Bathroom remodel costs in Illinois and Texas: from 5x8 refresh to luxury spa
Planning a bathroom remodel for fall or winter in the Chicago suburbs or DFW starts with one essential question, what is a realistic budget? Prices vary by scope, materials, and local trade rates, but there are reliable ranges for a hall bath refresh, a primary suite upgrade, and a true spa build.
This guide lays out current 2026 pricing ladders, what is typically included at each tier, how labor and materials break down, typical allowances for licensed trades, permit notes for Illinois and Chicago condos, and schedule realities as the year winds down. Our goal is clarity, so you can compare apples to apples and move forward with confidence.
At 312 Kitchen & Bath LLC, every remodel is code-compliant, covered by a five-year workmanship warranty, and supported by competitive pricing with a price-match review for the same quality and scope. From concept to completion, our team coordinates design, selections, permits, trusted trades, inspections, and the final walk-through.
What drives bathroom cost in 2026
Bathroom budgets track six factors, scope and layout changes, square footage, tile coverage and complexity, plumbing and electrical upgrades, fixture and finish levels, and glass, ventilation, and comfort features. A compact hall bath with a tub-shower combo and modest tile is a very different project than a primary suite with a wet room, steam, radiant heat, and custom stone.
Labor and materials typically split close to 55 to 65 percent labor and 35 to 45 percent materials for code-compliant work with licensed trades. Structural changes, slab plumbing, high-end tile patterns, and custom glass increase labor hours. Stone, quartz, designer plumbing, and specialty lighting push materials higher.
Pricing ladders by project type
The ranges below reflect typical 2026 projects in Chicago suburbs and DFW. City of Chicago and condo projects often sit at the upper half due to permitting, logistics, and building requirements. Final pricing depends on verified scope, selections, and site conditions.
5x8 hall bath refresh, smart value
Typical scope, keep layout, new tub or shower system, tile surround to ceiling, porcelain floor tile, stock or semi-custom vanity, quartz top, undermount sink, single lever faucet, standard toilet, new exhaust fan, vanity light and recessed can, paint, basic glass in shower or curtain rod.
- Labor and basic trades, 11k to 17k
- Materials and fixtures, 7k to 13k
- Typical total, 18k to 30k
- Common adds, niche, upgraded glass, matte black or brushed brass fixtures, soft-close vanity, comfort-height toilet, shower grab bars
What to know, tile pattern upgrades, full-height tile, and thicker glass doors can add 2k to 5k. If you keep the tub, plumbing stays simpler. Swapping to a tiled shower pan increases labor and waterproofing cost.
Primary suite upgrade, elevated finishes
Typical scope, keep general layout or modestly shift plumbing within the room, enlarge shower, frameless 3-sliding or swing glass, quartz counters, semi-custom or custom vanity, porcelain large-format tile, accent mosaic, upgraded toilet, dimmable layered lighting, quiet humidity-sensing fan, heated floor in bath area, thermostatic shower valve with hand shower and rain head.
- Labor and trades, 22k to 36k
- Materials and fixtures, 18k to 34k
- Typical total, 40k to 70k
- Common adds, additional recessed lights, built-in linen cabinets, upgraded quartz, taller wainscot tile, additional electrical circuits for warming drawer or bidet seat
What to know, heated floors and larger format tile increase both electrical and tile-setting hours. Moving a toilet across the room, especially over a slab, adds plumbing and patching time.
Luxury spa build, custom wet room
Typical scope, reconfigure layout, create a combined shower and tub wet zone, large custom glass, full-height tile on all walls, stone or premium porcelain slabs, steam shower prep or unit, multi-function showering with body sprays, linear drain, heated floors into the water closet and vanity zones, custom vanity and storage, backlit mirrors, layered and low-glare lighting, premium ventilation, integrated controls.
- Labor and specialty trades, 48k to 80k+
- Materials and fixtures, 42k to 90k+
- Typical total, 90k to 170k+
- Common adds, slab shower walls, solid-surface vanity splash, towel warmer, integrated audio, smart controls, dedicated makeup vanity, custom stone thresholds and benches
What to know, steam, slab walls, and large-format tile require specialty installation and precise waterproofing. Custom glass is engineered to size and can have multi-week lead times.
Trade allowances and labor notes
Licensed plumbers and electricians are central to a safe, code-compliant remodel. Typical allowances for a standard hall bath include rough and finish plumbing from 3.5k to 6.5k and electrical from 1.8k to 3.5k. Primary suites with multiple valves and heated floors often carry plumbing from 6k to 12k and electrical from 3.5k to 7k. Luxury spa programs can exceed those ranges due to controls, steam, multiple circuits, and high-output ventilation. Tile labor scales with tile size, pattern, waterproofing system, and square footage.
Permits in Illinois and Chicago, including condos
In Illinois municipalities, a bathroom remodel that alters plumbing, electrical, or structure typically requires a permit. The City of Chicago requires permits for most bathroom remodels with plumbing or electrical changes, and condo associations add review steps, insurance requirements, work hours, and elevator protections. Expect association approvals, proof of licensed and insured trades, and sometimes weekday time windows. We coordinate submittals, schedule inspections, and manage logistics. If you are refreshing only surfaces with no systems changes, some suburbs allow a lighter permit path, but always verify. We plan and price your project with the correct permit scope from the start.
Fall and winter schedule realities
Lead times for custom glass, vanities, quartz fabrication, and special-order tile can run 2 to 8 weeks. In occupied homes, a typical hall bath construction phase runs about 2 to 4 weeks, while a primary suite is commonly 4 to 8 weeks once materials are on site. A luxury spa can extend further due to specialty trades and inspections. Chicago condo schedules often add days for elevator reservations and building quiet hours. Starting design and selections early keeps construction efficient when your slot opens.
What is included at each tier
- Refresh tier, porcelain tile, stock or semi-custom vanity, quartz top, standard toilet, single function shower with quality waterproofing, framed or semi-frameless glass, new fan and practical lighting.
- Primary upgrade, larger tiled shower, frameless glass, thermostatic controls, quartz counters, semi-custom or custom vanity, heated floors, better ventilation and layered lighting.
- Luxury spa, reworked layout, slab or premium tile, steam preparation or unit, multi-function showering, linear drain, heated floors, custom furniture-grade cabinetry, advanced ventilation, smart controls, and statement glass.
Answering common questions, quick FAQ
- What is a realistic budget for a bathroom remodel? For a 5x8 hall bath, plan 18k to 30k. Primary suites land around 40k to 70k. Luxury spa builds often start near 90k and can exceed 170k based on selections and layout.
- How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Illinois? Suburban Illinois ranges mirror the numbers above, while City of Chicago and condo projects often price at the higher end due to permits, logistics, and building rules.
- How much is the average bathroom renovation? Across our markets, an average full-gut hall bath typically falls in the mid to upper 20s, with primary baths clustering in the 50s.
- How much should a 5x8 bathroom remodel cost? A full-gut 5x8 with quartz, quality tile, and new fixtures commonly runs 18k to 30k depending on glass, tile coverage, and fixture level.
- How much does a plumber charge to remodel a bathroom? Typical plumber allowances run 3.5k to 6.5k for a hall bath and 6k to 12k for a primary suite. Complex spa systems can exceed that.
- How much does a complete bathroom makeover cost? For a layout change with luxury finishes and upgraded systems, plan 90k to 170k+.
- Can you renovate a bathroom for 10,000? A true full-gut remodel at 10k is unlikely in 2026 in our markets. A selective refresh, paint, hardware, and minor fixture swaps might fit, but code-compliant gut projects typically start higher.
- Do you need a permit to remodel a bathroom in Illinois? If plumbing, electrical, or layout changes are involved, permits are typically required. Chicago and many suburbs mandate licensed trades and inspections. Condo boards add their own approvals.
Why 312 Kitchen & Bath
EXPERT DESIGN GUIDANCE. BEAUTIFUL REMODEL RESULTS. You receive 2D and 3D visuals, showroom-led selections at ProSource and Ferguson with best available pricing, code-compliant planning, and a five-year workmanship warranty. We coordinate licensed plumbers and electricians, manage permits and inspections, and deliver a clean, organized jobsite for owner-occupied homes. Competitive pricing is standard, and we will review and price match comparable quotes for the same quality and scope.
If you are comparing regional options or exploring adjacent projects, see our Chicago service pages for bathroom and kitchen expertise that extends across interior projects. Homeowners researching broader remodels can learn more about our Chicago-area capabilities for kitchen remodeling and design or custom bathroom remodeling when planning a cohesive upgrade.
- Explore thoughtful Chicago-area kitchen planning at our page for kitchen remodeling in Chicago.
- Considering a bath update in the western suburbs, see our overview of bathroom remodeling in Glen Ellyn.
- Condos have unique rules, our Chicago condo remodeling page outlines how we navigate approvals and logistics.
Next steps
Request your free virtual consult. We will discuss scope, budget tiers, and timing, then schedule showroom selections to lock materials and lead times. Ready to begin, call (214) 838-7733 or email team@312kitchenbath.com to get on the design calendar. Visits to our offices and partner showrooms are by appointment. Expect transparent proposals, code-compliant execution, and craftsmanship backed by a five-year workmanship warranty.























