I got what I think are the best prices by a combination of online, in-store and contractor discounts. I bought the majority of my plumbing, lighting and decorative fixtures (showers/valves/handheld system, towel rods, vanity lights, faucets, recessed lights, etc.) on Amazon. That's a great place to compare prices and read reviews of products, too.

The cabinets, granite counter, sinks and trim I got the best price on at Lowes, including a 10% discount we negotiated on top of their regular pricing for the special order items (DH always manages to negotiate a discount!)

The tile, grout etc I got at Daltile, using my selected contractor's discount - his offer, not my original idea - which netted us a 27% discount on our Fransciscan Slate porcelain and Rainsforest marble.

For the frameless glass shower enclosure, we plan to use a local supplier, again with our contractor's discount.

At present (demo starts this week!) the total cost is looking like it will be about 18k. Almost 12k of that is labor, the rest is materials. It's a big job, total 'rip and replace', with a ton of tile work, plumbing, electrical, drywall, etc. Given the scope of the job, I think the 12k in labor is definitely a fair price.

Anyway - if you know exactly what you want, you can save some money on the materials with extensive 'shopping around', and if you find a great contractor who is willing to work with you on materials in exchange for top dollar on labor, that helps, too.

Consider getting a custom quote for the vanity and linen tower, especially since it'll be white and they can use paint-grade doors. The 60" vanity, linen tower and open shelves we got for kids bath came in at less than your 42" vanity alone. It was extra for finishing (black paint and varnish), but that was only a couple hundred dollars.

Orchid, thanks for the reply. That makes me feel better. Did use Amazon for towel bars and turns out they have the faucet $20 cheaper.
Heh...$20 when we're talking this kind of $$$.

Actually I found a toilet and sink that will work at Home Depot for about $275 less than what I had listed, so I'm down $295 now.
But I can NOT find cabinets I like better than Strasser. Either they don't make 42" (skip from 36 to 48) or don't make a matching tower,
or poor drawer configuration. And WoodPro is $650 MORE.

Alku, Am wondering about custom, if I can find another cabinet maker. Not going back to my kitchen guy as I'm still mad at him. Custom isn't always worth it.

It's not just the DIY folks on here saying "I did it all for $3K", I get that, it's those online calculators.
The Bathroom Reno Cost Estimator Tool gives: toilet $135, 42" vanity $700, cast iron tub $350!!!
This is the "Premium" bath remodel. And they think a 36" med cab is $175? Where exactly?

A cast iron tub for $350? I'm only seeing Kohler for those, and while it might drop back ~$100 if I can't fit the 32" one and have to go 30",
it's sure not $350. If anyone knows where I can get a cast iron tub for $350 please speak up. ;)

I'm figuring $20-25K, and it's certainly not a "Premium" bath remodel.
No whirlpool/garden tub, no handheld/rain shower, no steam/body jets, no marble.
They seriously need to reno the cost estimator.

Search on "Cost Actuals" to see what we spent on our complete bathroom remodel - down to the studs. I included item, price, model, mfg, and retailer fields. This was a DIY project and I searched the web for best prices.

it depends a lot on how flexible you are. You have to have Strasser, you pay for Strasser.

Me, I'm on a budget and my total materials cost comes in at less than 3K, but that includes things like a Home Decorators vanity. Staceyneil did a lovely job on her DIY bath for around that, too, but she made her own vanity from an old dresser.

Your numbers seem about in line with the averages here. Look at the numbers in this thread, for example.

"Am I totally missing something? "

Besides for having "expensive taste", no, you aren't missing anything. Right next to the $500 toilet is a $99 model. Same goes for every item on your list.

There is nothing wrong with having money and being willing to spend it on a bathroom, but let's not pretend you can't find a medicine cabinet for under a grand. There are tons of cheaper options available.

I'm DIYER myself. I just finished one bathroom with Kohler Devonshire tub, Kohler Cimarron toilet, Delta fixtures, on sale floor and wall ceramic tile, reused lighting, mirrors, antique dresser converted to vanity etc. It came to $5000. Labor was plumbing and electrician only. I did invisible upgrades like using Ditra and Kerdi underneath the tile.

Ripped out master bath yesterday. So far, I am at $5000 as well, not including a stone countertop. It will end up at $6000, materials only by the time I am done.

I think if you are using name brands like Kohler and normal tile (not builder grade), it's hard to do a bathroom for under $5000. If I had to pay labor, it would be double. If I used the stone tiles I really liked instead of my ceramic travertine look tiles, I would have spent thousands more. And don't get me started on vanity prices. I lucked out and got a solid French Oak vanity from Restoration Hardware on clearance for cheaper than particle board crap that cost double

The most important thing is to make sure you are using guys that know what they are doing. If the contractor cuts corners where you don't see them like underneath the tile or building a shower pan, you end up with leaks and mold, requiring even more money down the road.

Thanks ntruro and writersblock.

Bill, I like the medicine cabinet to match the other wood, in this case painted white. Ran into it before with a powder room. That's when I was first shocked to see the cost of one that matched the vanity. Yes, there are lower cost ones. But two different colors of white paint would bother me. :)

The reason I ask is because of some bad decisions I regret in my kitchen remodel. Found this forum AFTER, and learned other people spent far less for comparable materials. So before I go get all this it wouldn't hurt to ask and see what people thought.

It's ALWAYS possible I am missing something obvious! :D

I did find a $259 toilet. Kohler Memoirs. Saw the army of toilets for less on the American Standard page. But I have no idea what's different about any of them??? (about 48 of them are all called Cadet 3...) I'm picking a "cute" one. I'd be very happy to learn that there was another one even cuter, for $99. :)

Oh, and I need the Strasser for the linen tower. Very small house. Can't find any other company with one matching a 42" vanity. It isn't about the name or price. Not thrilled about that.

It's a 2-bath reno. Need to remove the hall linen closet to add a whole extra 18" to the master bath. It's just a tiny shower, sink, toilet. Adding that space will give us a tiny vanity in there. Enough to sit a hairdryer on.

The tower going into the main bathroom will now be the only "linen closet" in the house. The one (that's getting demolished) is a 2-door, 4.5 foot long x 18" deep, 8' high inside (and it's full!).

The tower won't take it all. The rest of the stuff will be stowed in various trunks. But it's the only way. So this is the best plan I could come up with. :)

This is a MODEST reno. REAL MODEST. I'm just not DIY. Nor do I like shopping. :)

But I'm interested in all the thoughts and ideas.

Thanks everyone! :)

"Bill, I like the medicine cabinet to match the other wood, in this case painted white. Ran into it before with a powder room. That's when I was first shocked to see the cost of one that matched the vanity. Yes, there are lower cost ones. But two different colors of white paint would bother me. :) "

You could get someone to build you custom cabinets for way less than $4k. If you have limited space and are going to spend significant money anyway, that is definitely the way to go.

BTW - this is not a "modest reno." You are talking about spending more money on it than many people make in a year. It is a big ticket item. Again - fine if you have the money, but just keep a little perspective. You are spending WAY more money than many people would or could.

Lowe's carries Kraftmaid vanities in a 42" size and they have matching linen cabinets. They are plywood boxes. The 42" vanity has two doors on one side and two drawers on the other. The linen cabinet comes with shelves, a hamper, roll-out trays or a vertical lift wall door. They also have matching framed mirrors.

The vanity is around $700, depending on door style.

I just want to second the advice to check with a local cabinetmaker. I too like the Strasser line but the price was way more than I can afford. I found someone to replicate the style I like for about 60% of the Strasser cost.

Seriously? Do you want to do a /modest/ redo? Because a modest redo would not include $5K in materials (without floors or lights). If you want help on how to plan a modest redo, people here would be happy to help you pick out everything for much cheaper. But if you want high end materials, then you are not doing a modest renovation.

A modest renovation might require compromising on finishes, brands and sizing (ie a 36" or 48" vanity might be MUCH cheaper). A coordinating bath tower might easer find rather than an exact match from the same line. Coordinating shower fixtures and faucets might be easier than buying the exact same line. Acryllic or other composite material tubs are cheaper than cast iron. Chrome and sometimes satin nickel / oil rubbed bronze are cheaper than stainless steel. If you want to be more budget minded, then you might need to be flexible or you might have to spend more time deal hunting.

A modest redo budget would look a bit more like:
$1K for all cabinetry and vanity top with sink.
$200 toilet
$150 faucet
$300 tub
$100 shower set
---------------
$1750 total materials not including tile, floors, fans, lights, hardware, etc and that is still more than I spent on these materials for my modest bathroom.

For example (I didn't read all your requirements, but you get the idea):
45" Vanity in White - $527 with top and sink + $100 shipping

15" Tall White Linen cabinet - $160

36" Triview Mirror in White for $110

That would be all your cabinetry for $897.

dekeoboe...I will check out the Kraftmaid.

suzan30, I will look around to see if I can find a local cabinet maker.

Sorry, Bill. I have no idea where you live. But, yes, $20,000 is more than people in many places make in a year. In the USA though, it's not outrageous for a bathroom gutted to the studs.

I think there are two ways to go about a remodel. One (my way) is to settle on a budget based upon what you can afford and then work within it. As Brickton suggests, that means making (probably many) compromises and spend a lot of time shopping for deals. The other is to make up your wish list and pay what it costs. My friend who owns a townhome like my own spent 25,000 on her bath. It is gorgeous, but even if I had that kind of money, there is no way I would spend it on a bathroom. My budget is 5k but I hope to create something attractive and functional.

"Sorry, Bill. I have no idea where you live. But, yes, $20,000 is more than people in many places make in a year. In the USA though, it's not outrageous for a bathroom gutted to the studs."

Ugh - I live in the US. 28% of US households make under $25,000 per year. 54% make under $50k - pretax. A $20k bathroom remodel is neither modest nor average.

As for "outrageous" - I've certainly not outraged by your budget (assuming you can pay for it). Our house renovation is going to finish out at over $100k and that is with me doing much of the work myself. I'm just not oblivious enough to think that kind of a budget is modest.

Being in a position to spend a ton of money making a room look pretty is a luxury. If you can't appreciate that... well, best of luck to you.

I live in Northern Oklahoma and completed a bathroom remodel for the main bath in our home for under $3k. We moved walls, added shower fixture (tub only before) and changed everything but the tub and toilet. Both were working fine and it was unnecessary to change them.

I am planning a Master Bath remodel and again moving walls gutting everything and replacing everything but the toilet and I'm looking at $8k which is about $500 more than I originally budgeted. I am still looking for bargins on the materials I've selected. But we will have two sinks, carwash like shower with at least two shower heads and a water closet. Granite counters, soft close cabinets, heated floors and numerous other upgrades.

Very little of the budget will be for labor. We will have a small amount for a plumber and electrician if we don't barter with them.

I did a complete gut and remodel on my kitchen including appliances and didn't spend over $15k. Cheaper renovations can be done but you have to be willing to compromise or shop til your legs hurt or your eye cross.

Sounds like your renovation will be beautiful. Be sure and post pictures!

I am doing all three of our baths at $1000/bath.

You can say it's really half-bath re-dos because in the two full baths I'm leaving the shower or tub alone.

Downstairs half bath, completed: got a Victorian style pedestal sink and toilet from Home Depot, $100 and $200 respectively. Ten years ago, don't have the exact figures. Settled for Kohler polished nickel rather than brushed nickel faucets at HD because polished was $180 and brushed would have been $200 more custom order. Four and a half feet of bead board for one wall, baseboard, some molding, cut down a wall mirror I found on the street and made my own inset medicine cabinet. Less than $100 for carpentry and paint. Inexpensive hexagonal floor tile, $50-80. HD light and GRCI outlet, receptacle box, couple feet of Romex. $60. Splurged on Thibaut wallpaper, Augustine hummingbirds, $200 there.

Master bath, in progress: $350 Toto toilet, online. $120 tall NuTone medicine cabinet, online. $50 floor tile, HD. Sink, $64, online. Light, $30, HD, Romex, GFCI, new switch, call it $20. Wallpaper, $60, eBay. Wall mount faucet is going to be $60-$200, online. Plumbing conversion to wall mount is going to be less than $200 even if it means waiting until my brother comes up for Thanksgiving. Shower doors removed, $5 vinegar and Comet bathroom spray, steel wool and emery cloth, look new again. Left over paint for ceiling.

Kids' bath, planning stages: 60" Pegasus Exhibit Vanity, listed $749 HD, negotiated to $600 price-matching, but bought it $360 new, Craigslist. Looking for double vanity top Craigslist, can get something for $100 but not quite what I want, cultured marble top would be $350 at Lowes, I have time. 3'x4' mirror, HD, $80. Light, $60, HD. Medicine cabinet, NuTone again, $60-$120. Faucets, $200-300. Shower curtain and curved rod, $100. Towel rods are inexpensive wooden drapery brackets and wooden closet rods, custom length so I can put them on the studs because children will do chin-ups, $30. Paint, $30. Floor tile, $80. Better try to cut back on the vanity top or faucets. Keeping toilet and tub.

If you stick with neutral colors and simple lines, inexpensive doesn't look cheap. Stock items at the big box stores are half the price of custom orders. Online is often cheaper than big box. Craigslist and Habitat for Humanity resale stores can get you quality items for not much especially if you live in an upscale area. The guy I got the vanity from got it from HD's bashed-up cardboard carton outlet, I have to find out where that is.

You get one splurge per room. Tradesmen are expensive; educate yourself to DIY. DIY can be better quality than tradesmen sometimes.
Concentrate on the overall effect, and make compromises on individual items that don't compromise the overall effect.

What would be the most expensive thing to change? Can you leave it alone and live with it? I left alone the pale grey tiled walls and terrazzo shower pan in my bath, and will leave alone the grey tub and toilet in the children's bath along with the white tiles finely speckled with grey. Neutral colors, simple lines; I can work with them.

What do you hate? I hate 1960s busy mixed color tile floors; they were well done and will outlast Armageddon but I tiled over them. I hated the blue toilet and blue boxy sink in a grey-tiled bath. Gone. I hate marbled Formica chipboard vanities and metal-rimmed pea-green sinks. I hate low-end mingy 4" spread builder's grade faucets. Will be gone. I hate sickly fluorescent lights and vinyl floors in bathrooms. Gone.

If color match is an issue, have someone spray all the cabinets and the medicine cabinet etc. with oil based paint. You could really get mismatched wood and it will all look identical.

If you want to save money add a few wow upgrades. Ebay has great deals on faucets, knobs sinks, etc. I got a $450 faucet for $120 for my kitchen. Just got a $60 vessel sink and and a $60 vessel to bling out my powder room.

I remodelled my 12 x 22 kitchen (that has 25 cabinets and 95' of granite) for 7K. I just sold my home in 28 days in this market and my realtor said it showed better than some of her clients with 50K kitchens. My 7K kitchen was a huge wow factor in my almost 500K home.

You can get a decent undermount sink for $60, you can get a granite counter with an integrated sink/sinks for not much. You have a small home. Unless you have loads of money and don't care about recouping. A $1500 vanity won't appraise more than a $250 vanity. the appraiser or buyer will think oh they updated the bath. Period.

RTA cabinets are pretty affordable

http://www.thertastore.com/White_Shaker_Kitchen_Cabinets_s/2285.htm

$509 for the 30" sink base plus the 12" drawers

$471 for the 18" pantry cabinet that could work as a linen tower. Plus it is deeper and taller than "linen towers".

There is a modest charge to assemble the cabinets if you aren't DIY.

Also, there is no reason you can't do demo or painting. That will save a few hunded bucks you can spend on fixtures or labor.