Remodeling magazine's 2025 Cost vs. Value report puts the New England average for a midrange remodel of a 5-by-7-foot bathroom at $27,559. An upscale remodel that enlarges and re-plans the room costs more. In Massachusetts, moving plumbing, the amount of tile and water damage found behind old walls move the price most.
What does a bathroom remodel cost in New England?
| Project | Typical scope | New England average, 2025 | Cost recouped at resale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom remodel, midrange | Update a 5 × 7 ft bathroom: new tub with ceramic tile surround, toilet, fixtures, vanity with solid-surface top and tile floor | $27,559 | 90.5% |
New England average, 2025. © 2025 Zonda Media, a Delaware corporation. Complete data from the Remodeling 2025 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com. These are regional averages for standard projects, not quotes: your price depends on your house, your choices and the conditions found once work starts.
The same report also prices an upscale bathroom remodel, which enlarges the room and moves fixtures, and bathroom additions. Those larger projects cost more and recoup a smaller share of their cost at resale; we don't repeat their figures here, and the full New England data is free at costvsvalue.com.
We don't publish our own price ranges. Every bathroom is priced from an itemized estimate after a free visit, because tile choices, the shower design and what's behind the walls vary so much from house to house.
What's the difference between a midrange and an upscale bathroom remodel?
- Midrange: the bathroom keeps its size and layout. The tub, toilet, vanity, tile and fixtures are replaced with standard-grade products, and the plumbing stays where it is.
- Upscale: the room gets bigger or is re-planned, so drains and supply lines move. It typically adds a custom tile shower with frameless glass, a separate tub, a double vanity and higher-end fixtures and lighting.
What drives bathroom remodel costs in Massachusetts?
- Tile area and pattern: tile is labor-heavy, and full-height walls, small mosaics and niches add hours.
- Shower versus tub: a custom tile shower with a glass door costs more than a tub with a tile surround. Tub-to-shower conversions also change the drain.
- Moving fixtures: relocating a toilet, shower or vanity means new drain and supply lines, done by a licensed plumber under a plumbing permit.
- Electrical and ventilation: the exhaust fan, lighting and ground-fault (GFCI) protected outlets near water are installed by a licensed electrician.
- Hidden damage: slow leaks often rot the subfloor or wall framing around a tub or toilet, and it only shows once the old floor and walls come out.
- Older houses: in homes built before 1978, disturbing painted surfaces triggers lead-safe work rules.
- Glass and fixtures: frameless glass, thermostatic valves and designer fixtures widen the range quickly.
Why does waterproofing matter in a tiled shower?
Tile and grout are not waterproof. What keeps water out of the wall and floor framing is the layer behind the tile: a waterproofing membrane or a sealed backer-board system, with the shower floor sloped to the drain and every niche, bench and corner sealed. When it is skipped or done poorly, leaks can go unnoticed for years.
When you compare bids, ask each contractor which waterproofing system goes behind the tile and how the shower pan is tested before tile is set.
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How long does a bathroom remodel take?
Bathrooms typically take 2 to 3 weeks of work once materials are in. A frameless glass door is measured after the tile is finished and made to fit, which adds time at the end. If it's your only bathroom, plan for how the household will manage during those weeks.
Do you need a permit to remodel a bathroom in Massachusetts?
It depends on the work. Moving or adding fixtures needs a plumbing permit pulled by a licensed plumber, and new circuits need an electrical permit pulled by a licensed electrician. Changes to walls or structure need a building permit. Replacing finishes in place, such as tile, a vanity top or paint, is usually treated as finish work. Our permit guide has the details, and your town's building department has the final word.
What do our recent bathroom remodels look like?
The shower at the top of this guide is from one of our recent bathroom remodels: marble-look tile walls, a hexagon mosaic floor and a hinged glass door. Our bathroom projects page shows more, including walk-in showers with frameless glass, a tub with a glass panel and subway tile, and a corner shower beside a soaking tub.
We remodel bathrooms across our service area, including bathroom remodeling in Hudson and in Northborough, where we're based. A client in Hudson shared this:
“Honest pricing and no surprises. Our bathroom looks like it belongs in a magazine. Will definitely hire again.”
See our bathroom remodeling service for the full scope of what we do.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bathroom remodel worth it for resale?
A midrange remodel comes close: in the 2025 Cost vs. Value data for New England, it recouped 90.5% of its cost at resale. An upscale remodel recoups a smaller share, so the extra spending is mostly for your own use.
Can I keep my tub and still update the bathroom?
Yes. Keeping the tub and toilet where they are avoids moving drains, one of the bigger cost drivers. New tile, a new vanity, fixtures and lighting can go in around the existing layout.
Do I need a permit to replace a vanity or toilet?
When a contractor does the work, plumbing is done by a licensed plumber under a plumbing permit. Ask your plumber or your town whether a like-for-like fixture swap needs a permit; moving or adding fixtures does.
How long will we be without the bathroom?
Typically 2 to 3 weeks of work once materials are in, plus a short wait at the end if a custom glass door is made to fit after the tile is finished.
Sources
- Remodeling 2025 Cost vs. Value Report: New England (JLC / Zonda Media)
- Cost vs. Value report data, free download (costvsvalue.com)
- Mass.gov: Lead-safe renovation for contractors (454 CMR 22.00)
Laws, codes and program rules change. This guide is general information, not legal advice; confirm the rules for your project with your town's building department or the state agency linked above.
