What Does a Custom Bathroom Actually Cost?
Inside the $45,000+ investment behind a custom bathroom — and where the budget actually goes.
Bathrooms may be some of the smaller rooms in a home, but they can also be some of the most detailed — and expensive — to renovate.
Between plumbing, stone, tile, cabinetry, lighting and fixtures, there are a lot of individual elements coming together within a relatively small footprint. And when the goal is a highly customized space with considered materials and pieces selected to last, the investment can add up quickly.
For this bathroom, the total investment in the finishes, fixtures and custom elements was $45,000+, before labour and installation.
Here’s a closer look at where that budget went.
STONE + TILE
Natural stone is one of the defining materials in this bathroom, used generously across both the vanity and shower.
The custom stone countertops were approximately $12,000, while the stone and tile used throughout the shower added another $12,000 to the project.
Beyond the material itself, details like the substantial stone edge profile and integrated backsplash help give the vanity a sense of permanence and make the stone an architectural element of the room rather than simply a countertop.
Stone countertops: $12,000
Shower stone + tile: $12,000
CUSTOM MILLWORK
The vanity was designed specifically for the room, allowing us to consider not only storage, but the overall proportions and functionality of the space.
Custom millwork also gives us control over details that can be difficult to achieve with an off-the-shelf vanity—from the configuration of the cabinetry to the finish, hardware and relationship between the millwork and stone.
For this bathroom, the custom millwork investment was approximately $11,000.
Custom millwork: $11,000
Hardware: $24 per knob
PLUMBING FIXTURES + SHOWER
Plumbing is another area where the individual selections can quickly become a significant portion of a bathroom budget.
The faucets in this space were approximately $1,400 each, while the complete shower system was $4,500. A steam shower unit and control added another $4,800.
These are functional elements used every day, so we tend to think about plumbing selections through the lens of both design and longevity.
Faucets: $1,400 each
Shower system: $4,500
Steam shower unit + control: $4,800
Toilet: $2,100
LIGHTING, MIRRORS + FINISHING DETAILS
The smaller pieces may represent a more modest portion of the overall budget, but they’re often what give a bathroom its personality.
In this space, a series of polished sconces frame the mirrors, while a custom upholstered ottoman introduces pattern and softness against the stone and painted cabinetry.
The mirrors ranged from $650 to $725, the sconces were approximately $400 each, and the custom ottoman was $1,200.
Small mirrors: $650 each
Large mirror: $725
Sconces: $400 each
Custom ottoman: $1,200
SO, WHAT SHOULD YOU BUDGET FOR A CUSTOM BATHROOM?
For this particular bathroom, the investment in materials, fixtures, millwork and decorative elements came to $45,000+. Importantly, that figure does not include labour or installation, so it shouldn’t be interpreted as the total construction cost of completing the bathroom.
Every bathroom will be different. The size of the space, complexity of the design, amount of custom millwork, choice of stone and tile, plumbing fixtures and level of customization can all significantly influence the final investment.
But we think sharing real project numbers can be helpful when you’re beginning to understand what goes into creating a highly customized space—and where you may want to prioritize your own budget.
Ultimately, a luxury bathroom isn’t about choosing the most expensive option at every turn. It’s about deciding where thoughtful materials, quality craftsmanship and custom details will have the greatest impact, then bringing those decisions together in a way that feels cohesive and considered.
PLANNING A RENOVATION?
PMD offers full-service interior design for major renovations and custom homes, guiding projects from the initial design and material selections through construction, procurement and final installation.