Find the Best Bathroom Remodel Contractors in Missoula

If you're planning a bathroom remodel in Missoula, the first question on your mind is probably: how much is this going to cost? The answer depends on the scope of work, but here's what Missoula homeowners are typically spending in 2026.

A basic bathroom refresh — new fixtures, fresh paint, updated flooring, and modern hardware — runs $5,000 to $8,000 in the Missoula area. A full midrange remodel with new tile, a replacement vanity, updated plumbing fixtures, and improved lighting typically lands between $12,000 and $18,000. For a luxury renovation with custom tile work, heated floors, frameless glass showers, and high-end fixtures, expect to invest $25,000 or more.

One advantage of remodeling in Montana: labor rates here tend to run 10-15% below national averages. Licensed plumbers and electricians in Missoula generally charge less per hour than their counterparts in larger Western cities like Seattle, Portland, or Denver. However, material costs can run slightly higher since Missoula has a limited number of specialty tile and fixture suppliers — some materials may need to be shipped in from Spokane, Seattle, or ordered online.

The biggest factors that affect your final price:

• Bathroom size — a small half-bath update vs. a full primary bathroom gut
• Scope of work — cosmetic refresh vs. moving plumbing and electrical
• Fixture quality — builder-grade vs. mid-range vs. luxury brands
• Permits required — plumbing and electrical changes add permit costs
• Seasonal timing — winter months can mean slightly better rates and faster scheduling from contractors

Missoula Building Permits for Bathroom Remodels

Not every bathroom remodel in Missoula requires a permit — but many do, and it's important to get this right. The City of Missoula Development Services (406-552-6630, 435 Ryman St.) handles all building permits within city limits.

You will need a permit for any bathroom work that involves plumbing changes (moving or adding supply lines, drains, or fixtures to new locations), electrical modifications (new circuits, moving outlets, adding lighting on new wiring), or structural alterations (removing or modifying walls, changing window openings). Interior remodels that change the layout of a bathroom will require a building permit.

You typically won't need a permit for cosmetic updates like painting, installing new cabinetry or countertops, replacing flooring, swapping out fixtures on existing plumbing connections, or installing replacement windows that match the original size and type.

Permit fees in Missoula are based on the total project valuation, with a plan review fee calculated as a percentage of the building permit fee. For a typical midrange bathroom remodel, expect to pay a few hundred dollars in permit fees. Your contractor should handle pulling all necessary permits — if a contractor suggests skipping permits to save money, that's a red flag. Permits expire if work doesn't start within 180 days, so timing matters.

Best Time to Remodel Your Bathroom in Missoula

Here's something most Missoula homeowners don't realize: winter is actually one of the best times to tackle a bathroom remodel. Montana's short outdoor construction season (roughly May through October) means that contractors are slammed with exterior projects — decks, roofing, siding, additions — during spring and summer. Try booking a contractor in June and you might wait weeks just to get a quote.

But between November and March, the picture changes. Contractors have more open schedules, crews are available, and you may find more competitive pricing as businesses look to keep their teams busy through the slower months. Since bathroom remodeling is entirely interior work, Montana's cold winters don't affect your project timeline at all.

Material delivery is worth considering, though. Heavy snowfall can occasionally delay shipments into Missoula, especially specialty items coming over mountain passes. Planning ahead and ordering materials early helps avoid any weather-related delays. The permit office at Development Services also tends to process applications faster in winter when there are fewer submissions to review.

The bottom line: if you can be flexible on timing, scheduling your bathroom remodel for late fall or winter can save you money and get your project started sooner.

Remodeling by Neighborhood: What to Expect

Missoula's neighborhoods span over a century of development, and that means the scope of a bathroom remodel can vary dramatically depending on where you live.

Rattlesnake: The Lower Rattlesnake is one of Missoula's oldest neighborhoods, with homes dating from the 1880s through the 1940s. These charming workers' cottages and Craftsman bungalows — many in the National Register-listed Lower Rattlesnake Historic District — often have original plumbing and knob-and-tube wiring that needs updating. Expect plumbing and electrical work to be a significant part of any remodel here. The Upper Rattlesnake features somewhat newer and larger homes with more updated systems.

University District: Home to tree-lined streets and some of Missoula's most desirable real estate, the University District is known for its Craftsman-style bungalows built in the early 1900s through the 1940s. Many of these homes have been lovingly maintained, but bathrooms in older homes are often small by modern standards. Common projects here include opening up tight floor plans, updating old plumbing, and bringing electrical up to code — all while preserving the historic character that makes these homes special.

South Hills / Moose Can Gully: Historically marked by ranches and farms, the South Hills saw significant residential development from the 1960s through the 1980s, with split-level and ranch-style homes being common. These homes often have dated but functional bathrooms with original tile, basic vanities, and standard fixtures. Remodels here tend to be more straightforward since plumbing and electrical systems are generally in decent shape — the focus is usually on modernizing finishes and improving layouts.

Miller Creek / Linda Vista: These southwest Missoula neighborhoods feature some of the city's newer construction, with major development in the late 1990s and 2000s. Homes here — popular with families and professionals — typically have more modern plumbing and electrical. Bathroom remodels in Miller Creek are often cosmetic upgrades: replacing builder-grade finishes with custom tile, upgrading vanities, or adding features like heated floors and frameless glass showers.