A bathroom packs more trades into less space than any other room: plumbing, electrical, ventilation, waterproofing, tile and cabinetry. That density is why bathrooms cost more per square foot than almost anything else in a house, and why the order of work and the quality of what goes behind the tile matter so much.

  • Tub and shower replacement, including tub-to-shower conversions
  • Vanities, tops, toilets and fixtures
  • Tile floors and shower surrounds over proper waterproofing
  • Exhaust fans ducted to the outside
  • New basement bathrooms, including plumbing rough-in

Budget and what drives it

HomeAdvisor reports an average of $12,152, with most bathroom remodels between $6,651 and $17,659. Half baths typically run $1,500 to $15,000, full baths $3,500 to $20,000 and primary bathrooms $7,000 to $30,000. Labor is 40% to 65% of the total. Keeping the toilet, tub and vanity where they are is the most effective way to hold the price down; a custom tiled shower is usually the largest single item.

Ventilation matters more in a cold climate

In winter, warm moist air from a shower meets cold exterior walls and attic surfaces. A fan that is too small, too noisy to be used or vented into the attic instead of outdoors leads to condensation, peeling paint, mold and, in the attic, frost that melts and stains the ceiling. Ask for a fan sized to the room, ducted through insulated pipe to an exterior hood, and consider a timer or humidity switch so it runs long enough after a shower.

Adding a basement bathroom

Many Sioux Falls homes were built with drain pipes already stubbed into the basement floor for a future bathroom. If yours has them, adding a bathroom is far simpler. If not, the slab has to be cut to run drains, or a pump system installed. Either way it is plumbing work that requires a permit and inspection.

Common bathroom remodeling situations in Sioux Falls

  • An original builder-grade bathroom that has not aged well
  • A fan that does not clear the mirror, and mildew on the ceiling
  • A tub nobody uses taking up the space for a larger shower
  • Cracked tile or soft flooring around the tub or toilet
  • An unfinished basement with plumbing stubs and no bathroom

Bathroom Remodeling FAQs

How long does a bathroom remodel take?

Two to three weeks is typical for a hall bath kept in its layout. A primary bath with a tiled shower or relocated plumbing often takes four to six weeks. Waiting on cabinets, glass or special-order tile is the usual reason projects run long, so order before demolition.

What is the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?

Labor overall. Among single items, the shower — particularly a custom tiled shower with glass — followed by cabinetry and any relocation of plumbing.

This content is reviewed by the Sioux Falls SD Home Remodeling editorial team and informed by licensed-contractor sourcing, manufacturer documentation, and established industry standards for Home Remodeling. Read our editorial standards.