Cost Guide · 2026

What a bathroom remodel costs in the Lehigh Valley.

Honest 2026 pricing for Lehigh Valley bathrooms — from a cosmetic refresh to a full primary bath — by tier, by size, by component and by trade, with timelines and where the budget really goes.

By tier.

Cosmetic refresh

$3,500–$12k

New vanity, fixtures, paint, lighting and select tile — same footprint.

Mid-range

$15k–$35k

The standard Lehigh Valley bath — new tile, shower, vanity and stone top.

Major / primary

$40k–$80k+

Full reconfiguration, custom tile, large walk-in shower, premium finishes.

Tub-to-shower conversion

$12k–$18k

One of the highest-value upgrades we do — reclaim an unused tub for a real shower.

By size.

Bathrooms are small rooms with a lot packed in, so cost tracks the room more than the square footage. Here's where the three common Lehigh Valley baths land.

Powder room (≈20 sq ft)

$3.5k–$10k

Vanity, toilet, fixtures, paint and a little tile.

Standard full bath (≈40 sq ft)

$15k–$35k

The typical 5×8 — new shower, tile, vanity and stone top.

Primary suite (≈80–120 sq ft)

$40k–$80k+

Double vanity, large walk-in shower, soaking tub, custom tile.

By component.

Where the budget goes in a typical Lehigh Valley bathroom. These are installed figures — material and the labor to fit it — so this table and the trade table below are two views of the same money, not two bills. Don't add them together.

Tile (material + set): $15–$25 / sq ft
Walk-in shower: $5k–$15k
Vanity & top: $1,500–$5k+
Glass enclosure: $1,000–$3,500
Flooring: $4–$20 / sq ft
Fixtures: $800–$3,000
Plumbing (like-for-like fixtures): $600–$1,400
Permits: $500–$1,000

By trade.

The same project seen as labor: real Lehigh Valley trade ranges, consistent across Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. The shower is where the skilled hours (and the waterproofing you can't see) live. Plumbing appears in both tables at different numbers because they describe different work — keeping fixtures where they are costs a fraction of moving the drain and supply lines.

Shower waterproofing & tile: $5k–$15k
Plumber — with relocations (moving drain/supply): $1,500–$4,000
Electrician (lighting, fan, GFCI): $1,000–$3,000
Vanity & fixture install: $800–$2,500
Glass enclosure (measured & set): $1,000–$3,500
Demolition & disposal: $500–$2,500

Where to splurge, where to save.

Splurge: waterproofing & the shower

The one place to never cut corners is what's behind the tile. A properly waterproofed shower pan and walls is the difference between a bath that lasts 25 years and a callback in three. Glass and large-format tile are worth it too — they make a small Valley bath read larger.

Save: fixtures & vanity

Faucets, lighting and the vanity have a wide price range with little durability difference — a smart place to right-size a budget. A tub-to-shower conversion is often the highest-return move of all.

A note on older homes

Older Lehigh Valley baths—especially in West End Allentown, Historic Bethlehem, and College Hill—often hide failed waterproofing, cast-iron or galvanized plumbing and undersized venting behind the wall. We open the known trouble spots during estimating, price the scope and its allowances in writing, and name what is excluded — so the contract holds for the work it describes. Where demolition uncovers something genuinely hidden, it goes through a written change order you approve before we proceed; nobody sends you a surprise invoice. More on older-home costs →

Timeline.

Most Lehigh Valley bathrooms run 2–4 weeks once work begins. A tub-to-shower conversion is often faster; a full primary-bath gut with layout changes runs longer. Design, selections and permits add a few weeks up front.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

What's the average bathroom remodel cost in the Lehigh Valley?＋

Most standard Lehigh Valley bathrooms run $15,000–$35,000. Cosmetic refreshes start around $3,500–$12,000, and large primary baths or full reconfigurations run $40,000 and up.

How much does a small bathroom remodel cost?＋

A powder room or small hall bath typically runs $3,500–$15,000 depending on whether you keep the layout. Moving plumbing, tiling a full shower or upgrading to stone pushes a small bath toward the higher end.

How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost?＋

Most tub-to-shower conversions run about $12,000–$18,000 depending on tile, glass and whether plumbing moves — one of the best-value bathroom upgrades for everyday use and resale.

How much is a walk-in shower installed?＋

A tiled walk-in shower generally runs $5,000–$15,000 installed, driven by size, tile choice, niches, the bench and the glass. Curbless and zero-threshold designs sit at the upper end because of the floor and drain work.

What's the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?＋

Usually the shower — waterproofing, tile, niches and glass add up — followed by any plumbing relocation. Quality waterproofing is where you should never cut corners.

Do older Lehigh Valley homes cost more?＋

They can. Older Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton baths often hide failed waterproofing, cast-iron or galvanized plumbing and undersized venting. We find these before tile goes up so the estimate holds.

Are permits required for a bathroom remodel in the Lehigh Valley?＋

Usually, yes. Moving plumbing (like in a tub-to-shower conversion), upgrading electrical, or structural changes require a permit in Allentown, Bethlehem, and surrounding townships. Cosmetic updates (like swapping a vanity) often don't. We manage all local permitting for you.

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