Bathroom and kitchen renovation costs showed a noticeable change in the last quarter. Measured in dollars, it fell for the first time after almost two years of continuous increases. The correction was due to the recent movement in the exchange rate, which pushed down the value of small businesses expressed in hard currency.
According to a real estate report, a standard bathroom and kitchen renovation in an urban apartment today requires an investment of approximately $17,039,421, which is equivalent to $11,850 in last week’s blue dollar sale value. This number is about $1,350 lower than last quarter and is at levels similar to those in the same period in 2024. For homeowners looking to improve the functionality of their environments or reevaluate a used home before putting it on the market, the gap represents key data.
German Gomez Picasso, of Reporte Inmobiliario, told TN that the decline is entirely linked to exchange rate dynamics.
He pointed out that “the element that generates the decline is 100% cash, due to the change in the exchange rate, and with the rise in the price of the dollar in recent weeks, it automatically led to costs in dollars being adjusted slightly lower.” On the other hand, prices in pesos moved in line with general inflation: 23.8% year-on-year in bathrooms and 26.2% in kitchens, differences that decrease when converted to dollars due to the jump in the exchange rate.
For specialists, this relationship between inflation and the dollar is what determines the central equation. “Construction costs in pesos have been moving very in line with inflation in the rest of the goods and services, on the order of 2% per month on average over the past six months,” Gomez-Picasso said. “With the dollar mimicking inflation, costs remain stable in that currency, and as the dollar rises behind costs, and as the dollar rises, dollar costs fall.”
The effect of the dollar variation is similar in both small and large businesses, although in high-end spare parts the effect can be hidden by the presence of imported materials and finishes that do not depend much on the movement of the exchange rate. In the premium segment, values remain high due to the nature of the product, exceeding dollar parity in a given quarter.
Gomez Picasso stressed that some details have the greatest impact on the budget. “Finishes can always make a difference, for example, a freestanding bathtub faucet can exceed $2,000,000. The recommendation to save without losing quality is to work with professionals who know which materials last the longest without losing design quality: this element re-evaluates the property despite the passage of time,” he said.
In kitchens, the process is more complex because it involves antiques, furniture, storage systems and worktops which, depending on the use of each home, can completely change the requirements.
“It is very important to see the use of the person who will live there. The kitchen itself is not designed for a person living alone as it is for a typical family. Today simple kitchens are used where most of the appliances are almost hidden; an example of this is the penetration that panel refrigerators have,” Gomez Picasso told the news portal.
He also highlighted the development of kitchens integrated into living rooms, which requires planning for sophisticated materials and designs because everything is visible.
Likewise, current trends accompany this type of election. In kitchens, islands and peninsulas are created to improve circulation, while built-in furniture grows to free up useful surface space. Light colors are still dominant, but warm colors have gained new ground with bolder tones and materials that mimic natural stone.
In bathrooms, round mirrors have replaced traditional rectangular mirrors, and lighting has become a key element in transforming small spaces.
Architect Gabriela Correa, who specializes in new construction and remodeling, told TN that the bathroom requires maximum efficiency. “In general, it is a small space where resources have to be maximized. Once the basic services are resolved, the next step is to focus on storage. As icing on the cake, lighting is an essential aspect in bathrooms, especially when there are women in the house,” he added.
In master bathrooms, double sinks with prominent faucets, choosing suspended toilets, and locating storage areas away from the shower area are becoming increasingly popular.
For those facing an extensive renovation, the finishing market offers multiple options, although there are basic criteria to avoid frustration. “It is important to use materials that are easy to clean, with as little adhesion as possible to dirt, grease and fumes, and to adopt products that are resistant to shocks, acids and abrasives,” Correa explained. In recent years, the supply of stone, porcelain tiles and integrated countertops with included bowls has increased. The design of the furniture has also been developed, with internal systems allowing for better organisation.
Warm materials are also gaining ground, especially wood in large bathrooms designed with split levels or “split level” style, where wet and dry areas are separated. It is a trend that is expanding into the category of projects that seek to add comfort without losing functionality.
Despite the advancement of some materials, the key remains in the layout: good redistribution, taking advantage of natural light and avoiding saturated areas. For kitchens of 20 square metres, prices range from US$12,000 to US$13,000, while a large bathroom can cost up to US$10,000. Add to this the recent increases: since the August devaluation, sinks, faucets and toilets have registered increases of between 20% and 25%.
Current prices
- Standard bathroom and kitchen complete renovation: $11,751
- Previous estimated cost per environment in 2019: $7,000
- Standard kitchen of 20 square meters: USD 12,000 to USD 13,000
- Large bathroom with an area of more than 6 square meters: up to 10,000 USD.
- Freestanding Tub Faucets: Over $2,000,000.
- Shower, bidet and sink set: about $400,000 (premium is 70% more).
- Al-Basha: from $100,000.
- Standard faucets: from $70,000.
- Top brand toilet: starts at $125,000.
In this context, those who save dollars benefit from the richest values, while others resort to installments or current plans to finance inputs.
“Good work is defined by planning and selecting materials that last. This ensures that investment translates into value and quality of life,” Correa concluded.