Everyone has an image of what a perfect bathroom should be. Some people prefer hard materials like stone, stainless steel, porcelain and glass. While others prefer softer materials like natural wood, carpet and fabric.
The average bathroom fitting costs in the UK for a new suite in a standard-sized room of about 9m2 will be £2500 to £7000. A typical bathroom installation in a small room of about 4m2 or less will be £1500 to £5000. While, a luxury new fitted bathroom measuring more than 10m2 costs at least £4000, and can reach £15000 or more. None of these prices includes extras which we’ll talk about later.
When we talk about a new bathroom, some people might want a complete bathroom refurbishment. Perhaps, others might want to replace a bath with a shower cubicle, or maybe only fit a bath panel, which will be a small job in comparison. Whatever you think an ideal bathroom should be, will be personal to you. But, in the end, you want to have a job done that you can be proud of.
A new fitted bathroom comes in many shapes and sizes. However, they all have pretty much the same fixtures you would expect in a bathroom. What makes the difference is the quality and finish of the accessories.
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Bathroom Installation Costs: Full Pricing Range
In the following table, we highlight the purchase cost of each component in your bathroom renovation. And, the total cost to supply and fit. You can use these figures either as a cost calculator to benchmark against your own findings. Or, use it as a starting point when you decide on your bathroom suite.
| Bathroom fixture quality | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Medium | Luxury | ||||
| Bathroom size | Fixtures | Total | Fixtures | Total | Fixtures | Total |
| Small room (less than 4m2) | £700 | £1500 | £1000 | £2500 | £1500 | £5000 |
| Medium room (4m2 to 10m2) | £1000 | £2500 | £1500 | £3500 | £2500 | £7000 |
| Large room (more than 10m2) | £1500 | £4000 | £2000 | £7000 | £5000+ | £15000+ |
But, how would you define BUDGET, MEDIUM, and LUXURY?
- We can class a budget bathroom remodel as replacing toilet, basin, shower, bath or bath panel on a like-for-like basis. One gets broken, so you replace it. Simple.
- A medium bathroom refit could mean removing old fixtures and upgrading them with a new suite of toilet, shower, or washbasin. Additionally, you might also replace a bath panel, install new flooring, fit wall tiles, install an extractor fan, and a towel radiator.
- A luxury bathroom replacement will include more exotic components. For example, a walk-in bath, wet-room, and underfloor heating. Also, sophisticated lighting, his-and-hers washbasins, a bidet, and fitted bathroom units.
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Example Quote Estimates
Let’s consider a couple of more detailed tables first and cover the explanations afterwards.
| Fixtures total cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Component | Budget | Medium | Luxury |
| Toilet pan | £50 | £100 to £250 | £500 |
| Bath | £80 to £100 | £200 to £500 | £1000 + |
| Shower | £50 to £100 | £100 to £200 | £250 + |
| Washbasin | £50 to £70 | £80 to £150 | £250 + |
| Taps | £25 to £50 | £60 to £100 | £150 + |
| Tiles (per m2) | £2 to £25 | £35 to £50 | £50 + |
We also have other bathroom furnishing needed to make your bathroom special. So, let’s have a look at some bathroom fittings and fixtures, see what’s available, look at the cost, and how long they take to install.
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| Item | Cost | Installation time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Mirror | £20 to £150 | 30mins |
| Spotlights | £50 to £150 | 2hrs | |
| Towel radiator | £30 to £120 | 3hrs | |
| Decorating | £15 to £30/hr | 4 to 8hrs | |
| Medium | Full-length mirror | £150 to £250 | 2hrs |
| Fitted bathroom units | £400 to £500 | 3hrs | |
| Downlights | £40 to £70 per light | 4hrs | |
| Towel radiator | £80 to £150 | 3hrs | |
| Extractor fan | £250 | 8hrs | |
| High | LED light and mirror | £350 to £400 | 3hrs |
| Custom-built cupboards | £2000 | 5hrs | |
| Automatic lighting | £25/bulb | 2hrs | |
| Underfloor heating | £40/m2 | 3days | |
| Moving electrical points | £40 to £60/hr | 1 to 2 days | |
| Walk-in-shower | £1200 | 3 to 4 days |
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Toilet pan
Your home can do without a lot of things. But, a toilet bowl is essential. And, they come in many types and designs. Low–level toilets have the cistern close–coupled directly above the rear of the pan. These save space but the water pressure behind the flush is better if the cistern is higher. Some bowls have an integral pedestal and fix to the floor, while others fix onto the wall. The latter type allows for easier cleaning of the floor. Many people, when they fit a bathroom, choose a toilet with a high–level cistern and chain. Although this is a traditional style and might seem outdated, they are still manufactured and look very sophisticated. However, they can be quite expensive.
High–level toilet bowls are good for the disabled or the elderly, who can easily sit on them and stand up without having problems. Finally, we have a ‘smart toilet’. This type specifically targets better health and hygiene. Automatic sensors control the flush and wash cycles, which allow for ‘hands-free’ use.
The choice of toilet bowl boils down to whether you want one that’s practical or one that’s luxurious. It’s up to you.
Installation of a typical toilet bowl and cistern will be about £250.
Bath
An average bathtub installation costs about £300. The cost to buy depends mainly on material, size, and whether it’s out of the ordinary like a ‘walk-in-bath’. A standard bathtub size is 700mm x 1700mm, although you can buy various styles and sizes.
The cheapest bathtub and the one that’s easiest to install is made from lightweight acrylic. Unfortunately, the cheaper versions need a frame to support the weight of water and person and prevent any deformation of its shape. However, the more expensive ones have heavy-duty acrylic and come pre-installed into a frame. Steel baths are also cheap to buy but harder to install because of the weight. Another lightweight, but a more expensive type is a reinforced fibreglass tub. It is strong, durable and lightweight, and will last for many years. Furthermore, all these types can be insulated by spray-on foam on the underside.
Freestanding cast iron and polished stone bathtubs are the most expensive and the heaviest of the entire range. They are also difficult to insulate so will rapidly lose heat while in use.
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Shower
Many people have both a bath and a shower if they have room. But, if you have a small compact bathroom, it might be better to install a shower rather than a bath. Not only are they better if you’re short on space, but they also use less water and need less energy to heat the water.
There are many different types of shower available. Electric showers connect to a cold water mains supply and heat the water as needed. Furthermore, there isn’t any need to store the hot water in a tank for later use. Next, a shower bath uses a shower head on a hose connected to the bath taps. Another type uses hot and cold water feeds which are manually mixed at the point of use with a temperature control valve. Alternatively, you can buy other models that automatically mix hot and cold water using a thermostatic mixing valve. Thereby, giving water of the required temperature.
Power showers allow stored hot water to be fed to the mixing valve at a pressure comparable to mains pressure. So, mains and stored water can blend evenly.
Steam showers seal the heat and steam within the cubicle to prevent wasted heat and to give a ‘sauna’ experience. The most expensive types use smart technology to remotely control the temperature and flow rate using a digital thermostat.
Washbasin
Basins are essential for hygiene after using the toilet bowl and for general washing purposes. There are many types to choose from and you should consider the various options before buying one. A typical basin costs between £50 and £150, depending on the material and style you prefer.
The commonest style to choose from is a pedestal basin. This comes with a porcelain pedestal column and can be freestanding anywhere. Although they generally need to be fixed to a wall as well, other types rely on a wall fixing alone. Furthermore, other variations drop into a hole cut into a worktop or vanity unit. The most expensive is the console basin. These are wider and deeper than usual, and more accessible for handicapped users. Usually, they are wall–mounted, as well as being supported by two or four supporting legs.
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Taps
Unlike a kitchen, you need two sets of sink taps in a bathroom. One on the washbasin and one on the bathtub (assuming you have one). And, if you’re updating either one, you’ll need some new taps to go with it. Taps range from simple mixer taps to pillar taps. Furthermore, they can be separate from the basin and tub and fitted to the wall or can be installed through a predrilled hole. Alternatively, you can choose hand-held showerheads connected to the bath taps. Or, as something really special, choose floor mounted taps, so the basin and tub can be in the middle of the room if preferred.
Remember, a classy pair of taps will make your bathroom stand out as also being classy, even if the basin is a cheap one.
On average, taps take between 30 to 60mins to fit. But, if they’re more exotic, can take longer.
Tiles
Bathrooms tend to have very high moisture levels in the air. This condenses onto cold surfaces like a wall or floor, which also happen to be absorbent. This can cause damp and other problems so it’s usual to cover the walls with tiles made from ceramic, stone, plastic or another impermeable material. While floors have waterproof carpet, vinyl or tiles.
Tiles come in different sizes, materials, colours and thicknesses to suit various situations. Wall tiles are usually calculated in square metres. And, professional tilers usually charge per square metre or with an hourly rate. This can be between £15 and £30/hr depending on the size of the job, the condition of the walls, and what material the tiles are made from. It’s also common to use tiles on a bathroom floor as well, especially if you have underfloor heating, as these readily conduct heat with low energy loss.
Like taps, well-chosen tiles will make a cheap bathroom suite look sophisticated if you spend a little bit more on them.
Typical wall and floor tiles range from £5 to £50/m2 but can be more expensive if we consider polished stone floor tiles.
Underfloor heating
Underfloor heating is a cheap and efficient way to heat a bathroom if you can install the heating elements or pipes while the other work goes on. Electric heat mats cost between £20 and £50/m2 plus additional costs for heater controls, insulation board and other components.
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Towel radiator
Imagine stepping out of the bath or shower in the middle of winter without any heating in the bathroom. It’s not a very nice thought, is it? Another uncomfortable thought is to wrap yourself with a towel, made damp by the moisture in the air. What you need is a towel radiator, more often known as a ‘heated towel rail’. Some types get their heat from the hot water tank, while others use electricity. Typically, they look like a ladder and have the rails designed to hold wet towels so they can dry. The heated rails serve another purpose too. They also warm the room.
This is one component that should be included in a bathroom refit. And, you can buy relatively cheap ones for less than £100, although the average cost can be up to £150 depending on size.
Neither version can be fitted by an amateur. Instead, get a plumber to connect to the hot water tank or an electrician to provide an electrical point suitable for a bathroom. Typical installation costs will be about £250. If your bathroom is new and is in a room that previously wasn’t a bathroom, you must fit appropriate heating to comply with the UK Building Regulations. Otherwise, if you’re just refurbishing an existing bathroom, heating is optional.
Extractor fan
Unless you want to keep an external window open all the time, an extractor fan is essential. Without one, the moisture levels in the room soon rise, providing a suitable environment for mould and damp on the walls and around the window frame.
Typically, a bathroom extractor fits into a glass windowpane or through an external wall to vent to open air. Alternatively, it can connect through the ceiling into a tube which vents to the outside air through the roof.
You can manually operate all bathroom extractor fans using a pullcord switch within the bathroom. Or, a standard electrical switch outside the room. The fan is also usually connected to the bathroom light. Therefore, it will operate when the main light turns on. Also, it has a time delay so it doesn’t stop working until an appropriate time has passed after the light has been turned off.
If the bathroom is new and installed in a room that previously wasn’t a bathroom, you must provide adequate ventilation to comply with the UK Building Regulations. Otherwise, if it’s just a refurbishment, a fan isn’t compulsory, although it’s a very sensible addition. Extractor fans must be vented to outside air so installation can be difficult. Typically, the job can take anything up to 8 hours and needs an electrician on hand to connect to the power supply. Although you can buy relatively cheap fans costing less than £100, good quality machines might cost up to around £250. The size of the fan you choose and its flowrate will depend on the volume of the room.
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Bathroom Installation Day Rates & Labour Fees
Although a good bathroom fitter can tackle all the jobs involved when installing your new bathroom, sometimes you might use individual tradesmen.
Expect to have the entire existing bathroom dismantled and removed within a couple of days, including wall and floor tiles, and electrics. This will cost between £250 and £500, including hire of a waste skip.
A plumber and a labourer will usually install a bathroom suite. A bathroom fitter or a plumber will charge between £40 to £60 per hour, and a labourer will be between £10 and £20 per hour. Total cost, depending on the number of new components and length of pipe run will be about £700.
You will need an electrician to install an extractor fan, connect an electric shower, electric towel rail and upgrade power points for shaver point or any additional lighting. Depending on the existing electrical ring main, you might need new cables installed and a new consumer unit added. An electrician will also ‘bond’ all exposed metal pipes, radiators and taps to earth and run this cable back to the consumer unit as well.
Typical electricians charge £40 to £60 per hour. And, will run up a total charge of around £300 depending on the quality and number of electrical fittings.
Usually, both the plumber and electrician should be registered under the local council’s competent person scheme, which is backed by the UK Government.
A flooring specialist, needed to install a waterproof floor covering will cost around £300 for vinyl flooring depending on the floor area.
A good tiler charges around £15 to £30/hr. And, you’ll need an experienced person if you want a first–class job.
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Additional Cost Factors
Remember that fitting a new bathroom isn’t only about installing the new components. Many people often forget about some aspects until they need them. For example:
- Hiring a waste skip to remove the old ceramic units and wall tiles. This can cost between £90 and £300.
- Allowing time to seal the rest of the house from the messy rooms. Removing old wall tiles and making fan vent holes can cause a lot of masonry dust. Make sure the fitter seals around doors and cleans up afterwards.
- People often forget to choose a bath panel. These can be ready–made from acrylic and cost up to £50 or be custom made from solid wood, or plywood covered with wall tiles.
- Cover the gap between the plastered wall and floor with new skirting boards. They don’t cost much to buy but will need cutting to length and painting afterwards.
New Bathroom: Design Planning
Before hiring a bathroom specialist it’s best to agree with your partner what you want to be included in your new bathroom. Only you know your budget and it’s easy to become carried away. However, it’s worthwhile mentioning that all DIY stores that sell bathroom components offer a bathroom planning service, usually free of charge. This is to encourage you to buy their products. Using these services will save money and all you need are the room measurements, positions of existing components and pipework, and a few ideas to start.
Some ideas
Let’s consider some of these ideas to start you off.
- What’s your design theme? Although most bathroom fixtures are made from white porcelain, you can choose other colours and these have matching or complementing wall tiles. Try to keep to a single theme otherwise, your new bathroom will look a mess.
- A bathroom, like a kitchen, needs its components to be positioned with practicalities in mind. You might not know the plumbing requirements of a bathroom. But, a bathroom designer will. Be guided by their experience and specialist knowledge. And, use a qualified bathroom fitter or plumber for a quick, and first-class job.
- Electricity and bathrooms don’t mix unless you use the electrical components specifically designed for bathrooms. Be aware that you might need extra lights, a towel rail or electric shower and you’ll need wiring installed. Use a qualified electrician to ensure it’s done right.
- Decide what type of taps you want. Remember, people notice accessories such as taps and will judge your bathroom based on their appearance. For a few pounds more, you can make a budget bathroom look sophisticated.
- A well–designed bathroom will have complimentary wall tiles and flooring. Although you won’t buy these from the bathroom manufacturer, they will be part of the overall plan. So, choose from the available options and compare them against your bathroom’s theme.
- Do you want to remove a wall between the existing bathroom and adjoining room to make the bathroom larger and more luxurious? If so, who will be doing this work?
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What to ask your bathroom fitter
- Every bathroom is different, and you need to know that a bathroom fitter can handle all the jobs you want to be done. Don’t ask them whether they’ve fitted many bathrooms. Instead, ask whether they’ve fitted your type of bathroom. Especially if you want an out-of-the-ordinary bathroom component installed, such as a walk-in bath or wetroom.
- Ask whether the bathroom fitter has a portfolio you can look at. Preferably this will include before and after photos, anything unusual about the bathroom and written reviews by the customer.
- Check whether the bathroom fitter has the required knowledge and experience to do specialist work. For example, moving and adding electrical points requires a qualified electrician. If your bathroom needs electrical work, ensure the fitter can legally do this. Alternatively, will they subcontract this work to an electrician?
- You can always tell a good fitter from a bad one by how they answer questions. Do a bit of research and find out the answer to a technical question (How about something in the UK Building Regulations?). How the fitter answers the question will say a lot about how they work.
- Ask for 3 or 4 different estimates or quotations from various bathroom installers. Check that the amount of work in each quote is comparable.
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UK Building Regulations & Planning Permission
Usually, you’ll need planning permission if the new bathroom is part of a new extension to your home, or your house is a listed building. Otherwise, the work is classed as a permitted development and won’t need it. If in doubt, ask your local council for advice.
Furthermore, for a bathroom refurbishment or upgrade, you probably won’t need building regulations approval either. Unless, you add ventilation, drainage or electrical works. The Building Inspector must inspect these. Alternatively, you can use an approved ‘competent person’ who is on the UK Government’s register and can self certify their work. Usually, most qualified gas heating engineers, plumbers and ‘Part P’ electricians already belong to the scheme. Just go onto the webpage and use the ‘search tool’ to confirm your tradesman is registered.
However, if the bathroom is being fitted into a room which wasn’t previously a bathroom, the work must comply with other regulations. You will need to provide proof of
- Structural safety, Part A of the Building Regulations (Structural safety),
- Adequate ventilation, Part F (Ventilation).
- Plumbing and drainage, Part G (Sanitation, hot water and water efficiency).
- Electrical safety, Part P (Electrical Safety).
- Fire Safety, Part B (Fire Safety).
- Heating, Part L (Conservation of Fuel and power).
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Bathroom Fitting Q&A
Does adding a new bathroom add value to a house?
Usually, a new bathroom suite can add about 5% onto your property’s value. Unfortunately, this isn’t as much as a new kitchen. But, not having adequate bathroom space for the required number of occupants, can discourage prospective buyers from purchasing your property.
Do you tile before or after fitting a bathroom?
The sequence isn’t as straightforward as that. But, there is an industry-accepted order of work, that gives the most efficient use of time and materials.
Initially, get all ‘first fix’ electrical and plumbing work done. Then install the shower tray or bath (unless it’s free–standing). Next, lay the floor tiles. After the grout has dried, install the remainder of bathroom components. Finally, tile the walls and grout them.
What is the easiest bathroom floor to install?
There are a few easy ones, depending on your preference.
- SPC Waterproof Vinyl Tile is very easy to install. It looks like wood and can be installed over radiant underfloor heating. This floor covering is so simple to lay, you could do this as a DIY project.
- Rigid Core Engineered Wood is rigid and waterproof and easy to install. The sections click together, and it can float over existing flooring. Good as a DIY floor covering.
- Water Resistant Laminate Flooring is also an easy DIY flooring. The sections interlock together making it a simple job. It’s also water resistant.
- WPC Vinyl Tile is a composite of wood, plastic and vinyl and is very easy to install. It’s completely waterproof and easily cut to fit.
In contrast to these, the hardest floor coverings to fit are porcelain, ceramic or stone tiles.
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Do big tiles make a small bathroom look bigger?
The best ways to make a small bathroom look bigger are as follows:
- Use plain coloured floor tiles for your bathroom design.
- Use large tiles. If you have a small bathroom, many people believe that small tiles work better. However, having many grouting lines will make the room look smaller than it should.
How far up should you tile a bathroom wall?
There are two answers to this.
- It’s your wall, and you can have tiles as high as you want, or none at all.
- However, to be practical, and to look good, tile to about half the wall height from the floor. For example, if the wall is 2.4m high, tile up to 1.2m or as close as you can with a full tile.
Having said this, always tile the full height of the wall inside a shower enclosure. And, provide 1 or 2 courses of tiles above a washbasin.
Can I install a bathroom myself?
Yes, you can, as long as you have the DIY skills and confidence to tackle the required tasks. And, pass on specialist work to qualified professionals
Other things to bear in mind include how much hot and cold pipework needs to be moved and whether you have to extend or move the drainage pipes. All those tasks can be quite tricky if you haven’t got the tools or know-how.
On an electrical point of view, do you need to move or add any electrical components? If so, then you need a qualified electrician to comply with the Building Regulations.
The main thing to ask yourself is what would you do if anything went wrong?
Apart from these tasks, some aspects of the job can be straightforward and simple. But, a qualified bathroom fitter or plumber will be able to work faster and with far fewer mistakes.
Get Bathroom Fitting Quotes
Although installing a bathroom refurbishment, won’t increase the value of your home very much. It will make it more attractive to prospective buyers. Also, it will make your life much more pleasant while you live in the house. Although you can do simple bathroom upgrades as a DIY project, only qualified and experienced tradesmen should attempt certain tasks.
So, if you want to know the cost of bathroom fitting to a standard you would be proud of, complete the form on this page. Then, you’ll receive 3 to 4 quotes from qualified tradesmen near you who will be happy to renew your bathroom components.
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