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How much does a bathroom remodel COST in Highlands Ranch? We break it down and give you OPTIONS that fit your needs
If you have showered in the same tiled box since your house was built, you already know the feeling. The grout is tired. The layout does not make sense anymore. And every time you picture a bathroom remodel, you also picture a number you are not sure is real.
Here is the truth from a contractor who works on bathrooms across Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Centennial, Parker, and Littleton every week: there is no single price for a bathroom remodel, because there is no single type of bathroom remodel. What you spend depends almost entirely on which of these paths you take.
So let's break it down. Three main categories, a few extra ones people ask about, and honest ballpark numbers for our part of the south Denver metro.
1. Full Shower Remodel With a Layout Change
This is the biggest swing you can take on a bathroom, and usually the most rewarding. A full shower remodel with a layout change means we are not just replacing what is there. We are moving walls, relocating plumbing, resizing the shower footprint, and sometimes shifting the whole flow of the room.
This is common in Highlands Ranch homes built in the late 1990s and early 2000s, where the original layout crammed a small shower and a separate tub into a tight footprint. Homeowners now want one larger walk-in shower instead of two small, underused fixtures.
What's typically involved:
Moving or removing walls
Relocating plumbing lines and drains
New waterproofing and tile work
Custom glass enclosure
Updated ventilation
Approximate cost: $25,000–$45,000+, depending on how much plumbing has to move and the finish level you choose. Moving a drain is one of the biggest cost drivers here, so it is worth discussing early with your contractor.
This category is where 3D design visualization earns its keep. Moving walls on paper is easy to imagine wrong. Seeing the new layout rendered before demo starts saves a lot of second-guessing later.
Green spa-inspired bathroom remodel with tile accent wall Full bathroom remodel featuring deep green tile and warm lighting Modern green bathroom design with natural textures Green bathroom remodel with walk-in shower and freestanding tub
Green Spa-Inspired Bathroom Remodel
A full layout change opened up space for a walk-in shower and freestanding tub. Deep green tile, natural textures, and warm lighting bring a calm, spa-like feel to this Highlands Ranch home.
2. Bathroom Remodeling Within the Existing Layout
Not every bathroom needs surgery. A lot of homeowners in Lone Tree and Centennial come to us wanting a bathroom that looks and feels brand new, without touching the plumbing footprint at all.
This category keeps your tub, shower, toilet, and vanity roughly where they already are, and focuses the budget on finishes: tile, countertops, lighting, fixtures, paint, and cabinetry. It is faster, less disruptive, and a smart choice if your layout already works for your household.
What's typically involved:
New tile floors and shower walls
Updated vanity and countertop
New fixtures, lighting, and hardware
Fresh paint and trim
Possible new tub or shower surround (same location)
Approximate cost: $15,000–$20,000+, depending on tile selection, vanity quality, and fixture upgrades. This is usually the best value category if your goal is a fresh look on a defined budget.
3. Tub-to-Shower and Shower-to-Tub Conversion
This one is personal. Some households are done with the tub they never use and want a bigger, more open shower. Others are planning ahead and want a tub back in the house for resale value or for young kids. Both directions come up constantly in our south metro service area.
Tub-to-shower is popular with homeowners simplifying a primary bathroom or preparing for long-term comfort.
This is one of our tub-to-shower conversion projects. These projects are a great option for homeowners who want a more open, modern shower experience, and they are typically completed in about two weeks.
Shower-to-tub tends to come up in secondary bathrooms, especially when families with small children move into a home that only has stand-up showers.
This is one of our shower-to-tub conversion projects. These projects are great options for homeowners on a timeline, since they are typically completed in about two weeks.
What's typically involved:
Removing the existing tub or shower base
Plumbing adjustments for the new fixture
Waterproofing and tile or surround installation
New glass, curtain, or fixtures depending on direction
Approximate cost: $8,000–$16,000 for most conversions, with the higher end reflecting custom tile work, frameless glass, or more involved plumbing changes.
A Few More Categories Worth Knowing About
Bathroom remodels are not one-size-fits-all, so here are three more categories we see regularly around Highlands Ranch and the south Denver suburbs.
Powder room refresh. The half bath by the front door gets a lot of foot traffic and very little love. A powder room refresh usually covers vanity, lighting, wallpaper or paint, and mirror, and runs $3,500–$8,000. Small space, big visual impact.
Aging-in-place and accessible bathroom remodel.
More Highlands Ranch homeowners are planning ahead, whether for aging parents moving in or their own long-term comfort. This includes curbless showers, grab bars, wider doorways, and non-slip flooring. Costs vary widely based on how much structural work is needed, typically $15,000–$30,000+.
Primary bathroom luxury remodel. For homeowners who want the full experience: freestanding tub, custom double vanity, heated floors, premium tile, and designer lighting. These projects usually land between $30,000–$55,000+, and this is where 3D visualization matters most, since every finish decision compounds. Here on the photo you can see exactly how our 3D renders look. We offer 360-degree angles to help you visualize the space before work begins.
3D render of a premium bathroom remodel design
These are examples of our 3D render designs. They're incredibly realistic and especially valuable on premium projects, where even small mistakes can be costly.
Why Bathroom Remodel Costs Vary So Much in Our Area ( Highlands Ranch )
A few local factors shape pricing more than people expect:
Home age. Many Highlands Ranch neighborhoods were built in the 1990s and early 2000s, and plumbing or subfloor conditions from that era can add cost once walls open up.
HOA requirements. Several communities in Lone Tree, Parker, and Highlands Ranch have HOA guidelines that affect exterior venting or material choices.
Permits. Structural or plumbing changes typically require permits through Douglas County or the relevant municipality, which adds time but protects your investment. Luckily, most permits in our area are processed fairly quickly, which is not always the case elsewhere in Colorado.
Material choices. Tile, countertop, and fixture selections can shift a budget by thousands of dollars in either direction, which is exactly why we walk clients through options early instead of guessing.
Timelines can also shift once we are inside the walls. Older homes sometimes reveal things that were not visible during the estimate, and that is normal, not a red flag. Here is a blog that explains what can cause a project to last longer than expected.
Which Category Fits Your Bathroom?
If your layout already works and you just want it to look new, category two is probably your answer. If you have been dreaming of a bigger shower or a completely different flow, category one is worth exploring. And if the tub-versus-shower debate has been going on in your house for years, category three settles it.
The best way to know for sure is to walk through your specific bathroom with someone who remodels these spaces every week in Highlands Ranch and the south Denver metro.
Ready to see what your bathroom could look like?
At DAR Design and Remodeling, we start every project with a 3D design so you can see your new bathroom before a single tile is removed. If you are in Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Centennial, Parker, or Littleton and ready to talk through your options, schedule a free consultation with us today.
Let's figure out which category fits your home and your budget.
To schedule a consultation, please click the 'Book Now' button, or call or text us at (720) 435-1823, or email info@designandremodel.net.
All photos used in this blog belong to DAR Design and Remodeling. No part of these images may be shared, copied, or downloaded without our prior permission.
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