remodel since it doesn’t require moving utility lines, making it ideal for updating outdated bathrooms without structural changes. Homeowners will often choose this type of bathroom remodel when they want to replace a fiberglass tub-shower combo without rearranging the entire bathroom.
Full Custom Remodel
HALF BATHROOM
— 25 – 40 SQ FT —
$25,000 – $45,000
FULL BATHROOM
— 40 – 60 SQ FT —
$45,000 – $75,000
PRIMARY BATHROOM
— 60 – 200 SQ FT —
$75,000 – $200,000+


A full custom remodel offers complete design flexibility to create your ideal bathroom. This premium option allows:
- Complete layout redesign
- Relocation of walls, fixtures, and plumbing
- Personalized features for comfort and accessibility
While the most expensive choice, a custom remodel transforms your space to perfectly match your needs, whether you’re creating a luxury master suite or improving accessibility.
Have specific questions about your project? Reach out to one of our Design Consultants for guidance on which type of bathroom remodel is right for you.
Where Does the Money Go in a Bathroom Remodel Budget?
When it comes to high-cost purchases like a bathroom remodel, it’s important to know how money is being spent. Below, you can read through a breakdown of the total cost of a bathroom remodel.

Plumbing & Electrical – 26%
Almost any bathroom remodel requires at least some form of plumbing work. The more you change your bathroom’s layout, the more your plumbing costs will increase. Electrical work also costs more when you choose to move lighting fixtures or switches. The extensive work required by skilled tradesmen in a bathroom remodel is why plumbing and electrical is often the most expensive part of the project. Plumbing fixtures can cost between $4,000 to $15,000, and are included in this category, as well.
Painting & Drywall – 14%
Another major cost factor when changing the arrangement of a bathroom is the walls. If your build team has to open your walls to move plumbing, rearrange fixtures, or move a shower, that will also dramatically add to the cost. This is because drywall must be installed, textured, and painted to match the rest of the bathroom.
Tile – 12%
Although tile itself isn’t especially expensive, the labor required to install it is. Tile setting is a complicated process that requires practice and experience to perform correctly. Custom tile showers, tile floors, or tile backsplashes can take up a large portion of the budget if you choose to go this route.
Finish Work – 11%
After all the major items in the bathroom are installed, the finish carpentry begins. This is the phase where your bathroom goes from rough installation to move-in-ready. The build team will install trim, mirrors, door casings, windows, cabinet hardware, towel racks, and perform any other required polish-ups to get your bathroom ready for you to start using.
Cabinets & Countertops – 11%
Bathroom vanities and countertops don’t take up as much of the budget as they do kitchen remodels. However, they can still make a substantial difference in your total cost depending on the cabinet line and countertop material you choose.
Demolition – 7%
In order to get a new bathroom, the old one has to go. Believe it or not, demolition is more than just destroying things with a hammer until there’s room for the new bathroom. The process of demolition requires great attention to detail in order to prep the surfaces for new items to go in. This process can take up to two days for a standard-sized bathroom.
General & Administrative – 7%
Any construction company you hire to do a remodel will have overhead expenses to cover. As a rule of thumb, the more value a contractor brings to the project, the higher their overhead will be. This may include company vehicles, warehouse and shipping costs, and administrative personnel.
Design – 6%
If you want a bathroom remodel that meets your needs and reflects your style, a good design is the best place to start. It sets expectations clearly from the beginning and gives your builders clear instructions on what needs to be done.
Framing – 5%
For bathroom remodels with major structural changes, the framing costs can make up a big portion of the bill. The most obvious case where you’ll need framing work is if you are enlarging your bathroom. However, it can happen if you add or change the size of a window, move your shower, or need water damage repair.
Cleanup – 1%
Any courteous construction company will make sure to leave your remodel space squeaky clean before you move in. Sometimes, this involves cleaning out the space themselves. At Lamont Bros., we hire a professional cleaning service to deep clean the entire remodel space so it’s ready for you to start using.
Preparing For a Bathroom Remodel?
Read Our Bathroom Remodel Buyer’s Guide!
Discover your remodeling options in this free guide written by the experts at Lamont Bros. We cover the different ways to remodel your bathroom, potential cost, and remodeling best practices.

How Much Impact Does Your Contractor Have on the Cost of Your Bathroom Remodel?
The type of builder you hire to complete a bathroom remodel has a direct impact on your total bill. A design-build firm like Lamont Bros. generally incorporates costs for design, permitting, and subcontractor work into their pricing structure.
Other remodelers, such as general contractors, handymen, independent designers, and specialized artisans all have different cost structures and exclusions. Understanding the differences between these types of contractors can help you be more informed when it comes to hiring a contractor who meets your bathroom remodel’s needs.
What Can Increase The Cost of My Bathroom Remodel?
When remodeling your bathroom, there are a few things that can quickly drive up your cost. It’s important to be aware of how the choices you make in the design of your remodel can affect your overall cost. If you’re on a strict budget, here’s what you should try to avoid.
Plumbing changes
Unless the placement of your sink, toilet, or shower absolutely needs to change, you’ll save a lot of money by leaving them where they are. Any time you move one of these items, you’ll also have to pay to move the water supply lines and the drainage lines, as well.
High-end finishes
When a homeowner decides to buy top-of-the-line fixtures and countertops, a $4,000 smart toilet, and a jumbo-slab shower wall, those costs add up. Can you do all of these things in your bathroom? Certainly, and there are some compelling reasons to do it. However, something isn’t necessarily better just because it’s labeled “high-end.” It’s best to consider your options and decide whether you actually need top-tier quality finishes. Oftentimes, a good designer can help you find products that fit your vision and your budget.
Installing Tile

This is one of the most expensive decisions you can make for a bathroom remodel. Whether it’s on your floor or in the shower, tile can add thousands of dollars to your total remodel budget. While the material itself isn’t usually very expensive at $2-12 per square foot, the labor is a different story. Tile setting is an extremely nuanced and refined skill that takes years to master. Even then, a good tile job will take a master craftsman several hours to complete. As a result, you’ll end up paying $18,000-$25,000 for a custom tile shower alone.
How Can You Save Costs on a Bathroom Remodel?
Sometimes, avoiding the high-cost items simply isn’t enough to be able to afford to remodel your bathroom. If you are actively looking for ways to save costs on your bathroom remodel, here are a few tricks you can use.
Only change what you need
Sometimes, replacing everything in your bathroom will cost more than is necessary. Is your toilet still in good working condition? If so, there probably isn’t a need to get a new one. Instead of replacing the whole vanity, consider just replacing the countertop.
Also, consider the cost difference between custom and pre-made items. Shower doors are especially easy to save money on if you can settle for a standard size.
Be flexible
Everybody has a dream, and everybody has a budget. Those two things don’t always align. In order to achieve your major goals and objectives for a bathroom remodel, it’s important that you remain open to different ideas and solutions.
Value engineering a remodel often involves a lot of give-and-take. For example, if your heart is set on the look of a tile shower but you also wanted to extend your shower outward, you may have to choose one or the other.
Work with a professional designer
One of the best things you can do to save yourself time and money in a bathroom remodel is to work with a designer.
When you choose to go this route, you don’t have to be the one to come up with solutions to your problems all by yourself. Rather, you can present the challenges of your remodel to a professional who can help you weigh your options and offer solutions that you might not have thought of yourself.
A designer can also help you avoid high-cost design decisions and find affordable materials that fit your expectations and your budget.

Ready to Start Designing Your Bathroom Remodel?
By now, you should have a better understanding of how much a bathroom remodel in Portland might cost you. If you want to learn more about bathroom remodeling and maybe even gather some inspiration for your upcoming remodel, download and review our free Bathroom Remodel Buyer’s Guide. It covers everything you need to know before beginning a bathroom remodel project.
Once you’ve researched your options and are ready to start designing your own bathroom remodel, we would love to talk with you about your plans. Click the button below to schedule a call with one of our professional design consultants. We’ll guide you through the process of remodeling your bathroom from start to finish.