What’s the Priciest Part of a Bathroom Remodel?

Many of our bathroom remodeling clients in Chicago come to us with a vision for their dream bathroom, but they often have questions about the budget. Our goal is to be completely transparent. We want you to understand where your money goes so that you’re empowered to make informed decisions that align your vision with your investment.

We understand that remodeling costs can add up quickly. A well-planned budget helps prevent surprises and ensures your project stays on track without compromising on the quality and style you expect.

A Detailed Breakdown of Remodeling Expenses

A bathroom renovation is a complex project with many moving parts. Here’s a look at the typical expenses, from the most significant to the more minor details.

Labor Costs

For most high-end renovations, labor is the single largest expense, often accounting for 40-60% of the total budget. This is especially true for complex projects in Chicago high-rises or historic homes where specialized expertise is non-negotiable. Labor costs cover a wide range of skilled professionals, including:

• Designers and Architects: Our Areté designers are crucial for material selection, project alignment, and aesthetic cohesion. For projects involving structural changes, architectural services are essential to ensure your space is safe, compliant with local codes, and structurally sound.
• Plumbers and Electricians: These skilled tradespeople are essential for tasks such as relocating water supply and drain lines, installing sophisticated new fixtures like rain showers or freestanding tubs, and making sure all electrical and plumbing work is flawlessly executed and fully compliant with Chicago’s stringent building codes.
• Carpenters and Cabinet Makers: They ensure that we can consistently deliver beautifully crafted custom vanities and flawlessly executed structural work to our clients. They expertly craft unique pieces to match a specific aesthetic or handle complex structural challenges with precision, adding finesse to your space.
• Tilers and Painters: These essential craftsmen are responsible for the detailed finish work that truly brings the design vision to life. Their attention to these final, critical details ensures the overall beauty and integrity of your new bathroom.

Choosing experienced, reliable professionals is paramount. At Areté, we collaborate with top-tier talent, ensuring exceptional craftsmanship. This commitment guarantees your project is completed safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with all city regulations.

Cabinetry and Vanities

Custom or high-end cabinetry is often the next most significant material expense. A well-designed vanity serves as the focal point of the bathroom, providing essential storage while defining the room’s style. Costs can vary widely based on:

• Custom vs. Stock: Fully custom vanities tailored to your exact specifications will be more expensive than semi-custom or stock options. However, they offer more design flexibility and a higher-end aesthetic.
• Materials and Finish: Higher-quality materials like solid wood or natural stone will increase costs, as well as special finishes like hand-painted details or unique hardware.
• Size and Configuration: The size of the vanity impacts material costs, along with any additional features such as double sinks or extra storage cabinets.

At Areté, we work closely with clients to design custom vanities that meet their unique needs and style preferences. Our team has experience working with a variety of materials and finishes to create stunning vanities that elevate both form and function.

Lighting

Lighting is another crucial element in bathroom design. It significantly influences both the aesthetic appeal and the functional utility of the space. It can dramatically impact the overall ambiance, making a bathroom feel either expansive and bright or cozy and intimate, depending on its strategic placement and type.

• Fixtures: The choice of lighting fixtures significantly impacts both cost and aesthetic. High-end materials like solid brass or hand-blown glass offer superior durability and a more luxurious appeal compared to standard steel or acrylic options, contributing to a refined finish.
• Ambient & Mood Lighting: Beyond functional illumination, strategic ambient and mood lighting can transform your bathroom’s atmosphere. Integrating custom light strips within shelving, shower niches, or even subtly under vanities creates a seamless, high-end glow, enhancing the room’s overall luxury and setting a tranquil or vibrant tone.

Plumbing Fixtures and Features

The plumbing fixtures you select are pivotal, significantly influencing both the daily functionality and the overall aesthetic appeal of your newly renovated bathroom. This category encompasses everything from fundamental necessities to sophisticated, luxurious upgrades that truly define the space.

• Showers and Tubs: Consider the transformative power of a statement piece like a freestanding tub, which can become the elegant focal point of your bathroom, or a generously sized walk-in shower.
• Toilets: The modern bathroom often features high-tech smart toilets. These innovative units come equipped with advanced features such as heated seats for ultimate comfort, integrated bidet functions for enhanced hygiene, and even automatic flushing capabilities.
• Faucets and Sinks: The choice of faucets and sinks contributes significantly to the bathroom’s tactile and visual experience. Opting for designer faucets with unique finishes or incorporating elegant undermount sinks crafted from premium materials like fine ceramic, natural stone, or even specialized composites will undeniably add a touch of refined elegance.

Tile and Surfaces

Tile work is truly a defining feature within any bathroom space, serving as a foundational element that covers floors, walls, and even intricate shower enclosures. It sets the aesthetic tone and significantly influences the overall ambiance of the room.

• Material: The selection of tile material plays a crucial role in both the visual appeal and the final budget. Luxurious natural stones, such as opulent marble or sturdy granite, along with sophisticated high-end porcelain and meticulously crafted mosaic tiles, naturally command a higher price point than more conventional ceramic options.
• Layout: Beyond the material itself, the chosen tile layout can dramatically impact installation costs. Intricate patterns, such as the classic herringbone or dynamic chevron designs, demand a higher degree of precision, specialized cutting techniques, and significantly more time from skilled artisans to install correctly.
• Heated Flooring: Many Chicago homeowners are opting for the installation of radiant heating systems beneath their tiles. This popular upgrade ensures a consistently warm and inviting surface underfoot, especially welcome on chilly mornings, and can subtly contribute to the overall energy efficiency of the space.

Costly Surprises to Avoid

Even with the most meticulous planning, the renovation process can sometimes reveal unexpected issues, a common occurrence particularly in Chicago’s beautiful older homes. Being fully aware of these potential pitfalls from the outset is crucial. It allows you to build a more realistic budget and avoid financial stress down the line.

• Hidden Water Damage: Once we begin opening up walls and removing old flooring, it’s not uncommon to uncover hidden damage from past plumbing leaks or moisture intrusion. This can manifest as wood rot, which compromises structural integrity, or mold growth, which poses health risks. These issues require thorough remediation and repair before any new installation work can commence.
• Outdated Plumbing or Electrical Systems: Older homes often have plumbing and electrical systems that do not meet current safety and building codes. Replacing old galvanized pipes or upgrading outdated electrical panels are important essential for safety and functionality but can represent a significant, unforeseen expense.
• Necessary Structural Changes: While you may not have planned on it, sometimes moving walls or significantly reconfiguring the bathroom’s layout becomes necessary to achieve your design goals or address underlying issues. This type of structural work is more involved, requiring additional labor and materials, which adds complexity and cost to the project.

To navigate these possibilities without derailing your project, we strongly advise setting aside a contingency fund. A financial cushion of 10-20% of your total estimated budget is a wise safety net, providing peace of mind and ensuring you can cover these potential surprises gracefully.

Areté Renovators: Your Dream Chicago Bathroom Remodelers

While labor and cabinetry are often the most expensive components of a bathroom remodel, a successful project is about the sum of its parts. We understand that this is a costly investment, and we do not take this lightly.

If you’re ready to transform your Chicago home with a seamless, stylish, and innovative bathroom renovation, our team at Areté is here to help. We specialize in high-end design-build solutions that deliver exceptional craftsmanship and reliable project management.

Call us at 773.683.3033 or contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward your home’s stunning transformation.