BATHROOM REMODELING SEATTLE
We find out what’s behind your walls before we give you a number — then that number is the number. Fixed-price contracts, sustainable materials, and every SDCI permit handled by us, not you.
A bathroom remodel in Seattle typically runs $18,000–$30,000 for a cosmetic refresh, $30,000–$55,000 for a full gut, and $55,000–$90,000 when you move plumbing or change the layout. Most projects take 3–5 weeks on site. Any work that relocates drains, alters framing, or adds circuits requires permits through SDCI.
There’s a reason national remodeling calculators are useless here. Roughly 30% of Seattle’s housing stock was built before 1950. Behind the walls of a Ballard Craftsman or Wallingford bungalow, a remodel routinely turns up galvanized supply lines rusted closed, lead drum traps under the tub, knob-and-tube wiring, and floor joists sagging under a cast-iron tub for 80 years.
None of that is visible when a contractor walks through with a clipboard. All of it is expensive on day two of demolition. That’s the mechanism behind almost every horror story on r/Seattle — the quote wasn’t dishonest, it was uninformed.
We spend the time up front: moisture readings, permit history, supply and drain inspection — before we price anything. Then we write a fixed-price contract. If we misjudge what’s behind the wall, that’s our cost, not yours.
We do bathrooms only. That focus is why we know what a 1926 Phinney Ridge bungalow does to a shower drain relocation.
Complete gut to studs, structural repair, repiping, waterproofing.
Rebuilding a failed shower with waterproofing done to spec.
Removing a cast-iron tub, converting the drain, reclaiming space.
Zero-threshold entries that need the floor engineered, not just tiled.
Seattle is full of 5×8 bathrooms. Getting one right is harder, not easier.
Layout changes, adjacent space, double vanities, wet rooms.
Ageing-in-place with blocking and structure done properly behind the wall.
Post-tensioned slabs, HOA shut-off windows, freight elevator scheduling.
We publish these because withholding them is the oldest trick in the trade.
| Scope | Range | What It Covers | On Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | $18,000–$30,000 | Same footprint & plumbing. Surfaces, fixtures, paint, lighting. | 2–3 wks |
| Full gut, same layout Most common | $30,000–$55,000 | Demo to studs, waterproofing rebuilt, tub-to-shower, plumbing rework. | 3–5 wks |
| Layout change | $55,000–$90,000 | Moving drains, capturing space, structural framing, custom cabinetry. | 4–6 wks |
| Primary suite expansion | $90,000–$150,000+ | Footprint growth, wet room, heated floors, high-end fixtures. | 6–8 wks |
2025 Cost vs. Value: midrange Seattle bathroom remodel = $26,138, recouping 80% at resale.
Ask around and you’ll hear Seattle permits cost about $2,000. That’s misleading. SDCI calculates fees on project valuation. The base building permit on a $45,000 remodel works out to roughly $538 (2026 schedule, 5% tech surcharge included). Larger numbers come from separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits, plus plan review at $292/hr — distinct line items you’re entitled to see separately.
We file everything: scope, drawings, Seattle Services Portal submissions, inspections, and final sign-off.
Seattle averages 39.34 inches of precipitation across 148 days a year. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals.) It stays damp, not stormy. Sustained moderate humidity is harder on a bathroom assembly than occasional heavy rain — nothing ever fully dries out.
Waterproofing is an assembly, not a product. A sheet-applied membrane bonded across the substrate, every corner and pipe penetration banded and sealed. Tile is a wear surface — it is not waterproof.
Ventilation is measured at the grille, not on the box. WA Residential Code §M1507.4 requires 50 CFM intermittent or 20 CFM continuous. We size for delivered airflow with rigid duct to an exterior termination — never into an attic (§M1507.2).
Your construction era shapes your project more than your postcode — but the two tend to travel together.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Seattle?
Between $18,000 and $30,000 for a cosmetic refresh, $30,000 to $55,000 for a full gut, and $55,000 to $90,000 when you move plumbing or change the layout.
Do I need a permit for a bathroom remodel in Seattle?
Yes for most work. SDCI requires permits for relocating drains, re-routing supply lines, altering framing, or adding circuits. Swapping fixtures in their existing locations may not.
How long will my bathroom be out of use?
2–3 weeks for a cosmetic refresh, 3–5 weeks for a full gut, and 5–8 weeks where the layout changes.
Why are Seattle quotes higher than national averages?
Trade labour costs more here, and ~30% of Seattle homes predate 1950 — galvanized pipe, drum traps, and knob-and-tube wiring routinely surface during demolition.
What happens if you find something unexpected behind the wall?
Under a fixed-price contract, we absorb it. The risk sits with us, not you.
Can you work in a condo?
Yes. Post-tensioned slabs, HOA shut-off windows, freight elevator bookings — we plan around all of it.
Still have a question? (206) 555-0100
Tell us the age of your house and what’s wrong. We’ll tell you honestly what range you’re in before anyone visits.
Washington State: Calls may be recorded. All parties notified before recording begins (RCW 9.73.030).