How much does putting in a bathroom cost?

[kwynn]

I have a wishlist of things for a home. I would really like 1.5 bathrooms, having grown up sharing with 5 ppl. Also, I have clients in my home and will have a roommate and so a clean, nice bathroom is a perk, I think.

But in my price range, it is hard to find a 1.5+ bathroom home that doesn't need a ton of work. We all have to make compromises when homebuying. I'd like a bathroom on the bedroom level so I don't have to come downstairs in a towel to shower, etc.

So I am interested in a house that only has one bathroom. The options for me homebuying REALLY open up if I'm open to a one bathroom place.

This home is below my price range:

www.pittsburghmoves.com/property/details/189124/MLS-926345/257-Broadlawn-Elizabeth-TownshipBoro-PA-15037.aspx?SearchID=13895681&RowNum=42&StateID=44&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

I'm considering seeing it. Just out of curiosity, how much *very* generally would it be to add a bathroom?

Like a ballpark would be 15k? 30k? 50k? I really have no idea. Just wondering.

[sugarbear]

We just put a 3/4 bath into our basement for ~$16k.

[kwynn]

Jan 24, 2013 23:38:12 GMT -5 sugarbear said:

We just put a 3/4 bath into our basement for ~$16k.

Thanks so much! Is that doing the work yourself or contracting it out?

I wanted to contract the whole darn thing out A half or 3/4 would be fine with me. LCOL area

[sugarbear]

We hired an architect and a contractor, but the contractor allowed DH to do much of the labor himself. I think you could easily spend $20-$25k on a bathroom. Our finishes aren't cheap, but they aren't high end either.

[Deleted]

Is there room in the house to add one somewhere? Or would you have to expand the house?

ETA: That house is cute!

[isabel]

No thoughts on the bathroom, but that house is cute! I like it a lot out of the ones you've posted.

[midnightmare81]

Depending on where you are, H said if the plumbing/electrical is already there $6k or so for a 1/2 bath. If the plumbing isn't there, more like $8k range.

[chessie]

Depends how handy you are. We are putting in a basement one from ground up, special upflush- will cost around 3k, total for everything-toliet, vanity, pipes, electrical, sheet rock, tile, paint, extras...

[kaylie]

I don't think you can make an educated guess until you figure out exactly where you would add it and what would have to be moved to make it happen. Moving plumbing around can get very expensive and since it looks like you're working with an entirely finished space there would also be demo and patch work to be done afterwards that you'd need to factor in.

[kwynn]

Jan 25, 2013 6:30:55 GMT -5 kaylie said:

I don't think you can make an educated guess until you figure out exactly where you would add it and what would have to be moved to make it happen. Moving plumbing around can get very expensive and since it looks like you're working with an entirely finished space there would also be demo and patch work to be done afterwards that you'd need to factor in.

Do you think it would be worth it to get a contractor in there if I'm seriously interested in the house prior to making an offer?

There's also an unfinished basement but I prefer a main level bath, but I know a lot of people do basement baths because it's easier.

[Deleted]

Jan 25, 2013 6:45:57 GMT -5 kwynn said:

Jan 25, 2013 6:30:55 GMT -5 kaylie said:

I don't think you can make an educated guess until you figure out exactly where you would add it and what would have to be moved to make it happen. Moving plumbing around can get very expensive and since it looks like you're working with an entirely finished space there would also be demo and patch work to be done afterwards that you'd need to factor in.

Do you think it would be worth it to get a contractor in there if I'm seriously interested in the house prior to making an offer?

There's also an unfinished basement but I prefer a main level bath, but I know a lot of people do basement baths because it's easier.

Is the basement going to be finished?  Putting a bathroom in a finished basement or a to be finished basement wouldn't bother me, but having a finished bathroom in an unfinished basement would strike me as odd.   If you have a contractor friend who would be willing to take a look at the house for you it couldn't hurt. 

[kwynn]

Jan 25, 2013 6:58:47 GMT -5 @bonsoirlune said:

Jan 25, 2013 6:45:57 GMT -5 kwynn said:

Do you think it would be worth it to get a contractor in there if I'm seriously interested in the house prior to making an offer?

There's also an unfinished basement but I prefer a main level bath, but I know a lot of people do basement baths because it's easier.

Is the basement going to be finished?  Putting a bathroom in a finished basement or a to be finished basement wouldn't bother me, but having a finished bathroom in an unfinished basement would strike me as odd.   If you have a contractor friend who would be willing to take a look at the house for you it couldn't hurt. 

Ideally, yes, someday. But more on an 8 year plan than right now.

My first preference would be a bathroom upstairs in that long toy room that's on the listing right now. I think it would fit well there, but I'm no contractor.

I don't know any contractors but could ask around for one to come with me for another showing if I get serious about this place.

[bunch]

Like other posters said, it depends SO much. I would have a contractor come look it you think you want to make an offer. That's what I do.

[Deleted]

I think $6-$8k sounds reasonable assuming you aren't adding onto the house--that gets $$$ way faster.

[countthestars]

I have no idea, but I love that house!

[hamster]

It's been a while, but I believe we were told it's normally about 5-10k to renovate a bathroom, so you can probably add an extra thousand or two to that cost for adding one.

[rubytue]

The unfinished basement will be helpful because the pipes can be run without tearing up walls. If that toy room shares a wall with your kitchen sink, you will be golden because you know there will be water nearby. But even if not, with an unfinished basement you wouldn't have to tear up ceilings or walls to get the pipes over there.

[Deleted]

About 7 years I spent a little under $20K for a full bathroom remodel. Everything was taken down to the studs, mold was removed, and rebuilt, all plumbing stayed where it was. 100% was contracted out as I was not living in the area at the time.

[kaylie]

If you know a contractor or a handy person nearby it would be worth bringing them with you. They would also be able to tell you what was possible. It might be hard to get someone to come out if you don't have a connection to them though.

Putting it in the basement would probably be cheaper/easier because the space is unfinished, but I agree that main floor is best.

[whitemerlot]

I joined Angie's List to find contractors.

Some things that made adding a second bath too expensive in our current house (in the unfinished basement) were floor had a 6 foot diameter gradual slope, needed to move a floor drain, ceiling height was low in the area due to the waste pipe. We had some quotes for $15k to rough it in and fix the floor. Our pipes were galvanized steel and we paid over 3k to replace them, but didn't do the bathroom.

We are doing cosmetic updates in 3 bathrooms right now and it will cost about $16-18k for reference. We have a 1/2, a 3/4 and a full bath and are recoating the tub and replacing vanities, fixtures, tile, lighting, and 2 of the toilets.

[Deleted]

Just wanted to add that I love that house.

[ECB]

Jan 25, 2013 8:46:10 GMT -5 @cookiemonster03 said:

It really depends where you're putting it, but honestly, for a house w/ a roommate, while it would be nice, I wouldn't consider it a dealbreaker.

Hell- one bathroom would have been a dealbreaker for just DH and I.    WEll, probably not - not for the perfect house.  But we learned a LONG time ago that we need at least 2 toilets.

Anyhow - OP, I wish I could help.  I know my parents redid their bathroom for about $5k using a contractor that was referred to them.

Love the house!