Bathroom remodel cost in Montgomery, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,200 – $20,700
- Per sq ft
- $89 – $444
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #251
- 1 = most expensive
A bathroom remodel in Montgomery, AL usually costs $4,200 to $20,700 for 45 sq ft. That works out to about $89 to $444 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,550 less. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $27.87 an hour in the Montgomery area, 9% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Montgomery, AL, standard level
$9,150 to $15,800
About $196 to $338 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,400 |
| Labor | $4,500 | $7,800 |
| Permits and fees | $340 | $560 |
| Total | $9,150 | $15,800 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Montgomery, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,750 | 47% |
| Labor | $2,050 | $6,150 | $10,200 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $450 | $720 | 4% |
| Total | $4,200 | $12,400 | $20,700 | 100% |
Where the Montgomery price comes from
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, Montgomery wages are 0.83 times the national level. Labor makes up about 49% of the midpoint estimate (53% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Montgomery is at 96.4 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,100 nationally becomes $5,850 here (midpoint, 45 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 89.7: $180 to $720.
Data note: 35% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Montgomery. The wage table below marks each row.
Is Montgomery cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Montgomery. Dothan is the lowest at about $12,100 (midpoint, 45 sq ft), 95 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, ALthis page | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | |
| Auburn, AL50 miles | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,300 | −1% |
| Birmingham, AL80 miles | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,800 | +3% |
| Columbus, GA90 miles | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −1% |
| Dothan, AL95 miles | $4,050 – $20,100 | $12,100 | −3% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL95 miles | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | +2% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | +1% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Montgomery ranks #251 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Montgomery is 1% below the Alabama figure.
Elsewhere in Alabama
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,800 | +3% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | +2% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $4,250 – $21,200 | $12,700 | +2% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | +2% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $4,200 – $20,800 | $12,500 | level |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,300 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Montgomery against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $5,150 – $25,700 | $15,400 | +24% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,500 | level |
| Lubbock, TX | 166,780 jobs | $4,000 – $19,900 | $12,000 | −4% |
| Beaumont, TX | 163,220 jobs | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | +4% |
Why two Montgomery quotes can differ
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).
Size
HomeGuide's average-size bathroom comes to $3,500-$25,000+; per square foot it's $100-$500.
What local crews earn in Montgomery
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 6 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Montgomery the blend is 0.83.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $27.87 an hour, 9% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.19 and $29.79 an hour. About 340 work in the metro. That is 20.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Montgomery 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.
Carpenters (47-2031), 20% of the weighting: a median of $22.77 an hour, 22% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.72 and $26.19 an hour. About 300 work in the metro. That is 18.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $23.99 an hour, which is 21% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.26 and $30.23 an hour. BLS counts 760 of them working in the area, 45.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Montgomery 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), 10% of the weighting: a median of $19.52 an hour, 18% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $16.87 and $22.52 an hour. About 60 work in the metro. That is 3.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $120 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $340. That is a swing of roughly 2.8% to 0.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Montgomery has 165,550 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 142nd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $22.19 | $27.87 | $29.79 | $30.67 | 0.91 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $17.91 | $21.54 | $22.86 | $26.77 | 0.80 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $17.72 | $22.77 | $26.19 | $29.12 | 0.78 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.26 | $23.99 | $30.23 | $30.38 | 0.79 | 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% | $16.87 | $19.52 | $22.52 | $23.75 | 0.82 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.83 | |||||
Montgomery: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Montgomery. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from half bath (20 sq ft) to primary bath (100 sq ft).
Basic
$4,200 to $10,800
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,150 to $15,800
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,100 to $20,700
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $1,950 – $5,000 | $4,250 – $7,300 | $6,550 – $9,600 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,750 – $9,650 | $8,150 – $14,100 | $12,600 – $18,500 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,500 – $14,300 | $12,100 – $20,800 | $18,600 – $27,400 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,050 – $23,500 | $19,900 – $34,300 | $30,700 – $45,200 |
What nearby projects cost in Montgomery
Jobs that often go together with bathroom remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Montgomery wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, kitchen remodel comes out highest (−7%) and kitchen cabinets lowest (−12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $810 – $2,500 | −11% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,200 – $29,300 | −7% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,850 – $12,100 | −12% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,050 – $13,800 | −8% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $260 – $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 $9,150 to $15,800 for Montgomery, AL is attached.
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Bathroom remodel in Montgomery: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Montgomery?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,200 to $20,700 in the Montgomery area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,150 to $15,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Montgomery?
About $89 to $444 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $180 to $720 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Montgomery or Auburn?
Auburn is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,300, which is 1% less than Montgomery ($12,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Montgomery?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $6,150 out of $12,400. Materials are 47% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Montgomery?
$5,500 to $27,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Montgomery?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $180 to $720 for fees in the Montgomery area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Montgomery expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Alabama?
Montgomery is 1% below 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 Montgomery?
The BLS median is $27.87 an hour in the Montgomery area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.19 to $29.79.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Montgomery?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,200 to $10,800 and premium work $14,100 to $20,700. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Montgomery
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.