Bathroom Remodel Cost in Denver: Real 2026 Pricing by Scope and Size

Bathroom remodels are the second most popular home improvement project in Denver (after kitchens) and consistently deliver strong return on investment. But "bathroom remodel" covers everything from a $3,000 cosmetic refresh to a $50,000+ luxury master suite. Understanding what drives costs helps you budget realistically and get the most value from your investment.

This guide covers real 2026 pricing across the Denver metro including Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Westminster, Thornton, Boulder, Castle Rock, and Parker.

Bathroom Remodel Costs by Scope

Scope	Cost Range	What's Included
Cosmetic refresh	$3,000-6,000	Paint, hardware, fixtures, mirror, accessories. No demo.
Partial remodel	$6,000-15,000	New vanity, toilet, tile floor, tub/shower resurface
Standard full remodel	$12,000-25,000	Gut to studs. New everything: tile, vanity, toilet, tub/shower, lighting, plumbing fixtures
Luxury/master suite	$25,000-50,000+	Full gut + layout changes, walk-in shower, freestanding tub, heated floors, custom vanity
Addition (new bathroom)	$20,000-45,000+	Building a new bathroom where none existed. Requires plumbing rough-in.

Detailed Cost Breakdown

Item	Budget	Mid-Range	Premium
Vanity + top	$300-800	$800-2,500	$2,500-8,000
Toilet	$150-300	$300-600	$600-2,000
Tub/shower	$500-1,500	$1,500-5,000	$5,000-15,000
Tile (floor + walls)	$500-2,000	$2,000-6,000	$6,000-15,000
Plumbing labor	$500-1,500	$1,500-3,000	$3,000-6,000
Electrical	$300-800	$800-1,500	$1,500-3,000
Lighting	$100-300	$300-800	$800-2,500
Demo + hauling	$500-1,000	$1,000-2,000	$1,500-3,000
Drywall/cement board	$300-600	$600-1,200	$1,000-2,000
Paint	$150-300	$300-500	$400-800

Labor typically represents 40-55% of total project cost in Denver. Skilled trades (plumbing, electrical, tile) command $65-120/hour in the Front Range market.

What Drives Cost Up

Layout Changes

Moving plumbing is the single biggest cost escalator. Relocating a toilet costs $800-2,000+ in plumbing alone. Moving a shower or tub drain: $1,000-3,000. If you can keep fixtures in their current locations, you save thousands.

Tile Selection

Tile is where budgets explode. Basic ceramic: $2-5/sq ft. Porcelain: $4-10/sq ft. Natural stone (marble, travertine): $10-30/sq ft. Large format tiles (24x24+) require extra substrate prep and larger margins. Intricate patterns (herringbone, basketweave) double labor costs. A shower with floor-to-ceiling tile can easily use 150-250 sq ft of tile.

Custom Shower Design

Walk-in showers with glass enclosures are the most requested upgrade in Denver bathroom remodels. Frameless glass: $1,500-4,000. Rain showerhead system: $500-2,000. Linear drain: $300-800. Body jets: $500-1,500. Built-in niches: $200-500 each. A fully loaded shower upgrade can add $3,000-8,000 to the project.

Heated Floors

Electric radiant floor heating is increasingly popular in Denver (cold winter mornings on tile floors are no fun). Cost: $8-15/sq ft installed. For a typical 50 sq ft bathroom floor: $400-750. It adds comfort but minimal home value. Worth it for the master bath if budget allows.

Denver-Specific Factors

Labor Market

Denver's construction labor rates are 10-15% above the national average and 20-30% above rural Colorado. Skilled tile setters, plumbers, and electricians are in high demand. Expect to wait 2-6 weeks for contractor availability, longer in spring and summer.

Water Efficiency Requirements

Denver Water and many Front Range utilities offer rebates for water-efficient fixtures: $50-100 for WaterSense toilets, rebates for low-flow showerheads. Worth claiming since you're installing new fixtures anyway.

Altitude Effects on Materials

Grout and thinset dry faster in Denver's low humidity, which affects working time. Experienced Denver tile setters adjust their technique accordingly. This is why hiring someone with local experience matters for tile work.

Ventilation

Denver code requires mechanical ventilation (exhaust fan) in all bathrooms. In Denver's dry climate, ventilation also prevents summer humidity from creating mold in enclosed shower areas. A quality bath fan ($150-400 installed) is not optional.

Popular Upgrades and Their Costs

Upgrade	Cost	Worth It?
Frameless glass shower door	$1,500-4,000	Yes. Visual impact is huge. Top-requested upgrade.
Heated floor	$400-750	Yes for master bath. Daily comfort in Colorado winters.
Rain showerhead	$500-2,000	Yes. Affordable luxury that sells homes.
Freestanding tub	$1,500-5,000	In master only. Guest bath: skip it.
Custom vanity	$2,500-8,000	Depends on budget. Stock vanities look 80% as good for 30% of the price.
LED mirror	$200-800	Yes. Modern look, functional, affordable.
Smart toilet	$600-2,000	Niche. Bidet function is great but most buyers don't care.

Timeline by Project Scope

Scope	Demo	Rough-in	Tile	Finish	Total
Cosmetic refresh	1 day	N/A	N/A	2-3 days	3-5 days
Standard full remodel	1-2 days	2-3 days	3-5 days	2-3 days	2-3 weeks
Luxury master	2-3 days	3-5 days	5-10 days	3-5 days	4-6 weeks

Add 2-4 weeks for material ordering (custom vanity, specialty tile) before demo begins. You will be without that bathroom for the duration. Plan accordingly if it's your only bathroom.

ROI: What You Get Back at Resale

In Denver's 2026 market:

• Cosmetic refresh ($3,000-6,000): ROI 80-100%. Almost always worth it.
• Mid-range full remodel ($15,000-25,000): ROI 60-75%. The sweet spot for resale value.
• Upscale remodel ($40,000+): ROI 45-60%. You enjoy it, but don't expect to recoup the full cost.

The highest-ROI bathroom investment: an outdated single bath converted to a modern, clean design with walk-in shower and current tile. Buyers notice bathrooms first after kitchens.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Removing the only tub. At least one home bathroom should have a tub (resale value, families with kids). Convert guest bath tubs to showers; keep one tub in the home.
2. Skipping waterproofing. Cement board behind tile isn't waterproof. Use Kerdi, RedGard, or similar membrane on every wet-area surface. Cutting this corner leads to mold and structural damage.
3. Choosing trendy over timeless. That hot-pink tile that looks cool on Instagram will look dated in 5 years. Classic white subway, neutral stone, and clean lines never go out of style.
4. Undersized exhaust fan. Size the fan for the room (1 CFM per square foot, minimum 50 CFM). An undersized fan means moisture problems, especially in Denver's summer when outdoor humidity rises.
5. No contingency budget. Set aside 15-20% of the project cost for surprises. Hidden water damage, outdated plumbing, and electrical issues are found in 60%+ of Denver bathroom remodels.

Choosing a Bathroom Contractor

• Verify licensing. Colorado requires contractor licenses for projects over $2,000. Check DORA (Department of Regulatory Agencies).
• Ask for bathroom-specific references. General contractors who specialize in kitchens and baths produce better results than those who do everything.
• Detailed written contract. Scope, materials, timeline, payment schedule, warranty, and change order process. No handshake deals.
• Payment structure. Reasonable: 10-20% deposit, progress payments at milestones, 10-15% holdback until completion. Red flag: 50%+ upfront.

Permits and Code Requirements

Denver requires permits for: plumbing changes, electrical work, structural modifications, and adding a new bathroom. Cosmetic updates (paint, fixtures, vanity swap) don't need permits. Aurora, Lakewood, and most Front Range cities follow similar rules. Your contractor should pull permits. Unpermitted work creates problems at resale.

Ready for a bathroom remodel quote? Call Trustie Services at (720) 213-5521.

Bathroom Remodel by Denver Neighborhood

Local market dynamics affect bathroom remodel costs and expectations across the Denver metro:

Area	Average Full Remodel	Market Notes
Cherry Creek / Wash Park	$25,000-50,000	High-end finishes expected. Frameless glass, heated floors, designer tile standard.
Aurora / Thornton / Commerce City	$12,000-25,000	Value-focused market. Mid-range materials deliver strong ROI.
Highlands Ranch / Castle Rock / Parker	$18,000-35,000	Family-focused. Dual vanity, tub/shower combos popular. HOA-conscious.
Boulder / Louisville / Superior	$22,000-45,000	Eco-friendly materials, water-saving fixtures valued. Higher labor costs.
Lakewood / Arvada / Wheat Ridge	$15,000-30,000	Mid-range sweet spot. Good contractor availability.

Small Bathroom Solutions for Denver Homes

Many Denver homes (especially bungalows in central neighborhoods) have small bathrooms under 40 square feet. Smart design choices make these spaces feel larger:

• Floating vanity: Wall-mounted vanities create visible floor space, making the room feel larger. Plus easier floor cleaning. Cost: $400-2,000 (comparable to standard vanities).
• Large-format tile: Fewer grout lines trick the eye into perceiving more space. 12x24 or 24x24 tiles on both floor and walls create visual continuity. Cost: same as standard tile, slightly more labor.
• Curbless shower: Eliminating the shower curb creates a seamless transition that opens up the room. Requires proper floor sloping. Cost: $500-1,000 more than standard shower due to waterproofing requirements.
• Glass shower enclosure: Transparent glass (vs. shower curtain or frosted glass) allows visual flow through the entire room. Even a small bathroom feels open with clear glass. Cost: $1,500-3,000.
• Recessed medicine cabinet: Built into the wall cavity instead of protruding. Saves 4-5 inches of depth in a tight space. Cost: $200-800.
• Pocket door: Saves the 9 square feet that a swing door requires. Meaningful in a 35 sq ft bathroom. Cost: $300-800 to install (including wall modification).

Water Efficiency in Denver Bathrooms

Denver Water and other Front Range utilities actively encourage water-efficient fixtures. When remodeling, take advantage:

• WaterSense toilets: 1.28 GPF or lower (vs old 3.5-5 GPF toilets). Denver Water rebate: $50-100. Saves 3,000-5,000 gallons per person annually.
• Low-flow showerheads: 2.0 GPM or lower with pressure-compensating technology. You won't notice the difference in water pressure. Saves 7,000-10,000 gallons annually for a family of four.
• Dual-flush toilets: Light flush (0.8 GPF) for liquids, full flush (1.28 GPF) for solids. Maximum water savings for minimal lifestyle change.
• Recirculating hot water: Eliminates the 30-60 seconds of running water while waiting for hot. Saves 8,000-10,000 gallons/year per household. Installation during a remodel: $300-800. Retrofit: $800-1,500.

Total potential savings: 15,000-25,000 gallons per year. At Denver's water rates ($5.91/1,000 gallons), that's $90-150/year. Plus you're doing right by Colorado's water future. The fixtures pay for themselves through rebates and savings within 3-5 years.