What is a Realistic Budget for a Bathroom Remodel in Dallas? (2023 Update)
The average bathroom remodeling cost is 3-4% more in Dallas than the rest of Texas. This is due to a higher cost of living driving up labor prices in the DFW area.
The 2022 median cost for a Dallas area mid-sized bathroom renovation was $24,750. A high-end bath update with luxury finishes cost $38,000-40,000..
Here’s a list of average costs of Dallas bathroom fixtures:
- Toilets: The average two-piece toilet costs $225-350 in Dallas. Expect to pay around $100 for installation.
- Sinks: The price of sinks varies greatly based on brand and finishes. The installation cost is roughly the same as for a toilet, but the materials are more expensive depending on your sink type. A mid-range pedestal sink costs between $350-700 for materials and installation. A vanity sink can cost as little as $50 — but keep in mind you’re also buying a vanity.
- Single Faucet: A single faucet with installation costs $250-500.
- Shower: New shower installation in Dallas is the #1 expense associated with bathroom renovation. The average homeowner paid just over $9,000 for new shower installation in 2022. These 3 popular types of shower stall designs are listed from least to most expensive:
- Acrylic or Vinyl Prefabricated Shower: Your cheapest option. These “install” showers slide into the desired space and don’t require any custom tile.
- Tile Shower: A popular mid-range option you see in most homes. The shower tub is installed and tile is used to protect the shower walls. You will pay for the tile installation.
- Walk In Shower and Custom Shower Design: The most expensive option. You’ll pay for a custom shower door, custom tile installation (usually on both the walls and shower base), and extra shower fixtures like handheld and rain shower heads.
10 Steps to a Better Dallas Bathroom Renovation
Now that your expectations for price and fixtures are set, it’s time to dive into our 10 tips for stress-free Dallas bathroom remodeling.
We listed these tips in the order you should follow them — consider this your foolproof road map to a happy bath renovation experience.
1. Identify the type of bathroom you have — and the kind of bathroom you want.
What type of bathroom remodeling project are you starting? Are you remodeling a full bath? Is the bathroom primarily yours, a guest’s, or for the entire family?
These primary questions will help sort your initial design ideas that you’ll review with a general contractor and plumber. For example, the fixtures and design elements you choose for a primary master bathroom will likely be better than those you put in a half bath or hallway powder room.
You’ll be tackling one of these 4 bathroom styles:
- Master Bathroom (or En Suite Bathroom): Yes, your guests are important — but it’s okay to love your master bathroom a bit more. You’ll use this room every day, so make sure you love what you see. A beautiful en suite bathroom is well-lit, well-ventilated, and has fixtures and finishes you love. (More on this later.)
- Guest Bathroom: A guest bathroom should include a sink, vanity, toilet and shower. This way, your guests won’t invade your primary bathroom to wash up.
- Half Bath: A standard half bath or powder room features a sink, vanity and toilet. An experienced GC develops a floor plan for half bath remodels that isn’t cramped. Good places for half baths within your home are off the living room or kitchen — this provides easy access for your house guests.
- Single Project (e.g. Shower Replacement, Vanity Replacement): This type of bathroom remodeling project focuses on replacing one element of the design. Make sure the feature you’re renovating fits the overall style of the bathroom it’s in.
2. Ask yourself: Will I love this design in 10 years?
Bathroom trends are tempting. A quick Instagram search shows you what’s hot in Dallas — all-white bathrooms and clean, transitional subway tile are popular right now.
But this is your bathroom, and it’s an enduring part of your home. Focus less on trends, and more on your personal taste. You have to love this bathroom design every day!
“Focus your design on colors and textures,” suggests Scott Bolin of Repair Resource in Dallas. “Homeowners should choose ones they like, and make sure the design around them is functional.”
3. Get a clear budget estimate from your bathroom contractor.
HOMR only works with service providers that provide clear, upfront pricing in their project estimates. An experienced contractor knows how long each portion of your renovation should take, so labor costs shouldn’t be listed as a wide range.
Ask about line items in your estimate that you didn’t expect to see. Scott explains most of these additional costs have to do with structural items.
“A good GC can tell you things about load bearing walls and structure [details] you didn’t know,” he says. If these elements don’t fit your budget, change your design and floor plan ideas to avoid the extra cost.
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4. Get an upfront timeline for your bath remodeling project.
Expect an upfront timeline for your entire project when you interview a general contractor. There shouldn’t be any doubt as to when the renovation will be finished.
“Find a contractor that can execute the entire design,” notes Jan Revels of Chateau Concepts. “They should handle the front-end design conversations as well as the back-end installation.”
Use one GC for your entire remodeling job and eliminate any potential confusion that delays your timeline.
5. Make sure to get your permits from City Hall.
Dallas City Hall has clear requirements for building permits. Any renovation that changes your floor plan or improves upon the existing layout requires a permit.
If you aren’t changing your floor plan, you do not need a permit. Here’s a handy list of when you do and don’t need a permit for Dallas bathroom renovations:
Permit Needed:
- Plumbing
- Installing Windows or Skylights
- HVAC for Ventilation
- Structural Changes
- Electrical
Permit Not Needed (When Replacing):
- Painting
- Installing Tile
- Flooring
- Countertops and Vanities
- Installing Fixtures (with No Plumbing or Electrical Changes)
6. Learn when you shouldn't skimp on price and cut corners.
If you’re updating structural elements or functional design features in your bathroom, don’t cut corners. These are the backbone of your project and ensure your bathroom functions properly for the long haul.
If there are budget decisions to make in your project, find cosmetic places to trim costs. It’s better to choose a less expensive paint than lower quality plumber — would you rather occasionally patch up your paint, or spring a massive leak in your shower wall?
The following project details should be selected based on how they fit into your design — not just their price:
- Plumbing (See “Did You Know” below!)
- Electrical
- Vanity
- Flooring
Did You Know: The #1 cause of mold in showers is improper waterproofing. MedicineNet reports that black mold grows in poorly waterproofed shower pipes and fixtures, and can lead to health issues. This is why you can’t cut corners on doing your plumbing right!
7. Pick materials and finishes that increase your home's value.
An updated bathroom with quality finishes recoups nearly 49% of your cost. That kind of ROI requires you to be selective about the materials and finishes you put in your new bathroom.
There are 5 key improvements that increase the value of your bathroom:
- Upgraded Plumbing. New plumbing counts as a big structural upgrade to your bathroom and increases your home’s overall resale value.
- Upgraded Tile or Stone. Porcelain tile and natural stone are huge drivers of resale value in bath design. Incorporate either in your shower, floor or backsplash.
- Upgraded Lighting. Homeowners love quality lighting in a bathroom design, especially around the vanity area. Choose bright vanity lighting, and make sure your space has a nice source of ambient light from window(s) or skylights.
- Upgraded Flooring. “Faux hardwood” vinyl flooring is a valuable trend, notes Scott Bolin. “It’s waterproof, and only costs $5/square foot. We’re putting it in a lot of bathrooms.”
- Refinished Tub and/or Shower. A bathtub actually adds more ROI than a shower, because tubs are seen as more difficult to install. A tub in your master bathroom is a major selling point. A new shower with multiple shower heads and updated tile also adds value.
8. Ventilation, ventilation, and more ventilation.
A poorly ventilated bathroom is a nightmare, and not just for cosmetic reasons. Yes, you’ll end up with foggy vanity mirrors and a steamy bathroom that’s hard on visibility. But bad ventilation can lead to a real horror story, like this one:
A Real HOMR Member Horror Story: One of our newer HOMR members joined because of a poorly ventilated bathroom. Their bathroom vent wasn’t properly connected in the attic — and rain water started leaking into the walls!
Poor bathroom ventilation also traps moisture in the space. This leads to faster deterioration of tile grout, increased chance of mildew, and potential injury caused by slippery floors.
Incorporate plenty of ventilation in your bathroom renovation. Update your in-home vent system, and install new windows or skylights. You’ll save yourself from all these minor hassles and major inconveniences.
9. Choose the right light fixtures for your new bathroom.
A dimly lit bathroom seems attractive — until you actually need to do anything in there. If you’ve ever tried to check your outfit or put on makeup in poor lighting, you know what can go wrong!
Put bright lights in your vanity space — LED lighting with dimmable bulbs are a great solution for wall sconces and light fixtures over your mirror.
Make sure your shower and tub area is well-lit, too — you need to see exactly where you’re stepping when the floor is wet!
10. Let a Dallas bathroom remodeling contractor do the work.
There are plenty of places to try your hand at DIY renovation. The bathroom isn’t really one of them. There are a variety of structural, plumbing and electrical projects that require a permit and the help of a local professional bathroom remodeling service
Even if you don’t need a permit, HOMR recommends hiring a Dallas handyman for non-structural projects. You’ll want an experienced worker on hand for these jobs — for example, a handyman can recommend the right brand of paint for a steamy bathroom.
