How Much Does It Cost to Demo a Bathroom in 2024?

Has your bathroom become a five-star hotel for mold and mildew? Does it have outdated plumbing or severe structural issues? Demolition is the most straightforward way to fix them all in one go. Minor repairs can help you put the project off for a year or a few, but they are more likely to morph into a major problem over time. If your bathroom is still okay, but you are itching to improve its functionality and aesthetics, you need to discover the demo bathroom cost.

Bathroom demolition commences with removing items like the sink, bathtub, toilet, and vanity. The process is followed by taking the flooring and wall tiles off. Once the plumbing and wiring are carefully withdrawn, a thorough cleaning can take place. Each step requires specific tools and adherence to safety guidelines.

How much to demo a bathroom? The average national cost is about $860, falling in the range between $350 to $3,500. However, you can spend about $260 if you undertake the project (the digit is only eligible for bathrooms of a powder room size). Or your expenditure can be $9,800 with the high-end scope of work. 

The price of bathroom demolition

Bathroom Demolition Cost Calculator

Have you been nurturing the idea of a total bathroom overhaul for years or faced the need to demo it out of the blue? In all conditions, you need to delve into technical cost-driven details of the process. Knowing the size of your bathroom and its elements that need to be removed, you can discover the ballpark bathroom demolition cost. 

For custom quotes tailored in compliance with your project’s requirements, look in on the MyHomeQuote platform. Made with homeowners in mind, it allows for outlining project goals and specifying all parameters you want to be considered in the quote. Once we analyze your request, we’ll search for the most befitting bathroom demolition contractors in your neighborhood. 

Cost to Demo a Bathroom by Size

Not only do powder rooms and master bathrooms have different sizes, but they also have dissimilar numbers of fixtures that need to be removed. Contractors often charge for dismounting each item separately. Hence, the cost to demo the bathroom can be steeper for oversized spaces jam-packed with posh vanities, jacuzzies, and bidets in addition to the standard sanitary wares. On top of that, demolition of walls and floors is usually calculated per square foot – from $7 to $21. So, the larger the bathroom is, the more expensive the project. 

The price of bathroom demolition by size

The Average Bathroom Demo Cost by Items to Replace

Bathrooms are packed with numerous items, all contributing in one way or another to the overall cost of demolition. You need to determine what items can be preserved and which are slated for removal. As various factors come into play here, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work out when estimating the demolition bathroom cost. Let’s find out how much you may spend on the project based primarily on the items a bathroom contains.

Walls

When you are about to demo a bathroom, one factor that can significantly alter the costs is whether you’re planning to change its dimensions. For instance, if you have an oversized restroom, you can bite off a few square feet to enlarge the existing bathing space. The average cost ranges from $100 to $1,000 for non-load-bearing walls and drywalls. However, if the wall in question is load-bearing, this part of the project can set you back between $1,500 and $11,000. 

Tiles

Most homeowners cover bathroom floors and walls with tiles. While it’s a long-lasting and moisture-resistant solution, it can significantly affect the demolition cost. On average, the removal is usually priced between $2 to $8 per sq. ft., meaning you can shell out between $190 to $770 for a medium-sized bathroom. Check in with your contractor for the tile disposal. 

Shower/ Tub

If you are about to demo a primary or master bathroom, you may need to remove a shower or a bathtub (or both). You can pay anywhere from $65 to $150 per unit, depending on its size, weight, and local labor rates. The complexity of the plumbing or tricky access can boost the shower demolition cost.

Toilet

Toilet dismounting during bathroom demolition requires careful handling to avoid damage to the plumbing. The process involves disconnecting the water supply, unbolting the fixture, and potential wax ring replacement. You may spend from $55 to $150 for removal alone. 

Sink

When calculating how much to demo a small bathroom, you need to make allowance for removing all the elements, including a sink. It can be a labor-intensive process that requires professional skills for disconnecting the plumbing and detaching the sink from the wall or vanity. You can expect to pay from $30 to $90.

Vanity and Cabinets

The dismantling of vanities and cabinets requires carefulness to avoid damage to the walls or floor and the items themselves. Proper disposal of large items can incur additional fees. Furthermore, you can hardly do without professional service if the plumbing is integrated into the vanity. Thus, you may shell out from $35 to $140. 

Searching for experts in bathroom demolition near you? Look no further than MyHomeQuote. It is a godsend for homeowners interested in reliable contractors and personalized quotes free of charge. 

Doors

While removing bathroom doors may seem like child’s play, it is not always the case. You need skills and experience to detach the door from its hinges along with the frame without causing damage to surrounding areas. Depending on the material and complexity, contractors can charge from $50 to $200 per unit (disposal included). 

Windows

Window removal requires careful handling to prevent glass breakage and damage to surrounding walls. Plus, responsible disposal of old windows might also involve an additional fee. Upgraded replacements or necessary repairs to the wall area can further increase expenses. Typically, you can pay from $90 to $550 per window. The range includes disposal, too. 

Lighting Fixtures

The complexity of the fixtures and wiring determines whether you need to hire a licensed electrician for their removal. Certain lighting fixtures may also require careful disposal or recycling due to environmental regulations, which can skyrocket the average cost to demo a bathroom. Hence, you can spend $45 to $210 per fixture for removal and proper electrical termination.

The price of bathroom demolition by items to replace

Labor Cost to Demo a Bathroom

It might be tempting to undertake a bathroom demolition project to save a pretty penny. But this process is full of pitfalls you should be aware of and be able to deal with on the spot. If you neither know the ropes of the project nor have the tools and experience, it’s better to discover how much to demo the bathroom with professional assistance. Remember that lack of proper skills can lead to damage and potential issues with plumbing and electrical systems.

The Average Labor Cost Per Hour/ The Average Labor Cost Per Project

Contractors can decide whether to provide cost estimates based on square footage or hourly rates. In the latter case, you should expect to pay $45 to $100. Some specialists have a fixed minimum fee. However, the bathroom demolition project usually takes 5 to 15 hours, depending on its complexity. Thus, the labor cost to demo a bathroom can set you back $225 to $1,500. Even if you have a small bathroom, it doesn’t mean the project won’t be any more sweat-breaking than a walk in the park. The space constraints can be challenging to maneuver, especially when dealing with plumbing.

Factors Affecting Bathroom Demolition Labor Cost

If it’s your first-ever demolition project, you may have an illusion that it will take a professional contractor no time to get things done. The reality is often different. Even though typical bathroom demolition costs mentioned above cover the lion’s share of processes, there can be some add-ons that can shape the final price:

• Building age. Older structures often have complex, outdated plumbing and electrical systems that can be more challenging and time-consuming to dismantle.
• Demo extent. A complete gutting of the bathroom, including walls, fixtures, and flooring, will require more labor and, therefore, be more expensive than a partial demolition.
• Permits. Local building codes may require getting permits and dictate specific methods for demolition.
• Utility connections. Disconnecting utilities like plumbing and electrical can be complex and add to labor costs, especially if additional professionals need to be subcontracted.
• Weight and shape of the fixtures. Oversized, heavy, or uniquely shaped fixtures may require extra labor to remove.
• Pitfalls within the demolition process. Older buildings may contain hazardous materials like lead or asbestos that require special handling and disposal. It’s not to mention issues such as mold, rot, or structural problems that need to be handled. 
• Local labor rates. Labor costs to demo a shower/ bathroom vary by region and can be higher in areas where labor rates are above average.

If you know when your building was built, share this information with your contractor beforehand. It’s also recommended to discuss your project in detail to outline the possible scope of work.