Sioux Falls Bathroom Remodel Costs: Homeowner Plumbing Rules, Fees and Hard Water

A free cost and process guide for homeowners in Sioux Falls and the rest of Minnehaha County, from Get Bathroom Pros.

Do it yourself, or hire it out?

Sioux Falls homeowners have an unusual option. Under South Dakota law (SDCL 36-25-17), a homeowner may install plumbing in the single-family residence where they live, under a homeowner permit that covers the house only. Many people still hire the work out. Either way, the city's fee scale and rules set some of the costs. This guide covers them and the order of a bathroom remodel.

City licenses

The City of Sioux Falls requires a city license of contractors doing electrical, plumbing, or mechanical and HVAC work within city limits. If you hire a plumber or electrician, ask for the city license number and check it.

Permit fees

The City of Sioux Falls' 2026 fee schedule charges $40.00 for residential work valued up to $4,000; above that, the fee rises with valuation, for example $80.50 for a job valued at $9,001 to $10,000 and $140.50 for $19,001 to $20,000. Remodels and renovations are valued at the actual bid price. Ask whether the permit is in the quote, or budget for it yourself if you are doing the work.

Hard water shapes fixture choices

The City of Sioux Falls' water report lists average total hardness of 250 ppm for city water, with a suggested softener setting of 15 grains per gallon. That is very hard water. For a new bathroom:

choose faucet and shower finishes that resist spotting and are easy to clean;
ask about valves and cartridges that are easy to service when scale builds up;
consider whether your softener covers the bathroom lines;
clear glass shower doors show scale quickly; ask about coatings or textured glass.

Cold-weather details

Keep supply lines out of exterior walls where possible, and insulate any that must run there. Exhaust fans should have a tight damper so cold air does not pour in through the duct.

The order of work

1. Design and selections. 2. Permits, homeowner or contractor. 3. Demolition. 4. Rough plumbing and electrical, fan ducting. 5. Rough-in inspection. 6. Waterproofing and backer board. 7. Tile. 8. Fixtures, vanity, toilet and glass. 9. Final inspection.

If you do the plumbing yourself

Read the homeowner permit's inspection steps before starting. Inspections must happen before walls and floors are closed. Remember that the homeowner permit covers only the house, not a garage or other building on the property.

Comparing quotes

Ask for line items: demolition, plumbing, electrical, ventilation, waterproofing, tile, fixtures, glass, permits and cleanup. Tie payments to stages.

Records

Keep the permit, inspection results and product warranties together.

Sources for this guide

Under South Dakota law (SDCL 36-25-17), a homeowner may install plumbing in the single-family residence or farmstead where they live, or will live when construction is complete; the homeowner permit covers the house only, not other structures on the property. Source: South Dakota Plumbing Commission, Homeowner Plumbing
The City of Sioux Falls' annual water report lists average total hardness of 250 ppm as calcium carbonate for city water, with a suggested water softener setting of 15 grains per gallon, and 168 ppm (10 grains) for Lewis and Clark water. Source: City of Sioux Falls, Annual Water Quality Report (2026 brochure)
The City of Sioux Falls' 2026 fee schedule charges $40.00 for residential work valued up to $4,000; above that the fee rises with valuation, for example $80.50 for a job valued at $9,001 to $10,000, $140.50 for $19,001 to $20,000, $193.00 for $29,001 to $30,000 and $283.00 for $49,001 to $50,000. Remodels and renovations are valued at the actual bid price. Source: City of Sioux Falls, 2026 Fee Schedule (Building Services)
The City of Sioux Falls requires a city license of contractors doing electrical, plumbing, or mechanical and HVAC work within city limits; it issues those licenses alongside its residential building and roofing contractor licenses. Source: City of Sioux Falls, Contractor Licensing

Sources checked 2026-10-26. Every cost figure on this page comes from a source named above; fees and rules change, so confirm current amounts with the office that sets them before you budget.