5 Things to Know About Renovating Your Bathroom

A full-scale bathroom remodel—even a midrange one—recoups only about 55% to 65% of its cost at resale, so it pays to keep your spending in check.

- Josh Garskof

1 KEEP COSTS IN LINE

Limit your budget to 5% of your home’s value for a powder room or guest bath and 10% for a master bathroom, says Omaha appraiser John Bredemeyer, a spokesman for the Appraisal Institute. Nationally, a midrange remodel averages about $18,000, while an upscale job comes in at around $57,000.

2 TO SAVE THE MOST,DON’T MOVE THE PIPES