If you’re in the market to buy a home, or remodeling your home for practical or investment purposes, you’re likely wondering what constitutes a full bathroom vs a half bathroom or a three quarters bathroom.
Most new homes are built with two full bathrooms, which is the most common configuration estimated at 60 to 70%. The next most common number of bathrooms are three bathrooms, four bathrooms, and the least common, one bathroom.
Let’s look first at what constitutes a full bathroom and work downwards from there.
What is a Full Bathroom?
A full bathroom contains at least one sink, toilet, bathtub, and shower. Each component makes up one-quarter of the bathroom. A bathroom is not considered a full bathroom unless it has all four of these features.
Full Bath Characteristics
A full bathroom’s components may be a sink, toilet, separate tub and shower, or combined tub and shower, but all four components must be present.
Each feature makes up one-quarter of the bathroom for appraisal purposes. For every component that is missing, deduct one-quarter from the bathroom.
What is the Typical Square Footage of a Full Bathroom?
Smaller full bathrooms with a combination tub and shower may be 40 to 45 feet, but the average size of a full bathroom is 60 feet. Large full bathrooms may be up to 150 square feet. Master bathrooms are typically about 70 to 110 square feet. A full bathroom can be anywhere from 45 to 150 square feet depending on the overall size of the house.
What is the Remodeling Cost of a Full Bathroom?
A full bathroom will cost between $13,000 and $30,000 to install in an existing home. The overall costs will vary depending on the materials used and the available space. Older homes typically cost about $20,000 to $30,000 to install a full bathroom into, because complications with infrastructure often arise.
How Much Value Does Upgrading a Half-Bath to a Full Bathroom Add to Your Home?
Upgrading a half-bath to a full bathroom can increase the overall value of the home from 10% to 20% on average. For example, a $200,000 home can list for $220,000 to $240,000 after converting a half bath to a full bath.
What is a Three Quarters (3/4) Bathroom?
A three-quarters bathroom has a sink, toilet, and either a tub or shower.
Most three-quarter bathrooms today have a sink, toilet, and shower. Sometimes you will see a tub instead of a shower, but those three elements make up a three-quarters bathroom.
A ¾ bathroom is commonly found as a spare bathroom in a house with at least one full bathroom.
What is the Typical Size of a Three-Quarter Bath?
Most three-quarter bathrooms take up about 35 to 50 square feet.
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Three-Quarter Bathroom?
Adding a three-quarter bathroom will cost between $5,000 and $20,000 in most areas. The total cost will be determined by the quality of the fixtures and materials that you use, and the total space in your home. If you plan on adding a traditional or freestanding tub, walls may need to be moved and plumbing may need to be added. Most homeowners opt for a shower stall in a ¾ bathroom for convenience.
What is a Half (1/2) Bathroom?
A half bathroom has a sink and a toilet but does not contain a tub or shower.
A half-bathroom, sometimes known as a powder room, only has a toilet and a sink. In a two-story house, the half-bathroom is usually located on the first floor for guests to use.
Some homeowners convert an existing closet or utility room into a half-bathroom for practical reasons and to raise the value of their home.
How Big is a Half Bathroom?
The average size of a half-bathroom is about 16 to 24 square feet. The space needs to be big enough to contain a sink and a toilet. Large half baths may be up to 24 square feet.
Where are Half Baths Typically Installed?
Most half bathrooms are installed into a small available space, like under a stairwell, in a hallway, in a converted closet, in the garage, or in the basement.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Half-Bathroom?
The price range for installing a new half bathroom is between $5,000 and $20,000. If you have existing plumbing in place, your half bathroom will cost much less to install, in the $5,000 to $9,000 range, depending on the fixtures and features that you select. When you install a half-bathroom in a space without direct access to existing plumbing, then it will be closer to $20,000 or more to install.
What is a Quarter (1/4) Bathroom?
A quarter bathroom is usually one of three configurations: a bathroom with only a toilet, and no sink; or a bathroom with only a shower, tub, or sink. A bathroom with only a toilet and no sink is very uncommon, as the lack of a sink to wash your hands after using the bathroom is extremely unhygienic. A bathroom with only a shower and no other features is also very rare. These usually appear next to an outdoor pool to rinse off. In some cases, a sink may be in an outside garage to keep automotive grime out of the household sink. In some cases, a quarter bathroom can be a freestanding or traditional tub.
What are the Components of a Quarter Bath?
Because a quarter bath only has one fixture, they are usually small, less than18 square feet. The amount of space of the ¼ bathroom will depend on the type of fixture and how compact if is designed. Some compact sinks are as small as 15×10 inches, and some compact shower stalls are as small as 32×32 inches.
How Much Does a Quarter Bath Cost to Install?
The average cost to install a quarter bath is $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the location, plumbing, and the model of the toilet, vanity, or shower you install.
How Much Value Does a Bathroom Add to Your Home?
If your goal is to increase the value of your home, the number of bathrooms is almost as important as the number of bedrooms to home buyers. Large families will want to purchase homes with numerous bathrooms so everyone can use them without interrupting the other family members.
It’s worth noting that if a home has more than one half-bathroom, those do not combine into one bathroom for real estate evaluation purposes.
How much do extra bathrooms add to the value of a home? According to a 2019 survey by remodeling.com each added bathroom will add about 47% to 60% of the project cost to the home value. The National Association of Home Builders also reported in 2006 that for each half bathroom about 10% is added to the home value, and roughly 19% is added for each additional full bathroom added to a two-bedroom home.
Ways to Add a Bathroom to Your Existing Home
These are a few methods for adding a new bathroom to your home without adding more square footage.
1. Add a half or three quarters bathroom under the stairs
In a two-story house, the area under a staircase can be a great option for adding a ½ or ¾ bathroom. The main concerns are adding enough headroom above the toilet and ventilation. Most zoning laws require about five feet clearance above the toilet. Usually, the sink or vanity are on the tallest wall so people in the bathroom won’t hit their hit their head on the ceiling.
2. Build a bathroom off the garage
You can convert part of your garage into a half-bathroom that is accessible from an adjacent kitchen or from outdoor areas. Sometimes, a sliding door is used to access the half-bath if space is limited.
3. Take space from an existing room
In a large bedroom, you can turn it into a master bedroom and bathroom by adding a full or partial bathroom on one wall.
Need a Professional Bathroom Remodel in Sacramento?
If you’re considering a home renovation and you need a remodeling company in Sacramento, give our team a call at (916) 862-1444 or reach out to us via our contact form. We can expand your bathroom from a half bath to a full bath, renovate your existing bathroom, or add a brand new bathroom to your home.
A good bathroom design and renovation can increase the value of your home. Contact us today to get more information and schedule a free consultation. Let us show you what options are available and let us give you the dream bathroom you’ve always envisioned.
Call Sacramento Remodeling Group at (916) 862-1444 for your Free Consultation with a Sacramento Bathroom Remodeling expert!