Bathroom remodel cost in Birmingham, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,300 – $21,200
- Per sq ft
- $91 – $456
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #211
- 1 = most expensive
Birmingham homeowners pay roughly $4,300 to $21,200 to remodel a bathroom at 45 sq ft, or $91 to $456 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Birmingham is 9% lower. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $28.89 an hour in the Birmingham area, 6% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Birmingham, AL, standard level
$9,350 to $16,200
About $200 to $346 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,400 |
| Labor | $4,750 | $8,150 |
| Permits and fees | $350 | $570 |
| Total | $9,350 | $16,200 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Birmingham, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,750 | 46% |
| Labor | $2,150 | $6,450 | $10,700 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $460 | $730 | 4% |
| Total | $4,300 | $12,800 | $21,200 | 100% |
Why Birmingham prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 25%, tile and stone setters at 25%, carpenters at 20%, electricians at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, painters, construction and maintenance at 10%. Weighted together, Birmingham wages are 0.87 times the national level. Labor makes up about 51% of the midpoint estimate (53% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Birmingham metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $5,850, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.6) and land at $180 to $730.
Is Birmingham cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Birmingham. Auburn is the lowest at about $12,300 (midpoint, 45 sq ft), 100 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, ALthis page | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,800 | |
| Tuscaloosa, AL60 miles | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | −1% |
| Decatur, AL75 miles | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | level |
| Montgomery, AL80 miles | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −2% |
| Huntsville, AL90 miles | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | −1% |
| Auburn, AL100 miles | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,300 | −4% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | −1% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Birmingham comes in at #211 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Birmingham is 1% above the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | −1% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $4,250 – $21,200 | $12,700 | level |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −2% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | −1% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $4,200 – $20,800 | $12,500 | −2% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,300 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like Birmingham's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Birmingham against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, NY | 534,550 jobs | $4,900 – $24,300 | $14,600 | +15% |
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $4,550 – $22,500 | $13,500 | +6% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $4,600 – $22,800 | $13,700 | +7% |
| Rochester, NY | 494,280 jobs | $4,900 – $24,300 | $14,600 | +14% |
Cost by quality level and size in Birmingham
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Birmingham wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$4,300 to $11,100
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,350 to $16,200
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,500 to $21,200
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,000 – $5,150 | $4,350 – $7,500 | $6,700 – $9,850 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,850 – $9,900 | $8,350 – $14,400 | $12,900 – $19,000 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,650 – $14,600 | $12,400 – $21,300 | $19,100 – $28,100 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,300 – $24,100 | $20,400 – $35,200 | $31,500 – $46,300 |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Birmingham is 0.87 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $28.89 an hour, which is 6% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.67 and $30.98 an hour. BLS counts 1,840 of them working in the area, 35.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 25%) the local median is $21.82 an hour, which is 18% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $17.94 and $23.89 an hour. BLS counts 70 of them working in the area, 1.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $24.23 an hour, which is 17% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.00 and $28.95 an hour. BLS counts 1,660 of them working in the area, 31.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $27.23 an hour, 10% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.84 and $30.69 an hour. About 2,780 work in the metro. That is 53.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.44 an hour, 17% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $22.20 and $24.75 an hour. About 270 work in the metro. That is 5.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $21.42 an hour, which is 10% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.25 and $24.98 an hour. BLS counts 380 of them working in the area, 7.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($30.98 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $130. At the 25th percentile ($23.67) it shrinks by about $320. The total moves by 1.0% or 2.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 520,290 jobs in the Birmingham area. That makes it the 50th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.33% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $23.67 | $28.89 | $30.98 | $30.67 | 0.94 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $17.94 | $21.82 | $23.89 | $26.77 | 0.82 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $22.00 | $24.23 | $28.95 | $29.12 | 0.83 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.84 | $27.23 | $30.69 | $30.38 | 0.90 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $22.20 | $23.44 | $24.75 | $28.33 | 0.83 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $18.25 | $21.42 | $24.98 | $23.75 | 0.90 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.87 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Birmingham bid
Permit
A bathroom remodel permit is $200-$800, more if you move walls (HomeGuide).
Size
HomeGuide's average-size bathroom comes to $3,500-$25,000+; per square foot it's $100-$500.
Tile
New tile costs $10-$50 per square foot installed, and regrouting runs $7-$28 per square foot.
Related projects, priced for Birmingham
Because every project leans on different trades, Birmingham's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, kitchen remodel runs −6% and kitchen backsplash −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $830 – $2,550 | −9% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,400 – $29,600 | −6% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $12,600 | −10% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,100 – $13,900 | −7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −10% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $9,350 to $16,200 for Birmingham, AL is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Birmingham, AL: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Bathroom remodel in Birmingham: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Birmingham?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,300 to $21,200 in the Birmingham area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,350 to $16,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Birmingham?
About $91 to $456 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $180 to $730 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Birmingham or Tuscaloosa?
Tuscaloosa is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,700, which is 1% less than Birmingham ($12,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Birmingham?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $6,450 out of $12,800. Materials are 46% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Birmingham?
$5,650 to $28,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Birmingham?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $180 to $730 for fees in the Birmingham area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Birmingham expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Alabama?
Birmingham is 1% above the Alabama statewide estimate ($12,600 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Birmingham?
The BLS median is $28.89 an hour in the Birmingham area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.67 to $30.98.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Birmingham?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,300 to $11,100 and premium work $14,500 to $21,200. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Birmingham
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = 45% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range split for bathroom projects (50% labor, 45% materials, 5% permits and design). Their sample is their own guides, not a survey of contractors, so treat the split as approximate.