Bathroom remodel cost in Charlottesville, VA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,400 – $21,900
- Per sq ft
- $94 – $469
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #170
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a bathroom remodel in the Charlottesville area: $4,400 to $21,900 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 runs 6% lower than the US figure. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $27.17 an hour in the Charlottesville area, 11% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Charlottesville, VA, standard level
$9,650 to $16,700
About $206 to $356 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,450 |
| Labor | $4,950 | $8,600 |
| Permits and fees | $380 | $610 |
| Total | $9,650 | $16,700 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Charlottesville, VA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,900 | $9,800 | 45% |
| Labor | $2,250 | $6,800 | $11,300 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $200 | $500 | $790 | 4% |
| Total | $4,400 | $13,200 | $21,900 | 100% |
What is behind the Charlottesville number
Labor is 52% 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 Charlottesville the blended ratio comes out at 0.91.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Charlottesville is at 96.8 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 99.1: $200 to $790.
Data note: 35% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Charlottesville. The wage table below marks each row.
Bathroom remodel: what moves the price in Charlottesville
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).
Size
HomeGuide's average-size bathroom comes to $3,500-$25,000+; per square foot it's $100-$500.
What nearby projects cost in Charlottesville
Jobs that often go together with bathroom remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Charlottesville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, window replacement comes out highest (−3%) and shower pan lowest (−8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $840 – $2,600 | −8% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,800 – $30,300 | −4% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,100 – $13,300 | −5% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,400 – $14,600 | −3% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $280 – $1,400 | −7% |
Who does the work: Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville the blend is 0.91.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $27.17 an hour, 11% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.39 and $32.93 an hour. About 240 work in the metro. That is 20.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Charlottesville metro, so we used the Virginia statewide median: $23.50 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.35 and $29.76 an hour.
Carpenters (47-2031), 20% of the weighting: a median of $26.97 an hour, 7% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.28 and $29.53 an hour. About 630 work in the metro. That is 54.9 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 $30.28 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $24.83 and $34.85 an hour. BLS counts 460 of them working in the area, 40.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Charlottesville metro, so we used the Virginia statewide median: $26.84 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $22.84 and $29.22 an hour.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 10% of the weighting: a median of $22.02 an hour, 7% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.47 and $26.11 an hour. About 180 work in the metro. That is 15.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $350 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $230. That is a swing of roughly 1.7% to 2.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Charlottesville has 114,780 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 190th 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% | $23.39 | $27.17 | $32.93 | $30.67 | 0.89 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $18.35 | $23.50 | $29.76 | $26.77 | 0.88 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $22.28 | $26.97 | $29.53 | $29.12 | 0.93 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $24.83 | $30.28 | $34.85 | $30.38 | 1.00 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $22.84 | $26.84 | $29.22 | $28.33 | 0.95 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $18.47 | $22.02 | $26.11 | $23.75 | 0.93 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.91 | |||||
Is Charlottesville cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $12,600 to $14,500 across Charlottesville and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville, VAthis page | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | |
| Harrisonburg, VA40 miles | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | −4% |
| Lynchburg, VA55 miles | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | −4% |
| Richmond, VA75 miles | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | level |
| Washington, DC85 miles | $4,900 – $24,200 | $14,500 | +10% |
| Roanoke, VA85 miles | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | −4% |
| Virginia (statewide) | $4,550 – $22,500 | $13,500 | +3% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Charlottesville ranks #170 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Charlottesville is 3% below the Virginia figure.
Elsewhere in Virginia
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | −1% |
| Richmond, VA | 660,350 jobs | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | level |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | −4% |
| Lynchburg, VA | 97,190 jobs | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | −4% |
| Blacksburg, VA | 74,070 jobs | $4,250 – $21,200 | $12,700 | −3% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $4,350 – $21,500 | $12,900 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Charlottesville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler, TX | 115,220 jobs | $4,000 – $19,900 | $12,000 | −9% |
| Laredo, TX | 109,370 jobs | $3,950 – $19,600 | $11,700 | −11% |
| Topeka, KS | 115,750 jobs | $4,500 – $22,300 | $13,400 | +2% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | −4% |
Cost by quality level and size in Charlottesville
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Charlottesville. 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
$4,400 to $11,400
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,650 to $16,700
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,900 to $21,900
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,050 – $5,300 | $4,500 – $7,750 | $6,950 – $10,200 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,950 – $10,200 | $8,650 – $14,900 | $13,300 – $19,500 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,850 – $15,100 | $12,800 – $22,000 | $19,700 – $28,900 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,600 – $24,800 | $21,000 – $36,300 | $32,400 – $47,700 |
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Bathroom remodel in Charlottesville: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Charlottesville?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,400 to $21,900 in the Charlottesville area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,650 to $16,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Charlottesville?
About $94 to $469 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $200 to $790 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Charlottesville or Harrisonburg?
Harrisonburg is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,700, which is 4% less than Charlottesville ($13,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Charlottesville?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $6,800 out of $13,200. Materials are 45% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Charlottesville?
$5,850 to $28,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Charlottesville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $200 to $790 for fees in the Charlottesville area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Charlottesville expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Virginia?
Charlottesville is 3% below the Virginia statewide estimate ($13,500 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Virginia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Charlottesville?
The BLS median is $27.17 an hour in the Charlottesville area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.39 to $32.93.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Charlottesville?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,400 to $11,400 and premium work $14,900 to $21,900. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Charlottesville
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.