Computed from 504 recent building-permit filings in Seattle, WA — what people actually declared, not survey guesses.
Typical low · P25$20,000
Median$50,000
Typical high · P75$122,817
✓ Verified from 504 recent building-permit filings in Seattle, WA
Every filing behind this range declared a residential renovation cost between $1,000 and $2,000,000 — outliers and commercial-scale projects are excluded. We only publish a range once at least 30 qualifying filings exist for a city/project combination; this one has 504.
Data refreshed September 2026
The short answer: a typical bathroom renovation in Seattle costs around $50,000, with half of all projects landing between $20,000 and $122,817. If a quote falls well outside that range, it isn't automatically wrong — but it deserves an explanation you can understand.
Seattle-specific factors
Seattle's older housing stock (many homes pre-date modern energy codes) means insulation, moisture control and code-required upgrades surface often once a permit triggers inspection.
High year-round rainfall makes exterior work — roofing, decks, additions — weather-dependent, and correct flashing/moisture detailing matters more here than in drier climates.
How to use this bathroom renovation range
The middle half of the published sample spans $20,000 to $122,817. That is a 206% spread around the median, so the details of your scope matter more than the label on the project.
What this project can cover
A bathroom renovation typically covers fixtures, waterproofing, tile, ventilation, finishes, and the labor needed to connect them.
What may sit outside it
The range may not capture hidden water damage, structural repairs, accessibility changes, or work outside the permitted scope.
Use your quote to test the range
Confirm the waterproofing system and tile preparation are specified.
Check whether the quote includes fixture removal and waste disposal.
Separate fixture allowances from installation labor.
This guide is based on 504 qualifying permit filings, not completed projects. Permit values reflect what applicants declared and can differ from the final paid cost.
Before you spend on a bathroom renovation
💸 What drives the cost
Relocating the toilet or shower drain — moving waste pipes is the expensive part, not the fixtures
Waterproofing and tiling labour: floor-to-ceiling tile can cost more than the suite itself
Hidden damage: rot or mould found after demolition is the most common overrun
✂️ How to spend less
Keep fixtures where they are; replace, don't relocate
Large-format tiles cut labour hours versus mosaic or small tiles
Hold a 10–15% contingency and you won't be forced into change-order pricing mid-job
🚩 Red flags when hiring
No mention of waterproofing/tanking in the quote for a wet area
Contractor unwilling to itemise labour vs materials
Next steps for your bathroom renovation
Get contractor quotes
Compare proposals from vetted professionals in your area. Free, no-obligation quotes.
Every figure on this page is computed from declared valuations on building permits filed with Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI), published via the Seattle Open Data Portal. We report the 25th percentile, median and 75th percentile of 504 recent residential filings — never a single-point "average". Declared values are what applicants file, not final invoices, so treat the range as planning guidance rather than a quote. Full methodology →
Check the underlying public records
The source dataset is maintained by Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI). The published sample is the subset classified as residential, matched to this project type, and carrying a declared valuation from $1,000 to $2,000,000. The count above is the number of qualifying filings used for this city and project, not the number of homes or completed invoices.
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Seattle?
Based on 504 recent building-permit filings with Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI), the median declared cost is $50,000. Half of all projects fall between $20,000 and $122,817.
Are these figures quotes?
No. Permit valuations are what applicants declare to Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) when filing, not final invoices — and Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) doesn't independently verify the declared value. Treat the range as planning guidance and a sanity-check against the quotes you receive, not a price to hold a contractor to.
Why is the range so wide for Seattle?
Seattle's older housing stock (many homes pre-date modern energy codes) means insulation, moisture control and code-required upgrades surface often once a permit triggers inspection. That local variation is on top of the usual differences in size and specification, which is why we publish the 25th percentile, median and 75th percentile instead of a single misleading "average" — you can see where a quote sits in the real distribution.
Planning something else, or somewhere else? Request a city or project — requests decide what we ingest next.