Bathroom remodel cost in Ann Arbor, MI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,800 – $23,700
- Per sq ft
- $102 – $509
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #105
- 1 = most expensive
A bathroom remodel in Ann Arbor, MI usually costs $4,800 to $23,700 for 45 sq ft. That works out to about $102 to $509 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $37.60 an hour in the Ann Arbor area, 23% above the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Ann Arbor, MI, standard level
$10,500 to $18,000
About $224 to $387 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,150 | $7,200 |
| Labor | $5,900 | $10,200 |
| Permits and fees | $380 | $630 |
| Total | $10,500 | $18,000 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Ann Arbor, MI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $5,700 | $9,500 | 40% |
| Labor | $2,700 | $8,050 | $13,400 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $200 | $500 | $810 | 4% |
| Total | $4,800 | $14,300 | $23,700 | 100% |
Where the Ann Arbor price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, who do 25% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $37.60 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Ann Arbor is 1.08 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 57% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Ann Arbor is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,100 nationally becomes $5,700 here (midpoint, 45 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 100.9: $200 to $810.
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 Ann Arbor. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in Ann Arbor
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 Ann Arbor the blend is 1.08.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $37.60 an hour, 23% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $27.89 and $49.17 an hour. About 420 work in the metro. That is 19.1 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 Ann Arbor metro, so we used the Michigan statewide median: $23.05 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $20.17 and $30.08 an hour.
Carpenters (47-2031), 20% of the weighting: a median of $31.33 an hour, 8% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $26.61 and $36.52 an hour. About 640 work in the metro. That is 29.1 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 $39.16 an hour, which is 29% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $29.29 and $50.13 an hour. BLS counts 610 of them working in the area, 27.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Ann Arbor metro, so we used the Michigan statewide median: $28.10 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $22.82 and $34.00 an hour.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 10% of the weighting: a median of $28.47 an hour, 20% above the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $23.08 and $38.91 an hour. About 160 work in the metro. That is 7.3 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 $700 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $590. That is a swing of roughly 4.1% to 4.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Ann Arbor has 219,730 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 110th 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% | $27.89 | $37.60 | $49.17 | $30.67 | 1.23 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $20.17 | $23.05 | $30.08 | $26.77 | 0.86 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $26.61 | $31.33 | $36.52 | $29.12 | 1.08 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $29.29 | $39.16 | $50.13 | $30.38 | 1.29 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $22.82 | $28.10 | $34.00 | $28.33 | 0.99 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $23.08 | $28.47 | $38.91 | $23.75 | 1.20 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.08 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Ann Arbor
Jobs that often go together with bathroom remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Ann Arbor wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, kitchen cabinets comes out highest (+3%) and kitchen backsplash lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $950 – $2,800 | +1% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,000 – $30,700 | −3% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,250 – $14,500 | +3% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,300 – $14,300 | −5% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −9% |
Why two Ann Arbor 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.
Cost by quality level and size in Ann Arbor
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Ann Arbor. 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
$4,800 to $12,400
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$10,500 to $18,000
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$16,100 to $23,700
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,250 – $5,750 | $4,850 – $8,350 | $7,500 – $11,000 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,300 – $11,000 | $9,350 – $16,100 | $14,400 – $21,200 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,300 – $16,300 | $13,800 – $23,800 | $21,300 – $31,400 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $10,400 – $26,900 | $22,800 – $39,300 | $35,200 – $51,700 |
Ann Arbor against nearby metros and the rest of Michigan
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 45 sq ft range from $13,500 to $14,800 across Ann Arbor and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MIthis page | $4,800 – $23,700 | $14,300 | |
| Detroit, MI45 miles | $4,950 – $24,600 | $14,800 | +4% |
| Toledo, OH50 miles | $4,550 – $22,500 | $13,500 | −5% |
| Lansing, MI50 miles | $4,750 – $23,500 | $14,100 | −1% |
| Flint, MI55 miles | $4,750 – $23,600 | $14,200 | −1% |
| Saginaw, MI75 miles | $4,800 – $23,700 | $14,200 | level |
| Michigan (statewide) | $4,750 – $23,600 | $14,200 | −1% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Ann Arbor ranks #105 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Ann Arbor is 1% above the Michigan figure.
Elsewhere in Michigan
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $4,950 – $24,600 | $14,800 | +4% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $4,600 – $22,800 | $13,700 | −4% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $4,750 – $23,500 | $14,100 | −1% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $4,750 – $23,600 | $14,200 | −1% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 121,790 jobs | $4,900 – $24,200 | $14,600 | +2% |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $4,800 – $23,700 | $14,200 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Ann Arbor against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deltona, FL | 219,740 jobs | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −13% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $4,750 – $23,500 | $14,100 | −1% |
| Springfield, MO | 223,030 jobs | $4,250 – $21,200 | $12,700 | −11% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 205,260 jobs | $5,250 – $26,000 | $15,600 | +10% |
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Bathroom remodel in Ann Arbor: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Ann Arbor?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,800 to $23,700 in the Ann Arbor area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,500 to $18,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Ann Arbor?
About $102 to $509 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $200 to $810 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Ann Arbor or Detroit?
Detroit is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $14,800, which is 4% more than Ann Arbor ($14,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Ann Arbor?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $8,050 out of $14,300. Materials are 40% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Ann Arbor?
$6,300 to $31,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Ann Arbor?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $200 to $810 for fees in the Ann Arbor area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Ann Arbor expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Michigan?
Ann Arbor is 1% above the Michigan statewide estimate ($14,200 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Michigan; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Ann Arbor?
The BLS median is $37.60 an hour in the Ann Arbor area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.89 to $49.17.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Ann Arbor?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,800 to $12,400 and premium work $16,100 to $23,700. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Ann Arbor
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.