How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost in Philadelphia?

Everyone wants to get the best deal on a quality bathroom, but most people don’t know where to start when it comes to budgeting for their bathroom remodel. In this post we will look at some national cost studies, share our own pricing guide, and discuss renovation financing options.

The National Numbers

Let’s start by noting that this post is focusing on major renovations, meaning replacing cabinets, counters, fixtures, and using a contractor to do the work. Most of the sources we found also listed ‘mid range’ and ‘upscale’ in different categories, but it’s not just your taste for tile that will drive your project into ‘upscale’ pricing. Older houses often have difficult to remove tile, no insulation, and leaky lead pipes that need replacing. This will drive cost too. Lets look at some national sources:

The 2023 Cost vs Value Report by Remodeling Magazine has the average cost in the Mid Atlantic region for a bathroom remodel at $25,468 for ‘mid range’ and $78,935 for an ‘upscale’ bathroom.

Architectural Digest has the average full bath remodel running $30,000 - $40,000 and the average primary bathroom remodel ranging from $60,000 to $80,000

This bathroom cost guide by Kitchens Baths Unlimited recommends homeowners spend between 5% - 10% of their homes value on a bathroom renovation. This takes into consideration the resale value in your local area. So, on a $500,000 home, you should expect to spend between $25,000 - $50,000.

Airy Kitchens Guide to Pricing

At Airy Kitchens, we design and manage a mix of mid-range and high-end bathrooms in Philadelphia and the Main Line. Our pricing more closely reflects local labor prices in the mid to high bathroom remodel sector. Our average bathroom project total cost in 2023 was $64,739.

After hearing all of these big numbers, you’re probably ready for more detail about how they add up. Understanding the smaller expenses is a great way to budget and save for your project. Here is a handy cost guide we share with our clients:

For our guide we divide our bathrooms into basic, mid range, high end, and deluxe groups. We expect a basic bathroom to include low price hardware and materials. Our mid-range pricing includes higher quality materials and lighting. High end bathrooms include detailed custom cabinetry, luxury lighting, and the best counters. Deluxe bathrooms are larger rooms that have additional cabinetry, furniture, window coverings, and separate tub and shower enclosures. Note that the total costs don’t take into account changing your plumbing layout, replacing windows, or upgrading your homes’ plumbing. Many clients who are completing a renovation choose to add these items.

Financing Your Remodel

Okay, you’ve heard about the cost and (of course) it’s way more than you expected. So what are your options? Let’s look at five options:

Home Equity Loan (second mortgage)

Typically banks loan up to 80% of your homes value, but can loan up to 90% for a higher rate. Typically banks only consider the homes current value, not the value after the renovation. Loan term can be a full 30 years like a standard mortgage, but home owners typically choose a shorter term which gets them a better rate . Unlike a refinance, there are no considerable closing costs.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

This loan has similar rates to a home equity loan, it can also be up to 80-90% of your total home value, and has no considerable closing costs. What makes this choice different is more flexibility. Your bank gives you an amount that you can take out, but you take the money as you need it and you don’t pay interest on the amount you haven’t drawn yet. This is a great option for projects that have a long timeframe and projects that may need additional funds. Consider taking out a larger amount loan to get a better rate even if you don’t need to use all the funds.

Home Improvement Loan or Construction Loan:

Many banks base the loan on ‘as completed value’, (value after the renovation is complete) for this type of loan, which means you may be able to borrow more. However, the bank is more involved in the whole process. They usually put the money in an escrow account and have a consultant monitor completion points and payments. This might slow the construction process down. If you are looking to purchase a fixer upper and take out a mortgage and renovation loan together, this may be the loan for you. The bank will package the mortgage and renovation loans together. Banks can also package this as a line of credit, but in the end it converts to one loan with one payment.

FHA 203K

Similar to a construction loan, the FHA 203K is geared toward the purchase of a fixer upper (often uninhabitable) and the bank is involved in the process. But now the government is involved too. Sounds fun, right? This type of loan is not really supposed to be a luxury renovation as much as a functional or livable project. More hoops to jump through will get you a better rate and the ability to borrow up to 96.5% of the ‘as completed value’. This is not available to an investor, only to homeowners and non profits.

Refinance

Home owners may want to refinance their mortgage to fund their renovation. This is a good option if your current loan has a high rate or if you want to change the length. Unlike a home equity loan, refinancing comes with closing costs. All financial information in this article is not financial advice from Airy Kitchens. Homeowners should check with a qualified loan officer to make the best decisions for their home projects.

Consider mixing luxury materials with ready-made cabinets for a high end look without breaking the bank.

If you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen or bathroom and would like to contact an Airy Kitchens designer, please visit our contact page.

How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Philadelphia?

Everyone wants to get the best deal on a quality kitchen, but most people don’t know where to start when it comes to budgeting for their kitchen remodel. In this post we will look at some national cost studies, share our own pricing guide, and speak with a Mortgage Loan Officer from PNC bank to discuss financing options.

The National Numbers

Let’s start by noting that this post is focusing on major renovations, meaning replacing most or all cabinets, counters, appliances, and using a contractor to do the work. Most of the sources we found also listed ‘mid range’ and ‘upscale’ in different categories. For an upscale renovation you can expect custom cabinetry and high end appliances like Sub Zero and Wolf, two items which will drive the cost more than any other category.

The 2023 Cost vs Value Report by Remodeling Magazine has the average cost in the Mid Atlantic region for a major kitchen remodel at $80,695 for ‘mid range’ and $164,263 for an ‘upscale’ kitchen.

Consumer Reports found the national average mid-range kitchen remodel to cost between $25,000 - $50,000. An average high-end kitchen remodel runs $75,000 - $125,000 (2016).

Marthastewart.com has the average mid-range kitchen remodel running $68,000 and the average upscale remodel reaching $160,000.

Cabinetry, appliances, and labor are the three biggest costs of a renovation. See more of this kitchen.

Airy Kitchens Guide to Pricing

At Airy Kitchens, we design and manage a mix of mid-range and high-end kitchens in Philadelphia and the Main Line. Our pricing more closely reflects local labor and cabinetry prices in the mid to high kitchen remodel sector. Our average kitchen project total cost in 2023 was $132,589.

After hearing all of these big numbers, you’re probably ready for more detail about how they add up. Understanding the smaller expenses is a great way to budget and save for your project. Here is a handy cost guide we share with our clients:

For our guide we divide our kitchens into basic, mid range, high end, and deluxe groups. We consider a basic kitchen to include ready-made cabinets, appliances like Whirlpool, and low price hardware and materials (granite instead of quartz). Our mid-range pricing includes simple custom cabinets or detailed ready-made cabinets with lots of organizers, mid range appliances like Bosch or GE Cafe and higher quality materials and lighting. High end kitchens include detailed custom cabinetry (think paneled appliances and cabinets that feel like furniture), luxury lighting, and the best counters and appliances. A deluxe kitchen will fit a grand home with finely crafted materials, custom millwork, and additional appliances like full height wine refrigerators. Note that the total costs don’t take into account opening walls, updating floors, or changing windows and doors. Many clients who are completing a renovation choose to add these items.

Custom cabinets can create better storage and a cleaner look.

Financing Your Remodel

Okay, you’ve heard about the cost and (of course) it’s way more than you expected. So what are your options? Let’s look at five options:

Home Equity Loan (second mortgage)

Typically banks loan up to 80% of your homes value, but can loan up to 90% for a higher rate. Typically banks only consider the homes current value, not the value after the renovation. Loan term can be a full 30 years like a standard mortgage, but home owners typically choose a shorter term which gets them a better rate . Unlike a refinance, there are no considerable closing costs.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

This loan has similar rates to a home equity loan, it can also be up to 80-90% of your total home value, and has no considerable closing costs. What makes this choice different is more flexibility. Your bank gives you an amount that you can take out, but you take the money as you need it and you don’t pay interest on the amount you haven’t drawn yet. This is a great option for projects that have a long timeframe and projects that may need additional funds. Consider taking out a larger amount loan to get a better rate even if you don’t need to use all the funds.

Home Improvement Loan or Construction Loan:

Many banks base the loan on ‘as completed value’, (value after the renovation is complete) for this type of loan, which means you may be able to borrow more. However, the bank is more involved in the whole process. They usually put the money in an escrow account and have a consultant monitor completion points and payments. This might slow the construction process down. If you are looking to purchase a fixer upper and take out a mortgage and renovation loan together, this may be the loan for you. The bank will package the mortgage and renovation loans together. Banks can also package this as a line of credit, but in the end it converts to one loan with one payment.

FHA 203K

Similar to a construction loan, the FHA 203K is geared toward the purchase of a fixer upper (often uninhabitable) and the bank is involved in the process. But now the government is involved too. Sounds fun, right? This type of loan is not really supposed to be for a luxury renovation as much as a functional or livable project. More hoops to jump through will get you a better rate and the ability to borrow up to 96.5% of the ‘as completed value’. This is not available to an investor, only to homeowners and non profits.

Refinance

Home owners may want to refinance their mortgage to fund their renovation. This is a good option if your current loan has a high rate or if you want to change the length. Unlike a home equity loan, refinancing comes with closing costs. All financial information in this article is not financial advice from Airy Kitchens. Homeowners should check with a qualified loan officer to make the best decisions for their home projects.

Consider mixing luxury materials with ready-made cabinets for a high end look without breaking the bank.

Timeframe: A home equity loan or line of credit typically takes four to five weeks. Meet with your lender before bringing on a designer or contractor so you know how much you can afford.

Other Tips: Don’t quit your job or retire before you take out the loan. Most of these loans are not as difficult as getting a mortgage, we suggest that home owners be careful not to do a lot of credit checks before applying because it can drop your credit score.

If you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen or bathroom and would like to contact an Airy Kitchens designer, please visit our contact page.

Our Philadelphia Kitchen Showroom Open House.

Check out our new kitchen showroom in the bucolic neighborhood of Mt Airy. We have been hard at work designing and building this space to showcase everything Airy Kitchens. Owner Sean Lewis states “We tried to create a large kitchen that could be used as one room, but we broke it up into kitchen displays that showcase different styles. We also added a butlers pantry, lounge area where we display our samples, and our glass walled offices. We were able to take a large space and create cozy rooms without sacrificing scale or light.”

Pattern and color delights the eye.

Kitchen vignettes feature many options for cabinetry, organizers, and colors. The mix of styles and patterns creates a fun and playful place to explore. Shiny hardware, modern lighting, and fancy appliances greet you along the way.

Our open house was filled with delicious local food, much talk of kitchens, and lovely friends, family, and neighbors. We collected donations to support the Attic Youth Center, a Philadelphia non profit that works to help LGBTQ youth.

Thanks to everyone who came out to support us. What a warm and joyous way to make our new space feel like home. We love visitors and we’re open Monday through Friday 830am - 5 pm. We do suggest that you schedule an appointment with a designer to make sure that someone will be available to show you around and answer questions. To contact a designer, visit our contact page.

Our showroom is filled with different tiles, flooring, counters, and other samples needed to create beautiful interior design for all types of homes. We are located at 88 W Johnson St in Philadelphia. Airy Kitchens is an interior design firm specializing in Kitchens and bathrooms. We design spaces that make people happy.

Our sample drawers are filled with beautiful treasures.

Keep Pets Safe During Your Home Remodel

Recently I stopped in a new job site and was surprised to find the family’s two large dogs running around while contractors were working on ladders. We quickly went and bought a baby gate to keep the dogs out while we were working there. I realized this error was my own fault for not setting expectations, but the issue was very obvious the second I saw it: the dogs were not safe and the contractors were not safe. Safety is a priority at Airy kitchens, so I recently sat down with Adina Silberstein, owner of Queenies Pets in Mt Airy Philadelphia to find out what else can be done to keep pets safe and happy during a home renovation.

A client’s dog, Mack enjoying her new kitchen.

First let’s talk about an initial meeting before work begins. We love dogs, but they often jump on us and can be very disruptive, making it hard to communicate with clients.

How can you keep dogs calm when visitors arrive?

“ It doesn’t matter if a dog is friendly or not, because you want to make sure people coming into your house are comfortable.” says Silberstein. She recommends keeping pets away from meetings because if people are nervous or jumpy it makes the pets nervous. “A containment system of some sort will make the dog know it’s okay and let the person say whether or not they’re comfortable.” If your dog is crate trained, Silberstein recommends the crate, otherwise baby gates are a great way to let the dog see what’s going on without jumping on guests. If contractors are okay with the dog being in the room, Adina says the best way to deal with jumping is to stand still with arms folded. “When a dog is jumping, what they want is engagement. A lot of people make the mistake of putting their hands on (the dog) to push them down. That’s actually exactly what the dog wants, engagement.” Adina says to play with the dog only when it has four paws on the floor.

Cats and dogs want to explore, so use a baby gate to keep them safe.

How can contractors and pets stay safe and sane through a renovation?

“The reality is, when the house is a major construction zone, the best thing possible is for the dog not to be in the house.” says Silberstein. She recommends asking your contractor to notify you what days will be the loudest, and consider doggy daycare or leaving your pets with a friend. If the pets need to stay in the home, she says “have them in an upstairs bedroom, music on, a nice comfy bed, and make it a comfortable situation for them.” Adina advised that keeping the door shut will keep dust out of the room and reduce noise and stress for your pet. She also warned that “a lot of times we hear stories about pets escaping during construction, either because there’s the opportunity to escape, or because they’re scared and they want to run away from the sounds”.

If you do need to bring your pets through the work zone, are there any dangers that pet owners should watch out for?

The first thing that comes to Silberstein’s mind is insulation. Fiberglass is harmful to swallow and pets often want to eat it. Another dangerous issue that pet owners might not think about is dust. “ Because cats are constantly cleaning themselves, the dust that’s in the air will get licked off their fur and paws.” If your pet needs to walk through the construction zone to get to the yard, Adina recommends using a damp washcloth to wipe legs and paws every time they walk though it. Considering low VOC paint? if you own a bird, Silberstein says it’s a must. “Anybody who has an animal smaller than a dog or cat must remove them from the home during construction, especially birds. Birds can die very quickly from paint fumes, or any kind of fumes.”

Nash, get out of there! See Nash’s completed kitchen here.

What can Queenie’s Pets offer to help pets through the remodeling process?

Queenies offers hourly pet sitting where your pet gets to hang out in their office on Germantown Ave. They offer dog walking and can schedule extra walks to keep your dog busy during noisy construction days. Queenies also brings dogs on group hikes where your dog can socialize and burn some energy in the Wissahickon. The more you tire them out, the less disruptive they’ll be at home.

Any renovation ideas that will make life easier for your dog walker or pet sitter?

Silberstein recommends a quiet and safe space for your pet to eat and suggests separate eating areas for multiple pets. Additionally, she loves a good mud room. “put hooks up where you can hang a towel to wipe their paws, where you can always know where the leash and collar is. One of our challenges is (working with) households where things are in disarray.” Finally, if your space allows it, Adina loves a double door entry. “If you have a cat that likes to dart out, two doors are better than one.”

Any other kitchen renovation ideas for pet owners?

“A system to move air through the house. Pets get really hot in summer.” Silberstein recommends high transom windows that can be safely left open when homeowners are away. For cabinetry, Adina says lose the toe kicks. “Every time I’m doing a project in my house I think of cleanliness. I have five pets.” While toe kicks are useful in front of the sink and main work areas, she says they always collect pet hair. A final piece of advice: “For heavens sake, please don’t put air ducts in the floor because they’ll just be full of fur. “ Good advice from a woman that knows! Thank you to Adina Silberstein. If you would like to contact Queenies Pets about dog walking or pet sitting, click here. If you are interested in a pet friendly kitchen remodel in Philadelphia or the main line, fill out our contact form.

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