Welcome to the USA Cabinet Store podcast. I am
Chris, and today we are talking about something
every Houston homeowner wants to know. How much
does a bathroom remodel actually cost in 2026?
I have got Jessica here with me. She has been
digging into the latest pricing data, and some
of these numbers might surprise you. Jessica,
what is the big picture? Hey, Chris. Okay, so
the average bathroom remodel in Houston comes
in around $12 ,994. But honestly, that average
hides a lot. Most projects actually fall between
$600 - $900 and $50 ,000. And luxury master bath
renovations? Those can blow past $90 ,000. The
good news is Houston runs about 8 % cheaper than
the national average for construction costs.
So you do get more for your money here compared
to, say, Dallas or Austin. That is a massive
range, though. 6 ,000 versus 90 ,000? How do
people figure out where they will land? It really
comes down to four things. Bathroom size, the
materials you pick, how deep the demolition goes,
and which professionals you hire. Let me break
down size first. A half bath, so just a toilet
and sink, runs $2 ,000 to $7 ,500. A small bathroom
under 35 square feet costs $6 ,000 to $15 ,000.
Medium bathrooms, 35 to 75 square feet, hit $15
,000 to $30 ,000. Enlarged master baths over
75 square feet, that is $30 ,000 to $50 ,000.
For primary bathroom renovations specifically,
most Houston homeowners spend $29 ,000 to $50
,000 at the mid -range level. What about per
square foot? I know people love that metric for
comparing projects. Sure. Budget cosmetic refreshes
run $80 to $120 per square foot. Mid -range quality
work hits $180 to $280. High -end reaches $300
to $450. And luxury custom builds top $500 to
$800 plus per square foot. But here is an important
catch. Small bathrooms actually cost more per
square foot because plumbing and waterproofing
are fixed costs. They do not shrink with the
room. A 20 -square -foot powder room gut can
hit $900 per square foot for that exact reason.
Now... Labor's a huge chunk of the budget, right?
I keep hearing that skilled workers are getting
more expensive. Yes, and this is the biggest
story for 2026. Labor now eats 30 -50 % of your
total project cost. Rates are up 4 -6 % this
year alone. Licensed plumbers charge $45 to $200
per hour. Master electricians run $80 to $140.
Tile setters are $60 to $100. The Gulf Coast
has a real shortage of these skilled trades and
it is the number one reason costs keep climbing.
Inner loop jobs in Heights, Montrose and Upper
Kirby cost even more because parking is harder.
City rules are stricter and the old homes need
more expertise. Speaking of neighborhoods, how
much does your location within Houston affect
the price? A lot. Montrose and Houston Heights
run 15 to 25 percent above the city average.
Those older homes often have galvanized pipes
and outdated wiring that need full replacement
before any cosmetic work even starts. That alone
can add $10 ,000 to $20 ,000. Upper Kirby starts
at $25 ,000 for renovations and commonly exceeds
$50 ,000 for master baths. But if you are in
Katy or Cypress, the newer homes and more contractor
options keep mid -range projects at $15 ,000
to $28 ,000. Perland is similar at $14 ,000 to
$22 ,000. Okay, one thing I keep hearing about
is walk -in showers. That seems to be the number
one upgrade people want. What does that cost?
It is by far the most requested job. A tub -to
-shower conversion averages about $9 ,000 in
Houston. Custom tile builds with frameless glass
enclosures can reach $15 ,000 to $20 ,000. Standard
porcelain tile installation runs $12 to $22 per
square foot, and fancier patterns like herringbone
or natural stone push that to $30 per square
foot. If you are removing an old bathtub, add
$500 to $1 ,500 or just for demolition. So after
spending all that money, what do people actually
get back when they sell? Is it worth the investment?
It really is. Mid -range bathroom renovations
return 70 to 80 percent of their cost at resale
in Houston. That is one of the best ROIs of any
home improvement project. Upper Kirby specifically
hits 70 to 80 percent ROI with quality finishes.
Heights and Montrose average 65 to 75 percent.
Katy and the suburbs deliver 60 to 70 percent
on mid -range work. The rule of thumb is to spend
five to ten percent of your home's value on a
primary bath for the best return. And universal
design features like walk -in showers and comfort
height toilets are getting more popular because
they appeal to the widest range of buyers. Okay,
before we wrap up, give us the best ways to save
money. And I know Houston humidity is a big deal.
How does that factor in? Smart planning can cut
15 to 30 percent off the total. Number one, keep
the existing layout. Not moving pipes saves $1
,500 to $5 ,000, especially on Houston's slab
foundations where moving a toilet means jackhammering
concrete. Number two, book in January or February.
Contractors often offer 10 % to 15 % discounts
in the off season. Number three, do your own
demo to save $1 ,000 to $3 ,000. And number four,
splurge where it shows, like the tile wall in
Vanity. and save on hidden stuff like subflooring.
One more thing. In Texas, remodel labor is not
taxed, but materials are at 8 .25%. Now about
humidity. Houston's 90 % plus humidity wrecks
poorly built bathrooms. Waterproofing, oversized
exhaust fans, and mold -proof drywall are not
upgrades. They are requirements. Spend on the
invisible infrastructure first. The tile and
glass get the compliments, but the waterproofing
keeps your home safe for decades. Such great
advice. And before we go, I have to mention this.
Our Houston showroom just won the NKBA Innovative
Showroom Award at KBIS 2026. That is the National
Kitchen and Bath Association recognizing our
team for creating one of the best design center
experiences in North America. So if you are planning
a bathroom remodel, come see those hands -on
displays in person. You can book a free consultation
at our Upper Kirby or Houston North showrooms.
Just visit usacabinetstore .com. Jessica, thanks
so much for breaking all this down. Thank you,
Chris. And to everyone listening, plan smart,
hire right, and do not skip the waterproofing.
We will see you next time on the USA Cabinet
Store podcast.