Santa Barbara planning tool
Bathroom budget planner
Plan a bathroom renovation budget as a transparent range. Every unit figure below is an editable illustration — replace it with real proposals as they arrive. Nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere.
Illustrative planning range built from editable hypothetical unit assumptions — not a quote, not a bid, not market survey data. Replace every assumption with real proposals before making financial decisions.
Your planning range
Room area: 63 sq ft · High-end custom · Full remodel (same footprint)
| Item | Low | High | Assumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition & preparation | $803 | $1,276 | Scaled by room area and scope intensity. |
| Labor & general conditions | $11,781 | $18,711 | Crew labor, supervision and site protection; scales with area and scope. |
| Vanity & storage | $4,760 | $7,560 | One vanity assumed; edit the unit for double vanities or custom millwork. |
| Plumbing fixtures | $4,896 | $7,776 | Toilet, sinks, shower/tub sets — count is an input. |
| Vanity top & surfaces | $1,469 | $2,333 | Nominal 6 linear ft of counter; edit the unit for stone tier. |
| Tile & wall surfaces | $7,069 | $11,227 | Assumes ~1.5× floor area of tiled surface (backsplash/shower walls); edit freely. |
| Flooring | $2,742 | $4,355 | Installed per sq ft of floor area. |
| Electrical & lighting | $1,178 | $1,871 | Circuits, lighting and controls; scope intensity drives the spread. |
| Rough & finish plumbing | $10,880 | $17,280 | Per fixture; layout changes add a separate relocation row. |
| Construction subtotal | $45,578 | $72,389 | Sum of the itemized rows above. |
| Contingency (12%) | $5,469 | $8,687 | On construction only. |
| Design allowance (8%) | $3,646 | $5,791 | On construction only. |
| Materials tax allowance (0%) | $0 | $0 | On material rows only; confirm current rates. |
| Permit/fee allowance | $0 | $0 | Your editable allowance; check the agency schedule. |
| Planning range total | $54,693 | $86,867 | A planning range — not a quote or bid. |
What this range excludes
- Permit and plan-check fees (enter your own allowance after checking the agency fee schedule)
- Sales tax on materials (editable allowance; confirm the current rate for your jurisdiction)
- Hazardous-materials survey or abatement (asbestos, lead) in pre-1980 homes
- Hidden-condition repairs discovered at demolition (rot, galvanized piping, knob-and-tube wiring)
- Temporary housing, storage or moving costs during construction
- Landscaping, exterior work or utility service upgrades
- Design professional fees beyond the optional editable allowance
Preconstruction checklist
- Count every plumbing fixture and decide which ones move — each move is real cost
- Photograph the existing shower pan, valve and subfloor at demolition if possible
- Specify waterproofing method in writing before tile pricing is compared
- Confirm ventilation (fan ducted outside) — a common inspection checkpoint
- Ask each bidder what their number excludes — compare exclusions, not just totals
- Confirm with the City of Santa Barbara whether your scope needs a building permit
- Hold a contingency of at least 10–15% for hidden conditions in older homes
Keep researching
- Bathroom remodeling in Santa Barbara — scope, process and decision guidance for this room.
- Santa Barbara construction cost guide — how the eleven cost components combine into a project total.
- Santa Barbara hub — permits, design review and every City service page.
Ready to talk through a real scope? Contact the studio — nothing from this planner is sent unless you choose to write to us.