What a Bathroom Remodel Costs in Palm Beach County
Bathroom remodel pricing in Palm Beach County runs above the Florida average across every tier. A targeted refresh starts around $5,500, and a full master bath gut-and-rebuild with custom tile and premium fixtures can run $50,000 or more. The average full bathroom remodel we price for Palm Beach County homeowners — a standard 5×8 bathroom with new waterproofing, tile, vanity, and fixtures — lands between $16,000 and $28,000.
| Scope | Typical Range (Palm Beach County) | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Targeted Refresh | $5,500–$11,000 | New vanity, toilet, faucets, mirror, light fixture — no tile or plumbing rerouting |
| Partial Remodel | $10,000–$18,000 | Retile floor and shower, new vanity, fixtures — existing plumbing locations stay |
| Full Remodel (5×8) | $16,000–$28,000 | Full demo, new waterproofing membrane, tile shower, floor tile, vanity, toilet, plumbing fixtures, new light/vent |
| Master Bath Gut | $28,000–$50,000 | Full gut, custom tile shower, double vanity, freestanding tub, design coordination, ARC-compliant finishes |
| Luxury / Custom | $50,000+ | Custom stone, steam shower, radiant floor heat, premium fixtures, full design-build management |
Cost by City Within Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County isn't one market. Housing stock age, labor availability, and HOA structure vary block to block, and all three move the number.
| Area | Full Remodel Range | Why |
|---|---|---|
| West Palm Beach / Lake Worth Beach | $15,000–$26,000 | Older CBS housing stock (1940s–1970s), frequent cast-iron drain replacement, historic district review in some neighborhoods |
| Boca Raton | $18,000–$32,000 | Higher-end material expectations, gated community ARC approval adds timeline, strong subcontractor demand |
| Delray Beach | $16,000–$28,000 | Mix of older CBS bungalows and newer construction, moderate HOA presence |
| Jupiter / Palm Beach Gardens | $17,000–$30,000 | Newer construction (less plumbing surprise), but higher-end finish expectations in golf and country club communities |
| Town of Palm Beach | $32,000–$70,000+ | Luxury market, landmark/historic preservation review, higher-end everything |
Why Palm Beach County Runs Above the Florida Average
1. Older CBS Construction and Cast-Iron Drain Lines
A large share of bathrooms in West Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, and older Delray Beach homes sit on concrete slabs with cast-iron drain stacks installed between the 1940s and 1970s. Cast iron corrodes from the inside out over 50–70 years. When we cut into the slab to relocate a toilet or shower drain in one of these homes, it's common to find a drain line that needs full replacement rather than a simple tie-in. That's not a Palm Beach markup — it's a real cost driven by the age of the plumbing.
2. Subcontractor Labor Rates
Plumbing, tile, and electrical labor in Palm Beach County runs higher than Central and North Florida markets, driven by cost of living and demand from the county's active luxury renovation market. Expect labor line items to run 10–20% above statewide averages.
3. Palm Beach County Building Division Permit Fees
The Palm Beach County Building Division calculates permit fees off a construction-valuation table, plus a DBPR surcharge and radon research fee on every permit. For a bathroom remodel involving plumbing and electrical work, expect total permit costs — including plan review and reinspection fees — in the $300–$900 range. Straightforward permits without plan review typically clear in 5–10 business days.
4. HOA and ARC Approval in Gated and Waterfront Communities
Many Palm Beach County communities — gated developments in Boca Raton, PGA National, Frenchman's Reserve, and most waterfront associations — require Architectural Review Committee (ARC) sign-off before certain exterior-adjacent work, and some require interior finish approval for resale-visible changes like window placement near wet rooms. Budget an additional 2–4 weeks where ARC review applies. This mostly affects master bath additions or window changes, not standard interior remodels.
5. Florida's Mandatory Waterproofing Inspection
Florida Building Code Section R702.4 requires a waterproofing membrane inspection before any shower tile can be set — statewide, not just in Palm Beach County. In Palm Beach County's high-volume construction season (October–April), waterproofing inspections typically require 4–8 business days advance scheduling with the Building Division, longer than the statewide average due to inspector caseload.
In West Palm Beach and Lake Worth Beach homes built before 1975, we scope the bathroom's cast-iron drain stack with a camera before we ever write a final number — especially if the remodel involves moving the toilet or shower drain. Contractors who skip this step hand you a clean-looking bid, then hit you with a change order once the slab is open and the stack turns out to be rotted through. Ask any contractor bidding your Palm Beach County bathroom whether they've scoped the drain line. If they haven't, the number isn't real yet.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Palm Beach County, Florida? A full 5×8 bathroom remodel in Palm Beach County costs $16,000–$28,000 on average, including demolition, FBC-required waterproofing membrane, tile, vanity, toilet, and fixtures. Costs run 10–20% above the Florida statewide average due to older cast-iron plumbing common in West Palm Beach and Lake Worth Beach, higher local labor rates, and HOA/ARC review in gated and waterfront communities. A targeted refresh (vanity and fixtures only) starts around $5,500; a master bath gut-and-rebuild runs $28,000–$50,000+.
Labor vs. Material Cost Breakdown
- Tile & waterproofing: 20–28% of total budget
- Labor (demo, plumbing, electrical, install): 30–38% — runs higher here than statewide due to local labor rates
- Vanity & fixtures: 15–22%
- Tub/shower enclosure: 10–18%
- Permits, ARC review, design fees: 4–8%
Getting an Accurate Estimate in Palm Beach County
Because so much of the Palm Beach County cost swing comes from what's behind the walls — plumbing age, slab condition, and whether your community requires ARC review — an accurate number requires a site visit, not a phone quote. D&Co provides a written, line-item estimate within 48 hours of visiting your home, including whether your drain lines need scoping and what the permit timeline looks like for your specific city, so you know the real number and the real schedule before you sign anything.