How much does a master bath remodel cost? National cost guides put it far lower than a custom primary bath usually runs in our area. The This Old House bathroom remodel cost guide (updated July 2026) puts a master or primary bathroom of 130 square feet or more at $22,370 to $24,715 on average nationally. The four primary bathrooms in Norman Builders' project library, completed between 2019 and 2026, had budget bands of $60,000 to $85,000.
The gap is mostly scope. National averages describe a typical replacement of fixtures and finishes. A custom primary bath often moves plumbing, builds a tiled walk-in shower with glass, adds a double vanity and a freestanding tub, and uses stone or stone-look tile. This guide walks through what drives a primary bath budget in Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, using published figures and our own projects. Norman Builders is a design-build company in Newton, NH that has remodeled bathrooms in the region since 2007.
How Much Does a Master Bath Remodel Cost?
The This Old House guide, which draws on Homewyse pricing and the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, gives these national figures:
| Bathroom (national averages, This Old House 2026) | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Any bathroom remodel, average | $15,586 (most projects $6,456 to $24,715) |
| Large bathroom, 100 to 120 sq ft | $19,166 to $21,295 |
| Master or primary bathroom, 130+ sq ft | $22,370 to $24,715 |
| High-end remodel of a 50 sq ft bathroom | $27,492 to $35,808 |
The same guide lists shower installation ($8,044 on average), plumbing ($5,545) and cabinetry ($2,929) as the largest line items. Treat these as a floor, not a quote: they are national averages, and a primary bath with layout changes and custom finishes in the Merrimack Valley, the North Shore or southern New Hampshire can cost far more, as our own projects show.
What Our Projects Cost
These are the budget bands for the four primary bathrooms in our project library. Each one is priced on its own scope; they show what real projects in our area looked like, not a price list.
- Byfield, MA primary bath, completed 2019, $85,000: natural stone tile on the shower walls and ceiling, a large frameless glass shower with multiple shower heads and handhelds, an integrated soaking tub with a stone surround, a skylight and a stained wood double vanity.
- Andover, MA (Phillips area) primary bath, completed 2022, $80,000: a custom walk-in shower in floor-to-ceiling marble-look porcelain with a bench, niches and frameless glass; a painted shaker double vanity with quartz; finishes chosen for durability and ease of maintenance.
- Boxford, MA primary bath, completed 2026, $65,000: a freestanding soaking tub by the window, a walk-in glass shower in large-format porcelain with an accent band, dual maple vanities with quartz, a heated towel warmer, LED mirrors and a luxury vinyl tile floor.
- The spa-inspired Andover, MA primary bath, completed 2026, $60,000: a freestanding soaking tub, a white oak double vanity with white quartz, brushed brass fixtures, backlit mirrors and a walk-in shower in floor-to-ceiling textured porcelain, replacing a builder-grade bathroom.
The most expensive of the four had natural stone on every shower surface and a skylight; the least expensive used porcelain in the shower and on the floor. See all of our bathroom projects.
Key Factors Influencing Master Bath Remodel Costs
Bathroom Size and Type
A primary bath usually has more of everything than a hall bath: a double vanity, a larger shower, often a separate tub. More square feet means more tile, more waterproofing and more labor. Enlarging the room by borrowing space from a closet or bedroom adds framing, drywall and electrical work on top of that.
Layout and Plumbing Changes
Keeping fixtures where they are is the biggest single way to control cost. Moving a toilet, shower or tub means new drain and vent routes, and in some houses the floor framing decides what is possible. One North Andover homeowner, Linda B., described wondering "whether the master bath expansion and plumbing relocation were even physically possible" before the project started. It was, and that kind of question is worth answering before you fall in love with a layout.
Choice of Materials
Finishes move the budget more than most people expect. Natural stone, custom cabinetry, frameless glass, heated floors and multi-head shower systems all cost more than their standard versions. Porcelain that looks like marble or stone gives a similar look with less upkeep than the real thing. Three of our four primary baths used porcelain tile, including marble-look porcelain floor to ceiling in the Phillips-area bath.
Labor and Trades
A full primary bath can involve demolition, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, tile, glass and painting. Each trade has to be scheduled in order, and tile work in a large shower takes time to do well. Most remodels that involve plumbing, electrical or structural changes also need permits and inspections, which we handle as the contractor.
What Is Behind the Walls
Many homes in New Hampshire and Massachusetts are 100 to 200 years old. Opening a bathroom wall or floor can turn up old plumbing, wiring or water damage that has to be fixed before new finishes go in. Plan a cushion in your budget for what demolition reveals.
How Long a Master Bath Remodel Takes
Time affects cost, because a longer job means more labor. Our renovation guide puts a full gut with layout changes at about 6 to 10 weeks of work, after design and ordering. The phase-by-phase detail is in how long a master bath remodel takes.
Return on Investment (ROI)
According to the This Old House guide, citing the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, a mid-range bathroom remodel returns about 80% of its cost at resale, an accessible remodel about 61% and an upscale renovation about 36%. The more lavish the remodel, the smaller the share you get back. That is a reason to spend on the features you will use every day, not a reason to skip a remodel you need.
Homeowners describe the value in their own terms. Debbie White of Hampstead, NH, whose project expanded the master bathroom as part of an addition, wrote: "Our master bathroom is twice as large as originally built. This project has definitely increased the value of our home."
Saving Tips and Budget Management
Effective Budgeting Strategies
- Decide the layout first. Whether fixtures move is the biggest cost decision, so settle it before choosing tile.
- Use allowances. A clear estimate with allowances for fixtures, tile and cabinetry shows what your selections add. Linda B. wrote that Ryan "also provided an allowance budget to give us an idea of what the total project would cost," and that while upgrades raised the total, "Ryan did not exceed his labor estimate."
- Keep a contingency for what turns up behind the walls.
Cost-Saving Tips
- Refinish or reuse what still works, such as a sound tub or a good vanity, if it fits the new design.
- Pick look-alike materials such as marble-look porcelain where the real thing would cost more and need more care.
- Stick to cosmetic changes if the room works well and only looks dated: new fixtures, lighting, mirrors and paint.
- Avoid mid-job changes. Changes after demolition cost more than the same changes on paper.
For what goes into a high-end primary bath and how to plan one, see our guide to luxury bathroom remodeling. For how we plan and build bathrooms, see our bathroom remodeling page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?
In most primary baths, the biggest line items are the shower (tile, waterproofing and glass) and any plumbing that has to move. Relocating a toilet, shower or tub means new drain and supply lines, and sometimes floor framing work. Premium finishes such as natural stone, custom cabinetry and multi-head shower systems add up quickly. A remodel that keeps fixtures where they are is usually the least expensive way to get a new-looking room.
Is a master bath remodel worth it?
For most homeowners the main return is daily use. On resale, the This Old House cost guide, citing the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, puts a mid-range bathroom remodel at about 80% of its cost recouped and an upscale renovation at about 36%. The bigger and more customized the bath, the smaller the share you get back when you sell, so build the room for how you will use it.
How can I reduce the cost of my bathroom remodel?
Keep the toilet, sink and shower on their existing drains, choose porcelain that looks like stone instead of natural stone, refinish or reuse what still works, and settle your selections before work starts so the plan does not change mid-job. Ask for a clear estimate with allowances for fixtures and tile, so you can see what your choices add.
Every bathroom is priced individually. After we see the room and understand your goals, we provide a clear, detailed estimate. If you are planning a bathroom in the Merrimack Valley, the North Shore, the Seacoast or southern New Hampshire, call Norman Builders at (978) 833-7337 or request an estimate.
