Master Bathroom Remodel Cost in Wisconsin: 2026 Prices by Scope
A master bathroom remodel costs about $12,005 to $24,715 for a 100 to 150 square foot room, with an average of about $18,360, according to This Old House's cost guide (updated December 2025). The same publisher's small bathroom guide puts a primary bathroom at $7,000 to $30,000, averaging about $18,500. Plumbing is the single biggest line item at about $5,545, which is why moving the shower, toilet or vanity drains is where a Wisconsin master bath budget climbs fastest.
Published 2026-10-29 · 6 min read · 1,340 words
Bathroom project - T&JHere is what a master bathroom remodel costs by size and scope, where the money goes, and the Wisconsin code items to plan for.
Master Bathroom Remodel Cost by Size
| Bathroom size | Cosmetic upgrade | Full renovation |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | $12,005 | $19,166 |
| 120 sq ft | $13,841 | $21,295 |
| 130 sq ft | $14,764 | $22,370 |
| 150 sq ft | $16,708 | $24,715 |
These are This Old House's figures, and the full renovation column includes demolition and removal. A master bath larger than 150 square feet, or one with a layout change, usually lands above the table.
This Old House puts master bathroom labor at about $56.20 to $84.84 per square foot, or about $63 an hour on average. For what each trade earns here, see our guide to bathroom remodel labor cost in Wisconsin.
Cost by Scope: Refresh, Mid-Range or Premium
For a 100 square foot master bathroom, This Old House gives these ranges:
- Basic refresh, up to about $17,516. New paint, lighting, a vanity top or faucet, a toilet, and fixtures replaced in their current spots.
- Mid-range, about $15,648 to $20,130. New vanity, tile floor and shower walls, a new tub or shower, and an exhaust fan, with the layout kept.
- Premium, about $18,920 to $24,362 or more. A tiled walk-in shower, a freestanding tub, a double vanity and higher-end finishes.
Bathroom - T&JAbove that, a large primary suite with a separate shower and tub, custom tile and a moved layout moves into the range covered in our guide to what a $50,000 bathroom remodel gets you in Wisconsin.
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Where the Money Goes
This Old House prices each part of a master bathroom remodel, materials and labor included:
| Item | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|
| Plumbing | $5,545 |
| Cabinetry | $2,929 |
| Insulation and drywall | $2,338 |
| Tiling | $1,326 |
| Shower and tub combination | $1,258 |
| Painting | $1,145 |
| Freestanding tub | $1,123 |
| Flooring | $1,114 |
| Toilet | $467 |
| Electrical | $456 |
| Sink | $440 |
| Countertop | $332 |
Plumbing alone is about 30% of the $18,360 average, so the layout decision matters more than any finish choice.
What Pushes a Master Bath Past $25,000
Moving fixtures.
Relocating the toilet, shower drain or vanity means new drain and vent piping and opening the floor.
A tiled walk-in shower.
Custom tile, a curbless entry, niches and a glass enclosure add labor; see our walk-in shower cost guide and our shower door installation cost guide.
Both a tub and a shower.
If you are weighing one against the other, see soaking tub vs walk-in shower in Wisconsin.
Heated floors.
Popular in a Wisconsin winter; see our heated bathroom floor cost guide.
A double vanity.
A second sink adds plumbing, cabinetry and countertop length.
Size.
Every extra square foot adds tile, flooring and labor.
Wisconsin Code and Permit Items
- Ventilation. Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code calls for a bathroom exhaust fan rated at least 50 cubic feet per minute, or 20 if it runs continuously, vented to the outside. If the old fan vents into the attic or is too small, the remodel is the time to fix it.
- Permits. This Old House notes that most remodels need one or more permits, especially when plumbing or electrical work is involved. In Wisconsin your city, village or town issues them, so check with your local building inspector before demolition.
- Plumbing. Wisconsin lets an owner do plumbing in a one-family home they own and live in, unless a local ordinance requires a licensed plumber. The work still has to meet code and pass inspection; see our guide to bathroom plumbing permits in Wisconsin.
This Old House recommends setting aside another 10% to 15% of the budget for surprises. In an older Wisconsin home, a soft subfloor around the toilet, an undersized fan duct or old drain piping are the usual finds once the walls open.
Bathroom - T&JHow Long a Master Bathroom Remodel Takes
This Old House puts a master bathroom remodel at 3 to 8 weeks from planning to final inspection. Ordering the vanity, tile, glass and fixtures before demolition keeps the room out of service for less time. If the master bath is your only full bathroom with a shower, plan where everyone will shower during the work.
Is a Master Bathroom Remodel Worth It?
This Old House, citing the Journal of Light Construction's 2024 cost versus value data, puts the return on a midrange bathroom remodel at about 74% of its cost in added home value. The rest of the return is daily use: a shower you can step into, storage that works, and a fan that keeps mold off the ceiling.
Questions to Ask Before You Compare Bids
Is the quote itemized
with plumbing, tile, cabinetry and electrical shown separately?
What are the allowances
for tile, vanity, fixtures and glass, and at what price?
Does the plan move any drains?
If so, how is that priced?
How is the shower waterproofed?
Get the method in writing.
Who pulls the permits
and schedules the inspections?
Is the exhaust fan included
and vented outside?
Bathroom - T&JGetting a Master Bathroom Estimate
A free in-home design consultation measures the room, checks the plumbing, the fan and the floor, talks through layout and finishes, and leaves a written, itemized estimate with labor and materials shown separately. You can also start with our bathroom remodeling calculator for a first number.
T&J is a father-and-son team that has worked in Wisconsin since 1989. John is your single point of contact from the first call through the final walkthrough, Telli is on site running the work, and T&J gives a written 2-year warranty. Homeowners across Waukesha County can see our bathroom remodeling services or request a free in-home estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a master bathroom remodel cost in Wisconsin?
This Old House puts a master bathroom remodel at about $12,005 to $24,715 for a 100 to 150 square foot room, averaging about $18,360. Larger rooms, moved plumbing and custom tile push a project higher.
What is the most expensive part of a master bathroom remodel?
Plumbing, at about $5,545 in This Old House's breakdown, followed by cabinetry at about $2,929.
How much does a primary bathroom remodel cost?
This Old House's small bathroom guide puts a primary bathroom at $7,000 to $30,000, with an average of about $18,500.
How long does a master bathroom remodel take?
About 3 to 8 weeks from planning to final inspection, according to This Old House.
Do I need a permit to remodel a master bathroom in Wisconsin?
Usually, when the work involves plumbing, electrical or structural changes. Your city, village or town building inspector issues the permit.
What size exhaust fan does a master bathroom need in Wisconsin?
At least 50 cubic feet per minute, or 20 if it runs continuously, vented to the outside.
Is a master bathroom remodel worth the money?
This Old House, citing 2024 cost versus value data, puts the return on a midrange bathroom remodel at about 74%.
Pricing is based on our own recent projects. Written by John (PM, 14 yrs) and reviewed by Telli, who has been remodeling in Wisconsin since 1989. Published 2026-10-29.
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