The cost of adding a bathroom to your home: What to know

Bathrooms are one of the most valuable spaces in your home. In today’s homes, bathrooms have evolved into spaces for relaxation, comfort, and privacy. What’s more, they can also add significant value to your home. According to the 2025 National Association of REALTORS (NAR) Remodeling Impact Report, a bathroom addition recoups an average of 56 percent of the cost when you sell. It’s also one of the top five remodeling projects agents recommend doing before selling. It’s also one of the top projects you can do that brings joy to your home. But what is the cost of adding a bathroom to your home?

Depending upon your goals for a bathroom addition, the costs vary, but can result in a worthwhile, meaningful project that will increase the value of your home. Here’s what you should know if you’re thinking about a bathroom update in the future.

It’s a good idea to figure out what your goals are for a bathroom addition. If you need another bathroom to make your growing family more comfortable, you could potentially do a midrange bathroom addition. If you’re considering adding a luxury bathroom, costs increase slightly. However, you may want to consider a full primary suite addition, which may add more value to your home while giving your home ample space and luxury.

If you’re considering an additional bathroom simply to sell, the cost of adding a bathroom may be too great unless it’s a remodel or midrange addition. The Journal of Light Construction’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report outlines the average costs of additions and remodels in the Triangle to help you understand what a new bathroom may entail.

The Journal of Light Construction (JLC) outlines a midrange bathroom addition as a 6×8-foot bathroom with standard features. This type of bathroom includes an addition over a crawlspace, with poured concrete walls. It features a stone vanity top with a molded sink, chrome faucets, a fiberglass bathtub and shower with ceramic tile, a low-profile toilet, ceramic tiling, lighting, a mirrored medicine cabinet. It also includes a linen closet.

In the Triangle, this type of bathroom addition averages $54,290, according to the JLC report. Make sure you work with an experienced contractor to tackle this addition. They typically charge a percentage of the construction costs, so make sure to talk to the contractor about what their costs may be as part of the estimate.

If you’re interested in something more upscale, the JLC reports that this costs, on average, $97,073 in the Triangle. The journal reports an upscale bathroom details the addition of a primary bath as an add-on to an existing primary bedroom. This type of bathroom is a 100-square-foot space with a spacious shower, ceramic tiling, frameless glass, and body-spray fixtures. It also includes a freestanding tub, a dual vanity with stone countertops and high-end faucets. Also included are in-floor heating, a compartmentalized toilet area, and custom cabinets.

Interested in an addition that’s more than a bathroom alone? The JLC also reports on the addition of primary suites that include a primary bathroom. For an average of $151,284 in the Triangle, a midrange primary suite includes a carpeted bedroom, a walk-in closet and dressing area, and a full bathroom with a ceramic tile shower and freestanding tub.

An upscale primary suite addition, however, costs significantly more at an average of $312,806. This type of addition includes a 32×20-foot bedroom suite with a lounging or sitting area near the bathroom. It features luxury detailing like built-in storage, a gas fireplace, a walk-in closet with linen storage and natural lighting, Fresh doors, and a high-end bathroom. The detailing in this type of addition also features in-floor heating, custom finishes, and luxury lighting. Depending upon your location and the value of your home, this type of addition can be a risky change if you’re looking to sell. Talk to a trusted real estate agent to determine whether this option is something to consider before you spend the money.

The cost of adding a bathroom is significant enough that you will likely need to look into payment options to help with the addition. Fortunately, there are a few great options that can help make it easy to update your home.

For example, you may have enough equity in your home that you can take out a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or home equity loan to pay for this expense. You can also look at a construction or renovation loan, which is a short-term loan designed for new construction and renovations.If you’re considering selling right away and want to update your home before listing, you can also talk to an agent at The Jim Allen Group about programs that are available to clients. For example, JAG offers programs such as up-front funding for renovations, which are paid back at closing. It’s a great way to make the repairs in advance to increase the return on your investment.