ARTICLES

Moving Bathroom Fixtures and Bathroom Plumbing Remodeling

NOV 11, 2016

Bon Jovi, Super Mario Brothers, Dirty Dancing with Patrick Swayze; there are just some things that will never go out of style. Too bad bathrooms aren’t the same. If your bathroom is adorned with wallpaper, boasts Hollywood lights, or shouts, “look at me!” with pink tile, it’s time to consider a bathroom remodel. Maybe your bathroom itself isn’t so bad, but the layout doesn’t suit your family. You need a shower instead of a bath, or you need to remove a vanity and install a closet. Whatever your needs, chances are you’re looking at redoing or adjusting the bathroom plumbing in some way or another.

We have seen many homeowners jump into bathroom remodeling projects only to stop because they didn’t consider the cost or scope of such a project. We don’t want that to happen to you! We’ve put together some typical cost estimates so you can have a better idea of what may be involved when it comes to beautifying your bath. Keep in mind these are just rough estimates and can vary depending on your project.

MOVING BATHROOM PLUMBING

When first planning how you want to remodel your bathroom, consider the types of changes you make and if the plumbing will be affected, which it likely will. These changes on your list should sound like these examples:

  • Move shower head to the ceiling
  • Move toilet to the shower drain
  • Move bathroom water lines
  • Move shower plumbing to another wall

After brainstorming all the changes you’d like to make to the bathroom, you should have an idea of how much plumbing will need to be rearranged. This will help you begin to estimate the costs of remodeling.

AVERAGE BATHROOM PLUMBING AND REMODELING COSTS

Home Advisor reports that homeowners spend an average of $9,300 on a bathroom remodel. Some homeowners pay significantly less for smaller bathrooms, while those turning their master bath into an oasis could hit $20,000. The costs also depend on how you will remodel the plumbing, what fixtures you choose, sweat equity, etc.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

What do you want to change? One might answer “everything!” to this question. Still, it’s essential to identify the items you specifically want to alter. You’re basically creating a wish list. Your list might look like this:

  • Change faucets
  • Change track lighting to chandeliers
  • Add exhaust fan
  • New cabinets
  • Remove bathtub and install shower
  • Move toilet to a new location

Next is to put your items into a list of priorities. What is the most important thing to change? If they are all of equal importance, list them according to what will make the most impact. For example, if you can live with the tile, but the cabinets are falling apart, put cabinets first.

The reason for creating the list is so that you know where to allocate your money. If you have the cash to change everything you want, awesome! But if you don’t, refer to your priority list when discussing the remodel with your contractor.

BATHROOM REMODEL PLUMBING

If you listed anything with the sinks, toilets, the shower, and/or tub, chances are high that you will need some plumbing work done.

TOILETS

Sinks can be a doozy. Not because the installation is complicated, but because the cost and selection can vary drastically. You can purchase used pedestal sinks on Craigslist for $50, or find a vessel sink at a high-end store for up to $6,000!

It is not unusual to move plumbing lines when it comes to sinks, mainly because the trends are changing. For example, we are seeing more and more people wanting wall-mounted faucets. If this is a route you are considering, know that the plumbing, which is typically exposed, must be moved inside the wall. This entails cutting into, removing, and replacing the drywall. It also means you’ll likely need new pipes to reach up the wall as opposed to curving outside the wall up to the sink. This bathroom sink remodel will likely cost a few hundred dollars in addition to the cost of the sink itself. Budget $400 – $600 for this option.

Another trend is exposed pipes – very industrial looking. This shouldn’t be as expensive as the above option. However, new pipelines are definitely needed if you go this route. It is standard to use black PVC pipes when hidden by a vanity. Exposed pipes are usually chrome which looks beautiful, but costs more. Budget $200-$500 extra for this option.

SINKS

Sinks can be a doozy. Not because the installation is extremely difficult, but because the cost and selection can vary drastically. You can purchase used pedestal sinks on Craigslist for $50 and find a vessel sink at a high-end store for $6,000.

It is not unusual to move plumbing lines when it comes to sinks, mainly because the trends are changing. For example, we are seeing more and more people wanting the wall mounted faucets. If this is a route you are going consider that the plumbing, which is typically exposed, must be moved inside the wall. This entails cutting into, removing, and replacing the drywall. It also means you’ll likely need new pipes to reach up to the wall as opposed to curving outside the wall and the up to the sink. This bathroom sink remodel will likely cost a few hundred dollars in addition to the cost of the sink itself. Budget $400 – $600 for this option.

Another trend is to expose the pipes – very industrial looking. This shouldn’t be as expensive as the above option. However, new pipes are definitely needed if you go this route. It is standard to use black PVC pipes when hidden by a vanity. Exposed pipes are usually chrome which looks beautiful, but costs more. Budget $200-$500 for this option.

SHOWERS

When it comes to remodeling the shower, there are two options: a stand-alone shower or a shower/tub combo. Purchasing a new shower/tub will cost you between $600-$800 for the tub and walls. Installation can run between $1,000 – $2,000. Design and install for a new stand-alone shower is only limited by your imagination and budget. Architecture and fixtures (tile, backsplashes, showerheads, lighting, accessories) hit every price point on the spectrum. A typical shower will cost an average of around $3,000. Adding extra showerheads, ceiling showerheads, and heated floors will significantly increase the price.

If you’re relocating the shower, expect to pay an extra $900 – $1,200 (same as the toilet). There are specific codes that plumbers must follow to make sure drains and vents are correctly angled and securely fitted.

TUBS

Nothing transforms your bathroom into a spa-like environment quite like a luxurious bathtub. The average cost to install a bathtub is $2,838, but can range from $1,000 to $4,500, depending on the type of tub and modifications needed. The average cost of the tub itself ranges from an affordable $200 up to $2,000 or more. Moving bath drains and bath vents are comparable in price to those of moving the shower and toilet.

YOUR BATHROOM PLUMBING EXPERTS

“Investing in a bathroom remodel yields a 62 percent return, on average,” according to USNews.com, “but you’ve got to do it right.” While we may not be able to advise you on paint colors, our expert plumbers can help you plan the best location for your toilets, sinks, showers, and tubs based. We can run through all of the options with you, including different cost scenarios. We will help give you the bathroom you want that is structurally sound and up to code. Call us today.