If you're planning a bathroom remodel on Long Island, you've probably already noticed that the price estimates are all over the map. The honest answer is that bathroom remodeling costs on Long Island range from $8,000 for a light refresh to $75,000 or more for a master suite or custom bath — and the condition of the walls behind your tile, the town you live in, and who you hire all move that number significantly.
As a licensed remodeling contractor serving Suffolk County and Nassau County for more than a decade, we've priced, planned and built hundreds of bathrooms in towns like Medford, Sayville, Patchogue, Bridgehampton and Southampton. This guide breaks down what those projects actually cost in 2026, so you can budget with confidence before you call contractors.
Bathroom Remodel Cost by Project Scope (2026 Long Island Averages)
Bathrooms pack more trades into less square footage than any other room in the house, which is why the scope of your project drives the price. Here's what homeowners across Long Island are paying in 2026 for each level of bathroom remodeling:
| Project Scope | Typical Range | What's Included | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-bath / powder room refresh | $8,000 – $15,000 | New vanity, toilet, fixtures, paint, mirror and lighting | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Full guest bathroom remodel | $15,000 – $30,000 | Full gut: tub or shower, tile, vanity, flooring, plumbing updates | 3 – 5 weeks |
| Master bathroom remodel | $35,000 – $75,000 | Larger footprint, double vanity, walk-in shower, heated floors, premium tile | 6 – 10 weeks |
| Luxury / custom bathroom | $75,000 – $150,000+ | Custom tile work, freestanding tub, steam shower, designer fixtures, structural changes | 8 – 14 weeks |
Another way contractors estimate: expect to pay roughly $200 to $500+ per square foot for a complete bathroom remodel on Long Island. That makes bathrooms the most expensive rooms per square foot in the house — more than kitchens — because the labor is dense and the materials are unforgiving.
What Drives Bathroom Remodel Costs on Long Island
Long Island isn't the cheapest place to remodel a bathroom — and for good reason. Four factors explain most of the variation between estimates:
1. Labor Rates
A bathroom remodel brings five trades into the smallest room of your house. Expect licensed plumbers and electricians to bill $100–$150 per hour, tile setters $75–$120 per hour, and labor overall to account for roughly 25–35% of the total project cost — the single largest line item. High-end markets like the Hamptons carry an additional premium, sometimes 20–40% above mid-Island rates.
2. Materials
Tile is where bathroom budgets move the fastest. Standard porcelain runs $5–$15 per square foot installed; large-format, marble and zellige-style tile run $15–$30+ per square foot. Vanities follow the same curve: stock units $300–$1,000, semi-custom $1,000–$3,000, and custom-built vanities $2,000–$6,000. Faucets, tubs and shower systems add another $1,000–$10,000 depending on the brands you pick.
3. What's Hiding Behind the Walls
Long Island's housing stock is older, and bathrooms are where hidden problems live: rotted subfloor under the toilet, cast-iron drain stacks past their service life, mold behind the tile, and framing that was never designed for a modern shower. Opening the walls frequently reveals $1,000–$8,000 in repairs before the fun part begins. This is exactly why a written, itemized estimate matters.
4. Permits and Code
Towns across Long Island — Brookhaven, Islip, Southampton, Hempstead and others — require permits when a bathroom remodel touches plumbing, electrical or structure. Budget $200–$1,500 for permit fees plus inspection time. New York residential code also requires mechanical exhaust ventilation in every bathroom and water-resistant backing in tub and shower areas — two items budget contractors sometimes leave out of their numbers. A contractor who handles permits in-house (we do, through our in-house architect) saves you weeks of back-and-forth with the building department.
Where the Money Goes: Cost Breakdown by Component
Here's how a typical mid-range Long Island bathroom remodel splits up, component by component:
| Component | % of Budget | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Labor (all trades) | 25 – 35% | $5,000 – $25,000 |
| Tile & stone | 15 – 25% | $2,500 – $18,000 |
| Fixtures (tub, shower, faucets, toilet) | 10 – 20% | $1,500 – $15,000 |
| Vanity & storage | 10 – 15% | $1,500 – $8,000 |
| Plumbing & electrical | 8 – 15% | $1,500 – $10,000 |
| Lighting & ventilation | 5 – 10% | $800 – $4,000 |
| Design, permits & fees | 3 – 7% | $600 – $3,000 |
Notice that labor and tile together eat about half the budget. One place you should never trim: waterproofing. A properly built shower uses a bonded waterproofing system on the walls and pan, and the difference between a dry bathroom and a $20,000 mold remediation is a few hundred dollars in materials installed correctly.
Cost Differences Across Long Island Towns
Where you live on the Island meaningfully changes what contractors charge:
- Suffolk County (Medford, Sayville, Patchogue, Brookhaven, Ronkonkoma): the baseline for mid-range pricing — most of the $15,000–$45,000 projects we build are here.
- Nassau County (Hempstead, Levittown, Mineola, Westbury): expect 5–15% higher labor rates than Suffolk, driven by demand and proximity to New York City.
- The Hamptons & North Shore (Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton): a 20–40% premium for labor and finishes. Projects here skew high-end, with custom tile work and designer fixtures as the norm.
Get at least three written estimates and compare them line by line — not just the bottom number. A lower price almost always means fewer line items, not better value. Ask each contractor: "How exactly will you waterproof the shower, and is the exhaust fan included?"
How to Budget for a Bathroom Remodel Without Surprises
- Insist on an itemized written estimate that separates materials, labor and allowances.
- Set aside a 10–15% contingency for hidden conditions discovered during demolition.
- Don't move the toilet if you don't have to. Relocating a drain is the single costliest plumbing change in a bathroom.
- Order the tub, vanity and fixtures early. Lead times of 4–10 weeks are normal; ordering late delays your whole timeline.
- Budget for code-required ventilation — an exhaust fan is not an upgrade, it's the law in New York.
- Phase the project if needed. Refresh the guest bath now, master bath next year — a good contractor designs for that.
Cosmetic Refresh vs. Full Remodel: Which Is Right for Your Home?
A cosmetic refresh ($8,000–$15,000) keeps your existing layout and plumbing footprint, and focuses on a new vanity, fixtures, paint, mirror, lighting and reglazing. It's fast — one to two weeks — and ideal if your bathroom is dry and functional but looks dated.
A full remodel ($15,000+) opens the walls: new waterproofing, new tile, often new plumbing and electrical. It's the right choice when you see cracked grout, a soft floor around the toilet, or tub surrounds that leak — because no amount of paint fixes water damage.
"We tell every client the same thing: if the room is dry and the layout works, refresh it. If you see cracked grout or a soft floor, a refresh is a band-aid — water damage doesn't fix itself."
As a resale consideration, a well-executed bathroom remodel typically recovers 60–70% of its cost in the Long Island market, and bathrooms consistently rank among the top three features buyers in Suffolk and Nassau County evaluate.
Hiring a Licensed Bathroom Contractor on Long Island
The contractor you choose affects your final cost more than any tile selection. Before you sign anything:
- Verify their NY Home Improvement Contractor license and ask for the reference number.
- Confirm general liability and workers' compensation insurance are current.
- Ask for references in your town — a contractor who works in Patchogue knows Patchogue's building department.
- Get a written scope of work with a payment schedule tied to milestones, never dates.
- Confirm who pulls the permits — and get the waterproofing method in writing.
At Gonzaga Professional Builders, every bathroom remodeling project in Long Island starts with a free on-site evaluation and an itemized written proposal. Our in-house architect manages permits and inspections, and one project lead stays with you from first walkthrough to final walkthrough.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bathroom remodel cost on Long Island?
A full guest bathroom remodel on Long Island typically costs between $15,000 and $30,000. Master bathrooms run $35,000 to $75,000, and high-end custom baths with premium tile and fixtures start around $75,000. Your specific number depends on scope, materials and your town.
How long does a bathroom remodel take on Long Island?
A full bathroom remodel typically takes 3 to 6 weeks. Master bathrooms with structural changes take 6 to 10 weeks, and cosmetic refreshes can be done in 1 to 2 weeks including permits and inspections.
Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom in Suffolk County?
Yes, when plumbing, electrical or structural work is involved — which covers nearly every full remodel. Gonzaga Professional Builders pulls all permits through our in-house architect, so your project meets local building codes.
Can I remodel a bathroom on Long Island for under $10,000?
Yes, if you keep the existing layout and focus on a cosmetic refresh: a new vanity, fixtures, paint and reglazing. Any change to the plumbing footprint or waterproofing will push most projects past $15,000 in Suffolk and Nassau County.
Which bathroom remodel adds the most value on Long Island?
A well-executed full bathroom remodel typically recovers 60 to 70 percent of its cost at resale. Updating a dated master bath delivers the biggest buyer impact, since bathrooms rank among the top features Suffolk and Nassau County buyers evaluate.
