Bathroom remodel cost in Charleston, SC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,250 – $21,000
- Per sq ft
- $89.50 – $448
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #234
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a bathroom in Charleston, plan on $4,250 to $21,000 for 45 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $89.50 to $448 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 10% lower than the national one. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $27.58 an hour in the Charleston area, 10% below 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 Charleston, SC, standard level
$9,250 to $16,000
About $197 to $341 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,400 |
| Labor | $4,600 | $7,900 |
| Permits and fees | $380 | $630 |
| Total | $9,250 | $16,000 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Charleston, SC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,750 | 46% |
| Labor | $2,100 | $6,250 | $10,400 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $200 | $500 | $810 | 4% |
| Total | $4,250 | $12,600 | $21,000 | 100% |
Where the Charleston 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 $27.58 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Charleston is 0.84 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 50% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Charleston metro is 96.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $5,850, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (101.0) and land at $200 to $810.
Data note: 25% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Charleston. The wage table below marks each row.
Cost by quality level and size in Charleston
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Charleston 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
$4,250 to $10,900
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,250 to $16,000
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,300 to $21,000
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,000 – $5,100 | $4,350 – $7,450 | $6,650 – $9,750 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,800 – $9,750 | $8,250 – $14,300 | $12,800 – $18,700 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,600 – $14,400 | $12,200 – $21,100 | $18,900 – $27,700 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,150 – $23,800 | $20,100 – $34,700 | $31,000 – $45,600 |
Charleston against nearby metros and the rest of South Carolina
Same job, same size (45 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Savannah is the priciest of the group at $12,900. Myrtle Beach is the cheapest at $12,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SCthis page | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | |
| Hilton Head, SC65 miles | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −1% |
| Florence, SC80 miles | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −2% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC85 miles | $4,050 – $20,100 | $12,100 | −4% |
| Columbia, SC95 miles | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −1% |
| Savannah, GA95 miles | $4,350 – $21,500 | $12,900 | +2% |
| South Carolina (statewide) | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,500 | −1% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +11% |
Across 300 US metros, Charleston comes in at #234 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Charleston is 1% above the South Carolina figure.
Other South Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −2% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −1% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,500 | −1% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $4,050 – $20,100 | $12,100 | −4% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −2% |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Charleston's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Charleston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −1% |
| Boise, ID | 391,790 jobs | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,900 | +2% |
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $4,650 – $23,100 | $13,900 | +10% |
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $4,350 – $21,500 | $12,900 | +2% |
Charleston 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 Charleston is 0.84 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $27.58 an hour, which is 10% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.50 and $31.15 an hour. BLS counts 960 of them working in the area, 24.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Charleston metro, so we used the South Carolina statewide median: $20.92 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.68 and $26.47 an hour.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $24.22 an hour, which is 17% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.37 and $29.52 an hour. BLS counts 1,240 of them working in the area, 31.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $28.37 an hour, 7% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.54 and $31.81 an hour. About 1,480 work in the metro. That is 37.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $18.59 an hour, 34% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $18.36 and $23.51 an hour. About 70 work in the metro. That is 1.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $22.84 an hour, which is 4% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.45 and $25.27 an hour. BLS counts 410 of them working in the area, 10.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($31.15 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $220. At the 25th percentile ($23.50) it shrinks by about $250. The total moves by 1.7% or 2.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 394,170 jobs in the Charleston-North Charleston area. That makes it the 66th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.25% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $23.50 | $27.58 | $31.15 | $30.67 | 0.90 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $18.68 | $20.92 | $26.47 | $26.77 | 0.78 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $21.37 | $24.22 | $29.52 | $29.12 | 0.83 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.54 | $28.37 | $31.81 | $30.38 | 0.93 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $18.36 | $18.59 | $23.51 | $28.33 | 0.66 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $18.45 | $22.84 | $25.27 | $23.75 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.84 | |||||
Why two Charleston 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.
Related projects, priced for Charleston
Because every project leans on different trades, Charleston's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, kitchen remodel runs −6% and kitchen backsplash −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $810 – $2,550 | −10% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,400 – $29,700 | −6% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $12,700 | −9% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,200 – $14,100 | −6% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $260 – $1,350 | −11% |
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 $9,250 to $16,000 for Charleston, SC is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Charleston, SC: 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 Charleston: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Charleston?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,250 to $21,000 in the Charleston area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,250 to $16,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Charleston?
About $89.50 to $448 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 Charleston or Hilton Head?
Hilton Head is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,400, which is 1% less than Charleston ($12,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Charleston?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $6,250 out of $12,600. Materials are 46% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Charleston?
$5,600 to $27,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Charleston?
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 Charleston area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Charleston expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of South Carolina?
Charleston is 1% above the South Carolina statewide estimate ($12,500 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in South Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Charleston?
The BLS median is $27.58 an hour in the Charleston area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.50 to $31.15.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Charleston?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,250 to $10,900 and premium work $14,300 to $21,000. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Charleston
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.