The bathroom upgrades that actually pay off at resale on Long Island — and the ones to skip.
A bathroom remodel is one of the highest-impact things you can do before selling — but only if you spend on what buyers actually want. After decades of remodels across Suffolk and Nassau, here's where your money returns the most.
The theme: clean, modern, and move-in-ready beats expensive and trendy.
A clean, frameless walk-in shower with large-format tile is the single most requested bathroom feature. In a primary bath, it's a major selling point — just keep a tub elsewhere in the home for families.
$5,000–$15,000+
A modern vanity, quartz top, new faucet, mirror, and good lighting transform a bathroom for a modest budget. This is the highest-ROI cosmetic upgrade you can make.
$1,500–$5,000+
Large-format porcelain on the floor and shower walls reads as high-end and is waterproof and durable. Neutral, timeless tile appeals to the most buyers.
$7–$20+ per sq ft installed
A proper exhaust fan and moisture-resistant materials prevent the mold and peeling that scare buyers off. It's not flashy, but it protects everything else you install.
$300–$1,200+
Curbless showers, grab-bar blocking, and comfort-height fixtures appeal to the large Long Island market of buyers planning to age in place — without looking institutional.
varies by scope
Spend first on a clean walk-in shower, an updated vanity and lighting, and timeless tile — that combination returns the most and helps a home sell faster. Skip ultra-trendy finishes and luxury extras you won't recoup. We'll help you target the upgrades that fit your home's price point on a free estimate.
Founder of Milton's Construction. Four decades building and remodeling homes across Long Island. More about us →
Yes — an updated bathroom is one of the top features buyers look for, and a midrange remodel typically returns about 60–70% of its cost while helping the home sell faster.
Keep at least one tub in the home for families with young children. Converting to a walk-in shower is great in a primary bath, as long as another bathroom still has a tub.
An updated vanity, countertop, lighting, and faucet give the best return for the lowest cost. A modern walk-in shower has the highest buyer appeal.
Get a free, no-obligation estimate for your project today.