Bathroom remodel cost in Fargo, ND
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,600 – $22,700
- Per sq ft
- $97.50 – $488
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #132
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a bathroom in Fargo, plan on $4,600 to $22,700 for 45 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $97.50 to $488 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 95.7).
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Fargo, ND, standard level
$10,000 to $17,300
About $215 to $371 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,250 | $7,350 |
| Labor | $5,400 | $9,350 |
| Permits and fees | $350 | $560 |
| Total | $10,000 | $17,300 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Fargo, ND
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,800 | $9,700 | 43% |
| Labor | $2,450 | $7,350 | $12,300 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $450 | $730 | 3% |
| Total | $4,600 | $13,600 | $22,700 | 100% |
Where the Fargo 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, Fargo wages are 0.99 times the national level. Labor makes up about 54% of the midpoint estimate (53% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Fargo metro is 95.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $5,800, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (90.9) and land at $180 to $730.
Cost by quality level and size in Fargo
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Fargo 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
$4,600 to $11,800
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$10,000 to $17,300
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$15,500 to $22,700
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,150 – $5,500 | $4,650 – $8,000 | $7,150 – $10,500 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,100 – $10,600 | $8,950 – $15,400 | $13,800 – $20,300 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,050 – $15,600 | $13,200 – $22,800 | $20,400 – $30,000 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,950 – $25,800 | $21,800 – $37,700 | $33,700 – $49,600 |
Related projects, priced for Fargo
Because every project leans on different trades, Fargo's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, window replacement runs −2% and kitchen backsplash −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $900 – $2,700 | −4% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,800 – $30,300 | −4% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,100 – $13,600 | −3% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,450 – $14,700 | −2% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −4% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Fargo bid
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).
Fargo 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 Fargo is 0.99 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $30.46 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.88 and $37.98 an hour. BLS counts 670 of them working in the area, 45.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 25%) the local median is $25.70 an hour, which is 4% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $18.15 and $29.68 an hour. BLS counts 50 of them working in the area, 3.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $28.34 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.34 and $31.06 an hour. BLS counts 880 of them working in the area, 59.2 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 $36.99 an hour, 22% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $27.64 and $39.69 an hour. About 920 work in the metro. That is 61.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.05 an hour, 19% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $21.07 and $26.67 an hour. About 70 work in the metro. That is 4.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $25.43 an hour, which is 7% above the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.59 and $29.02 an hour. BLS counts 210 of them working in the area, 14.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($37.98 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $460. At the 25th percentile ($23.88) it shrinks by about $400. The total moves by 3.3% or 2.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 148,660 jobs in the Fargo area. That makes it the 156th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.10% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $23.88 | $30.46 | $37.98 | $30.67 | 0.99 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $18.15 | $25.70 | $29.68 | $26.77 | 0.96 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $23.34 | $28.34 | $31.06 | $29.12 | 0.97 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $27.64 | $36.99 | $39.69 | $30.38 | 1.22 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $21.07 | $23.05 | $26.67 | $28.33 | 0.81 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $22.59 | $25.43 | $29.02 | $23.75 | 1.07 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.99 | |||||
Fargo against nearby metros and the rest of North Dakota
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 $12,800 to $16,600 across Fargo and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, NDthis page | $4,600 – $22,700 | $13,600 | |
| St. Cloud, MN150 miles | $5,050 – $25,200 | $15,100 | +11% |
| Bismarck, ND190 miles | $4,450 – $22,000 | $13,200 | −3% |
| Minneapolis, MN215 miles | $5,600 – $27,700 | $16,600 | +22% |
| Duluth, MN215 miles | $5,050 – $25,000 | $15,000 | +10% |
| Sioux Falls, SD235 miles | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | −6% |
| North Dakota (statewide) | $4,400 – $21,800 | $13,100 | −4% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +3% |
Across 300 US metros, Fargo comes in at #132 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Fargo is 4% above the North Dakota figure.
Other North Dakota metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 71,270 jobs | $4,450 – $22,000 | $13,200 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Fargo's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fargo against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen, TX | 150,580 jobs | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,300 | −10% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $4,050 – $20,100 | $12,100 | −12% |
| Gainesville, FL | 152,670 jobs | $4,200 – $20,800 | $12,500 | −8% |
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 jobs | $5,200 – $25,900 | $15,500 | +14% |
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Multi-page report for Fargo, ND: 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 Fargo: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Fargo?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,600 to $22,700 in the Fargo area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,000 to $17,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Fargo?
About $97.50 to $488 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $180 to $730 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Fargo or St. Cloud?
St. Cloud is 150 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $15,100, which is 11% more than Fargo ($13,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fargo?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $7,350 out of $13,600. Materials are 43% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Fargo?
$6,050 to $30,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Fargo?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $180 to $730 for fees in the Fargo area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fargo expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of North Dakota?
Fargo is 4% above the North Dakota statewide estimate ($13,100 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in North Dakota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Fargo?
The BLS median is $30.46 an hour in the Fargo area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.88 to $37.98.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Fargo?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,600 to $11,800 and premium work $15,500 to $22,700. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Fargo
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.