Best Bathroom Remodeling in NYC (2026 Cost & Contractor Guide)

A full bathroom remodel in NYC runs $18,000–$45,000+ in 2026 for a standard 5x8 apartment bath, and $35,000–$80,000+ for a primary bath in a brownstone or condo with moved plumbing and stone tile. The single biggest cost driver is waterproofing — cheap remodels skip it and leak into the unit below within a year.

The best NYC bathroom remodeling contractor gets four things right: full waterproofing membrane on the shower pan and walls (Schluter Kerdi, Laticrete Hydro Ban, or hot mop), licensed plumber pulled under DOB permit, proper slope to the drain (¼" per foot minimum), and co-op or condo board alteration agreement in place before demo.

2026 cost bands. Cosmetic refresh (vanity, toilet, tile floor, paint): $8,000–$15,000. Mid-range gut with same layout: $22,000–$38,000. Full gut with tub-to-shower conversion, moved plumbing, and stone tile: $45,000–$85,000+.

Waterproofing is not optional. Every wet-area remodel in NYC needs a bonded waterproof membrane behind the tile, not just cement board. Cement board alone lets water through the grout into the framing. A single leak into the downstairs unit costs more to settle than the entire bathroom cost.

Permits and board approval. Moving plumbing, changing the tub to a shower, or opening walls requires a DOB permit and a licensed plumber. Co-ops require alteration agreement, insurance certificates, and often a wet-over-dry review (bathrooms usually cannot expand over a neighbor's kitchen or living space).

Realistic timeline. Cosmetic: 1–2 weeks. Mid-range gut: 3–5 weeks. Full gut with moved plumbing: 6–9 weeks after board approval. Tile cure and grout sealing add 5–7 days at the end.

Gotham Home Services handles bathroom remodels across NYC and Long Island — waterproofing, DOB filings, licensed plumbing and electrical, custom tile, and co-op board packages. Get a free written scope with a per-item budget.