Installing a new bathroom suite is one of the major investments a homeowner can make to a property – and one that has the potential to increase your enjoyment in your home, as well as add to its monetary value.
From ripping out tired, dated suites to removing built-in storage units and switching over-bath showers for waterfalls; the upgrades available to your bathroom are extensive – and they can also become expensive, fast.
In this article, we’ll cover how much a new bathroom costs, what affects the cost of a new bathroom, how you can save money on a bathroom renovation, what’s involved in fitting a bathroom and how to find and hire a bathroom fitter.
If you’re considering upgrading your bathroom for something a touch more modern, keep reading to find out the best ways of doing just that while being as cost-effective as possible.
How Much Does a New Bathroom Cost?
Typically, a new bathroom costs anywhere from £1,500 to £10,000 or more, depending on your budget and whether you intend to replace a few key pieces or completely transform your bathroom.
If you’re on a budget, you can usually update your bathroom suite for between £1,500 and £2,500. If your budget is more flexible, you can achieve a fully renovated bathroom for between £4,000 and £6,500.
If you’re keen to achieve a luxury bathroom, you should expect to pay at least £8,000 for a designer suite, high-quality taps, marble or granite wall and floor coverings, and perhaps even a freestanding tub.
There is a huge variation in the cost of bathroom fittings and fixtures. The table below indicates how much you will typically pay for these:
| FITTING OR FIXTURE | ESTIMATED SUPPLY COST | TIME REQUIRED |
|---|---|---|
| Basin and Taps | £30 to £700 | 1 to 2 hours |
| Bathroom Cabinet | £40 to £750 | 1 to 3 hours |
| Toilet | £50 to £650 | 2 to 4 hours |
| Bath and Panels | £100 to £650 | 3 to 5 hours |
| Freestanding Bath | £375 to £2,600 | 1 to 2 days |
| Mixer Shower | £50 to £150 | 2 to 8 hours |
| Electric Shower | £150 to £200 | 2 to 8 hours |
| Thermostatic Shower | £150 to £200 | 2 to 8 hours |
| Power Shower | £150 to £500 | 2 to 8 hours |
| Digital Shower | £300 to £1,000 | 2 to 8 hours |
| Shower Screen | £35 to £350 | 1 to 2 hours |
| Shower Enclosure and Tray | £160 to £1,100 | 1 to 2 days |
| Heated Towel Rail or Radiator | £40 to £600 | 2 to 4 hours |
| Extractor Fan | £20 to £100 | 2 to 8 hours |
| Bathroom Lighting | £10 to £120 | 1 to 3 hours |
| Laminate or Vinyl Flooring | £10 to £30 per square metre | 1 to 3 days |
| Bathroom Wall and Floor Tiles | £15 to £150 per square metre | 1 to 5 days |
| Underfloor Heating | £50 to £150 per square metre | 1 to 2 days |
| Old Bathroom Removal | £300 to £1,000 | 2 to 3 days |
As you can see, the cost of bathroom fittings and fixtures varies widely depending on what you plan to include in your new bathroom, as well as whether you choose budget, mid-range, or luxury fittings and fixtures.
Basin and taps are estimated to cost between £30 to £700. The cost depends on the material of the basin (porcelain, ceramic, marble, etc) and the price of taps varies significantly depending on the manufacturer and the quality.
Lower priced taps tend to be less durable, and their internal ceramic disc cartridges often fail after a year or two, causing the tap to leak.
A bathroom cabinet has a similarly wide price range and is estimated to cost between £40 to £750. The size and material of a bathroom cabinet are factors most likely to determine the price; solid wood is a popular choice due to its appearance but it will be more costly that cabinets made from PVC.
Take into consideration the finish of a cabinet also, as this is needed to ensure longevity of the material but it could impact the price.
Toilets are estimated to cost between £50 to £650. It’s an easy job to replace a toilet with an identical or similar unit so the cost of this is likely to be more affordable at £50, whereas a close-coupled toilet installation will be more expensive as the toilet and cistern are attached to create one fluid unit.
Bath and panels are likely to cost between £100 to £650 and the price point is largely determined by the material of the bath and panels, as well as the amount of labour needed to install the unit. If you’re going for a like-for-like replacement, you can expect your costs to be cheaper than needing to install an entirely new bath and panel with new plumbing.
A freestanding bath is estimated to cost between £375 to £2,600. The biggest factor impacting freestanding bath prices is the material; iron, porcelain and acrylic are common mid-range materials whereas materials like copper or resin are more expensive as they will last a lifetime with correct maintenance.
A mixer shower is estimated to cost between £50 to £150 and is one of the most affordable shower types.
An electric shower and thermostatic shower are estimated to cost between £150 to £200.
A power shower is estimated to cost between £150 to £500 and a digital shower is estimated to cost between £300 to £1,000.
As you can see, the largest factor affecting shower cost is the type of shower you choose. The more high-end shower types may require more plumbing or a larger plumbing system to run efficiently.
You should also be aware of the additional features for a shower that can increase the overall cost. A shower screen is estimated to cost between £35 to £350 and a shower enclosure and tray is estimated to cost between £160 to £1,100, depending largely on the size and materials used.
A heated towel rail is estimated to cost between £40 to £600 and the main factors impacting cost are the size of the rail, the materials used and whether or not you need a specific finish added.
A bathroom extractor fan typically costs between £20 to £100. There is a range of extractor fan types available; from a wall fan to a centrifugal fan and this is what will largely determine how expensive the fan is.
Bathroom light is estimated to cost between £10 to £120. The price paid will depend on the quality, size and number of lights. More or bigger lights may require more than one tradesperson which could hike up the cost.
Bathroom wall and floor tiles are estimated to cost between £15 to £150 per square metre. The biggest impact on price will tiles is going to be the quality and design; expensive stone tiles are going to be more expensive than laminate tiles, for example.
Underfloor heating is a wonderful addition to any bathroom and is estimated to cost between £50 to £150 per square metre. The total cost of installing underfloor heating will be dependent on the size of your house/room, system type and groundwork required.
To entirely remove your old bathroom, you’ll likely need to pay between £300 to £1,000. This cost depends entirely on the scope of removal.
In addition to the cost of purchasing a new bathroom suite, you’ll need to factor in the cost of hiring a bathroom fitter to put everything together. Alternatively, you can also hire individual tradespeople to fit your new basin, toilet, and bath or shower, as well as all the plumbing, electrics, and flooring you’ll need.
The table below indicates how much these tradespeople typically charge per day:
| TRADE | ESTIMATED DAILY RATE |
|---|---|
| Bathroom Fitter | £150 to £250 |
| Plasterer | £120 to £200 |
| Flooring Specialist | £150 to £200 |
| Tiler | £150 to £200 |
| Painter and Decorator | £160 to £240 |
| Plumber | £160 to £300 |
| Electrician | £240 to £480 |
A bathroom fitter is estimated to cost between £150 to £250 per day. This cost could vary depending on the scope of the work and if more than one labourer is needed.
A plasterer is estimated to cost between £120 to £200 per day. You may need a plasterer to do a range of jobs from skimming, replastering and rendering. The exact type of work you need and the size of the room will determine the final cost.
If you’re laying down new flooring, a flooring specialist will likely cost between £150 to £200 per day. The main factor determining their price is the type of flooring you want laid (laminate, hardwood, tiling, etc).
Similarly, if you know you want new tiles for your bathroom suite, a tiler is estimated to cost between £150 to £200 depending on the tile type and design.
For the finishing touches, a painter and decorator is estimated to cost between £160 to £240. The final cost will be determined by the scope of the job, the quality of the paint purchased and the size of the room.
A plumber is estimated to cost between £160 to £300 per day and the biggest factor impacting their day rate is the scope of the job. If you need an entire new bathroom plumbing then the final cost will be more expensive than the odd job here and there.
An electrician is estimated to charge between £240 to £480 per day. As doing the electrics in a bathroom can be a dangerous job, it’s well worth paying for the experience of a qualified electrician to do the job properly and safely.
If you’re considering replacing your bathroom suite, but don’t have the budget to do it straight away, it’s best to hold off on any other work in the meantime.
If you replace your flooring or your tiling to fit your current suite, you’ll just end up having to re-do sections when your new fittings are in, which will waste time and money in the long run.
What Affects the Cost of a New Bathroom?
The breadth of changes you want to make to your bathroom will be constrained by your budget, but there are ways to get the look and style you want while making cost-effective options.
The Size of Your Bathroom
Bigger bathrooms will need more materials to complete, as well as longer labour hours for contractors to finish their jobs. However, smaller bathrooms might need new plumbing to be more accessible or space-efficient.
While it might be tempting to say that on the surface, smaller bathrooms will be less expensive, costs can soon rack up if you’re needing new pipe fitting or electrical points for power showers.
Plumbing
Undoubtedly, a bigger chunk of your money will go towards plumbing-related activities, such as fitting a new basin and taps, as well as an updated bath or shower and toilet.
The costs can mount if there is a significant alteration to the existing layout, requiring more plumbing work. It’s reasonable to estimate that around £700 to £900 will be required for the plumbing services.
Electrical Work
Depending on how old your current bathroom is, you may be looking to upgrade your lighting to LED spotlights, both for their look and lower running costs. Other electrical work may include installing a shaving socket, extractor fan and power shower.
Typical costs can be around the £300 mark depending on other variables.
Wall Tiling
Tiling is a trade that requires expertise to be executed flawlessly. The average cost for tiling is between £850 to £950.
This is one of the more difficult and costly mistakes to rectify post-project, so it’s important to ensure you get the best tiler you can afford in the first instance to avoid costly repairs or corrections further down the line.
Flooring
One of the most commonly ignored extras that come back to haunt most homeowners is flooring.
Whilst some bathroom fitters include flooring in their quotes, many others don’t. This can make their quotes seem low, but always make sure to ask exactly what their quote includes so you don’t face any unwelcome surprises.
For vinyl flooring, you can expect to pay in the region of £250 to £450, depending on the size of the bathroom.
Your Choice of Bathroom Suite
Most people prefer to select the bathroom suite of their choice and then find an installer. The bathroom suite is a significant purchase, and when you have made such a commitment, you must find the right installer who will bring your dream to life.
Bathroom suite prices will typically be around the £1000 mark for standard suites, with budget ones coming in a bit lower; while luxury suites will be significantly higher.
If You Use a Bathroom Designer
If you’re undertaking a particularly tricky renovation on a small space or making over a seriously neglected bathroom in need of a lot of TLC, you may want to enlist the help of a bathroom designer to offer you the most space-efficient layout.
Most plumbing suppliers will offer this service in-house, and plans can be drawn up to put in your chosen suite and any other extras into a CAD layout to visually show you what would work in your space.
This is an optional extra but can be a great helping hand if you’re new to renovating and don’t know where to start, or if your space is particularly small and you’re not sure how to use the space effectively.
Your Location
As with all home renovation projects, the location your property is in will impact your costs.
If you’re in central London with no on-site parking for contractors, remember to factor in parking permits to your project fee – but if you’re living in the middle of the countryside with plenty of curb-side parking available, this will be something you can thankfully save on during your renovations.
Your Choice of Accessories
Consider accessories as your finishing touches, with things like mirrors, shelves, toilet roll holder, towel rail or ring, soap dish or dispenser and hooks falling into this category.
Some of these can be held off from your original project, as most are nice-to-haves; but you may soon realise how important a mirror is in your bathroom, so it’s best to factor it into your original budget so you’re not left with a half-finished space at the end of your renovation.
Removing Previous Fittings and Fixtures and Clearing Rubbish
Finally, another important aspect is the cost of gutting your existing bathroom and disposing of the waste. Average costs for gutting and waste disposal fall within the £300 to £1,000 mark, and skip hire is the most common solution as all the waste can be removed in one go.
However, depending on the type of fixtures you currently have, there may be scrap value to them. In these instances, you may decide to remove and keep these items to resell.
Further to the money returned to you from selling old fixtures, you’ll also save on skip hire or waste removal as you’ll be doing this yourself – the only thing you will have to pay is in your own time.
How Can I Save Money on a Bathroom Renovation?
Thankfully, there are quite a few ways to save money on your bathroom renovation. Here are our top tips:
Invest in the Best Quality Fittings and Fixtures You Can
The fittings and fixtures are what you and your family are going to be using day in, day out – so it will pay you dividends to have hardwearing, quality materials from the beginning to save you replacing them within a few years.
Keep an Eye on Sales
Buying the best quality fixtures and fittings at their full price might not be possible – which is where savvy shopping comes in.
By keeping an eye on sales throughout the year, you can look to save between 20% to 50% on the RRP of certain items. Even if your bathroom renovations are a pipedream at the moment, if you have your eye on a particular bathroom suite, checking in regularly to see if it’s been added into any sale lines can help you to get the style you want at a price that’s more cost-effective.
Doing this can help you to save money along the way which, if still left over at the end of your project, can be spent on extras to add some personality to your bathroom.
Avoid Extra Plumbing
Although this might not be possible in all situations, where you can, avoid moving the position of your fixtures in your bathroom as this will require extra plumbing which will, in turn, require extra fees and labour time.
If your bathroom is extremely space inefficient, there may be no choice but to change up the layout to make it work for you and your family, so if you have to do this, speak to a bathroom designer or plumber to find out the best positions to reduce the amount of extra plumbing needed.
Be Tile-Savvy
Tiling is an easy way to increase the cost of your bathroom renovation and with good reason. It requires a high amount of skill to be done right, and with individual tiles being expensive, if you damage them while cutting them to size, your material costs can easily skyrocket.
If you have your eye on a luxurious style of tile, consider using it for a feature wall instead of your entire bathroom. You can experiment with patterns, and have a plain tile on the majority of the walls, and your premium tile outlining the edges, for example.
To reduce costs, it’s worth asking friends and family if they are confident with tiling as you might get lucky and have a willing volunteer to help with your renovation.
Gathering more than one quote from contractors is a good way of making sure you’re getting the best price possible, and by using HouseholdQuotes you can compare fees quickly and easily from one simple search.
What’s Involved In Fitting a Bathroom?
Unless you’re building a new home, the first thing you’ll need to do is remove your old fittings and fixtures.
Your contractors will remove your old bathroom suite, and either dispose of it in a skip or keep it behind for you if you plan to pass it on to someone else or sell it as a reclaimed suite.
Your fitters or tradespeople will then remove old tiling, flooring, and any other fittings and fixtures to create a blank canvas for the renovation.
Once your old bathroom is gone, the first job is to make any plumbing or electrical adjustments required for your new bathroom. This could include adding or moving pipework to accommodate a new bath or shower enclosure, as well as adding towel rails, new lighting, or sockets for shavers or electric toothbrushes.
Next, your contractors will repair the walls and make good in preparation for either painting and decorating or tiling, using the wall coverings of your choice.
Once that’s done, your bathroom fitter, tiler, or flooring specialist can lay the floor covering you’ve selected, whether it’s beautiful ceramic tiles or bathroom-friendly laminate or vinyl flooring.
With your wall and floor coverings in place, your fitters or tradespeople can now install your bathroom suite and furniture, including your new basin and taps, your bath or shower, toilet, bathroom cabinet, and more.
Finally, your contractors will complete your bathroom renovation by adding any accessories you might have chosen for that finishing touch, such as towel holders and hooks, toilet roll holders, and shelves.
Then you’re free to enjoy your new bathroom!
How Do I Find and Hire a Bathroom Fitter or Installer?
As the first port of call, it’s best to seek recommendations from family, friends and neighbours. If they’ve recently had a similar project completed in their own home, they’ll be in a great position to be able to recommend contractors to you – or potentially ward you away from using someone who was no good.
Similarly, if any of those acquaintances are au fait with DIY, it might be worthwhile asking if they’ll assist you with any parts of the project you feel you can take on yourself, such as the flooring or tiling.
Although these jobs do require a certain level of skill, if someone is willing to coach you as you go, or even do the job for you, this can save you a substantial amount of labour fees.
For an easy online search, HouseholdQuotes can typically save you up to 40% on your project quote, allowing you to quickly compare contractors and their offers with one simple search.
Ensuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
As with all renovations, getting a written quote is the best way to ensure a reputable trader. If they refuse to give you one, refuse to work with them.
Finding out their experience and relevant references and insurance will also help you to weed out any cowboy traders, and save you both time and money when it comes to incomplete jobs, or ones that need re-doing after a few months of wear.
Final Checklist
If you’re longing to rejuvenate the look of a tired and dated bathroom, gutting out your existing bathroom suite and starting afresh is usually the best way to go.
Here are our final points to make sure everything is accounted for when you decide to take on the renovation:
- Consider what would make your bathroom workable for you. Is it simply upgrading your fixtures and fittings, or does the layout need to be reconfigured?
- Get in touch with a bathroom designer or plumber if you are considering moving your fixtures to different positions as this will require extra plumbing work to be undertaken – as well as extra fees
- If building a new bathroom as part of an extension, or adding one into a room that wasn’t previously a bathroom, check with the Planning Portal to make sure you can proceed with your idea before committing to any contractor
- Keep an eye on sales and if your bathroom suite, tiles or flooring go into any sales, pick them up while they’re on offer to save you money
- Get a range of quotes from trusted suppliers using HouseholdQuotes, helping to save you up to 40% on your project’s fee
- Make sure your contractor’s quotes include waste disposal (if needed), as well as the cost of flooring to ensure it’s not a hidden cost at the end of your project
- Ask friends or family if they’re comfortable and experienced in tiling to help trim your labour costs down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Planning Permission for a Bathroom?
Usually, the answer is no, unless your bathroom is part of an extension, and if your property is listed, there will be separate guidelines to adhere to.
If you’re planning on turning a different room into a bathroom, you’ll need building regulations approval before you get started on any work, so always seek this out before booking in with any contractor to first make sure it is permissible for your property.
How Long Does It Take to Remove and Fit a New Bathroom?
It typically takes 2 to 3 weeks to remove and fit a new bathroom for most projects.
You should expect this timeline to potentially increase up to 4 weeks for larger, luxury bathrooms with a standalone bath, separate shower, intricate tile patterns and bespoke lighting. The more renovations there are to complete, the longer the job will take.
Is a New Bathroom Worth It?
A new bathroom really does make a substantial difference to your home, even if it only improves your enjoyment of living in your property.
Statistically speaking, a new bathroom is worth it. It can potentially increase the value of your home by 4%, as well as being one of the main factors new buyers consider.
Is It Expensive to Move or Relocate a Toilet?
It can be, yes. This is because moving or relocating a toilet will require extra plumbing and extra fees as a result.
If you’re hoping to redo your bathroom suite but are looking for ways to save on costs, it’s highly recommend you minimise the amount of extra plumbing or wiring required.
How Much Do Plumbers Charge?
Plumber rates vary depending on the part of the country you live in and the type of work you’re doing. The average plumber charges between £40 and £80 per hour.
Day rates for plumbers vary between £180 and £350 although you should expect to pay 20-30% more per day when your plumber is installing an appliance into your home. Take a look at our dedicated page to find out how much specific plumbing jobs are likely to cost and ways you can save money.
How Much Does Bathroom Tiling Cost?
On average, the estimated cost for tiling a small bathroom is between £600 and £1,150 depending on materials used, the design and the size of the bathroom.
To find out the cost for a medium or large sized bathroom, take a look at our dedicated guide.
What’s the Cost of a Heated Towel Rail or Radiator?
A heated towel rail is estimated to cost between £40 to £600. Installing a new small radiator is estimated to cost between £170 to £190.
To find out the cost factors affecting installing a new radiator or heated towel rail, as well as the ways you could potentially save money, make sure to look at our dedicated guides here and here.
