The Basics of Plumbing for your Bathroom

The average costs for plumbing largely depend on what you actually need to have done for your bathroom (1). A simple DIY job like switching out the leaky faucet for a new one might set you back $200, but it will be well worth the cost not just in terms of investment but also saving on water. Take a look at the lighting (2) in your bathroom and see if that can be updated. When it comes to reworking your fixtures (3), the number one rule is to leave it in place. If you don't have to move it, simply leave it in its original piping. Otherwise it could prove to be a headache not just to the plumber but to you as well. The average costs for different plumbing jobs can vary greatly, and some contractors charge a flat rate (4) for their time, as well. General plumbing repair should run you anywhere from $400 to $1,000 depending on the work needed. Similarly piping installation can cost between $1,200 and $4,000 dollars depending on the size of your home and the amount of fixtures. And something as serious as installing a toilet feature (5) can run anywhere between $500 to $900. Slightly more if it's a high tech or green fixture.

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Vanity in the Bathroom

Countertops for your bathroom, also known as your bathroom's vanity, are some of the most stylish and most practical fixtures available (6). Some homeowners go for looks, some go for functionality. The average costs of installation is based on the type of countertops you want to go with.

  1. Prefabricated stock countertops
    • Low $200
    • Med $700
    • High $900
  2. Mass-produced stock bathroom vanities
    • Low $150
    • Med $800
    • High $1,500
  3. Prefabricated bathroom vanity tops in natural stone
    • Low $200
    • Med $500
    • High $1,000
  4. Semi-custom bathroom vanities (per square foot)
    • Low $100
    • Med $250
    • High $500
  5. High-end countertops
    • Low $1,000
    • Med $6,000
    • High $8,000
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Different Possibilities for Bathtubs

Bathtubs are plumber rich in history, and deserve a little special attention when it comes to your bathroom. So when applying that extra TLC make sure to repair any damages to the actual bathroom. Repairing a simple crack might cost you $150. Larger tub jobs might be around $300 to $600. If you notice an annoying ring around your tub, be sure to have it refinished for a moderate price range of anywhere from $350 to $900 to buff that out. And should you see not just a ring, but a lot of wear and tear over time, be sure to have the entire unit reglazed for an age-defying tactic. Reglazing your whole tub will cost anywhere from $650 to $1,000 and is so worth the price. Otherwise installing an entirely new unit will cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 or more.

Sinks and Showers

Sinks and their faucets have a wide range of different styles and designs, ranging from the ornate to the practical. You can get reasonable repair rates for your bathroom sick at about $250, give or take a few hundred. That'll cover most of your bases. Otherwise a completely new sink fixture can be installed for $300 up to $1,000 dollars, depending on what you want to have in your home.

Showers are totally customizable for your bathroom and in recent years, the frameless glass shower has been the culmination of fancy bathroom fixtures. Not only do they look incredibly elegant, they seem almost suspended in air due to the lack of framework (7). Glass shower doors for a pre-existing unit can cost between $1,200 and $1,600 plus. Otherwise a typical shower installation can be done for $4,000 to $9,000. And for the inevitable repairs,they can run between $250 and $450 depending on the damage. Your bathroom can also be remodeled for extra efficient water conservation. Using "green" technology or setting up electrical measures in your bathroom will cost between $300 and $800 dollars (8).

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Types of Flooring Materials

There are so many different types of flooring materials that sometimes it's difficult to lock down a price. It depends entirely on what you want to do, what material you want to use, and how large your bathroom floor is. These are just typical prices for standard bathrooms. Keep in mind, in some cases it is sometimes possible to install a new floor without ripping the old one out first.

  • Ceramic tile

    Ceramic tile

    Ceramic tile is a popular choice for bathrooms as it has a protective coating that prevents water and stain damage. The average costs for ceramic tile installation is between $1,000 and $3,000.

  • Laminate flooring

    Laminate flooring

    Laminate flooring needs to be installed properly if it's going to be used in a bathroom. All of the edges need to be glued during installation and the perimeter needs to be sealed tightly with caulk. Otherwise, it can become susceptible to water damage. Laminate flooring can cost an average of $1,000-$4,000.

  • Natural stone tile

    Natural stone tile

    Natural stone tile is a beautiful choice for a bathroom as it creates a warm and inviting feel. It can cost anywhere from $900-$5,000 depending on the type of stone and the size of the bathroom.

  • Vinyl flooring

    Vinyl flooring

    Vinyl flooring is the most inexpensive option for bathroom flooring. It costs an average of $250-$500 or more.

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Bathroom Mirror Options

Bathroom mirrors are essentially a question of "How ornate would you like your bathroom glass to look?" Are you more looking into function or style? This will determine the end price of your bathroom mirrors. For many homes, the standard is the mirrored panes that double as a medicine cabinet. Otherwise, you can have a gaudy, decorative framed mirror in the bathroom. The choice is entirely yours. Installation costs for practical bathroom mirrors generally fall between $250 and $500 plus installation fees. A more luxurious custom glass mirror can be priced around $300 or even $900 plus. And to repair and broken or shattered glass will be about $200 - $400 depending on the severity of the damage.

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Hot Tubs & Spas

A Jacuzzi (9) is an amazing addition to any home bathroom. With heating, jet features, and pulse options, no wonder Jacuzzis have been shown to improve health and relieve stress (10). Studies have shown that heated water and jets may be able to lower your blood pressure, alleviate joint pain, improve sleep, and decrease the frequency of migraines. So to install such a fixture in your home, the price range will be about $8,000 to $10,000. And then regular repair and maintenance will run around $1,200 give or take, and depending on the issue that you may encounter.

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Tile Work for the Bathroom

Tiles can be added to nearly every corner of a bathroom, from the floor to the walls to the ceiling, even the shower floor can see some tile work. If you're really interested, your countertops can benefit as well (11). Here's a brief rundown of prices depending on where you want your tiles to go.

  1. Drop Ceiling
    • Low $400
    • Med $3,000
    • High $8,000
  2. Walls
    • Low $900
    • Med $1,800
    • High $2,600
  3. Grout Cleaning
    • Low $300
    • Med $900
    • High $1,500
  4. Floor
    • Low $500
    • Med $1,500
    • High $10,000
  5. Repair
    • Low $200
    • Med $600
    • High $900+

The price will also be affected by the type of tile you use(12). And because there are so many different options, we've included a list of possible materials that you might like to see in your home.

  • Travertine
  • Ceramic
  • Porcelain
  • Quartz
  • Wood Look
  • Natural stone
  • Slate
  • Bamboo
  • Marble
  • Granite
  • Pebbles & Stones
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Mold & Mildew

Mold colonies can vary greatly in terms of size and severity. A small outbreak around say, an un-insulated window could cost anywhere from $300 - $1,000 to remediate. If the infestation is more severe, and the contractors need to remove wood around the mold, it could cost between $1,500 and $3,000. If the entire basement is under attack from mold, it could very well cost over $4,000 to repair the damage and make your home breathable again. Mold and mildew are very serious issues and should be addressed as such. They can affect your respiratory, epidermal, and nasal health in varying degrees. So be safe and have you home inspected should you suspect mold. A mold inspection could cost anywhere between $300 and $500 (13).

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Walls & Ceilings

Painting is something that you can certainly do yourself, but having a professional paint job makes for a much bolder statement. Ultimately, this decision will determine the total amount of money you spend on the project, as well as the level of quality in the end result. Keep in mind that it is highly advised you do not remove a popcorn ceiling by yourself. There is the off chance it could lead to health issues for you and your family.

  • Painting walls
    • DIY: $400
    • Med $900
    • High $1,200
  • Painting Ceiling
    • DIY: $200
    • Med $600
    • High $1,000
  • Drywall
    • DIY: $500
    • Med $900
    • High $1,500
  • Popcorn Ceiling Removal
    • Low $300
    • Med $800
    • High $1,100
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References

  1. "Plumbing". Wikipedia. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  2. "Lighting the Way". Web archive. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  3. "National Kitchen and Bath". nkba. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  4. "Flat Rate Price Guide".Contractortalk. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  5. "Service Industry Technology". Callahan Roach. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  6. "Bathroom Countertops get Splashier". Consumer Reports. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  7. "Remodeling Costs 2017". Remodeling Calculator. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  8. "Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation". PHCC. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  9. World Heritage Encyclopedia. "Bathtub". World Book Library. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  10. "7 Health Benefits of Soaking in a Hot Tub". Swim University. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  11. "Bathroom Countertops Cost." Costhelper. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  12. "Plumbing Costs. What to Expect". Plumberman. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  13. Reeves, Brian. "Mold Removal Cost - What You Can Expect to Pay". Mold Blogger. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
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