Bathroom remodel cost in Chattanooga, TN
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
- $90 – $450
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #237
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a bathroom in Chattanooga, plan on $4,250 to $21,000 for 45 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $90 to $450 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 $28.23 an hour in the Chattanooga area, 8% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Chattanooga, TN, standard level
$9,250 to $15,900
About $198 to $342 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,400 |
| Labor | $4,650 | $8,000 |
| Permits and fees | $350 | $570 |
| Total | $9,250 | $15,900 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Chattanooga, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,700 | 46% |
| Labor | $2,100 | $6,300 | $10,500 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $460 | $730 | 4% |
| Total | $4,250 | $12,600 | $21,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Chattanooga number
Labor is 50% 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 Chattanooga the blended ratio comes out at 0.85.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Chattanooga metro is 96.0 (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 (91.5) and land at $180 to $730.
Chattanooga against nearby metros and the rest of Tennessee
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 $12,400 to $13,000 across Chattanooga and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TNthis page | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | |
| Dalton, GA35 miles | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −1% |
| Huntsville, AL80 miles | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | +1% |
| Knoxville, TN95 miles | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | level |
| Gainesville, GA100 miles | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | +1% |
| Nashville, TN105 miles | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | +3% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | +1% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +11% |
Across 300 US metros, Chattanooga comes in at #237 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Chattanooga is 1% below the Tennessee figure.
Other Tennessee metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | +3% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $4,300 – $21,200 | $12,800 | +1% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | level |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $4,200 – $20,800 | $12,500 | −1% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $4,200 – $20,800 | $12,500 | −1% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Chattanooga's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chattanooga against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poughkeepsie, NY | 268,970 jobs | $5,050 – $25,000 | $15,000 | +19% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | +1% |
| Jackson, MS | 270,730 jobs | $4,100 – $20,400 | $12,200 | −3% |
| Lakeland, FL | 265,280 jobs | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −2% |
Related projects, priced for Chattanooga
Because every project leans on different trades, Chattanooga's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, kitchen remodel runs −6% and kitchen backsplash −16%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $760 – $2,450 | −14% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,400 – $29,700 | −6% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $12,700 | −8% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,150 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $250 – $1,250 | −16% |
Chattanooga: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Chattanooga 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 $15,900
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 | $4,300 – $7,400 | $6,650 – $9,750 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,800 – $9,750 | $8,250 – $14,200 | $12,700 – $18,700 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,600 – $14,400 | $12,200 – $21,100 | $18,900 – $27,700 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,200 – $23,800 | $20,100 – $34,700 | $31,100 – $45,700 |
Why two Chattanooga quotes can differ
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.
Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga is 0.85 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $28.23 an hour, which is 8% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.34 and $34.14 an hour. BLS counts 860 of them working in the area, 32.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 25%) the local median is $17.67 an hour, which is 34% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $16.90 and $21.42 an hour. BLS counts 40 of them working in the area, 1.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $24.41 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.40 and $29.19 an hour. BLS counts 620 of them working in the area, 23.1 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 $34.77 an hour, 14% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.68 and $37.19 an hour. About 1,760 work in the metro. That is 65.5 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 $21.72 an hour, 23% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $17.48 and $25.39 an hour. About 60 work in the metro. That is 2.2 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 $22.82 an hour, which is 4% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $19.08 and $29.14 an hour. BLS counts 230 of them working in the area, 8.6 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 ($34.14 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $360. At the 25th percentile ($22.34) it shrinks by about $360. The total moves by 2.8% or 2.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 268,750 jobs in the Chattanooga area. That makes it the 98th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.17% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $22.34 | $28.23 | $34.14 | $30.67 | 0.92 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $16.90 | $17.67 | $21.42 | $26.77 | 0.66 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $22.40 | $24.41 | $29.19 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.68 | $34.77 | $37.19 | $30.38 | 1.14 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $17.48 | $21.72 | $25.39 | $28.33 | 0.77 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $19.08 | $22.82 | $29.14 | $23.75 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
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Bathroom remodel in Chattanooga: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Chattanooga?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,250 to $21,000 in the Chattanooga area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,250 to $15,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Chattanooga?
About $90 to $450 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 Chattanooga or Dalton?
Dalton is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,400, which is 1% less than Chattanooga ($12,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chattanooga?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $6,300 out of $12,600. Materials are 46% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Chattanooga?
$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 Chattanooga?
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 Chattanooga area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chattanooga expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Chattanooga is 1% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($12,700 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Chattanooga?
The BLS median is $28.23 an hour in the Chattanooga area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.34 to $34.14.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Chattanooga?
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 Chattanooga
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.