§ 01
The short answer
Local contractors publish similar tiers. One Northern Colorado guide puts a powder room or half bath at $5,000–$15,000, a full bath remodel at $15,000–$35,000, and a primary suite renovation at $35,000–$65,000+ (KHC). A Fort Collins bath specialist puts a full primary bath at $25,000–$65,000+, with most around $30,000–$50,000 (Fort Collins Bath Pros). Custom design-build bathrooms in the region run $45,000–$95,000 all-in (Hutch Design Build).
| Scope | Typical work | Published 2026 range |
|---|---|---|
| Powder room / half bath | Vanity, toilet, fixtures, tile update | $5,000–$15,000 |
| Full bath remodel | Shower or tub, vanity, tile, lighting | $15,000–$35,000 |
| Primary suite | Walk-in shower, double vanity, heated floors | $35,000–$65,000+ |
| Custom design-build | Design, layout changes, premium finishes, management | $45,000–$95,000+ |
Ranges compiled from published Northern Colorado guides listed below. Planning numbers, not quotes.
§ 02
What drives the cost
The shower. A tub-to-shower conversion typically runs $6,500–$10,000 in Fort Collins, and a new walk-in shower $8,000–$15,000 (Fort Collins Bath Pros). Curbless showers cost more because the floor has to be recessed or built up to create a continuous slope to the drain.
Moving plumbing. Keeping the toilet, vanity, and shower where they are saves real money. Relocating drains — especially on a slab or over finished space — adds plumbing, framing, and permitting.
Comfort features. Heated floors typically add $1,800–$3,500, and a frameless glass enclosure about the same (Fort Collins Bath Pros). Good ventilation isn't optional — in a dry climate people skip it, and it's the most common reason a bath fails early.
Waterproofing you can't see. The membrane and the slope to the drain matter more than the tile on top. Ask every bidder what waterproofing system they use and how the shower pan is built.
§ 03
Permits and timeline
Cosmetic updates often don't need a permit, but relocating plumbing, adding circuits, or changing the layout usually does. Active construction on a guest bath typically runs 3–5 weeks; a full primary bath with layout changes runs longer, plus design and ordering time beforehand.
§ 04
How to budget
Pick the shower first — it sets the plumbing, the tile scope, and most of the schedule. Then choose the vanity and tile, and hold a 10–15% contingency for what's behind the walls, especially in older homes where subfloors and drain lines may need replacing.
§ 05
Where Bastian projects land
We build bathrooms at the custom end of the market, with design, tile, and cabinetry handled by one team. Our published bands are $35,000–$65,000 for a guest bath refresh and $75,000–$140,000 for a full primary bath with layout changes, curbless shower, and radiant heat. The bathroom remodeling page explains each tier.