Bathroom remodel cost in Lake Charles, LA
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
- $91.50 – $457
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #210
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a bathroom in Lake Charles, plan on $4,300 to $21,200 for 45 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $91.50 to $457 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 $32.69 an hour in the Lake Charles area, 7% above 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 Lake Charles, LA, standard level
$9,350 to $16,200
About $201 to $347 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $7,200 |
| Labor | $4,850 | $8,400 |
| Permits and fees | $330 | $530 |
| Total | $9,350 | $16,200 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Lake Charles, LA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $5,700 | $9,500 | 45% |
| Labor | $2,200 | $6,650 | $11,100 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $430 | $690 | 3% |
| Total | $4,300 | $12,800 | $21,200 | 100% |
Where the Lake Charles 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, Lake Charles wages are 0.89 times the national level. Labor makes up about 52% of the midpoint estimate (53% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Lake Charles metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $5,700, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (85.9) and land at $170 to $690.
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 Lake Charles. The wage table below marks each row.
Is Lake Charles cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (45 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Baton Rouge is the priciest of the group at $13,300. Alexandria is the cheapest at $12,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LAthis page | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,800 | |
| Beaumont, TX60 miles | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | +2% |
| Lafayette, LA65 miles | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,300 | −4% |
| Alexandria, LA95 miles | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,300 | −4% |
| Baton Rouge, LA125 miles | $4,450 – $22,100 | $13,300 | +4% |
| Houston, TX130 miles | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | +3% |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $4,250 – $21,200 | $12,700 | level |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Lake Charles comes in at #210 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Lake Charles is 0% above the Louisiana figure.
Other Louisiana metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $4,250 – $21,200 | $12,700 | level |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $4,450 – $22,100 | $13,300 | +4% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,300 | −4% |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −2% |
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,500 | −2% |
| Monroe, LA | 87,500 jobs | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like Lake Charles's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lake Charles against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, IN | 102,200 jobs | $4,500 – $22,300 | $13,400 | +5% |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $5,300 – $26,300 | $15,800 | +24% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $4,200 – $20,800 | $12,500 | −2% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 98,500 jobs | $5,250 – $26,000 | $15,600 | +22% |
Why two Lake Charles quotes can differ
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).
Cost by quality level and size in Lake Charles
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Lake Charles 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 – $21,400 | $19,100 – $28,100 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,300 – $24,100 | $20,400 – $35,300 | $31,600 – $46,400 |
Related projects, priced for Lake Charles
Because every project leans on different trades, Lake Charles's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs −8% and kitchen cabinets −13%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $870 – $2,600 | −8% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,000 – $28,900 | −8% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,800 – $12,100 | −13% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,050 – $13,600 | −10% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $260 – $1,300 | −12% |
Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles is 0.89 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $32.69 an hour, which is 7% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.59 and $35.49 an hour. BLS counts 560 of them working in the area, 55.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Lake Charles metro, so we used the Louisiana statewide median: $21.52 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.96 and $22.99 an hour.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $22.08 an hour, which is 24% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $16.13 and $28.48 an hour. BLS counts 630 of them working in the area, 62.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $30.59 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.38 and $34.83 an hour. About 590 work in the metro. That is 58.0 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 Lake Charles metro, so we used the Louisiana statewide median: $22.80 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $16.01 and $29.20 an hour.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $22.50 an hour, which is 5% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $20.71 and $22.92 an hour. BLS counts 530 of them working in the area, 52.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.49 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $170. At the 25th percentile ($28.59) it shrinks by about $250. The total moves by 1.3% or 1.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 101,690 jobs in the Lake Charles area. That makes it the 202nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.07% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $28.59 | $32.69 | $35.49 | $30.67 | 1.07 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $18.96 | $21.52 | $22.99 | $26.77 | 0.80 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $16.13 | $22.08 | $28.48 | $29.12 | 0.76 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.38 | $30.59 | $34.83 | $30.38 | 1.01 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $16.01 | $22.80 | $29.20 | $28.33 | 0.80 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $20.71 | $22.50 | $22.92 | $23.75 | 0.95 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
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 Lake Charles, LA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the bathroom remodel numbers for Lake Charles, LA line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Lake Charles: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Lake Charles?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,300 to $21,200 in the Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles?
About $91.50 to $457 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $170 to $690 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Lake Charles or Beaumont?
Beaumont is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $13,000, which is 2% more than Lake Charles ($12,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lake Charles?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $6,650 out of $12,800. Materials are 45% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Lake Charles?
$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 Lake Charles?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $170 to $690 for fees in the Lake Charles area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lake Charles expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Louisiana?
Lake Charles is 0% above the Louisiana statewide estimate ($12,700 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Louisiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Lake Charles?
The BLS median is $32.69 an hour in the Lake Charles area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.59 to $35.49.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Lake Charles?
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 Lake Charles
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.