Project cost · modeled example

5×8 Bathroom Remodel Cost (2026 Baseline)

What this scope is likely to be quoted at, and the fully itemized direct job cost underneath it. Every quantity, rate, and formula shown.

Direct answer: A 5×8 bathroom with the tub replaced in place, a new tiled surround to the ceiling, new vanity and countertop, toilet, exhaust fan, lighting, wall and ceiling paint, and porcelain floor tile is likely to be quoted between $25,827.59 and $35,761.28. That is a direct job cost of $19,867.38 plus a 30% to 80% contractor markup. Direct job cost is labor and materials only, with no contractor overhead or profit, and is not a price: no contractor performs work at job cost. Rates are researched by three AI systems pricing the same stated scenario and reconciled by taking the median of their responses; no specific locality is selected and no statistically measured market median is claimed.

The exact scope being priced

Modeled example in no specific locality is selected, and no statistically measured market median is claimed. Geographic basis: Clamp researched baseline rates, reconciled across three AI systems against a stated mid-market scenario; no specific locality and no measured market median.

Scope

  • Same-layout bathroom remodel
  • 60×30 tub replaced in place
  • 65 square feet of tiled tub surround to ceiling
  • New vanity with countertop and faucet
+ 13 more
  • New toilet
  • Exhaust fan replacement
  • Two light fixtures
  • Wall and ceiling paint
  • 28 square feet of porcelain floor tile in the open floor area
  • Vanity and countertop replacement
  • Toilet replacement with wax ring and supply line
  • Faucet and drain assembly replacement
  • Mirror and lighting fixture replacement
  • Interior painting of walls and ceiling
  • Towel bar and accessory mounting
  • Removal of existing fan housing and disposal
  • New fan housing installation in ceiling cavity

Assumptions

  • Existing floor joists and subfloor are structurally sound with no water damage
  • All rough plumbing and electrical connections remain in current locations
  • Wall framing and drywall behind tile are intact with no concealed rot or mold
  • Electrical circuits have adequate capacity for new fixtures without panel upgrade
+ 6 more
  • Standard 8-foot ceiling height and no concealed structural obstructions
  • Transcript did not specify a finish tier (basic/standard/premium); assumed standard given no descriptors of high-end or budget materials.
  • Attic or ceiling cavity access exists within 10 feet of fan location
  • Electrical circuit capacity exists for fan load without panel upgrade
  • Exterior wall or soffit is accessible for termination within 10 linear feet of fan
  • Ceiling framing is standard 16-inch on-center joists with no obstructions

Exclusions

  • Moving drain or supply line locations (rough plumbing remains as-is)
  • Electrical circuit additions or panel work (existing circuits reused)
  • Ventilation fan replacement or ducting changes
  • Wall removal or layout changes
+ 9 more
  • Subfloor replacement or structural framing repair
  • Window or door replacement
  • Trim or baseboard replacement beyond patch and paint
  • Ceiling drywall repair or texture matching beyond 6-inch perimeter of fan opening
  • Attic insulation relocation or replacement disturbed during duct routing
  • Roof shingle removal or flashing work (exterior termination assumes soffit or sidewall location)
  • Permit requirements vary by jurisdiction and must be confirmed locally.
  • Lighting work depends on the existing circuit and selected fixtures.
  • For homes built before 1978, follow applicable lead-safe renovation requirements before disturbing painted surfaces.

Cost summary job costs · no markup

This is not a price. These are job costs: labor and materials only. No contractor performs work at job cost. Overhead and profit go on top, and how much depends on what that contractor's business requires to operate.

Job costs only. These amounts estimate the direct cost to perform the work and do not include contractor overhead, owner compensation, or profit.

Illustrative contractor profiles, not recommended markups. Higher markup means more business behind the job. It does not by itself mean better work, and a lower markup does not by itself mean a better deal. Your correct markup depends on your actual overhead, sales volume, owner compensation, and profit goal.

What this scope is likely to be quoted at
$25,827.59 to $35,761.28
Job cost plus a 30% to 80% markup, the range these illustrative contractor profiles span. A quote outside it is not automatically wrong; it reflects a different business, a different scope, or different conditions.
Estimated job cost, before any markup$19,867.38
Direct job cost
$19,867.38
Labor
$11,002.00
Materials
$8,113.88
Other
$751.50

Direct cost only: no contractor overhead, owner compensation, or profit. See price scenarios for the same profiles with gross margins.

Line items, grouped by trade

ItemQtyUnitLaborMaterialLine cost
Permits & PM
Project Management Labor5hr$475.00$0$475.00
Permits & PM subtotal$475.00
Permits & PM subtotal$475.00
Demo & Prep
Dust Containment Setup1ls$650.00$0$650.00
Bathroom Fixture Removal3ea$375.00$0$375.00
Haul-Off Per Load1.67ea$0$0$751.50
Interior Demolition Labor50sf$175.00$0$175.00
Demo Protection Setup1ls$450.00$0$450.00
Demo & Prep subtotal$2,401.50
Demo & Prep subtotal$2,401.50
Plumbing
Shower Trim and Accessories Allowance2ea$0$500.00$500.00
Faucet Allowance1ea$0$250.00$250.00
Lavatory Sink Allowance1ea$0$350.00$350.00
Toilet Allowance1ea$0$450.00$450.00
Fixture Set Labor4ea$1,140.00$0$1,140.00
Shower/Tub Valve Set1ea$385.00$0$385.00
Tub Unit Allowance1ea$0$1,200.00$1,200.00
Plumbing subtotal$4,275.00
Plumbing subtotal$4,275.00
Electrical
Bath Fan Duct Install Labor8lf$148.00$0$148.00
Bath Fan Duct Materials9.2lf$0$115.00$115.00
Bath Fan Electrical Hookup Labor1each$200.00$0$200.00
Bath Fan Termination Install Labor1each$185.00$0$185.00
Bath Fan Termination Materials1each$0$145.00$145.00
Bath Fan Housing Install Labor1each$150.00$0$150.00
Bath Fan Removal Labor1each$175.00$0$175.00
Bath Fan Testing & Commissioning1each$175.00$0$175.00
Light Fixture Install2ea$360.00$0$360.00
Electrical subtotal$1,653.00
Electrical subtotal$1,653.00
HVAC
Bathroom Exhaust Fan Unit Allowance1ea$0$215.00$215.00
HVAC subtotal$215.00
HVAC subtotal$215.00
Insulation
Bath Fan Air Sealing Labor1each$150.00$0$150.00
Insulation subtotal$150.00
Insulation subtotal$150.00
Drywall
Drywall Removal275sf$508.75$0$508.75
Drywall subtotal$508.75
Drywall subtotal$508.75
Carpentry
Bathroom Accessory Install Labor5ea$240.00$0$240.00
Interior Door Install1ea$225.00$0$225.00
Baseboard and Casing Install30lf$255.00$0$255.00
Vanity Install Labor1.25ea$525.00$0$525.00
Carpentry subtotal$1,245.00
Carpentry subtotal$1,245.00
Tile
Tile Grout Install Labor93sf$162.75$0$162.75
Tile Grout Materials4.65sf$0$16.28$16.28
Bathroom Tile Install Labor93sf$1,162.50$0$1,162.50
Bathroom Tile Material Allowance102.3sf$0$1,227.60$1,227.60
Tile Setting Materials102.3sf$0$1,278.75$1,278.75
Bathroom Tile Substrate Materials46.5sf$0$302.25$302.25
Bathroom Tile Substrate Prep Labor93sf$395.25$0$395.25
Tile Waterproofing Install Labor39sf$224.25$0$224.25
Tile Waterproofing Materials39sf$0$253.50$253.50
Tile Floor Removal50sf$232.50$0$232.50
Wall Tile Removal80sf$420.00$0$420.00
Shower Flood Test Labor1ls$375.00$0$375.00
Tile subtotal$6,050.63
Tile subtotal$6,050.63
Painting
Interior Paint Apply Labor250sf$437.50$0$437.50
Paint Prep Labor200sf$350.00$0$350.00
Trim Paint Apply Labor30lf$55.50$0$55.50
Painting subtotal$843.00
Painting subtotal$843.00
Vanity & Fixtures
Cabinet Install Fasteners and Shims3lf$0$25.50$25.50
Cabinet Material Allowance3lf$0$450.00$450.00
Fixture Set Materials2ea$0$330.00$330.00
Stone Countertop Fabrication6sf$120.00$0$120.00
Stone Countertop Install6sf$120.00$0$120.00
Stone Countertop Material Allowance6sf$0$450.00$450.00
Vanity & Fixtures subtotal$1,495.50
Vanity & Fixtures subtotal$1,495.50
General
Generic Install Consumables3ls$0$555.00$555.00
General subtotal$555.00
General subtotal$555.00
DIRECT JOB COST$19,867.38
DIRECT JOB COST$19,867.38

Every row links its assembly version and rate source in the published data; quantities show net measures with stated waste.

Illustrative markup scenarios

ProfileMarkupSelling priceGross margin
Low-Overhead30%$25,827.5923.08%
Established Contractor50%$29,801.0733.33%
Full-Service80%$35,761.2844.44%

Persona names are illustrative labels, not measured pricing practices. Illustrations apply markup to direct cost only and are not recommended markups. Direct job cost is what the work costs a contractor to perform, not a price: no contractor performs work at job cost, because overhead and profit are what keep the business running. Higher markup means more business behind the job. It does not by itself mean better work, and a lower markup does not by itself mean a better deal.

Same scope, different jobsite: condition modifiers

ConditionLabor factorLabor becomesDirect cost becomes
Baselinelabor × 1.00$11,002.00$19,867.38
Partial occupancylabor × 0.93$10,231.86$19,097.24
Vacant propertylabor × 0.78$8,581.56$17,446.94

These modifiers apply to labor only. $8,865.38 of materials, allowances and other non-labor cost is unchanged in every row, so the direct cost moves by less than the labor factor suggests. One condition applies at a time against the baseline; conditions do not combine.

Scope changes

Methodology & reproducibility

Snapshot bath-5x8/v1, version v1.

Rate observation window: 2026-05-16 to 2026-09-05.

Direct cost equals the sum of each row’s rounded quantity × (labor + material + other).

Scope selection, prose accuracy, arithmetic and provenance mapping reviewed; not independent market-rate verification.

Related

Sources & provenance

  1. 5×8 Bathroom Remodel v1 reviewed snapshot Clamp Research (owner-supplied)
Changes: Sep 6, 2026: Published the reviewed bath-5x8/v1 snapshot and itemized estimate.