Bathroom remodel cost in Huntsville, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,250 – $21,100
- Per sq ft
- $90.50 – $453
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #221
- 1 = most expensive
Huntsville homeowners pay roughly $4,250 to $21,100 to remodel a bathroom at 45 sq ft, or $90.50 to $453 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Huntsville is 9% lower. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $27.42 an hour in the Huntsville area, 11% below the US median of $30.67.
Estimate your bathroom remodel cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Huntsville, AL, standard level
$9,300 to $16,100
About $199 to $344 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,400 |
| Labor | $4,650 | $8,050 |
| Permits and fees | $350 | $580 |
| Total | $9,300 | $16,100 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Huntsville, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,750 | 46% |
| Labor | $2,100 | $6,350 | $10,600 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $190 | $470 | $740 | 4% |
| Total | $4,250 | $12,700 | $21,100 | 100% |
What is behind the Huntsville number
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, Huntsville wages are 0.86 times the national level. Labor makes up about 50% of the midpoint estimate (53% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Huntsville 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 (93.1) and land at $190 to $740.
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 Huntsville is 0.86 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $27.42 an hour, which is 11% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.91 and $31.85 an hour. BLS counts 790 of them working in the area, 29.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 25%) the local median is $22.44 an hour, which is 16% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $18.81 and $26.72 an hour. BLS counts 30 of them working in the area, 1.1 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 $23.54 an hour, which is 19% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.69 and $28.06 an hour. BLS counts 430 of them working in the area, 16.1 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 $28.13 an hour, 7% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.75 and $32.00 an hour. About 1,030 work in the metro. That is 38.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $22.19 an hour, 22% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $16.33 and $29.43 an hour. About 80 work in the metro. That is 3.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $21.88 an hour, which is 8% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.47 and $26.53 an hour. BLS counts 130 of them working in the area, 4.9 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 ($31.85 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $270. At the 25th percentile ($22.91) it shrinks by about $270. The total moves by 2.1% or 2.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 266,650 jobs in the Huntsville area. That makes it the 99th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.17% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $22.91 | $27.42 | $31.85 | $30.67 | 0.89 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $18.81 | $22.44 | $26.72 | $26.77 | 0.84 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $20.69 | $23.54 | $28.06 | $29.12 | 0.81 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.75 | $28.13 | $32.00 | $30.38 | 0.93 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $16.33 | $22.19 | $29.43 | $28.33 | 0.78 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $18.47 | $21.88 | $26.53 | $23.75 | 0.92 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Huntsville
Because every project leans on different trades, Huntsville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, kitchen remodel runs −6% and kitchen cabinets −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $820 – $2,550 | −10% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,400 – $29,600 | −6% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,900 – $12,400 | −10% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,100 – $13,900 | −8% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −9% |
Is Huntsville cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Huntsville. Dalton is the lowest at about $12,400 (midpoint, 45 sq ft), 105 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, ALthis page | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | |
| Decatur, AL30 miles | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | +1% |
| Chattanooga, TN80 miles | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | −1% |
| Nashville, TN90 miles | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | +2% |
| Birmingham, AL90 miles | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,800 | +1% |
| Dalton, GA105 miles | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −2% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | −1% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Huntsville comes in at #221 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Huntsville is 1% above the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,800 | +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 | level |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $4,200 – $20,800 | $12,500 | −2% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,300 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Huntsville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Huntsville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | −1% |
| Lakeland, FL | 265,280 jobs | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −2% |
| Poughkeepsie, NY | 268,970 jobs | $5,050 – $25,000 | $15,000 | +18% |
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $5,200 – $25,900 | $15,600 | +23% |
Bathroom remodel: what moves the price in Huntsville
Moving plumbing
Keeping the toilet, tub and vanity in place keeps plumbing costs down. Moving them does not.
Contractor fee
A general contractor charges $50-$150 an hour or 10-20% of the project cost.
Permit
A bathroom remodel permit is $200-$800, more if you move walls (HomeGuide).
Huntsville: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Huntsville 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
$4,250 to $11,000
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,300 to $16,100
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,400 to $21,100
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,000 – $5,100 | $4,350 – $7,450 | $6,700 – $9,800 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,800 – $9,850 | $8,300 – $14,300 | $12,800 – $18,900 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,600 – $14,500 | $12,300 – $21,200 | $19,000 – $27,900 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,250 – $24,000 | $20,300 – $35,000 | $31,300 – $46,000 |
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 $9,300 to $16,100 for Huntsville, AL is attached.
Detailed bathroom remodel report for Huntsville, AL, $9
Multi-page report for Huntsville, 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 Huntsville: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Huntsville?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,250 to $21,100 in the Huntsville area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,300 to $16,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Huntsville?
About $90.50 to $453 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $190 to $740 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Huntsville or Decatur?
Decatur is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,800, which is 1% more than Huntsville ($12,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Huntsville?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $6,350 out of $12,700. Materials are 46% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Huntsville?
$5,600 to $27,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Huntsville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $190 to $740 for fees in the Huntsville area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Huntsville expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Alabama?
Huntsville 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 Huntsville?
The BLS median is $27.42 an hour in the Huntsville area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.91 to $31.85.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Huntsville?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,250 to $11,000 and premium work $14,400 to $21,100. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Huntsville
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.