11 min read
The complete guide to bathroom renovations
Bathrooms cost more per square metre than almost any other room, and most of the money is spent on things you will never see again once the tiles go on.
Where the money goes
A typical 6m² bathroom refit costs £6,500–£12,000 ex VAT with mid-range fittings. Roughly 55% of that is labour: strip-out, plumbing first fix, floor preparation, tanking, tiling, second fix and sealing. Sanitaryware is frequently the smallest line on the invoice.
| Element | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Strip out and disposal | £350 – £700 | More if asbestos floor tiles are found |
| Plumbing first and second fix | £1,200 – £2,600 | Higher if the WC or soil pipe moves |
| Tanking and tiling | £1,600 – £4,000 | Driven by wall area and tile format |
| Sanitaryware and brassware | £900 – £4,500 | Wall-hung and thermostatic systems cost more |
| Electrics and ventilation | £450 – £1,200 | Zoned lighting, extractor, towel rail, UFH |
Waterproofing is the specification that matters
Tiles are not waterproof and neither is grout. In showers and wet rooms you need a tanking system — a liquid or sheet membrane applied over a suitable board. A quotation that does not name the tanking system is a quotation that may not include one.
For wet rooms, the floor also needs a formed fall to the drain and a proprietary tray or graded screed. This is the single biggest cost difference between a wet room and a shower tray installation.
Water pressure and heating
The best shower in the world will disappoint on a gravity-fed system with a low tank. Before you choose brassware, establish what system you have: combi, unvented cylinder or gravity. Mixer showers need balanced pressure; some rain heads need 2 bar or more.
If your boiler cannot support another bathroom's demand, that cost belongs in the bathroom budget, not as a surprise later.
Timescale and sequence
Eight to fifteen working days is normal: strip out, first fix, board and tank, tile, grout, second fix, seal and snag. Tanking and adhesive need curing time that cannot be rushed without risking failure.
Money-saving decisions that do not backfire
- Keep the WC in its existing position — everything else is comparatively cheap to move.
- Tile full height in the wet zone and use a quality moisture-resistant paint elsewhere.
- Choose a standard-format tile; labour, not tile price, is where the cost sits.
- Buy a mid-range thermostatic valve from a brand with spares availability rather than an unbranded set.
Questions to ask builders
- Which tanking system will you use, and is it included in this price?
- Is tile supply included, and what allowance per m² has been assumed?
- Who is responsible if the floor needs repair after strip-out?
- Will my existing water pressure support the shower being specified?
- Is the extractor fan compliant with building regulations for this room?
- Does the price include removing and disposing of the old suite?
- How many working days on site, and will the same fitter be here throughout?
Warning signs in a quotation
- No mention of tanking or waterproofing anywhere in the quotation.
- A fixed price for tiles without a stated £/m² allowance.
- A five-day promise for a full bathroom including tiling.
- Electrical work with no reference to certification.
- No allowance for making good the ceiling below.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new bathroom cost in the UK?
£6,500–£12,000 ex VAT for a standard 5–6m² room with mid-range fittings in 2026. Wet rooms and larger rooms cost more.
Is a wet room a good idea?
For accessibility and small spaces, yes. It needs proper tanking and fall formation, which adds £1,200–£2,500 over a tray installation.
How long does a bathroom refit take?
Eight to fifteen working days. Curing and drying time is real and should be in the programme.
Do I need building regulations approval?
Not usually for a like-for-like refit, but electrical work and structural changes are notifiable, and ventilation must meet current standards.
Independent
We do not sell leads, take commission or work with contractors.
Evidence-linked
Every finding points back to the exact page and wording in your quote.
Private
Your quotation is used to produce your report and nothing else.
Price it with a calculator
Already have a quote?
Upload it to KnowMyQuote and receive a detailed independent comparison showing whether you’re paying too much, too little, or receiving poor value.
- Your documents stay private
- Every finding linked to the wording
- No affiliation with any contractor