We set aside our tax refund this year to make some bathroom updates, and we’re just now getting it all mapped out. The average return these days is about $2000, so I wondered just how far those dollars will go toward an affordable bathroom update.
You can do most of the projects yourself, so estimates don’t include labor, with the exception of the tile. (Wall tile is tricky business. Trust me… just hire someone.)
Bathroom Updates for the Cost of the Average Tax Return
| Mansfield high-efficiency toilet | $150 – $200 |
| Tile including installation for 80 sq ft tub/shower surround | $800 – $1,000 |
| Mansfield undermount sink | $65 – $100 |
| Sink and shower faucets | $150 – $400 |
| Cabinet knobs and pulls | $30 – $60 |
| Paint | $40 – $80 |
And the grand total is: $1,235-$1,840! For less than $2,000 you can get the feeling of a whole new bathroom. All that’s left are floors (a new rug can help extend the life of your existing floors), counters (consider a cost-saving pedestal sink if you have plenty of other storage), and fresh cabinet doors (a coat of paint can extend their life). So there you have it, a new bathroom for the cost of a tax return.