Bathroom Remodel Budget Worksheet and Guide (FREE)
This bathroom remodel budget worksheet will walk you through everything you need to know about managing the costs associated with your bathroom remodel. From material and labor costs to planning for unexpected costs, our bathroom remodel budget worksheet will simplify the process and keep your project on track.
Remodeling your bathroom can be an exciting, yet daunting, project. Whether you’re dreaming of a spa-like retreat or simply refreshing your space, sticking to a budget is crucial to ensure that your bathroom renovation doesn’t break the bank. To help you organize costs and plan effectively, I’ve created a free bathroom remodel budget worksheet that you can download and customize using Google Sheets or Google Docs.
Get the printableWhy You Need a Bathroom Remodel Budget Worksheet
When tackling a bathroom remodeling project, it’s easy for costs to spiral out of control, especially with large purchases like light fixtures and high-end finishes. The first thing you want to do is to use a budget worksheet. It is a good idea to organize expenses in advance and avoid surprises down the line. Tracking your expenses ensures you’re aware of the total cost from start to finish and helps you make informed decisions.
I recently worked on two bathroom remodeling projects, one for a friend and my own guest bathroom as well. Had I worked on a budget template before starting, it would have been easier to avoid additional cost(s). Speaking to and getting quotes from a variety of contractors will give you a good idea of the average cost.
A simple worksheet can help you list line-by-line expenses, such as:
- Labor costs
- Material costs
- Incidental costs
- Local sales tax
Each item can be tracked, from your cost estimates to the actual costs as your project progresses, ensuring that you stay within your desired budget.
Key Components to Include in Your Bathroom Remodel Budget
From the Pakistani Inspired Bathroom Remodel
Labor Costs
Labor is typically one of the highest expenses in a bathroom renovation, often accounting for 40-60% of the total cost. Whether you’re hiring a general contractor or specialists for plumbing and electrical work, it’s crucial to get an accurate cost estimation for labor.
A good rule of thumb is to get multiple quotes to find the best value for your project. However, always be mindful of additional costs that may arise if you run into unexpected challenges. You never know if you have flooring under your old vanity!
Material Costs
The cost of materials can vary greatly depending on the size of your renovation project and the quality of the products you choose. For example, light fixtures, tiles, vanities, and countertops all come in a range of prices. Be sure to account for high-priority items like flooring and plumbing fixtures, which can significantly impact your total cost.
Using our budget worksheet, you can break down material costs by category, ensuring you don’t miss anything. If you’re looking to lower costs, consider shopping during sales or using more affordable materials without sacrificing style. Tracking your material costs can help prevent overspending.
From the Pakistani Inspired Bathroom Remodel
Cost Estimation for Different Projects
Every bathroom remodel is unique, so your cost estimates may vary. A small powder room may only require a modest budget, while a full master bath overhaul could involve extensive plumbing and electrical work. This is where our estimate template comes in handy. It’s designed to help you break down the costs for different projects, from minor home renovation updates to a complete gut job.
Don’t forget to account for larger expenses such as:
- Large purchases like bathtubs and vanities
- Custom cabinetry or countertops
- Upgraded flooring materials
It’s also important to anticipate incidental costs, such as replacing rotten subfloors or upgrading plumbing. Including these in your cost estimation can save you a lot of time and stress later on.
Unexpected Costs
No matter how well you plan, there’s always the possibility of unexpected costs creeping into your project. These can include anything from unforeseen water damage to electrical issues. Having a contingency fund is a great way to prepare for these surprises.
In my bathroom remodel budget worksheet, I’ve included a section for tracking these additional costs so that you’re not blindsided at the end of the project.
From The Guest Bathroom Project
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
Are you taking on parts of the renovation yourself, or will you be hiring professionals? For smaller updates like painting or installing shelves, you may decide to learn new skills and handle the work yourself, which can result in a lower cost. That’s exactly why I started DIY-ing to begin with!
However, for more complex tasks like plumbing, it’s usually better to hire a licensed professional to avoid costly mistakes. Balancing your DIY efforts with professional help can help you save while ensuring a high-quality result. When I tackled my guest bathroom I hired out tiling on the wall because I wasn’t comfortable doing that on my own.
Line Items to Include
Make sure to account for all the key line items in your bathroom remodel budget worksheet:
- Lighting fixtures
- Labor columns (plumbing, electrical, carpentry)
- Scope of work (full or partial renovation)
- General contractor fees
- Local sales tax
- Cost of materials (tiles, fixtures, paint)
- Estimated cost for each line item
Having everything listed in one place will give you a clear picture of where your money is going.
How to Use the Free Bathroom Remodel Budget Worksheet
Our bathroom remodel budget worksheet is a simple worksheet that can be customized for your project even if it’s your first bathroom makeover or not. Whether you’re using Google Sheets or Google Docs, this tool will help you track your progress, adjust for additional costs, and ensure you stay within your renovation budget.
Here’s how to get started:
- Download the Worksheet: Access the free template below.
- Fill in the Key Line Items: Enter your cost estimates for materials, labor, and large purchases.
- Adjust for Unexpected Costs: Make sure to set aside a portion of your budget for unforeseen expenses.
- Track Actual Costs: As the project progresses, update the actual costs to keep everything on track.
- Add sales tax: This template has Texas sales tax already included in it. You will have to edit the number to reflect your own state’s sales tax.
- Review at Project End: Once your dream bathroom is complete, you’ll have a full breakdown of where every dollar went.
Remodeling your bathroom doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and sticking to a solid budget is the key to success. By using this bathroom remodel budget worksheet, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress and possibly a lot of money, making sure that your renovation is both stylish and affordable.
FAQs About How to Remodel Bathroom
In what order do you remodel a bathroom?
The order in which you remodel a bathroom is very important! First step would be to remove and demo everything that’s not staying. After demo comes enclosing the windows and doors, then framing any changes in the layout, electrical, plumbing rough in, tiling and waterproofing, trim and moulding, toilet/shower/tub/vanity, paint/wallpaper, switchplates and finishing touches.
What is a realistic budget for a bathroom remodel?
A realistic budget for a bathroom remodel depends on a lot of factors. If you are attempting to DIY the bathroom remodel or hiring out the project, the kind of finishes you choose etc. A basic, budget friendly makeover with peel and stick tile floors and paint can cost about $1000 or less if you do it yourself. If DIY is not your route and you want to remodel the entire bathroom I would budget at least $4000 for a small bathroom.
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?
When it comes to remodeling a bathroom the most expensive part can often be the tile, tub, or shower area. Labor itself can get very expensive. In my experience, good quality tile can get very expensive and the same goes for fixtures like vanities and shower/tub fittings.
If you’ve tackled your bathroom and want to move on to a kitchen renovation next, here is a great resource for kitchen design inspiration: