Bathroom remodel cost in Decatur, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,300 – $21,300
- Per sq ft
- $91.50 – $458
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #206
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a bathroom in Decatur, plan on $4,300 to $21,300 for 45 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $91.50 to $458 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 9% lower than the national one. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $28.81 an hour in the Decatur area, 6% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Decatur, AL, standard level
$9,400 to $16,200
About $201 to $348 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,400 |
| Labor | $4,750 | $8,250 |
| Permits and fees | $330 | $540 |
| Total | $9,400 | $16,200 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Decatur, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,750 | 46% |
| Labor | $2,150 | $6,500 | $10,800 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $440 | $700 | 3% |
| Total | $4,300 | $12,800 | $21,300 | 100% |
Why Decatur 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, Decatur wages are 0.88 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 Decatur 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 (87.2) and land at $170 to $700.
Data note: 45% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Decatur. The wage table below marks each row.
Decatur against nearby metros and the rest of Alabama
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Decatur. Chattanooga is the lowest at about $12,600 (midpoint, 45 sq ft), 105 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur, ALthis page | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | |
| Huntsville, AL30 miles | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | −1% |
| Birmingham, AL75 miles | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,800 | level |
| Tuscaloosa, AL105 miles | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | −1% |
| Chattanooga, TN105 miles | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | −2% |
| Nashville, TN115 miles | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | +2% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | −2% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Decatur comes in at #206 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Decatur is 2% above the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,800 | level |
| 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 | −3% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | −1% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $4,200 – $20,800 | $12,500 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Decatur's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Decatur against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | 61,770 jobs | $4,200 – $20,900 | $12,600 | −2% |
| Dothan, AL | 60,720 jobs | $4,050 – $20,100 | $12,100 | −6% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $4,600 – $22,800 | $13,700 | +7% |
| Sheboygan, WI | 60,630 jobs | $5,000 – $24,800 | $14,900 | +16% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: bathroom remodel pricing in Decatur
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Decatur 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
$9,400 to $16,200
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,500 to $21,300
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 | $8,400 – $14,500 | $12,900 – $19,000 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,650 – $14,700 | $12,400 – $21,400 | $19,200 – $28,200 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,350 – $24,200 | $20,500 – $35,300 | $31,600 – $46,500 |
Decatur labor market for bathroom remodel
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 Decatur is 0.88 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $28.81 an hour, which is 6% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.04 and $35.82 an hour. BLS counts 210 of them working in the area, 34.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Decatur metro, so we used the Alabama statewide median: $21.54 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.91 and $22.86 an hour.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $24.50 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.75 and $28.48 an hour. BLS counts 190 of them working in the area, 31.0 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 $30.74 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $24.38 and $50.66 an hour. About 480 work in the metro. That is 78.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Decatur metro, so we used the Alabama statewide median: $23.08 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $20.04 and $24.75 an hour.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Decatur metro, so we used the Alabama statewide median: $21.12 an hour against $23.75 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.00 and $24.24 an hour.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.82 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $420. At the 25th percentile ($23.04) it shrinks by about $350. The total moves by 3.3% or 2.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 61,240 jobs in the Decatur area. That makes it the 283rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $23.04 | $28.81 | $35.82 | $30.67 | 0.94 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $17.91 | $21.54 | $22.86 | $26.77 | 0.80 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $21.75 | $24.50 | $28.48 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $24.38 | $30.74 | $50.66 | $30.38 | 1.01 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $20.04 | $23.08 | $24.75 | $28.33 | 0.81 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $18.00 | $21.12 | $24.24 | $23.75 | 0.89 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
Why two Decatur quotes can differ
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.
Moving plumbing
Keeping the toilet, tub and vanity in place keeps plumbing costs down. Moving them does not.
Planning more than one job in Decatur?
Because every project leans on different trades, Decatur'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 | $820 – $2,550 | −10% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,500 – $29,700 | −6% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $12,600 | −9% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,150 – $14,000 | −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 $9,400 to $16,200 for Decatur, AL is attached.
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Bathroom remodel in Decatur: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Decatur?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,300 to $21,300 in the Decatur area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,400 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 Decatur?
About $91.50 to $458 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $170 to $700 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Decatur or Huntsville?
Huntsville is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,700, which is 1% less than Decatur ($12,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Decatur?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $6,500 out of $12,800. Materials are 46% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Decatur?
$5,650 to $28,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Decatur?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $170 to $700 for fees in the Decatur area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Decatur expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Alabama?
Decatur is 2% 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 Decatur?
The BLS median is $28.81 an hour in the Decatur area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.04 to $35.82.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Decatur?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,300 to $11,100 and premium work $14,500 to $21,300. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Decatur
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.