Bathroom remodel cost in Rhode Island
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (45 sq ft)
- $4,650 – $23,100
- Per sq ft
- $99 – $494
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $14,000
- Metros covered
- 1
What does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Rhode Island? Plan on $4,650 to $23,100 for 45 sq ft. Wages (1.00x the US blend), materials (price index 97.2) and permit costs (102.3) put the state below the national midpoint by 1%.
Rhode Island has one metro in our dataset, Providence, so the statewide and metro figures are close. The state figure uses BLS statewide wages, which include rural areas.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Rhode Island (statewide), standard level
$10,200 to $17,500
About $218 to $376 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,350 | $7,500 |
| Labor | $5,450 | $9,450 |
| Permits and fees | $390 | $630 |
| Total | $10,200 | $17,500 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Rhode Island
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,900 | $9,850 | 43% |
| Labor | $2,500 | $7,450 | $12,400 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $200 | $510 | $820 | 4% |
| Total | $4,650 | $13,900 | $23,100 | 100% |
Other Rhode Island jobs that often go with bathroom remodel
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Rhode Island wages and prices. Against national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+2%) and kitchen backsplash lowest (−6%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $960 – $2,850 | +2% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,200 – $31,000 | −2% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,250 – $14,200 | +1% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,500 – $14,800 | −1% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $280 – $1,400 | −6% |
How Rhode Island compares with nearby states
Rhode Island ranks 24 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for bathroom remodel, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $17,800 and the cheapest Arkansas at $11,700, both for 45 sq ft at the midpoint. Rhode Island sits at $13,900. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 50 miles away | $5,550 – $27,400 | $16,500 | +19% |
| Connecticut | 80 miles away | $5,000 – $24,800 | $14,900 | +8% |
| New Hampshire | 90 miles away | $4,650 – $23,100 | $13,900 | level |
| New York | 160 miles away | $5,300 – $26,200 | $15,700 | +13% |
| Maine | 170 miles away | $4,900 – $24,400 | $14,700 | +6% |
Bathroom remodel: what moves the price in Rhode Island
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.
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).
Quality levels and sizes in Rhode Island
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Rhode Island wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$4,650 to $12,000
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$10,200 to $17,500
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$15,700 to $23,100
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,200 – $5,600 | $4,750 – $8,150 | $7,300 – $10,700 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,150 – $10,700 | $9,100 – $15,700 | $14,000 – $20,600 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,150 – $15,900 | $13,400 – $23,200 | $20,700 – $30,500 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $10,100 – $26,200 | $22,100 – $38,200 | $34,200 – $50,300 |
What plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters and the other trades earn in Rhode Island
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 6 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 1.00 for Rhode Island.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $36.77 an hour, which is 20% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.24 and $51.61 an hour. BLS counts 1,820 of them working in the state, 36.3 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 $23.64 an hour, which is 12% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $19.07 and $28.47 an hour.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $29.25 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.14 and $36.42 an hour. BLS counts 2,580 of them working in the state, 51.5 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 $35.62 an hour, 17% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.08 and $46.01 an hour. About 2,420 work in the state. That is 48.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $22.65 an hour, 20% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $20.01 and $35.13 an hour. About 440 work in the state. That is 8.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $20.00 an hour, which is 16% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $17.90 and $26.95 an hour. BLS counts 1,160 of them working in the state, 23.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters ($51.61 an hour) would add about $900 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($28.24) would take off about $520. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 501,340 jobs across Rhode Island (May 2025), which is 0.3% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $28.24 | $36.77 | $51.61 | $30.67 | 1.20 | state |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $19.07 | $23.64 | $28.47 | $26.77 | 0.88 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $25.14 | $29.25 | $36.42 | $29.12 | 1.00 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $28.08 | $35.62 | $46.01 | $30.38 | 1.17 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $20.01 | $22.65 | $35.13 | $28.33 | 0.80 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $17.90 | $20.00 | $26.95 | $23.75 | 0.84 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
Which Rhode Island city is cheapest for bathroom remodel?
Rhode Island has one metro in our dataset, Providence, so the statewide and metro figures are close. The state figure uses BLS statewide wages, which include rural areas. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (45 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RI | $4,800 – $23,900 | $14,400 | +4% |
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Bathroom remodel in Rhode Island: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Rhode Island?
$4,650 to $23,100 for 45 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Rhode Island can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Rhode Island is cheapest for bathroom remodel?
Providence at about $14,400 (midpoint, 45 sq ft).
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Rhode Island than the US average?
It is 1% cheaper: $13,900 against $14,000 for 45 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Rhode Island?
About 54% ($7,450). Materials are 43%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.00x the national wage level.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Rhode Island?
The BLS statewide median is $36.77 an hour, against $30.67 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.24 to $51.61.
+Where does Rhode Island rank for bathroom remodel costs?
24th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $13,900 for 45 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Rhode Island?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,650 to $12,000 and premium work $15,700 to $23,100. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel by city in Rhode Island
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.