What electrical and lighting work includes
- Vanity and accent lighting
- Exhaust fan installation
- Code-compliant wiring for wet locations
- GFCI outlet placement
Lighting a bathroom with a big window
Our first Reston project had a large window overlooking trees. Daylight like that is a gift, but it does not help at 6 AM in winter. Plan light at the mirror that falls evenly on the face, a general ceiling light, and a fixture rated for the shower area if the shower is enclosed. Keep fixtures simple so they do not compete with the view.
Exhaust fans in interior bathrooms
Plenty of Reston townhouse and condo bathrooms have no window at all, so the fan is the only way moisture leaves. The Virginia Residential Code requires bathroom exhaust to discharge to the outdoors, not into an attic or between floors, and sets a minimum of 50 cfm for intermittent fans or 20 cfm for continuous ones. A quiet fan on a timer or humidity sensor tends to get used more.
Routing the duct is the hard part in an interior bathroom. It may run through a ceiling to an exterior wall or the roof. In a condo, it may connect to a building exhaust system that the association controls. Our guide to exhaust in windowless bathrooms covers the options.
Exterior vent caps and Reston Association
If a new fan needs a new vent cap on an exterior wall or roof, that is a visible exterior change. Reston Association's Design Review Board reviews exterior improvements on covenanted properties, and most exterior alterations need approval from the DRB or Covenants staff. Check before cutting a new opening.
Permits
Fairfax County treats new electrical and mechanical work, such as new circuits or a new exhaust fan, as permitted work. A direct like-for-like replacement in the same location generally does not need a permit. Electrical and mechanical permits are linked to the main building permit when the remodel has one.
Electrical and lighting cost
| Tier | Typical Scope | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical & Lighting | Vanity lighting, exhaust fans, and code-compliant wiring for wet locations. | $1,500–$5,000 |
Typical Northern Virginia reference ranges from Bathroom Brigade's published cost guide. They are for planning only and are not a quote; the written scope for your Reston bathroom sets the actual price.
Planning the electrical before the walls close
Most bathroom electrical decisions are cheap while the walls are open and expensive afterward. Think about where you will plug in a hair dryer or toothbrush, whether you want an outlet inside a vanity drawer or medicine cabinet, whether a heated floor is on the list, and how many switches you want at the door. Put it in the scope so it is wired once.
How big should my bathroom fan be?▸
The code minimum is 50 cfm for an intermittent fan or 20 cfm continuous, but the right size depends on the room and the duct run. We size the fan to the bathroom.
Can the fan vent into the attic?▸
No. Virginia's residential code requires bathroom exhaust to discharge outdoors, not into an attic or crawl space.
Do you add outlets at the vanity?▸
Yes, with GFCI protection as required for bathrooms.