Bathroom remodel cost in Providence, RI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,800 – $23,900
- Per sq ft
- $103 – $513
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #98
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a bathroom remodel in the Providence area: $4,800 to $23,900 for 45 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint lands close to the US figure. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $38.37 an hour in the Providence area, 25% above the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Providence, RI, standard level
$10,500 to $18,200
About $226 to $390 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,350 | $7,450 |
| Labor | $5,850 | $10,100 |
| Permits and fees | $390 | $630 |
| Total | $10,500 | $18,200 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Providence, RI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,900 | $9,850 | 41% |
| Labor | $2,650 | $7,950 | $13,300 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $200 | $510 | $810 | 4% |
| Total | $4,800 | $14,400 | $23,900 | 100% |
Why Providence prices look the way they do
Labor is 55% of the midpoint bill here, against 53% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (25%), tile and stone setters (25%), carpenters (20%), electricians (10%), drywall and ceiling tile installers (10%), painters, construction and maintenance (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Providence the blended ratio comes out at 1.07.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Providence is at 97.1 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,100 nationally becomes $5,900 here (midpoint, 45 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.8: $200 to $810.
Planning more than one job in Providence?
Jobs that often go together with bathroom remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Providence wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+7%) and kitchen remodel lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,050 – $2,950 | +7% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,300 – $31,200 | −1% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,250 – $14,300 | +2% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,500 – $14,900 | −1% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $300 – $1,500 | −1% |
Why two Providence 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).
Who does the work: Providence trade wages
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 Providence the blend is 1.07.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $38.37 an hour, 25% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $27.76 and $51.30 an hour. About 3,000 work in the metro. That is 42.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044), 25% of the weighting: a median of $27.54 an hour, in line with the US median of $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $21.62 and $32.09 an hour. About 60 work in the metro. That is 0.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Carpenters (47-2031), 20% of the weighting: a median of $29.76 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $26.71 and $38.38 an hour. About 4,140 work in the metro. That is 58.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $35.57 an hour, which is 17% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $26.62 and $45.42 an hour. BLS counts 3,560 of them working in the area, 49.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $25.64 an hour, which is 9% below the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $20.48 and $35.13 an hour. BLS counts 520 of them working in the area, 7.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 5.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 10% of the weighting: a median of $21.31 an hour, 10% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.31 and $27.20 an hour. About 1,370 work in the metro. That is 19.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of 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 $780 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $640. That is a swing of roughly 4.5% to 5.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Providence-Warwick has 714,120 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 42nd 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% | $27.76 | $38.37 | $51.30 | $30.67 | 1.25 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $21.62 | $27.54 | $32.09 | $26.77 | 1.03 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $26.71 | $29.76 | $38.38 | $29.12 | 1.02 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $26.62 | $35.57 | $45.42 | $30.38 | 1.17 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $20.48 | $25.64 | $35.13 | $28.33 | 0.91 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $18.31 | $21.31 | $27.20 | $23.75 | 0.90 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.07 | |||||
Providence against nearby metros and the rest of Rhode Island
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Providence. Norwich comes closest at about $14,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RIthis page | $4,800 – $23,900 | $14,400 | |
| Norwich, CT45 miles | $5,000 – $24,700 | $14,800 | +3% |
| Worcester, MA55 miles | $5,100 – $25,400 | $15,300 | +6% |
| Boston, MA60 miles | $5,600 – $27,800 | $16,700 | +16% |
| Barnstable, MA60 miles | $5,250 – $26,000 | $15,600 | +9% |
| Hartford, CT65 miles | $5,000 – $24,800 | $14,900 | +4% |
| Rhode Island (statewide) | $4,650 – $23,100 | $13,900 | −4% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Providence ranks #98 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Providence is 4% above the Rhode Island figure.
Providence is the only Rhode Island metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Providence against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $4,300 – $21,300 | $12,800 | −11% |
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $4,550 – $22,500 | $13,500 | −6% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | −10% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $4,200 – $20,900 | $12,500 | −13% |
Providence: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Providence. 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 $12,500
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$10,500 to $18,200
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$16,300 to $23,900
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,250 – $5,800 | $4,900 – $8,450 | $7,550 – $11,100 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,300 – $11,100 | $9,400 – $16,200 | $14,500 – $21,300 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,350 – $16,500 | $13,900 – $24,000 | $21,500 – $31,600 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $10,500 – $27,100 | $23,000 – $39,600 | $35,500 – $52,100 |
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Multi-page report for Providence, RI: 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 Providence: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Providence?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,800 to $23,900 in the Providence area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,500 to $18,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Providence?
About $103 to $513 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 Providence or Norwich?
Norwich is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $14,800, which is 3% more than Providence ($14,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Providence?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $7,950 out of $14,400. Materials are 41% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Providence?
$6,350 to $31,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Providence?
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 Providence area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Providence expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Rhode Island?
Providence is 4% above the Rhode Island statewide estimate ($13,900 at the midpoint).
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Providence?
The BLS median is $38.37 an hour in the Providence area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.76 to $51.30.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Providence?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,800 to $12,500 and premium work $16,300 to $23,900. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Providence
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.