Small Bathroom Remodel in the Quad Cities: Cost & Ideas (2026)

A small bathroom remodel in the Quad Cities typically costs $4,500 to $8,500 for a bathroom under 50 square feet, with labor making up 40 to 60 percent of the budget. QuadCity Connect matches you with vetted local pros who know how to maximize tight spaces.

What Counts as a Small Bathroom in the Quad Cities?

A small bathroom is any space under 50 square feet. In the Quad Cities, that usually means a 5x8 full bath in a 1950s to 1970s ranch home, or a 3x5 half bath off the main living area. These compact spaces are common in Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, and Rock Island neighborhoods built before 1980.

Small does not mean simple. A tight bathroom has less room for error. Every inch matters. The good news is that a well-planned small bathroom remodel costs less than a master bath renovation and can add serious resale value. According to Zonda's 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange bathroom remodel recoups about 69 to 71 percent in the East North Central region.

In our experience, the biggest transformation in a small Quad Cities bathroom comes from removing the tub. A tub-to-shower conversion alone can make a 5x8 bath feel twice as big.

Small Bathroom Remodel Cost by Scope

The cost of a small bathroom remodel in the Quad Cities depends on how deep you go. Here are the three tiers, based on 2025 to 2026 local contractor bids.

• Budget refresh ($2,500 to $5,000): New vanity, toilet, light fixture, faucet, and paint. Keep the existing tub or shower. Replace the shower surround with an acrylic kit. No plumbing moves. Fast, 3 to 5 day project.
• Mid-range remodel ($5,500 to $9,000): New tile floor, tub-to-shower conversion or new tub surround, new vanity with quartz or granite top, updated lighting, and new fixtures. Some plumbing adjustments. 1 to 2 week timeline.
• Full gut ($8,500 to $15,000+): Complete demolition to the studs. New drywall, plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, custom tile shower, wall-hung vanity, and premium fixtures. Layout may change. 2 to 3 week timeline.

Labor typically runs 40 to 60 percent of the total budget. In a small bathroom, labor can trend higher because tight spaces slow down demolition and installation.

A tub-to-shower conversion is the single biggest space-saver in a small Quad Cities bathroom.

Layout Ideas for a 5x8 Bathroom

The 5x8 bathroom is the most common layout in Quad Cities ranch homes. The classic arrangement is a tub on the left wall, a toilet next to it, and a vanity on the opposite wall. Here is how to make the most of that footprint.

• Tub-to-shower conversion: Remove the 60-inch tub and install a 36 to 48 inch walk-in shower. This is the single biggest visual upgrade you can make in a 5x8 bath.
• Wall-hung vanity: A floating vanity frees up floor space and makes the room feel larger. Choose a 24 or 30 inch model to keep clearance.
• Pocket door: Replace a swinging door with a pocket door to reclaim 10 square feet of usable space.
• Recessed niche: Build a shower niche into the wall between studs. It adds storage without bumping into the shower footprint.
• Comfort-height compact toilet: A round-front, comfort-height toilet saves 2 to 3 inches over an elongated model and sits at a more comfortable height.

Layout Ideas for a 3x5 Half Bath

A 3x5 half bath is tight but functional. The goal is to make it feel bigger than it is.

• Corner sink: A corner pedestal or wall-mounted sink saves floor space and improves traffic flow.
• Vertical shiplap or tile: Running tile or shiplap vertically draws the eye up and makes the ceiling feel higher.
• Large mirror: A full-wall mirror above the sink doubles the perceived depth of the room.
• Recessed lighting: A single can light or a flush-mount fixture keeps the ceiling clear and bright.

A half bath remodel with a corner sink and vertical accents maximizes a 3x5 footprint.

Tub-to-Shower Conversion in a Small Bath

The tub-to-shower conversion is the most popular small bathroom project in the Quad Cities. It transforms the look and feel of a 5x8 bath. Most conversions cost $4,000 to $8,000 inside a small bathroom, depending on whether you choose acrylic, solid-surface, or custom tile.

In our experience, Davenport homeowners in McClellan Heights and Hilltop often ask for this conversion. Many of these 1950s and 1960s ranch homes have a single full bath with a tub that nobody uses. Removing it for a walk-in shower changes how the whole bathroom feels.

One caution: if this is your only tub, removing it may reduce resale appeal. Many buyers want at least one tub in the home. If you have a second bathroom with a tub, go ahead. If not, consider keeping a short soaking tub or ask your matched contractor about a tub-shower combo.

Materials That Make a Small Bathroom Feel Bigger

Material choices matter more in a small bathroom than in any other room. The right selections can add visual space without adding square footage.

• Large-format tile: 12x24 or 24x24 porcelain tiles reduce grout lines and create a seamless look. Avoid small mosaic tiles on the floor; they make the space feel busy.
• Light colors: White, cream, and light gray reflect light and expand the visual space. Save bold colors for accents like a vanity or a single feature wall.
• Frameless glass: A frameless glass shower door removes visual barriers and lets the eye travel to the back wall. Skip frosted glass; clear glass keeps the space open.
• Wall-mounted fixtures: A wall-mounted faucet and a floating vanity free up counter and floor space.
• Continuous flooring: Running the same floor tile into the shower area creates a continuous plane that makes the room feel larger.

Hidden Cost Warnings for Older Quad Cities Homes

If your home was built before 1960, budget for surprises. Small bathrooms in older Davenport and Rock Island homes often hide problems behind the walls.

• Cast iron drain stacks: Common in pre-1950 homes. Replacing a corroded stack during a remodel adds $1,500 to $4,000.
• Galvanized supply lines: Found in many 1950s to 1970s homes. Replacing them adds $1,500 to $4,000.
• Lead paint: Federal law requires an EPA Lead-Safe Certified contractor for any work that disturbs paint in homes built before 1978. Penalties reach $37,500 per violation.
• Water damage: Old tub surrounds often hide rot in the subfloor. Budget for subfloor repair if your bathroom is over 40 years old.

We recommend a contingency of 15 to 25 percent for pre-1960 Quad Cities homes, versus about 10 percent for newer construction.

Small Bathroom Remodel Timeline

Most small bathroom remodels in the Quad Cities take 1 to 3 weeks. Here is the step-by-step breakdown.

1. Day 1: Demolition. Old fixtures, tub, vanity, and flooring removed. Walls opened as needed.
2. Days 2 to 3: Rough-in. Plumbing and electrical moved or updated. Any hidden damage repaired.
3. Days 4 to 5: Waterproofing and prep. Shower pan or membrane installed, floor prepped, backer board set.
4. Days 6 to 10: Tile and install. Floor and shower tile set and grouted. Vanity, toilet, and fixtures installed.
5. Days 11 to 14: Finishing. Glass shower door installed, paint, trim, and final cleanup.

A simple refresh can finish in under a week. A full gut with plumbing changes and custom tile takes closer to 3 weeks. Your matched contractor will give you a specific timeline.

How Our Matching Works for Bathroom Projects

QuadCity Connect is a free referral service. You tell us about your small bathroom project. We match you with 2 to 3 vetted, licensed, insured local contractors. You compare quotes and choose the right pro. Zero pressure, zero fees.

Our contractors know Quad Cities housing stock. They have worked in 1950s Davenport ranches, 1960s Bettendorf split-levels, and downtown Moline lofts. They understand tight layouts, older plumbing, and local permit rules.

Frequently Asked Questions