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Bathrooms seem like straightforward rooms to remodel. Then the tile comes off, the plumbing plan changes or a 1980s wall reveals work that needs correction before anything new can go in.

That is why bathroom remodeling costs in Des Moines can vary so widely. A simple refresh may involve paint, fixtures and a vanity. A full remodel may include design, planning, waterproofing, plumbing, electrical, tile, permits and careful coordination in one of the most heavily used rooms in the home.

In this guide, you’ll learn what a bathroom remodel actually costs in the Des Moines metro, budgeting by bathroom type, what costs are often overlooked in estimates and what bathroom remodeling ROI looks like.

How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost in Des Moines?

A full bathroom remodel in the Des Moines metro typically starts around $35,000, with many hall baths and primary bathrooms landing between $50,000 and $100,000. Larger primary suite remodels with layout changes, custom tile, specialty fixtures and higher-end finishes can reach $150,000+.

Smaller powder room updates may cost less because they do not include a shower, tub, waterproofing system or extensive tile work. The $5,000-to-$15,000 ranges you’ll see online are surface-level updates: paint, a new vanity, maybe a toilet swap. They’re real options, but they’re not the same project as a comprehensive design-build remodel.

Bathroom Renovation Cost Per Square Foot

A full bathroom remodel in the Des Moines metro typically costs $700 to $1,500 per square foot, with primary suites toward the upper end because of the fixture density.

Remember, a 35 sq ft bathroom can include 80 sq ft of tile, two plumbing rough-ins, a fan, three light fixtures, a vanity, mirror, toilet, shower and shower glass. The work-per-square-foot density in a bathroom is the highest of any room in the house. Additionally, bathrooms are labor-intensive in ways kitchens aren’t, due to custom tile work, waterproofed substrate and tight plumbing.

Tile selection, shower system, existing conditions and many more factors explain why two bathrooms that are the same size can have very different remodeling costs.

What Drives Bathroom Remodeling Costs

Bathroom remodeling costs are comprised of the materials and labor that are easily identifiable, along with some important remodel costs that are less visible. Design and planning, permitting, waterproofing, and contingency all help protect the project before construction begins. Any budget that doesn’t account for these should be looked at skeptically.

Design & Planning

For many bathroom remodels, design and planning can represent 5% to 10% of the construction cost, depending on the complexity of the project.

At Red House Remodeling, this work is done in collaboration with our clients with one of our experienced, Certified Kitchen & Bath Designers. That means homeowners are not left trying to piece together layout, tile, fixtures, lighting and construction details on their own.

Vanity, Cabinetry and Countertops

For many bathrooms, this includes a double vanity, quartz counters, premium semi-custom cabinetry, mirrors, storage features and hardware.

Shower, Tub, Tile and Waterproofing

This includes the walk-in shower, glass enclosure, tile floor, shower walls, niches or accent tile, waterproofing and sometimes, a freestanding tub.

A properly installed waterproofing system for a shower may add $2,000 to $4,000 to the project, depending on the size and complexity of the shower. The reason it matters is simple: water damage behind tile can be far more expensive than doing the waterproofing correctly the first time. A shower that looks beautiful on the surface still needs the right prep, materials and installation behind the walls.

Plumbing, Electrical, Lighting and Ventilation

This covers plumbing fixtures, toilets, rough-in work, lighting updates, outlets, heated floors, bath fans and other behind-the-wall improvements.

Permits and Approvals

Permit costs often fall between $150 and $500, depending on the city and scope of work.

Cosmetic updates, such as paint, hardware or a simple fixture swap may not need permits. Once a bathroom remodel involves moving plumbing, updating electrical, changing ventilation or altering the space more substantially, permitting becomes part of the project.

Contingency

For most bathroom remodels, homeowners should plan for a 10% to 15% contingency. Older homes, especially those with past remodeling work or unknown conditions behind the walls, should lean closer to 15%.

A contingency is not a sign that the project is poorly planned. It is part of responsible remodeling. It gives the homeowner and remodeler flexibility if hidden plumbing issues, framing concerns, subfloor damage, or selection upgrades come up during the process.

Red House Remodeling helps homeowners think through design, scope, permitting, waterproofing, and construction details before work begins with our design-build process. That front-end planning makes it easier to understand the real investment, compare options clearly, and move into construction with fewer surprises.

ROI: What a Bathroom Remodel Returns at Resale

Bathroom remodels in the Des Moines metro typically return 30 to 40 percent of their cost at resale, with mid-range projects recouping the highest percentage and luxury primary suites recouping the lowest.

The current Cost vs. Value Report consistently shows:

• Mid-range bathroom remodels recouping 58 percent
• Universal design remodels (curbless showers, grab bar blocking, wider doors) recouping 42 percent and trending up
• Upscale primary suites recouping 34 percent

For homeowners who plan to stay in their home, ROI should not be measured only at the closing table. The bathroom you use every morning affects your routine, comfort, privacy, storage, accessibility and overall enjoyment of your home. A better layout, a safer shower, warmer floors, improved lighting and more functional storage can make everyday life easier for years.

That quality-of-life return is often the reason homeowners choose to remodel in the first place. Resale value matters, but so does creating a bathroom that works better for the way you live now.

Final Bathroom Budget Takeaways

A realistic bathroom remodel budget should include more than the products you can see in the finished space.

Vanities, tile, plumbing fixtures, lighting, shower glass and heated floors all shape the final investment. But so do the less visible parts of the project: waterproofing, plumbing and electrical updates, permits, design, project planning and contingency.

Before comparing estimates, make sure the budget accounts for:

• Finish selections, including cabinetry, countertops, tile, fixtures, glass and flooring
• Technical work, including plumbing, electrical, ventilation, waterproofing and any fixture relocation
• Planning costs, including design, permits, project management and a 10% to 15% contingency

If each of those categories has a real number behind it, you have a more complete picture of your investment in your home. If categories are missing, the estimate can still be a starting point.

Providing an Honest Bathroom Budget

Bathrooms (and especially primary suites) are some of the most rewarding rooms we design and build throughout the Des Moines metro.

Two things shape the way we price a bathroom. First, we focus on up-front planning. Things like tile layout, lighting plan, plumbing layout, and glass details are all finalized in design (not on the jobsite). That keeps the budget accurate and the timeline predictable. Second, we’re a small, experienced owner-led team where trades sequence cleanly through the project and corners are never cut.

We’d rather give you the real number on day one and beat it than win the project with a number nobody could actually deliver.

If you’re planning a bathroom remodel in the Des Moines area and you want to talk through what your project might actually cost, reach out to start a conversation. We’ll listen first, walk through your bathroom and help you build a budget that holds up.

The first step in our process is a simple phone conversation. Reach via our consulation form or attend one of our Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Seminars. We'll help you love your home!

It can be hard to find an honest answer when you’re looking for kitchen remodeling costs. Are the numbers you’re finding accurate for your location? Do they include every part of the remodel? Do they include the finishes you really want?

Keep reading to learn what a kitchen remodel actually costs in the Des Moines metro, where the money really goes and how to sanity-check any estimate you are given.

How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Des Moines?

A kitchen remodel in the Des Moines metro typically costs $80,000 to $200,000+, with many projects landing between $100,000 and $150,000. 

The wider $30,000-to-$150,000 ranges you'll see online include cosmetic refreshes, IKEA installs and big-box-store packages. Those are real options, but they're not the same project. Red House Remodeling works on kitchens that are designed, planned, permitted and built with quality materials, a coordinated production calendar and professional project management. We handle every part of the design, planning and production to deliver you a remodeled kitchen designed specifically for you and your family.

Two Similar Kitchens Can Have Very Different Costs

Two kitchens with similar square footage can easily differ by $40,000 or more depending on layout, material selections and existing conditions.

The biggest cost drivers are usually:

Cabinetry and countertops: vary dramatically between stock, semi-custom and custom cabinets, or laminate versus hard surface counters
‍Appliances and fixtures: a standard appliance package and a premium appliance package can create a major cost swing
Layout changes: especially if the sink, appliances, windows, walls or traffic flow are changing
Behind-the-wall updates: such as plumbing, electrical, ventilation and code-related improvements
‍Structural work: including removing a load-bearing wall, changing window or door openings, or opening the kitchen to another room

Older homes may also bring existing-condition costs that are not obvious at first glance. Once walls, floors or ceilings are opened, older plumbing, outdated electrical, uneven framing or previous remodel work may need to be corrected before the new kitchen can be built properly.

Same-Footprint Remodel vs. Layout Change Remodel

Keeping the existing kitchen footprint is usually the most cost-efficient path. Moving plumbing, electrical, appliances, walls or windows adds labor, coordination and often extra permitting or structural work.

Kitchen Remodeling Costs Per Square Foot

A kitchen remodel in the Des Moines metro typically runs $400 to $750 per square foot of kitchen space, with most mid-range projects landing around $500 to $600. Larger kitchens don't double the cost, because the trade mobilization, design time and fixed costs stay roughly the same. They just spread across more linear feet of cabinet and countertop.

Per-square-foot pricing is a sanity check, not a quote. Anyone who hands you a fixed dollars-per-foot number before designing your kitchen is guessing.

What Drives the Cost of a Kitchen Remodel in Des Moines? 

The biggest cost drivers in a kitchen remodel are scope of work, cabinetry, labor, layout changes, appliance selections, countertops and the planning costs required to design and build the project correctly.

Cabinetry

Cabinets are often the largest cost in a kitchen remodel. At Red House Remodeling, we’re usually able to meet our customers’ needs with semi-custom cabinetry. Design matters: semi-custom cabinets in a thoughtful, well-planned layout can often function better than custom cabinets in a poorly planned one.

Labor, Layout and Behind-the-Wall Work

Labor is another major cost driver because a kitchen remodel involves multiple trades working in a specific sequence.

Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, framing, drywall, flooring, tile, cabinet installation, countertop coordination, finish carpentry and inspections all affect the final number. A same-footprint kitchen is usually more cost-efficient because the sink, range, refrigerator and dishwasher stay in roughly the same locations.

Costs rise when the remodel includes:

• Moving plumbing or gas lines
• Adding electrical circuits or changing lighting plans
• Removing walls or adding structural beams
• Updating ventilation
• Correcting older wiring, plumbing, framing or subfloor issues

This is especially important in older Des Moines-area homes, where existing conditions may not be obvious until planning begins or walls are opened.

Appliances, Countertops, Flooring and Fixtures

Finish selections also create budget swings.

Standard appliances and premium appliances can differ by thousands of dollars. Countertops can range from budget-conscious materials to premium quartz, quartzite or natural stone.

Flooring, plumbing fixtures, lighting, cabinet hardware and backsplash tile also exist along a vast price spectrum.

Design & Permitting & Contingency

Design and permits turn a wish list into a more realistic kitchen remodel budget.

A professional kitchen design often represents 5% to 10% of the construction cost, depending on project complexity. This should include floor plans, elevations, cabinet drawings, electrical and lighting plans, plumbing layouts, finish selections and detailed specifications. Comprehensive design helps homeowners make key decisions before construction begins instead of sorting through major layout, cabinet, lighting and finish questions during the build.

At Red House Remodeling, kitchen design and planning happens with an experienced designer who holds a four-year design degree and who has a Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer professional designation from the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

Most kitchen remodels in the Des Moines metro also require permits when plumbing, electrical, mechanical or structural work is involved. Permit fees may range from $100 to $500, depending on the city and scope.

A realistic budget should also include a 10% to 15% contingency, especially in older homes. That contingency helps account for unknown conditions, scope refinements or upgrades selected during the process.

ROI: What a Kitchen Remodel Returns at Resale in Des Moines

The majority of our customers intend to remainin their homes and are seeking remodels that suit their preferences and lifestyle. A remodel is an investment in their home and in themselves. For homeowners staying in their home another decade, the real return isn't a number on a closing statement. It's the function and feel of the kitchen for the next 3,500 mornings.

The current Cost vs. Value Report consistently shows minor kitchen remodels (cabinet refacing, hardware, paint, light updates) recouping 62% of cost. Major mid-range remodels recoup roughly 26-34%. Upscale remodels recoup 26%.

Kitchen Remodel Budget Checklist

Before comparing estimates, make sure the budget includes real numbers for these major categories:

Finish Selections

• Cabinets priced at the correct tier: stock, semi-custom or custom
• Countertops based on the material you actually want
• Appliances at the quality level you plan to use
• Flooring, including tie-ins to adjacent rooms if needed
• Lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, cabinet hardware, paint, trim or wallpaper

Mechanical, Electrical and Structural Work

• Electrical updates, including panel needs, circuits, outlets and lighting changes
• Plumbing updates or relocation of the sink, dishwasher or refrigerator water line
• Ventilation or HVAC adjustments
• Structural work if walls are coming down or openings are changing

Planning, Permits and Protection

• Design fees
• Permit fees
• Project management and construction coordination
• Contingency of 10% to 15%

How Red House Remodeling Plans an Honest Kitchen Budget

We're a locally-owned owner-led team. The people you meet on day one are the ones who hand off your beautifully remodeled space at the end. We'd rather tell you a realistic number on day one than win the project full of allowances and a budget number nobody could ever hit.

Ballpark Estimate: During our first conversation, we’ll provide a ballpark estimate of what your project will likely cost, based upon size, scope and the hundreds of similar local remodels we’ve completed.

Written Estimate: After we’ve met in your home and fine-tuned the size and scope of your project, we provide a more specific estimate of the actual cost. You’ll use this estimate to determine if you want to move forward with planning your project or if you need to adjust the size and scope.

Planning Agreement: Once we’ve decided to work together, we enter into a planning agreement and begin to work together to design your kitchen and select all finishes.  

Fixed Price Contract: The work done during the planning process ultimately results in a fixed-price contract. You’ll know how much your project costs and exactly how it’s going to look before construction ever starts.

Are you ready to remodel? The first step in our process is a simple phone conversation. Reach out via our consultation form. We look forward to helping you love your home!

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Our logo is a red house for a simple reason: we help Des Moines families love their homes.

As the seasons change, it’s completely natural to get that itch to refresh your surroundings. When you truly love your home, it shows! Whether you are looking for a massive transformation or a quick weekend project, we’ve put together six ways you can demonstrate some affection for your home right now and throughout the year.

1. Remodel for Your Lifestyle

While it’s the biggest investment on this list, a remodel is the most guaranteed way to fall head-over-heels for your home again. The most common reason homeowners choose to remodel isn't just aesthetics—it’s to make a dated space work better for their family's changing lifestyle.

2. Plan for the Future

If you plan on staying in your home for the long haul, don't rush. Sit down and create a long-term home improvement roadmap.

Pro-Tip: List out your dream projects (kitchen, primary bath, hall bath, siding) and determine your priorities. Establish a realistic timeline and begin budgeting for one phase at a time.

It is incredibly common for our clients to tackle a wishlist over the course of several years. We can help you design a Master Plan from day one, and then work through it systematically as your time and budget allow.

3. Transform with Paint

Never underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint. If you are willing to pick up a brush and do the work yourself, interior painting is a highly cost-effective way to spruce up a room. Repaint when walls start showing wear, when the color feels dated, or honestly—whenever you feel like a change! It’s just paint, but a new hue can completely transform the mood of a space.

4. Commit to a Deep Clean

There is nothing quite like the feeling of a crisp, clean house. Throw open the windows, let the fresh air in, and tackle the spots that usually get overlooked:

• Dust ceilings, walls, casing, and trim.
• Wipe down doors, doorknobs, and light fixtures.
• Wash windows, window screens, and window treatments.
• Schedule a professional carpet cleaning and launder all throw rugs.

Because this list can feel overwhelming, break the tasks into manageable chunks over the course of a week or a month so you don't burn out.

5. Stay Ahead of Repairs

Regardless of how long you plan to live in your home, keeping up with maintenance always pays off. If you do eventually decide to sell, you won't be stuck sinking a fortune into deferred maintenance. Remember, a leaky faucet or a cracked window pane isn't just annoying—it's actively costing you money. Plus, little things like a broken doorknob or a cracked tile send the wrong message about how your home is cared for.

6. Accessorize and "Shop Your Home"

Way more fun than deep cleaning, right? If your budget allows, shop for a few season-appropriate accessories like pillows, throws, or artwork to keep your spaces feeling fresh as the weather changes. Short on cash? "Shop your home!" Swap decor, rugs, or lamps from one room to another to give them a completely new lease on life.

Ready to Fall in Love?

Whether you're ready to show your home some love with a major remodel, a spacious addition, or a stunning exterior project, we are here to help. Contact the team at Red House Remodeling today, and we’ll have you head-over-heels for your space in no time.

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