Search “bathroom remodel cost” and you'll find national averages that have nothing to do with your house in Sycamore, Geneva, or Northbrook. Averages are for articles. Your bathroom has a real number — and it's driven by five things.
A full gut — down to the studs, new everything — is the biggest version of the job. A partial remodel that keeps the layout and some finishes lands well below it. And if your layout works and the tile is sound, a bathroom refresh (new vanity, faucet, toilet, caulk, paint) delivers most of the visual change for a fraction of the cost. We wrote a whole guide on refresh vs. remodel.
Keeping the toilet, sink, and shower where they are keeps money in your pocket. Moving fixtures means opening floors and walls, rerouting supply and drain lines, and permits — all legitimate costs, but only worth paying when the new layout genuinely earns it.
Tile is labor-intensive — every square foot is prepped, waterproofed, set, and grouted by hand. A tiled shower surround with a fiberglass pan costs meaningfully less than floor-to-ceiling tile everywhere. Large-format tile can trim labor; mosaic and niche details add it.
A vanity can cost $300 or $3,000. We install either — many clients pick their own fixtures and we're happy to work with them. We'll flag anything that won't fit or won't hold up before it's ordered.
Older homes in towns like DeKalb and Winnetka sometimes hide water damage or improvised plumbing behind the walls. When that happens, work pauses and you get a revised written scope to approve before anything changes — no surprise invoices.
Because it would be wrong for your bathroom. What we promise instead: a free written quote with one clear number, usually within 24–48 hours of seeing the space, from a licensed general contractor who pulls the permits and stands behind the work. If the number's past your budget, we'll quote a smaller scope — honestly, including telling you when the refresh is the smarter buy.
Request your free bathroom quote, or call / text us at (331) 265-7388. We remodel bathrooms across DeKalb County, the Fox Valley, and the North Shore.
