What Plumbing Fixtures Are Worth Upgrading During a Bathroom Remodel?

Key Takeaways

• Mid-range bathroom remodels in Colorado Springs cost $16,000–$28,000 in 2026.
• WaterSense showerheads save 20% water (2.5 to 2.0 GPM) and pay for themselves in 3–5 years.
• Modern toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush vs. 3.5–7 gallons in older models.
• Tub-to-shower conversions recoup 65–80% of cost at resale; drain relocation adds $1,500–$3,000.

If you are planning a bathroom remodel, you will quickly discover that costs add up fast. A mid-range full bathroom remodel in 2026 typically runs $16,000 to $28,000 nationally, and in Colorado Springs you can expect to land somewhere in that range depending on your contractor and materials. So the obvious question is: where should the money actually go?

The answer depends on what you care about - resale value, water savings, or just getting a bathroom you enjoy using. Here is an honest breakdown of which plumbing fixtures are worth upgrading during a bathroom remodel, and which ones you can skip.

Should you upgrade your showerhead during a bathroom remodel?

A quality showerhead upgrade is one of the best dollar-for-dollar improvements you can make. A basic replacement might run $50 to $300 for the fixture, plus an hour of plumber time. But the real benefit is water efficiency.

According to the EPA WaterSense program, modern high-efficiency fixtures save enough water to pay for themselves within 3 to 5 years. Standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons per minute. A WaterSense-certified model drops that to 2.0 GPM or less without sacrificing pressure. In a household of four, that adds up fast.

If you are just refreshing a bathroom without moving anything, this is the first place to put your money.

When should you replace your toilet in a Colorado Springs bathroom remodel?

Older toilets use 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush. Modern toilets use 1.28 gallons or less. That difference matters in Colorado, where water conservation is a real consideration, and where El Paso County homeowners have seen water rates climb steadily over the past decade.

If your toilet is older, replacing it during a remodel is straightforward and pays dividends over time. A good mid-range toilet runs $200 to $600 for the fixture. Installation is simple when you are already paying for plumber time.

Do not pay for a wall-hung or Japanese-style smart toilet unless you genuinely want the features. The cost jumps dramatically and the resale lift does not match the investment for most Colorado Springs homes.

Is a tub-to-shower conversion worth the investment?

The bathtub-to-shower conversion is widely considered the strongest return in a bathroom remodel. The 2026 average project cost runs around $18,000 for a full conversion, but the resale return and daily usability improvement are consistently high. Mid-range bathroom remodels recoup 65 to 80 percent of cost at resale when done with quality materials and professional installation.

Most Colorado Springs homeowners have at least one tub in the house, which means converting a second bathroom's tub to a walk-in shower is a practical upgrade that buyers respond to well.

From a plumbing standpoint, this is a job where location matters. If you can keep the drain in roughly the same spot, you save significantly on rough-in costs. Moving drain lines can add $1,500 to $3,000 to the job.

Are faucet and sink upgrades worth the cost?

Faucet upgrades are visible, feel premium, and are relatively inexpensive. A quality bathroom faucet runs $100 to $400 for a solid mid-range option. If you are already tiling and retouching the vanity area, swapping the faucet while your plumber is on site makes sense.

The sink itself is a harder call. If the existing sink is in good shape and you are not reconfiguring the vanity, keep it. Sink swaps are simple, but if you start changing the vanity footprint you can run into wall work and drain rough-in adjustments that push costs up quickly.

What to Avoid

Moving your toilet is expensive. Licensed plumbers in Colorado run $85 to $175 per hour in 2026, and relocating drain lines requires opening floors and sometimes subfloor framing. Unless the toilet location is genuinely a problem, leave it where it is.

Skip the pipe relocation unless you have a specific reason. Keeping your toilet, sink, and shower in the same general positions can save $5,000 to $15,000 on a remodel - that is real money that can go into better finishes.

Colorado Homeowner Note on Permits

In Colorado Springs, plumbing work during a remodel requires a permit through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department or the state plumbing board if it involves moving or adding fixtures. Your plumber should pull that permit - if they are not licensed through the state, that is a red flag. Colorado law requires all plumbing contractors to be state-licensed.

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