Bathrooms are small rooms, but they pack in more trades per square foot than almost any other room in the house — plumbing, electrical, tile, ventilation. Here’s what a realistic bathroom renovation looks like in the Triangle.
The short version
Bathroom renovations typically run $300 for a fixture swap up to $12,000+ for a full tile-and-shower overhaul. Where your project lands depends heavily on how many trades you’re touching — a fan and faucet swap is a different job entirely from re-tiling a shower.
What counts as a “bathroom renovation”?
Not every bathroom project is a full remodel. Common jobs across Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, and the rest of the Triangle include:
- Vanity and cabinet replacement
- Tile work — shower surrounds, floors, backsplashes
- Fixture replacement (faucets, shower heads, toilets)
- Exhaust fan installation or replacement
- Lighting upgrades
- Caulking and grout refresh
Why the exhaust fan matters more than people think
A bathroom without a working exhaust fan is fighting a losing battle against moisture — and moisture is what leads to peeling paint, mildew, and eventually rot around tubs and showers. If your fan is loud, weak, or just not there, replacing it is one of the highest-value, lowest-cost upgrades in a bathroom renovation. It’s often bundled into a larger renovation, but it’s just as worth doing on its own.
Planning it in phases
Like kitchens, bathroom renovations don’t have to happen in one shot:
- Phase 1 — fixtures and fan. New faucet, shower head, toilet, and exhaust fan. Usually a single day, and it solves the most common complaints — weak water pressure, poor ventilation — fastest.
- Phase 2 — vanity and lighting. A new vanity and updated lighting change the whole feel of the room, typically in a day.
- Phase 3 — tile and shower. The biggest phase — shower surrounds, flooring, and any layout changes. This is where plumbing coordination matters most.
What it costs
| Scope | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Fixture or fan replacement | $300 – $500 |
| Vanity replacement | $500 – $1,500 |
| Tile work (shower or floor) | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Full bathroom renovation | $2,000 – $12,000+ |
These ranges assume you’re supplying materials — vanity, tile, fixtures — and paying for labor and installation. A free, no-pressure estimate comes first, and the quote is the price you pay.
Who handles what
Light electrical — fan and lighting installation — is handled directly. Major plumbing, like relocating a shower valve or moving a toilet, means bringing in a licensed plumber and coordinating the whole job so it moves as one project.
Ready to talk through your bathroom?
If you’ve got a bathroom project on your list — a tired fan, an outdated vanity, or a full renovation — get a free estimate or call (919) 704-0373. See the full breakdown on the Bathroom Renovation service page.