Bathrooms are the densest room in a house — plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, tile, and ventilation all inside 40 square feet. That density is why two bids for "the same bathroom" can differ by ten thousand dollars.
Where the money actually goes
| Category | Share of budget | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Labor across trades | ~40–50% | Plumbing, electrical, tile setting, drywall, finish carpentry |
| Tile & waterproofing | ~15–20% | Shower size, niche and bench work, pattern complexity |
| Vanity, top & fixtures | ~15% | Stock vs. custom, faucet and valve quality |
| Shower glass & door | ~5–10% | Framed vs. frameless, custom measure |
| Permits, dumpster, protection | ~5% | Scope of permit, access, occupied home |
Three realistic tiers
Refresh — roughly $12k–$18k
Same layout. New vanity and top, toilet, light and exhaust fan, tub or shower surround replaced, floor tile, paint, trim. Nothing moves; nothing is opened beyond what's needed.
Full remodel — roughly $18k–$28k
Down to studs. Tub converted to a tiled shower, new valve and drain, new supply lines, GFCI circuit and dedicated fan, tile floor and full shower walls, semi-custom vanity, new glass.
Primary suite — roughly $28k–$45k+
Layout changes, curbless or larger shower, double vanity, freestanding tub, heated floor, custom glass, and often framing or window work. This is where relocating drains and structural changes enter the budget.
The waterproofing is the part you never see and can least afford to cheap out on. A properly built pan and bonded membrane is the difference between a shower that lasts twenty years and one that rots the subfloor in five.
Hidden costs in older Clark County homes
- Rot at the flange or pan — common wherever a wax ring failed years ago
- Galvanized or corroded supply lines that should be replaced while the wall is open
- No dedicated GFCI circuit or a fan vented into the attic instead of outside
- Out-of-level subfloor that has to be corrected before large-format tile
- Undersized framing for a niche, bench, or grab-bar blocking
We document that kind of concealed work on real jobs in our project gallery — the parts a photo of the finished room never shows.
How to compare two bathroom bids
- Is the shower pan method named — and is it a bonded membrane system?
- Are valve, trim, and fixture allowances written as dollar figures or named products?
- Who supplies and measures the glass, and is it in the number?
- Is the exhaust fan vented to the exterior, with CFM specified?
- Is the permit in the price, and who schedules inspections?
- What's the written rot and unforeseen-condition allowance?
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Clark County, WA?
Most full bathroom remodels in Clark County land between roughly $12,000 and $35,000 depending on size, whether plumbing moves, and finish level. A guest bath refresh with existing layout can come in lower; a primary suite with a tiled curbless shower runs higher.
Is it cheaper to keep the existing plumbing layout?
Substantially. Leaving the toilet, tub, and vanity in place avoids new drain lines, venting, and often floor framing work. Moving a shower or toilet is usually the single largest cost driver in a bathroom.
How long does a bathroom remodel take?
A typical full bathroom runs three to five weeks from demo to punch list, with waiting on inspections and tile cure time built in. Custom glass and special-order tile can extend that.
Do I need a permit for a bathroom remodel in Washington?
Cosmetic swaps generally do not, but moving plumbing or electrical, altering framing, or replacing a tub with a new shower assembly typically does. Your contractor should pull the permit — not you.
What surprises show up after demo?
Rot at the toilet flange and shower pan, undersized or corroded supply lines, missing subfloor blocking, and old wiring without a GFCI circuit. Budget a 10–15% contingency in an older Vancouver home.
Keep reading
RestorationRepublic builds bathrooms in Vancouver and across Clark County under one written scope — plumbing, electrical, tile, and finishes with a single point of contact.
Talk to a real project manager
RestorationRepublic handles kitchens, baths, repairs, and water damage across SW Washington — one licensed contractor, one written scope, one accountable point of contact.
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