2002 Cost vs. Value Report

Seen strictly from the standpoint of resale, carving a bathroom out of existing space, especially in a home that has only one or one and a half baths, might be the most productive remodeling project you can undertake.

Real estate agent Ollie Bell, of Coldwell Banker in West Mifflin, Pa., says that when it comes to bathrooms, buyers of existing homes expect at least two and a half. Even first time buyers, whose expectations may not be as high, "want a master bath and at least one more," she says.

Most real estate agents and appraisers interviewed for this year's report would agree with that. The cost for our mid-range bathroom addition averages $15,058 nationally and would recoup $14,180, or 94% of cost. The upscale bathroom comes in at $37,639 and recoups 81% of cost, $30,626.

Project description

Mid-range: Add a full 6-by-8-foot bath to a house with one or one and a half baths. Locate within existing footprint near bedrooms. Include cultured-marble vanity top, molded sink, standard tub/shower with ceramic tile surround, low-profile toilet, general and spot lighting, mirrored medicine cabinet, linen storage, vinyl wallpaper, and ceramic tile floor.

Mid-range
Market Job Cost Resale Value Cost Recouped
National Average $15,058 $14,180 94%
Atlanta 13,615 12,833 94
Boston 17,441 19,981 115
Buffalo, N.Y. 14,656 8,460 58
Chicago 18,129 20,607 114
Cincinnati 14,584 10,250 70
Cleveland 16,098 12,967 81
Columbus, Ohio 14,434 7,094 49
Dallas 12,953 10,238 79
Denver 13,809 8,489 61
Detroit 16,435 9,443 57
Houston 13,512 11,500 85
Indianapolis 14,574 8,800 60
Kansas City 14,844 10,614 72
Los Angeles metro 17,048 26,843 157
Los Angeles 17,280 35,460 205
Orange Cty, Calif. 16,815 18,225 108
Miami 12,471 11,250 90
Milwaukee 16,148 14,145 88
Minneapolis 18,096 18,800 104
New Orleans 12,374 11,058 89
New York metro 16,411 20,703 126
Passaic, N.J. 16,845 13,500 80
Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y. 17,023 18,609 109
Fairfield-New Haven, Conn. 15,366 30,000 195
Norfolk, Va. 11,183 10,500 94
Orlando, Fla. 12,450 7,375 59
Philadelphia 16,178 16,686 103
Phoenix 13,872 9,583 69
Pittsburgh 15,064 8,750 58
Portland, Ore. 15,991 12,000 75
Providence, R.I. 15,094 11,375 75
Sacramento, Calif. 16,853 15,588 92
Salt Lake City 12,814 8,065 63
St. Louis 16,126 14,750 91
San Antonio 12,889 9,963 77
San Diego 16,216 16,250 100
San Francisco metro 18,930 26,154 138
San Francisco 18,930 28,900 153
Oakland, Calif. 18,930 23,408 124
Seattle 16,565 15,481 93
Tampa, Fla. 11,729 10,000 85
Washington metro 13,001 13,455 103
Washington, D.C. 14,039 23,333 166
Baltimore 13,100 7,199 55
Richmond, Va. 11,864 9,833 83

Upscale: Add a new 9-by-9-foot master bath to an existing master bedroom. The new bathroom includes a 4-by-4-foot neo-angle shower with ceramic tile walls, recessed shower caddy, body spray fixtures, and frameless enclosure as well as a personalized whirlpool tub; a solid-surface countertop with two integral sinks; two mirrored medicine cabinets lighted by individual sconces; a compartmentalized commode area with one-piece toilet; and a humidistat-controlled exhaust fixture. Other touches: heated floor and towel bars, custom drawer base, and wall cabinets.

Upscale
Market Job Cost Resale Value Cost Recouped
National Average $37,639 $30,626 81%
Atlanta 36,329 34,813 96
Boston 39,676 44,855 113
Buffalo, N.Y. 37,210 22,300 60
Chicago 40,211 40,281 100
Cincinnati 37,338 25,333 68
Cleveland 38,562 28,391 74
Columbus, Ohio 37,358 18,311 49
Dallas 35,802 23,451 66
Denver 36,538 21,917 60
Detroit 38,933 21,050 54
Houston 36,332 25,000 69
Indianapolis 37,277 21,600 58
Kansas City 37,444 22,175 59
Los Angeles metro 39,070 50,517 129
Los Angeles 39,411 68,308 173
Orange Cty, Calif. 38,729 32,725 84
Miami 35,464 25,250 71
Milwaukee 38,567 32,899 85
Minneapolis 39,263 34,400 88
New Orleans 35,308 30,302 86
New York metro 38,789 42,865 111
Passaic, N.J. 39,234 28,750 73
Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y. 39,192 38,177 97
Fairfield-New Haven, Conn. 37,940 61,667 163
Norfolk, Va. 34,321 25,600 75
Orlando, Fla. 35,411 18,372 52
Philadelphia 38,756 35,901 93
Phoenix 36,547 19,333 53
Pittsburgh 37,764 18,250 48
Portland, Ore. 38,395 22,000 57
Providence, R.I. 37,850 26,250 69
Sacramento, Calif. 39,382 30,625 78
Salt Lake City 35,669 21,940 62
St. Louis 38,603 28,708 74
San Antonio 35,775 29,053 81
San Diego 38,726 36,250 94
San Francisco metro 41,285 50,999 124
San Francisco 41,285 55,300 134
Oakland, Calif. 41,285 46,698 113
Seattle 38,147 30,722 81
Tampa, Fla. 34,786 21,500 62
Washington metro 36,133 29,063 80
Washington, D.C. 37,687 46,667 124
Baltimore 35,953 17,190 48
Richmond, Va. 34,759 23,333 67