Before you find a trustworthy bathroom fitter near you to carry out your work, it’s wise to have an idea of the average bathroom renovation cost. The price of materials and labour has risen over the last few years, so basing your budget on previous bathroom renovation costs will set you up for disappointment.
We'll cover the following topics in this pricing guide:
- Average bathroom renovation costs
- How long does a bathroom renovation take?
- How to reduce bathroom renovation costs
- FAQ
- Your bathroom fitting checklist
Average bathroom renovation costs
The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home, so it should be one that’s both attractive and fit for purpose. It’s a space to relax and unwind, get energised for the day and to take a much-needed moment to yourself.
But, as a room that’s subject to lots of moisture and daily use, it’s also somewhere that needs TLC from time to time. Leaks spring, grout needs to be refreshed and new technology comes along that can elevate your bathroom experience. So how much does it cost to renovate a bathroom?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of some new bathroom quotes for the most common jobs. Or if you’re looking for a more detailed breakdown of a bathroom renovation quote, keep reading.
| Core Bathroom Jobs | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| First fix plumbing | £1,000 - £3,000+ |
| Full bathroom renovation | £7,200 - £9,800 |
| Ripping out an old suite | £500 |
| Shower fitting | £100 - £600 |
| Bathtub fitting | £300 - £1,500 |
| New toilet or sink | £150 - £1,000 |
| Tiling a bathroom | £50/m2 for tiles, £300/day for labour |
| Underfloor heating | £300 per room |
| Radiator | £300 - £500 |
| Plastering | £400 - £700 |
| Laminate or vinyl flooring | £20 - £60/m2 |
| Electrical work | £100 - £550 |
| Decorating | £400 |
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Altogether, after speaking to experienced MyBuilder bathroom fitters across the UK, we estimate the average price of a bathroom renovation is between £5,000 and £10,000, though these prices can be more in areas like London and the south east.
How much does old bathroom removal cost?
Some bathrooms need a bit of sprucing up, while others are best being scrapped entirely. And whether you’re DIY’ing most of the project or leaving the whole bathroom to the professionals, paying someone to remove your old bathroom simplifies this messy task. It can be dusty, dangerous and require you to tackle unsafe work such as removing wiring.
Once you factor in labour costs and the price of hiring a skip, you can expect to pay around £500 for a bathroom removal. Often, the cost of your bathroom removal will be included if you’ve opted for a new bathroom suite, so you won’t be charged an additional fee.
There are factors that can increase the price of your bathroom removal. The size of your bathroom, whether tiles and flooring need to be removed and if there are underlying structural issues that need another tradesperson’s attention can all increase the price.
First fix plumbing cost
If you’re starting entirely from scratch or building a bathroom extension, you may need help with first fix plumbing. Essentially, this means getting the correct pipes in place under the floorboards, ready to be connected to your bathroom suite. The work will include drilling for and laying new pipes.
The cost can vary significantly based on the size of your bathroom and how extensive the work is, but you can expect to pay anywhere from £1,000 to £3,000+.
Average bathroom remodel cost
Looking for an entirely new bathroom? It can be easier and more cost-effective to find a bathroom fitter who can help you design, plan and carry out your bathroom renovation.
According to 2024 research, the average cost to fit a new bathroom suite is around £7,200. Taking into account other work, such as tiling, flooring, heating and showers or bathtub installation, you can expect to pay around £9,800.
The final cost will depend on many factors, such as the size of the room, the condition it’s in before the work starts, the fixtures and furniture you choose and whether you choose budget, standard or bespoke options.
Cost of a new shower
How much a shower costs will depend on what you need. A new shower head can cost as little as £5 but a mixer shower and electric or power shower will cost much more. Simple mixer showers cost around £100, with waterfall or power showers costing £200+.
You’ll need to purchase a shower tray too, unless you’ve opted for a combination bathtub/shower. You might also want to consider the cost of a shower screen or the cost to fit a shower curtain rail.
Depending on your style, budget and the size of your shower, you can expect to pay as little as £60 for a tray and £100 for a simple glass panel. For a luxury wet room-style shower, you could pay £600+, depending on the design and additional features, such as an in-shower shelf or built-in seat.
Cost of a new bathtub
A standard fibreglass, porcelain or acrylic bathtub will be much cheaper than a bespoke or whirlpool bath. At the lower end of the price scale, baths can be installed for as little as £300. Whirlpool bathtubs need to be wired in by an electrician, increasing the price to around £500. Luxury bathtubs, such as those made from cast iron or walk-in bathtubs for disabled people, can cost as much as £1500+ to buy and have installed.
Cost of a new toilet
If you need to replace a damaged or old-fashioned toilet, you’ll need to consider the cost of the toilet and the labour to plumb it in. A simple toilet can cost as little as £100, with labour costing between £40 to £80 per hour. You may need to budget more for labour if your fitter needs to adjust the soil stack or adjust the flooring to accommodate for a vastly different toilet.
The cost of a Japanese toilet, equipped with features like a bidet and warming seat, can range from hundreds to £1,000+. You can also expect to pay more for bespoke toilets with notable style features. If you’re having a new bathroom suite installed, the toilet and its installation will be included in the price.
Cost of a new radiator
A new bathroom radiator costs between £300 and £500, factoring in the cost of the item and labour. A simple radiator will be cheaper than a large towel rail, but the latter can be a worthwhile investment. If you’re swapping an old radiator for a new one in the same style, labour costs are likely to be lower.
Cost of underfloor heating
An alternative to radiators is underfloor heating. Installation can actually be cheaper, provided it’s done before you lay your flooring. It can also give you more control over how you heat each room. You can expect to pay around £300 for an average-sized bathroom, check out our dedicated guide for a full cost breakdown.
Cost of a bathroom extractor fan installation
Wondering about bathroom extractor fan installation costs? You can expect to pay around £300 to £350 for this piece of essential equipment, which will keep your bathroom pristine and free of mould for years to come.
Cost of bathroom electrical work
There are lots of electrical tasks you might need carried out in the bathroom, from fitting new lights to wiring a new electrical shower to fitting multiple extractor fans. Depending on the scale of the work, you can expect to pay between £150 and £500 for parts and labour.
Cost to tile a bathroom
The price of bathroom tiling work will depend on the cost of your chosen tiles. On average, you can expect to pay around £50 per m2 for bathroom floor tiling. Tiles start from around £20 per m2 and, if you’re going for bespoke tiling, can cost hundreds of pounds per m2.
If you’re buying the tiles separately and simply need labour, you can expect to pay £200 to £300 per day. Your tradesperson should let you know how long the work will take before you agree to go ahead.
Cost to plaster a bathroom
You might prefer to paint your bathroom walls, but it’s likely they’ll need to be plastered beforehand. Budget around £400 to £700 for professional plastering in one bathroom but increase the amount you expect to spend if you’re having more than one bathroom plastered.
Cost to decorate a bathroom
To get your bathroom painted to a professional standard, and take the stress out of a messy DIY task, you can expect to pay around £400 per room. Of course, the cost may be higher if you opt for premium paint or if you have a larger-than-average bathroom.
Cost of additional bathroom renovation items
Taps: Between £30 to £100. Save money by buying taps in a pack, rather than two separate taps. If you need someone to come and fit them, you’ll also need to budget for labour. Sealant: To reseal a bath or shower, you can expect to pay around £85. Painting: The cost of painting a bathroom is likely to be around £400.
Cost to regrout a bathroom
The cost of regrouting a bathroom will depend on how large the space is and how much regrouting needs to be done. Per m2, you can expect to pay around £15 for the grout materials. On top of this, you’ll need to factor in labour. For a whole bathroom regrout, you should budget around £350 to £400, while a shower regrout is likely to cost around £300.
Cost to repair a leak
Even if you’ve only got a small leak, there will be a minimum call-out fee. Usually, it’ll be between £50 to £100, with even higher prices for visits during the night or over holidays like Christmas or Easter. To fix the actual leak, you can expect to pay between £130 to £300 (including the call-out fee).
If the leak has caused damage to your property, you could be looking at a significantly higher price.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
It’s also sensible to know how long your bathroom work is going to take. Here’s a guide to how long a full bathroom remodel could take, and estimates for the smaller jobs along the way.
| Work | Time |
|---|---|
| Full bathroom renovation | One week to one month+ (depending on the level of work) |
| Shower or bathtub fitting | Three to five hours (or up to a day for more technical models, such as whirlpool) |
| New toilet or sink | Two to three hours |
| Tiling a bathroom | A few days to a few hours (depending on the level of tiling and the size of bathroom) |
| Underfloor heating | A few hours to a few days (depending on size of bathroom) |
| Radiator | Two to four hours |
| Plastering | A few hours to a few days (depending on size of bathroom) |
| Laminate or vinyl flooring | Three to five hours (though additional time will be needed for latexing concrete floors beforehand) |
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How to reduce bathroom renovation costs
If you’re looking for a bathroom renovation on a budget, there are a number of ways to reduce the overall cost. You can save money and enjoy a refreshed bathroom perfect for those moments of me-time.
- Source materials and items yourself: Just paying for labour can help reduce the overall cost of your bathroom renovation. You’ll be free to hunt down affordable tiles and a bathtub that’s within budget, saving your money to have them installed by a trusted expert. Shop around for the best deals and look out for sales that will help you get more from your budget.
- Replace items, not the whole suite: Maybe your toilet is looking tired, your shower is scaled up and your bathtub needs a refresh. Why not consider replacing affordable elements like taps, toilet seats and shower heads to make your bathroom feel brighter?
- Explore cheaper decoration options: Tiles look great, but they can be expensive to purchase and install. You could consider vinyl flooring and painted walls instead, which will make your bathroom brighter and fresher for a lot less. Alternatively, skip the shower screen and keep it simple with a shower curtain to match your décor.
- Find a reliable tradesperson: Even the highest-quality bathroom fixtures can wear quicker than they should if not installed properly. Issues range from annoying, like a leaky bath or loose toilet seat, to dangerous, such as a shower which hasn’t been wired in properly. Finding a highly recommended tradesperson means you’ll avoid costly issues down the line and can focus on enjoying your new bathroom.
FAQ
Can I DIY my bathroom renovation?
There are so many reasons why investing in a professional bathroom fitter is the right option. DIY bathroom renovations can be messy and dangerous; one wrong move and you could cause a significant leak or flood, or risk hurting or electrocuting yourself. At best, a mistake can add extra costs and time to the project. At worst, you could cause costly structural damage to your home, have to renovate other rooms or put yourself at risk of serious injury. Save yourself time, money and hassle and leave your bathroom renovation to the professionals.
How much time does a bathroom renovation take?
If you’re opting for a full bathroom refit, the work could take anywhere between one week and one month. Factors that impact the timescale include the current state of your bathroom, the size of the space and the complexity of the work. The speed of the work will also be impacted by whether you have a team of tradespeople or separate contractors handling different parts of the project.
When is the best time for a bathroom refit?
Bathroom fitters can be at their busiest between September and December as people spruce up their homes in time for the festive season. Go for spring and summer, as the best bathroom fitters will likely have availability and you can complete the project well before the season of entertaining begins.
Your bathroom fitting checklist
Not sure how to set your bathroom renovation project up for success? A great experience starts with the right tradesperson. Here are five things to check off before committing to the right bathroom fitter.
- Find someone with relevant experience: This is particularly true if you’ve opted for specialist fittings or appliances. Finding someone who understands exactly what you need will make the process go much smoother and prevent unnecessary issues.
- Check out their portfolio: Even if a tradesperson is great at what they do, it may not be to your taste. If you can, check out previous examples of their work to make sure you like the finish, fixtures and fittings they go for. That way, you can make sure you’re going to be happy with the end result.
- Ensure your tradesperson is insured: Accidents happen and unexpected issues crop up. If your tradesperson is insured, they’ll be able to cover the cost of any leaks or damage and make sure the work is completed no matter what.
- Get a transparent quote: A reputable bathroom fitter should quote for all aspects of the work and be transparent about the project’s cost. If they’re not happy to provide a full breakdown of the overall fee and haven’t quoted for essentials like materials and labour time, you could be setting yourself up for issues. Also, make sure you get the quote in writing before any work starts. It'll protect you down the line if a rogue tradesperson tries to add costs or refuses to honour agreed fees.
- Read previous customer reviews: The best way to get an honest insight into a bathroom fitter is to check out what real customers think of them. At MyBuilder, you can read thousands of reviews from verified previous customers. If you like everything about a tradesperson and their reviews are great, you can feel reassured they’re going to do a great job.