doing almost exactly what you describe, and 15k is less then half of what can do it for..originally it was 71k, then mid 50's, so we let that guy go, now it's 35k+-...Includes all new tile on floor(same sized room) granite vanity counter and tub deck(granite slab)new vanity,shower tiled and tiled shower floor, tile 15" around tub deck,2 new sinks, and faucets, shower-faucet and handheld..new fan...no underfloor heating...4 recessed lights, and 2 fixtures above sinks., new acrylic tub and new toilet..grohe and kohler are the fixtures

Similar size here and doing similar things in a 1993 house in NC (although DIY).

I got cabinets for about $2k (+ another $500 to install), Granite with sinks (installed) about $2k (I have 26 sq feet of tops for comparison and got a total of 13 drawers).

I am spending about $1000 for tile (figure another $5k to install).

Shower - do you just need a door? That is a big potential expense. I am thinking about $4000 for my smaller shower in frameless or about $2000 in semiframeless. You could easily spend twice these numbers if you are wrapped in glass on 2 walls like I am. There are installed numbers.

New light, mirror, faucets and fan add up to about $2000 installed.(or as little as $600 DIY)

So all total $15k on the low end. No rewiring, No replumbing, no moving of anything, no GC expense, and I skipped any demo expense so add $1000.

Start working on new shower fixtures and you can add $1000+ (or as little as $500)

david, that seems very expensive for the frameless shower enclosure, mine is 2k+- for 2 walls, one wall 5',the other 4...it is 3/8'or 1/2" glass...

Your dimensions and job description are nearly the exact same as our master bath remodel. Our contractors cost alone is about your budget figure. We're in Chicago burbs but our GC is from the city. Everyone who bid on this job was nearly same in contractors cost. We purchased all our own stuff so that's not included in the GC estimate.

So ... all purchases ... plumbing fixtures, frameless glass shower, tile, vanity, granite, etc. are all above and beyond that cost. Adds up fast.

Is it possible to do better on contractor cost? I'm sure it is. For us, all bids were nearly the same so I don't know, and also we're not serving as GC. And we're not doing any DIY. (this time!)

Also it's wise to budget for unexpected things. We got hit with change order to replace numerous corroded copper pipes, and to reroute radiant heat pipes under the floor to clear way for the shower. Those pipes had been hidden under a jacuzzi deck -- we didn't know they were above the floor.

$15K could be a tight budget in most areas of the united states even if you act as the general contractor. $15K would be very limiting in Los Angeles (Brentwood), CA where I live. Many contractors here will not take on small budget projects.

One key point that affects your project cost is your location. Labor and material costs vary from one locale to another. Fixture costs are more standardized across the nation. While you plan to use plumbing fixtures from Kohler and Grohe, you need to be more specific given their prices can vary depending on quality, style, etc.

The biggest unknown about your project is what framing and/or preparation will be required to install the proper substrate (i.e., cement board vs. cement with wire mesh)to float your tile on the bathroom floor and in the shower, and any plumbing modifications that may need to happen to accommodate your new fixtures even if you do not plan to move them.

Also, will the ceiling of the shower be tiled?

What finishes do you plan for the bathroom walls and ceiling?

What is the total length of your vanity?

If you plan to pull permits, then you will need to make sure that you include the costs for any retrofitting that may need to be done to meet the current building code requirements.

You also may want to make sure that the quality of the bathroom that you install is commensurate with your home's value and your neighborhood's socioeconomic standard. In conjunction with this consideration, you need to evaluate your long term plans --- Specifically, how long do you plan to live there? If you plan to live there a long time, I would avoid cutting corners. Select surfaces (i.e., Tile or Stone) that you can live with indefinitely. The cost of surface changes in a shower are particulary costly and basically require you to rip out the entire infrasture less the plumbing just to change the color.

Plan for unexpected costs for which you cannot account until the demolition is done. For example, you will not know how the new shower fan can be vented until the shower ceiling is torn out.

Re: location and material costs - I beg to differ.

Cabinets costs the same wherever except for shipping. I got Ikea cabinets for the bath and my kitchen was Kitchencraft. The only changes around Chicago would be shipping or no shipping if there was a local Ikea. The shipping for Kitchencraft would be a bit less since Chicago is closer. My tax rate is 7% - Chicago is probably a touch higher.

As far as Granite - it will be a bit more. But really I am paying $60 a sq foot which might be $70 in Chicago. A really minor difference in the end.

The bathroom is 1997 - there is unlikely to be any code changes (and it probably won't matter if electrical and plumbing is not touched.)

Do people really pay a contractor $15k dollars to supervise subs for a 4 week project? It really is about a week of pure work but things like granite do take time to template/fabricate. We are talking no framing, no plumbing/electrical changes other than new fixtures. 1 day for demo, 1 day to install vanities, 3 days to install tile. Add another day to throw the new fixtures on, slap the granite on, put the shower enclosure and clean up. Now I know it doesn't time out that way but really it is a week of work spread over probably 4 weeks.

I have a similar issue- house built in 1990, not looking to change locations of any fixtures but looking to replace just about everything. ( I do go back and forth on whether I will replace the vaniites but that is the only thing I am not certain on.). I want to change-update everything. The room is approx. 12 by 15, and basically is in fine shape except for the shower which is pretty sad looking and should be replaced. which starts the whole process. I had 2 estimates, one was $40K to replace everything with primo stuff, and other was $15-18K to replace everything with good but not primo stuff. (less flexibility) I am in NJ, and both were GC's using reputable plumbers and electricians and tile guys. It seems with the cheaper guy, there is a bit more legwork I will need to do but I think for $20K I am up to it. I am obviously exploring this further, but my point is that there does seem to be a lot of variance in prices, and I dont think your budget of approx.$15K is out of line.
I offer you some encouragement.
:)

Oops of course I forgot to mention that we have both a shower and a bathtub (jacuzzi actually) so our shower is way way smaller than yours. I do suspect that the tiling and the doors for such a large one might contribute some big bucks to your project - I wonder if that is a big issue in the dollars?

I've been pricing out a similar project for a slightly smaller space (about 9 x 11, lower ceilings). Based on my experience with multiple contractors and estimates, I think you're looking at $30K - $35K, assuming you are thinking of hiring a contractor for the labor. I'm in the DC suburbs.

It was a big wake-up for me - seems crazy, but it seems to be about the going rate.

Good luck.

I am amazed at what the average person can spend on a remodel. I am a thrift store veteran shopper even when it comes to remodeling and building. We are doing two bathrooms a master bath for us and a guest bath with shower. I shopped at Habitat for Humanity Rehab in Ft Lauderdale and the Miami location also and bought cabinets $65. and armoires $75 we will build in and put on top of old ikea drawers. I found beautiful and expensive accent tiles two glass french doors and a chandelier. In Pgh I found a place called Construction Junction and found a beautiful set of leaded antique windows in a diamond pattern for $75. I bought a Kohler Greek whirlpool tub new glass tiles at cost, tumbled agua,a Memoirs sink and toliet and all hardware at the Expo design center at Pine Island Florida for about $6000.00. We took apart an old dresser with pretty legs to use as a vanity. The plumbing inspector here on St John couldn't understand why I "ruined " a nice chest of drawers.I have never had the money to just buy what I like and have become resoureful to have pretty things.Check out used building supplies hotel used furniture and ask cabinet stores what they do with their rejects. Painted cabinetry is a great look and once it is all the same color it looks like it was meant to be.Look under resale or consignment in the phone book or used furniture. Have many great buys from the salvation army store.I live on an island where it is about $350 to $450 per square foot to build so economizing is everything.

The cost for materials for my bathroom (plumbing fixtures, cabinets, countertop, towel bars, tp holder, robe hooks, toilet, medicine cabinets, lights, shower baskets, shower door) was about $13,000, and than included a lot of bargain hunting on the Internet. Tile for the shower and floor was about $1,600, and my shower is much smaller than 8x8. If your shower has 3 walls and you tile to the ceiling, you're probably going to have to budget $1,400 at least for the shower tile.
I haven't included items that were in the contractor's cost, such as vents and recessed lights, paint and other items, like soap dishes, toothbrush holders and window coverings, nor did I include any of the electrical, plumbing, tile or painting labor.

Thanks for this info. I've been out of town so couldn't check in until now. I'm going to try to absorb all of this!

I thought I'd share a few photos:

The shower:
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The vanity
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Bathroom reflection from mirror (toilet room door seen). Another unseen door comes from the master bedroom on the opposite wall from the toilet.
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More shower
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I live in Chicago and my bathroom is 5x9. My contractor cost was 15K. He is a family business and doesn't sub out. I've used him many times so he gave me a price break. I think you'll be looking at 25K, labor and materials, on the low end.
Donna

Be careful about what materials you pick out. I had no idea how expensive fixtures, etc were when we started our project. I was surprised at the prices of the shower valve, faucets, shower heads, etc. If you have time to plan I would definitely shop for these items online. Then the tile . . . . I picked a beautiful marble subway tile for the shower and was shocked when the bill at the tile store was almost $7k! (My bathroom is only 10x10 so we're not talking about a huge space ). I just had no idea this stuff was so expensive! All in all we have spent about $40k on this bathroom remodel. But now that my bathroom is almost done I really do love it. I'm not sure it was worth the high price tag- but I'm going to really enjoy it!