How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Virginia?

There is no single Virginia price for a bathroom remodel, because the range runs from a new vanity, toilet and floor to a full gut that moves the tub and the drains. We found no dated, primary-source price for bathroom remodels, so instead of quoting a number we could not stand behind, this guide shows what moves the price and how to get a written bid you can compare.

The biggest question: does anything move?

A bathroom that keeps its layout, with a new vanity, toilet, floor, paint and perhaps a swapped tub or shower, is a much smaller job than one where the tub becomes a walk-in shower, the toilet changes walls or the room grows into a closet. Moving fixtures means opening the floor and walls to reroute supply lines, drains and vents, adding electrical work, and pulling permits and inspections.

What sets the price

Tub or shower. A new shower or tub surround with waterproofing and tile has more labour and materials in it than any other part of the room. Prefabricated surrounds, tiled walls and custom glass are different price levels.

Tile and finishes. Tile size, pattern and the amount of cutting change labour time. Wall tile to the ceiling costs more than a tub surround. Ask for tile priced per square foot with the waste factor shown.

Vanity, fixtures and lighting. Stock vanities and fixtures are cheaper than custom or special-order ones, and special orders also lengthen the schedule.

Plumbing and electrical. Under the Code of Virginia, the Board for Contractors must require a master tradesman licence as a condition of licensing electrical, plumbing and HVAC contractors.^[1] Ask which plumbing, wiring and ventilation work is in each bid and which licensed contractor will do it.

Ventilation and moisture. A working exhaust fan that vents outdoors is a small cost compared with a mold problem. EPA's advice is: "Run the bathroom fan or open the window when showering".^[2]

The size of the contract. Contract value decides which licence class a contractor must hold: Class C covers single jobs over $1,000 but under $30,000, Class B covers $30,000 up to but not including $150,000, and Class A covers $150,000 or more.^[1] The class on a contractor's DPOR record tells you the size of job it is licensed to take.

Older houses cost more to open up

EPA says that approximately three-quarters of the homes in the United States built before 1978 still contain some lead-based paint.^[3] Its rule says anyone paid to perform work that disturbs painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 must be certified and their employees trained in lead-safe work practices.^[3] Containment and cleanup add time to demolition. EPA also says you can't tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it,^[4] so ask whether an older bathroom's flooring, wall material or insulation needs testing before it is disturbed.

Old tubs often hide rot, and old pipes and wiring sometimes need replacing once the wall is open. Ask the contractor to say in writing how a hidden problem will be priced and approved before the extra work starts.

Permits and fees

Fees are set locally. In Montgomery County, when we checked on October 26, 2026, residential alterations, renovations and repairs were $0.22 per sq. ft. with a minimum $45 fee, and electrical and plumbing trade permits were each $0.03 per sq.ft. with a minimum $45.^[5] The county adds a Virginia State Levy of 2% of each fee, and a technology fee of 2% of fees with a minimum $10, and a re-inspection fee was $50.^[5] The county's schedule says fees for permits are based upon Gross Building Area unless otherwise indicated,^[5] so ask your building department how it measures a bathroom alteration. Whether you need a permit at all is covered in do you need a permit to remodel a bathroom in Virginia.

Getting bids you can compare

Virginia's Board for Contractors says it is advisable to "get at least three written bids or estimates using identical plans and specifications so you can compare prices and contractors".^[6] It also says: "Do not automatically accept the lowest" and "Beware of any bid substantially lower than the others".^[6]

Ask each contractor to spell out:

• every fixture, tile and material, with brand, size and quantity, and which items are allowances
• what happens if your choice costs more than an allowance
• which trade work and permits are included, and who pulls them
• how rot, old wiring or other hidden problems are priced if found
• demolition, disposal and cleanup, and the schedule

On payment, the board says a good rule of thumb is an initial deposit of no more than 10% of the total price or $1,000, whichever is less, and that for custom-made items or special orders a reasonable deposit could be as high as 30% of the total contract value.^[6] Read how much deposit a contractor can ask for.

When to call a licensed pro

A bathroom remodel that touches plumbing, wiring or walls is a job for a licensed contractor using licensed trades. Check the contractor's licence and its class before you sign. For what the work involves stage by stage, read what happens during a bathroom remodel. The kitchen equivalent is how much a kitchen remodel costs in Virginia. You can also browse remodeling businesses or read every remodeling answer.

To get real numbers for your bathroom, describe the project once and licensed local contractors will quote it.