You’d love to break ground on a bathroom remodel, but one thing is stopping you: the bathroom remodel price. Even on the low end, you’re probably going to spend a minimum of $25,000 to remodel your full bathroom. Is there any hope of recouping those costs?
The simple answer is yes. When you’re ready to sell your home, a bathroom remodel can yield a sizable return on investment. How much could you get back and what factors impact the size of your ROI?
At ZINTEX Remodeling, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners transform their bathrooms with valuable upgrades like tub-to-shower conversions. We’ve also done some digging to see what real estate experts have to say about remodels and property values. Read on to learn our take on the ROI of a bathroom remodel.
What Does Bathroom Remodel ROI Data Reveal?
Measuring the return on investment for any home improvement project isn’t as simple or straightforward as it may seem. In theory, you just take the cost of the remodel and compare it to the increase in property value it created. The problem is that additional factors are already in play. Here are just a few factors that could make measuring your bathroom remodel ROI tricky:
- It isn’t your only pre-sale renovation project
- Different homebuyers are willing to pay more for certain upgrades
- You lived with the remodeled room for a few years before selling your home
It’s no wonder that some of the leading real estate experts don’t seem to agree on what the typical return on investment will look like after a bathroom upgrade. Let’s take a look at what some of those experts have to say.
| Real Estate Expert | Average ROI Cited | Caveats Mentioned |
|---|---|---|
| 45.1% - 73.7% | 👉The low end (45.1%) is an average of upscale bathroom remodels 👉The high end (73.7%) is an average of midrange bathroom remodels | |
| 50 - 56% | 👉The low end (50%) is an average of all bathroom remodels 👉The high end (56%) is an average of all new bathroom additions | |
| 56.2 - 70.1% | 👉The low end (56.2%) is an average of upscale bathroom remodels 👉The high end (70.1%) is an average of midrange bathroom remodels | |
| 45% - 73.7% | 👉The low end (45%) is an average of major bathroom remodels 👉The high end (73.7%) is an average of midrange bathroom remodels |
As you can see, the NAR assessment of bathroom remodel ROIs isn’t quite as generous as the averages cited by JLC, Zillow, and Bankrate. This may be because NAR doesn’t make the same distinction between midrange remodels and “upscale” or “major” remodels. That distinction plays a key role for JLC, Zillow, and Bankrate and is probably a good one to keep in mind. Let’s take a closer look at what factors contribute to midrange bathroom remodels vs. major bathroom remodels.
What Factors Will Impact Your Bathroom Remodel ROI?
At this point, you might be thinking, “I want to maximize my bathroom remodel ROI, so I should aim for a midrange remodel.” How can you do exactly that? Here are the top factors that could impact your ROI, starting with design choices.
Bathroom Remodel Materials and Design Choices
The materials you use and the design choices you make will largely determine how upscale (or not) your bathroom remodel is.
Midrange remodel materials and design choices:
- Budget-friendly wall materials such as acrylic or lower-priced tile
- Minor upgrades like tub-to-shower conversions
- Aesthetic changes like new wall paint or new hardware on appliances and cabinetry
Upscale remodel materials and design choices:
- Expensive wall materials such as natural stone or higher-priced tile
- Significant changes to your plumbing or electrical layout
- Square footage expansions
- Upgrades to all new smart or spa-grade appliances (e.g., jacuzzi tubs or smart toilets)
Necessary Bathroom Upgrades
Another way to think about your bathroom remodel ROI is to consider how your current bathroom might be detracting from your home value. This may be the case if your bathroom as-is has:
- Health or safety problems such as mold growth
- Fixtures and appliances that have sustained damage or visible wear and tear
- Outdated interior design features
 |  |
| Before a ZINTEX shower remodel | After a ZINTEX shower remodel |
In this case, addressing the problems that are detracting from your home value will likely yield an increase in home value. Why? According to a home value report from Consumer Affairs, the majority of today’s buyers are willing to spend more if it means they don’t have to make upgrades themselves. In other words, if you’re making necessary bathroom upgrades, you’re pretty much guaranteed to see a strong ROI.
Wear and Tear Before Your Home Sale
Here’s a caveat real estate experts aren’t directly addressing when they calculate remodel ROIs: wear and tear before the home sale. Not everyone is flipping houses or investing in upgrades right before listing their home on the market. What if you plan to use that newly remodeled bathroom for a few years?
The impact on your ROI isn’t totally clear, but it’s highly likely that your bathroom remodel will decline as your bathroom sustains wear and tear, especially if it means the next owner will need to invest in upgrades. The best way to keep your ROI as high as possible is to stay on top of both DIY and professional maintenance to avoid:
- Water damage
- Mold growth
- Structural damage (e.g., chips or cracks in shower walls)
Then, consider a few low-cost upgrades like a fresh coat of paint before listing your home for sale.
When Should ROI Be Your Top Bathroom Remodel Concern?
If there’s one thing to take away from this article, it’s that your decisions can influence the ROI your bathroom remodel can yield. Sticking with midrange design choices and prioritizing necessary upgrades is the best way to maximize your ROI. This should be your goal if:
✅You’re flipping a property
✅You need to maximize your home sale profits to afford your next home
✅You’re more interested in boosting your home value in the short or long term than you are in personally enjoying your new bathroom
When Should ROI Take a Back Seat During Your Bathroom Remodel?
Remodeling your bathroom isn’t always about the ROI. The NAR doesn’t just talk about the ROI of various home remodels; they also talk about what they refer to as the Joy Score. The Joy Score is a self-reported rating of how much homeowners enjoy their new remodels, and bathrooms received a whopping 9.8 out of 10. You should prioritize your own enjoyment over ROI if:
➡️You don’t plan on selling your home in the next year or two
➡️You’ve always dreamed of having access to certain bathroom features like a whirlpool tub or a luxury shower and you finally have the budget for it
➡️You need specific upgrades for practical reasons, such as grab bars
The good news? A bathroom remodel isn’t likely to negatively impact your home value, even if you make choices that are unique to your needs and taste.
Ready to Learn More About Bathroom Remodeling Costs?
No one wants to drop thousands of dollars on home improvements without understanding the full value of what they’re investing in. The ROI of your bathroom remodel may not be 100% possible to predict, but with this guide, you can make choices that support your investment goals.
At ZINTEX Remodeling, we specialize in the acrylic tubs and showers that are perfect for midrange bathroom remodels. Not only are they budget-friendly, but they’re attractive, 100% waterproof, and easy to maintain.
How much will it cost to remodel your walk-in shower? Whether you’re interested in acrylic, tile, or natural stone, we’ve got the guide for you. Take a look at the cost of a walk-in shower to get one step closer to your bathroom upgrade.
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