Bathroom remodel cost in Bellingham, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $5,750 – $28,500
- Per sq ft
- $123 – $614
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +22%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #5
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a bathroom in Bellingham, plan on $5,750 to $28,500 for 45 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $123 to $614 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 22% higher than the national one. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $49.40 an hour in the Bellingham area, 61% above 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 Bellingham, WA, standard level
$12,500 to $21,600
About $270 to $467 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,700 | $8,100 |
| Labor | $7,500 | $12,900 |
| Permits and fees | $390 | $640 |
| Total | $12,500 | $21,600 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Bellingham, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,150 | $6,400 | $10,600 | 37% |
| Labor | $3,400 | $10,200 | $17,000 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $210 | $520 | $830 | 3% |
| Total | $5,750 | $17,100 | $28,500 | 100% |
Where the Bellingham price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 25%, tile and stone setters at 25%, carpenters at 20%, electricians at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, painters, construction and maintenance at 10%. Weighted together, Bellingham wages are 1.37 times the national level. Labor makes up about 60% of the midpoint estimate (53% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Bellingham metro is 105.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $6,400, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.3) and land at $210 to $830.
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 Bellingham. The wage table below marks each row.
How Bellingham compares
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 $15,100 to $17,200 across Bellingham and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WAthis page | $5,750 – $28,500 | $17,100 | |
| Bremerton, WA90 miles | $5,550 – $27,600 | $16,600 | −3% |
| Seattle, WA95 miles | $5,750 – $28,600 | $17,200 | +1% |
| Olympia, WA140 miles | $5,500 – $27,200 | $16,300 | −4% |
| Yakima, WA175 miles | $5,100 – $25,200 | $15,100 | −11% |
| Spokane, WA200 miles | $5,200 – $25,900 | $15,600 | −9% |
| Washington (statewide) | $5,550 – $27,600 | $16,600 | −3% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −18% |
Across 300 US metros, Bellingham comes in at #5 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Bellingham is 3% above the Washington figure.
Other Washington metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $5,750 – $28,600 | $17,200 | +1% |
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $5,200 – $25,900 | $15,600 | −9% |
| Olympia, WA | 130,300 jobs | $5,500 – $27,200 | $16,300 | −4% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $5,600 – $27,900 | $16,700 | −2% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $5,100 – $25,200 | $15,100 | −11% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $5,550 – $27,600 | $16,600 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Bellingham's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bellingham against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $5,550 – $27,600 | $16,600 | −3% |
| Panama City, FL | 90,610 jobs | $4,200 – $20,700 | $12,400 | −27% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $5,100 – $25,400 | $15,300 | −11% |
| St. George, UT | 90,500 jobs | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | −26% |
Planning more than one job in Bellingham?
Because every project leans on different trades, Bellingham's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +30% and window replacement +8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,300 – $3,550 | +30% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $20,400 – $34,800 | +10% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,750 – $16,400 | +16% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,900 – $16,200 | +8% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $360 – $1,750 | +19% |
Cost by quality level and size in Bellingham
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Bellingham 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
$5,750 to $14,800
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$12,500 to $21,600
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$19,400 to $28,500
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,650 – $6,850 | $5,800 – $9,950 | $8,950 – $13,100 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $5,100 – $13,200 | $11,200 – $19,300 | $17,300 – $25,400 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $7,550 – $19,600 | $16,600 – $28,600 | $25,600 – $37,700 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $12,500 – $32,400 | $27,400 – $47,300 | $42,300 – $62,200 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Bellingham bid
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.
Tile
New tile costs $10-$50 per square foot installed, and regrouting runs $7-$28 per square foot.
Bellingham 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 Bellingham is 1.37 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $49.40 an hour, which is 61% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $30.53 and $69.49 an hour. BLS counts 540 of them working in the area, 59.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Bellingham metro, so we used the Washington statewide median: $37.46 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $30.33 and $46.80 an hour.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $35.22 an hour, which is 21% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $29.17 and $46.22 an hour. BLS counts 950 of them working in the area, 104.0 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 $46.92 an hour, 54% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $33.38 and $60.08 an hour. About 560 work in the metro. That is 61.3 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 $29.80 an hour, 5% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $28.84 and $39.11 an hour. About 80 work in the metro. 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 $28.27 an hour, which is 19% above the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.66 and $30.69 an hour. BLS counts 280 of them working in the area, 30.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($69.49 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,200. At the 25th percentile ($30.53) it shrinks by about $1,150. The total moves by 7.1% or 6.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 91,390 jobs in the Bellingham area. That makes it the 217th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $30.53 | $49.40 | $69.49 | $30.67 | 1.61 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $30.33 | $37.46 | $46.80 | $26.77 | 1.40 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $29.17 | $35.22 | $46.22 | $29.12 | 1.21 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $33.38 | $46.92 | $60.08 | $30.38 | 1.54 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $28.84 | $29.80 | $39.11 | $28.33 | 1.05 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $22.66 | $28.27 | $30.69 | $23.75 | 1.19 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.37 | |||||
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 $12,500 to $21,600 for Bellingham, WA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Bellingham, WA: 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 Bellingham: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Bellingham?
For 45 sq ft, expect $5,750 to $28,500 in the Bellingham area. A standard-spec job lands at $12,500 to $21,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Bellingham?
About $123 to $614 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $210 to $830 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Bellingham or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 90 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $16,600, which is 3% less than Bellingham ($17,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bellingham?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $10,200 out of $17,100. Materials are 37% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Bellingham?
$7,550 to $37,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Bellingham?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $210 to $830 for fees in the Bellingham area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bellingham expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Washington?
Bellingham is 3% above the Washington statewide estimate ($16,600 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Washington; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Bellingham?
The BLS median is $49.40 an hour in the Bellingham area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $30.53 to $69.49.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Bellingham?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $5,750 to $14,800 and premium work $19,400 to $28,500. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Bellingham
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.