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How to DIY a Bathroom Remodel — and What It Will Cost

Written by Dan Simms

Published on January 22, 2025

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How to DIY a Bathroom Remodel — and What It Will Cost

A DIY bathroom remodel is a high-skill project, but if you have some experience, this guide will get you to the finish line.

Want to consult a professional for any portion of your bathroom remodel? Click below.

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If you’re dreaming of a brand-new bathroom but either don’t have the funds to hire a pro or want to show off your own remodeling skills, it’s possible to complete a DIY bathroom remodel. 

In this guide, we’ll explain the general process to follow and recommend materials and options that are more DIY-friendly. Just keep in mind that this DIY project requires a lot of skill and precision, so only consider a DIY bathroom renovation if you’re confident in your abilities and do-it-yourself experience.

Quick Takeaways

  • A DIY bathroom remodel will save you an average of $6,000, effectively halving the cost of a bathroom remodel when hiring a professional.

  • A DIY bathroom makeover takes extensive planning and requires a high level of skill, so assess your abilities and willingness to learn as you go before starting.

  • Making changes to plumbing and electrical fixtures often requires permits, so you may still need to hire professionals to complete certain steps.

If this seems overwhelming, don’t worry. Consulting with a professional — even for part of the project — is always a smart move. Click below to get started.

How to Remodel a Bathroom Yourself

Think you have what it takes to handle a bathroom remodel yourself? Follow the steps below to make your dream bathroom a reality on a DIYer’s budget.

1. Start With a Solid Plan

More important than anything else when DIYing a major project like a bathroom renovation is planning. There are many things you need to consider and decide on before you start the demolition.

  • Permits: Many municipalities require permits for remodeling projects, and almost all mandate them for plumbing and electrical upgrades. Well in advance of when you plan to start, speak with your local building department to find out what’s legal for homeowners to do on their own. You may need to hire professionals to oversee the work or even pass a test to confirm you have the skills and knowledge necessary to complete a renovation.

  • Bathroom design: While you may have the skills to tackle your bathroom remodel DIY style, designing a bathroom is something you may still want to hire an interior designer for. The good news is that you’ll be saving so much on labor costs that professional design services will be more likely to fit into your budget.

  • Tools and materials: Gather all of your tools and materials before you begin. This is a good way to ensure you’re within your budget before starting, and it will also save time and additional trips to Home Depot, Lowe’s, or a local home improvement store mid-project.

  • Schedule a dumpster ahead of time: Your bathroom renovation will start with demolition, so have a dumpster scheduled for the day you plan to begin.

  • Make sure you have an alternative bathroom: DIYing a bathroom remodel will take much longer than it would if you hired a pro. If you don’t have a second bathroom to use in the meantime, have a solid plan in place with a neighbor, or consider staying with a family member while construction is underway.

2. Demolition

With the planning out of the way, you can move on to the fun part: demolition. Use the tips below to make sure this part of the process goes smoothly.

  • Shut off your water supply: Before you start going to town on your fixtures, make sure to shut the water supply by closing the shut-off valve near your water main.

  • Shut off the electricity: Turn the electricity off, too, and set up work lights instead. You can shut just the portion of your circuit breaker that serves the bathroom, but use a current tester to confirm it’s off.

  • Disconnect your fixtures: Next, you can start disconnecting your plumbing and electrical fixtures. For plumbing fixtures, shut them at the speedy valves first and then disconnect.

  • Remove the tub, shower, and toilet: Once the water is off, drain the fixtures by leaving the taps open. Then, you can remove the tub, shower pan or shower stall, and toilet. Plug all of the drain pipes with rags to prevent sewer gases from escaping.

  • Remove the vanity: The only thing left in the room should be your vanity, so go ahead and tear that out as well.

  • Take out the flooring: Next, you can remove the flooring. The tools and methods you use will depend on what flooring you had in your old bathroom.

  • Remove drywall and cement backer board: Finally, you can pull down the drywall and cement backer board to bring your bathroom down to the studs.

3. Start the Build-Back With the Basics

Once the demolition is done, you can start making your bathroom look like a real room again.

  • Mount the toilet: Start by installing the new toilet in place while your plumbing is easily accessible. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for attaching it to the subfloor. You can reuse the mounting pins from the old toilet in most cases.

  • Put up new drywall and cement backer board: Next, install new drywall outside of the shower area and cement backer board behind the shower surround. Tape and spackle the drywall, and seal the seams of the cement board with a water-resistant sealant.

  • Install the shower/tub: The next step will be installing your shower, tub, or shower/tub combo. This can be a massive undertaking if you’re installing a walk-in shower with custom tiling, so a prefabricated shower surround may be a better option for DIYers.

If DIY isn't your thing, we get it. Connect with a Fixr to get the job done right.

4. Begin Installing Your Finishes

With the major portions of the build-back done, you can start installing the finishes to bring your new bathroom to life.

  • Finish the walls: The first thing to tackle during the finishing portion will be your walls. Install wall tile in the shower surround — unless you installed a prefab shower — apply the grout, and paint the drywall using a paint that’s good for bathrooms.

  • Install the flooring: Next, lay down your flooring. Start on the opposite side of the room from the door, and take your time to cut carefully around the toilet. 

  • Put in the shower door: If you’re opting for a glass shower door, you can go ahead and install that next. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for mounting and attaching hardware. Have a friend or family member help you lift the door into place.

  • Connect electrical fixtures: Next up is electrical fixtures. Install all of the light fixtures, as well as the new exhaust fan. Install switches and outlets during this step as well.

  • Install the bathroom vanity: Have someone help you maneuver the vanity into place and mount it to the wall using the included hardware.

  • Finish up with plumbing fixtures: Finally, install the sink in your vanity and connect your new plumbing fixtures in the shower or bathtub. Make sure to caulk around the fixtures to prevent water from seeping through gaps.

5. Bring It Home

Your bathroom should really be taking shape at this point, but now it’s time to tackle the finishing touches.

Start by painting and installing trim around doors and windows, and install crown molding if it was in your bathroom design plan. Once that’s done, install your mirror or medicine cabinet behind the vanity, put in a backsplash, if desired, and install new baseboard covers if you have baseboard heating.

Finally, you can step back and admire your handiwork.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Hire Professionals

If at any point during the process you feel overwhelmed or out of your comfort zone, or you run into unexpected issues like mold behind the walls or hidden plumbing leaks, don’t feel like you can’t bring in professional plumbers, electricians, and bathroom remodelers for help. There’s no shame in making sure things get done the right way.

Best Materials to Use for an Easier DIY Bathroom Remodel

Some bathroom fixtures and features are easier to DIY than others. Consider the following tips and materials to make your job a little easier.

  • Plumbing fixtures: Choose fixtures that can fit in your new bathroom without changes to your plumbing rough-ins. Stick with the same style tub faucets and similarly sized sinks and toilets.

  • Shower surround: If you’re not familiar with installing tile, go with a prefabricated shower pan and shower surround.

  • Bathroom flooring options: Floor tile is widely considered the best bathroom flooring option, but it’s challenging to install. Consider luxury vinyl tile (LVT) or luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring for an easier installation process.

  • Shower enclosure: Hanging a glass door can be intimidating and potentially dangerous, so either hire a pro for this step or stick with a simple shower curtain.

  • Bathroom sink: Make your life easier by choosing an all-in-one vanity that includes a countertop and drop-in sink.

Thinking it might be better to leave the dirty work to the professionals? We don’t blame you. Click below to find a contractor in your area and start building your dream bathroom today.

FAQ: DIY Bathroom Remodel

The average DIY bathroom remodel costs around $6,000, which is half of what you’d spend hiring a professional to do everything for you. Prices can range from just $1,000 up to $10,000 or more, though, depending on the quality of the materials you choose. Keep in mind that this doesn’t include the cost of the tools you’ll need.

The cheapest way to remodel a bathroom is to do the work yourself, which will save around $6,000 on average. You can also save money by choosing a prefabricated shower over a custom tile surround, going with luxury vinyl tile flooring, which is less expensive than ceramic or porcelain tile, and choosing budget-friendly fixture brands.

Typically, you’ll start by installing the drywall and cement backer board, the toilet, and the shower/tub combo — in that order. Next comes the flooring, electrical fixtures, vanity, and plumbing fixtures. Finally, you install the trim, backsplash, bathroom mirror, and other finishing touches and decor.

Written by

Dan Simms

Dan was a property manager from 2015 to 2020, during which time he managed and oversaw the upkeep and repairs of over 2,000 residential properties. He uses that experience, as well as his extensive DIY knowledge, to bring reliable information to homeowners about renovations and home-related projects. Since 2020, he has been using his experience to write about home improvement, and his work has appeared on sites like USA Today, CNN, Angi, and Today’s Homeowner.